Fishing Season: April-October

Rio Grande - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

40

Duranglers Flies and Supplies's Tip of the Week

Nymphing is your friend. A stonefly nymph, a Pheasant Tail Nymph, and some weight will be your friend. The fishing has been good from Coller moving downstream for now, but things will be warming up over the next few weeks up the drainage.

Directions open in app

Map of Rio Grande

5-Day Outlook as of 3/3/26

Warmth is coming...but winter isn't over yet. It will get progressively cooler as this week continues, with rain and snow coming next week. As of now, there is still some ice along the banks, so wade carefully.

Techniques & Tips as of 3/3/26

Nymphing! Fish a stonefly nymph with a smaller mayfly or attractor close to the bottom. Water temperatures are going to be cold should you find open water. If you are feeling frisky, throw a streamer or even a trout spey setup on good swing runs.

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
Prince Nymph Natural 10-16
TH Rubber-Legged Bugger Black, Olive 6-8
Gold Bead Hare's Ear Nymph Natural 12-16
Pat's Rubberlegs Brown 8-12
RS-2 grey 18-20
Bead Head Brassie™ Copper 18-20
Bead Head Barr Emerger Olive 18-20
Simi Seal Leech Black 8
Caddis Larva Olive 14-18

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:

Midges, Mayfly Nymphs, Stonefly Nymphs

Best Time to Fish:

12-4

Best Stretch:

creede down stream

Best Access:

coller