Winter Fly Fishing

Coming to ski? Bring your fly rod! Winter fly fishing in Telluride is one of the best-kept secrets in Colorado. Everyone needs a day off from the slopes, and you'll find excellent winter fly fishing on the Uncompahgre, San Miguel and Gunnison Rivers. We have guides available every day during the winter, with quality public water and tremendous private water alternatives. Top quality rental equipment is available, so don't worry about packing for two sports.

Winter float trips on the Lower Gunnison River are a wonderful experience, especially in February and March when the Gunnison valley begins to warm and heightened insect activity brings the year's first dry fly opportunities.  Good hatches of blue winged olives and midges feed the fish through the winter in the Lower Gunnison.  We float from the Gunnison Forks five miles downstream toward the Austin Bridge, a pleasant and gorgeous day float through low canyons and rolling farmland.  Geese, ducks and eagles punctuate the scenery.  Rainbows and brown trout up to twenty inches populate the Lower Gunnison's low gradient riffles, cut banks and deep pools. 

The San Miguel is normally excellent from late February through April.  Spring runoff begins in the last week of April or early May, but the pre-runoff window is a secret season on this beautiful river.  Nymphing is the primary technique in March and April, with aggressive fish taking large nymphs such as the Prince, Copper John, 20-Incher and Pat's Rubber Leg Stone.  You'll have the San Miguel all to yourself during this period of the year, a treat for locals and visiting anglers alike. 

The San Miguel is just minutes from the fly shop.  Afternoons fish particularly well in the spring, so many of our customers will ski the morning and fish the afternoon.

The Uncompahgre fishes well in all of the winter months. Low, clear water affords sight casting opportunities for large rainbows and browns.  In fact, many locals prefer to fish the Uncompahgre in the winter rather than the summer, because optimal water conditions and low fishing pressure combine for the year's best overall opportunities.  Private water is also available on the Uncompahgre, adding the dimensions for a multi-day winter fly fishing experience.

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Try some winter fishing in Telluride!  You'll be pleasantly surprised. Winter is a beautiful season on our rivers.