Fishing Season: April-October

Rio Grande - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

66

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Tip of the Week

Wade fishing is the game right now with float fishing long gone. With hot and windy conditions and low flows, your best bet is to get out as early as possible and fish until about noon. And then again right before dark at about 8pm. Caddis and PMD patterns are still a good thing to have in the box. Dry/droppers are a good way to prospect the Rio right now.

Directions open in app

Map of Rio Grande

5-Day Outlook as of 7/2/26

Possible rain over the next few days (we are hoping) that may bump the flows and bring cooler water temps to the Rio.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/2/26

Smaller caddis and PMD dries in the mornings, with caddis hatches coming off close to dusk. If you get a cloudy day, fish may look up to larger mayfly drakes and PMDs throughout the morning. Get off the water by noon to help preserve this fishery, as water temperatures are getting higher than 66, which can stress fish. You will probably have to be a bit technical with your rigging.

Local Species Available April-October

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
TH 20 Incher tan 10
Stimulator Yellow, Royal 12-16
Elk Wing Caddis Brown, Olive 12-18
Rusty Spinner Rust 12-16
Pat's Rubberlegs Coffee 8-12
Duranglers Peacock Caddis Peacock 12-16
Travis Hi-Vis Green Drake Para Emerger Copper 18-20
Adams Parachute Dry Fly Olive 12-18
Chubbies Tan, Yellow, Black, Royal, Salmonfly 12-16
Black Big Boned Caddis Black 12-16

TH 20 Incher

Big trout can't resist these deadly stonefly nymphs.

2.99

Item #5E3E

Buy Now

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Recommended Gear

Description: About Rio Grande

Head waters of the Rio Grande River. This is a freestone river with an abundance of large bugs, including stoneflies, drakes and blizzard caddis hatches during the early summer. Late summer sees pmd's and terrestrials. Most of the river consists of riffle/ runs and pocket water (traditional western river). There is approximately 90 miles of fishable trout water beginning at the headwaters 30 miles above Creede, Colorado, continuing downstream to Del Norte, Colorado. Approximately 50% of this water is public with the lower 20 miles being gold metal waters. Plenty of public put-in's for boater, with the floating season normally lasting from mid April thru July.

Nearest Airport:

Alamosa, Co.

Hatches:

Caddis, PMDs, Drakes, Stoneflies, Terrestrials

Best Time to Fish:

5am-noon

Best Stretch:

creede down stream

Best Access:

coller