Telluride Fishing Report

Flows on the Miguel are 214 cfs and the fishing has been fantastic.  Wading can still be a bit challenging where the river corridor narrows but by and large you can get around pretty well.  You can still get away with some bigger attractor flies like Chubby's and hoppers but the fish can be seen free rising to caddis and mayflies in the afternoon and evening.  A small Split Case PMD or Micro May fished under a size 12 Para Caddis is a great dry dropper combo or for those wanting to throw a single dry try a size 14 yellow Chubby or a small Morrish hopper.  Water temps are hanging in there but keep an eye on it when fishing the lower SM towards the Norwood bridge.

The flows on the Dolores have bottomed out at 105 cfs at the town of Dolores.  This is very low for this time of year and we look forward to some monsoonal rains in the near future.  The fishing has been really good but be aware of rising water temps on the lower portions of the river.  We are seeing really good mayfly hatches throughout the day, this is an ideal time to do some dry fly fishing.  Parachute Adams, Melon Quills  and Elk Hair Caddis will get the job done.

Good news....?  The flows have been fluctuating between 28 and 75 cfs for the last few weeks, while not ideal we will take what we get these days.  These are quite sustainable flows for both the health of the fish and fishing conditions overall.  Terrestrials, a few pink PMD's, midges and even a few BWO's are flying around the canyon.  If you are looking for nymph recommendations for the Lower Dolores, you have come to the wrong fishing report.  Walk slowly, hunt rising fish and be aware of rattlesnakes.

Flows from the Black Canyon are being cut by around 50 cfs weekly with a current release is 700 cfs.  With a bit of inflow from the North Fork we have a pretty nice level.  Getting a raft down the lower is a no brainer right now, drift boats will leave a little paint behind but it is completely doable.  There are still quite a few Caddis, PMDs and Tricos around and you can find rising pods throughout the day.  Hoppers accurately cast to any sliver of a shade line will elicit a slow but convincing take from adult brown trout.  Many of the fish that are not living along the banks will be pushed into the fast riffles and tailouts.  Dynamic, fast water nymphing with a Pat's Rubber Leg followed by a soft hackle, Mayhem or brown Glass Bead Micro-May will be very effective.  Get a very early morning or late afternoon start.  It is unbelievably hot down there.