Fishing Conditions
Fishing Report March 16, 2026
by Troy Youngfleish
Ready or not, spring is here. Although overnight low temperatures dropped slightly this week, the 10-day forecast calls for overall higher temperatures and little moisture. While we would all like to see winter make a comeback it is not looking too likely so we might as well take advantage of some really fantastic fishing conditions!
San Miguel
The SM is currently flowing at 64.2 cfs but I would anticipate rising levels and possibly a little color in the next week or so. These factors should actually improve the fishing and start mixing things up a bit. TO guides have reported pretty solid hatches and the occasional free rising fish in the lower stretches and a few fish have even succumbed to a Chubby Chernobyl. Dry dropper fishing with a large attractor and a trailing Pat's Rubber Leg would be a great way cover water efficiently. (when is it not?) If nymphing is your preference, a larger stone fly pattern followed by a BWO nymph should cover your bases. Think large Prince, Twenty Incher and PRL for your big bugs and Two Bits, Military Mayfly and a Micro May for for your dropper.
Dolores
Not surprisingly, the Dolores has almost completely unlocked and is flowing at 127 cfs at the Dolores town gauge. It looks beautiful! While the large public section north of Rico still has some snow and ice around it, I would call it very fishable. This is the time of year when we see some of the biggest fish of the season in that section. Fishing is really good in the lower valley, where the majority of TO's private ranches are located. There have been pretty strong midge and BWO hatches but I would stick with some bigger stone fly and caddis nymphs if I am focused on the subsurface. The streamer bite has also been really great and I saw a lot of crayfish scooting around.
Lower Gunnison
They have dropped the Gunnison through the canyon to 364 cfs, a decrease of about 50 cfs from a week ago. Fortunately the North Fork is experiencing a bit of runoff and is contributing an additional 90-140 cfs depending on the time of day. The fishing below GRPP has not suffered a bit from the flow change. It is kind of an all you can eat scenario: Streamer fishing
Dry Fly Fishing Nymph Fishing. A medium sized streamer in brown or black, Eric's Midge or Parachute Adams and a Soft Hackle or (and) Juju Baetis is on the menu. Take advantage of free rising fish when you find them, spring winds will blow them off the water with regularity so get it while it lasts.
Dry Fly Fishing Nymph Fishing. A medium sized streamer in brown or black, Eric's Midge or Parachute Adams and a Soft Hackle or (and) Juju Baetis is on the menu. Take advantage of free rising fish when you find them, spring winds will blow them off the water with regularity so get it while it lasts.
Troy Youngfleish
Guide Service Manager
Guide Service Manager