Telluride Fishing Report

The San Miguel is currently reporting flows of 155 cfs in Placerville.The fishing has been very good with rising flows and elevated temps.  It is time to break out some bigger bugs while keeping an eye on water conditions.  With temperatures forecasted to rise substantially for the rest of this week and into next week we may actually see some runoff of any low elevation snow. Cold night time temps should allow our higher elevation snowpack to hang in there for a couple of weeks, fingers crossed.  Nymph rigs using Pat's Rubber Legs, Prince nymphs, Copper Johns and Perdigons in deeper runs will be effective.  Streamer fishing should pick up with smaller sized Wooly Buggers, Bread and Butters and Game Changers.

The Upper D is at 217 cfs and enjoying a steady rise.  The water has remained very clear and we are starting to see some bugs in the lower sections.  It won't be long before we see fish keying in on BWO's on the surface but fishing a baetis nymph as a second fly on a nymph rig or as a dropper off a large dry fly will be most effective.  Try a size 18 Pheasant Tail, Juju Baetis or Micro May below a Prince nymph or Twenty Incher.  If fish are poking their noses up, tie on a Thorax Baetis, Parachute Adams or a CDC Comparadun on a 10' 6x leader.

Current release is 147 cfs.  This is a somewhat ideal flow and should allow the fish to spread out a bit, rediscovering their haunts along the banks and tailouts. I would still be throwing classic tailwater midges but would rig something a bit larger as the top fly.  A Smethurst Bomb, Twenty Incher or Pat's Rubber Leg should help get their attention followed by a Demon Midge, Desert Storm or Disco Midge.  With rising water levels it may be worth searching with a small Wooly Bugger, Mini Dolly Llama or Autumn Splendor. No reports of a mayfly hatch yet but I anticipate we will see some PMD's in the next couple of weeks.

Flows below the confluence of the North Fork and the canyon are at 830 cfs.  As long as the North Fork is not coming in too silty, this flow is ideal.  You should see midday BWO hatches as long as spring winds don't push them off the water and I love a Comparadun or Hackle Stacker down there.  With the rising flows, you will find most of the risers on protected bank eddy lines that have just a bit of current.  Streamer fishing can be off the charts this time of the year. Don't be afraid to throw fairly large  streamers including Circus Peanuts, Game Changers and Sex Dungeons.  Salmonfly nymphs should be crawling around in preparation for the big June show so nymphing with a combination of big stonefly nymphs  and your favorite BWO should do the trick.

Unfortunately the Dolores below Mcphee has been at 10 cfs for the last month and I would not recommend fishing down there.  The rumor is they are going to raise it back to a sustainable level this week but nothing concrete.  We will keep you updated.