08/25/25

Where to fish?

We are still in very low water, therefore stay tuned to the USGS discharge sites. Currently, the Rio Grande at thirty-mile is at 42cfs, at Wagon Wheel Gap its 146cfs, and in Del Norte it’s at 223cfs. This is an abnormally low flow for our river. Floaters, at this point and time, there are no floating possibilities. If we get a bunch of rain, we will definitely keep you posted on floating possibilities. But, for now we recommend you get your wading boots out. Wade fisherman, the middle river is the place to be right now. Palisade CG and mile marker 8, and the collar wildlife areas are good options between Creede -South Fork. Its creek season too, any creeks above 9,800ft in elevation are a good all day option. Creeks we have recently been enjoying are Beaver creek, Park creek, West willow, North clear creek and South clear creek. Still water is an option as well. The reservoirs outside of South Fork have definitely been fishing well. We would recommend Beaver Creek Reservoir and Big Meadows. If you are wading the river please pull out around 1pm, also bring your thermometer and check temps. We are beyond lucky to have this resource in our backyard. Please don’t abuse it. Please call the shop for directions and advice.

Guide insight: Light tippet and smaller flies this time of year. Early in the morning fish have started to retreat back to deeper holes. By about 10am they return back to 2-3ft in depth- riffles. Don’t be afraid to throw midges this time of year. Nymph with a dry fly presentation, is key right now(call us if this is confusing ). Watch you shadows, as the water is low and the fish are sensitive/skittish.   

What time to fish?

On the main river, we ask that you pull out by 1pm. Please check temps, do not fish if the water temp is 68 degrees fahrenheit or higher. Creek fishing you can still get away with a full day trip especially at west willow creek or park creek. Still water, be wary as fluctuations vary depending on the reservoir and depth. For further questions give us a call and we can walk you through anything you may need. Sunrise has typically been around 6:33 am recently, get out early, the bite is on!   

 What to use?  

Streamers: Baby Gonga sz.6, Muddler Minnow. Sz.8, Hawkins(fulling mills) sz.6, dead drop blk sz.6, hot squirrel sz.10 and Wooly Bugger sz.4/6

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Legs BK Sz.14/16, Croston FMJ sz.16, Tung Jig brush hog sz.16, Tung jig fire perdigon sz. 18, Tung RL Prince Sz.14, Olive HotSpot Sz.16, BH Lighting Bug sz. 18, Tung Pheasant Tails Sz. 18, Tung Jig Red Copper John sz. 16, Zebra Midge sz.20, black Rs2 Sz.20, Mercury Midge sz.22 and smaller euro bugs in the 18-22 size range. 

Dries: Hoppers are very present right now. Midge blanket hatches are happening sporadically, make sure you are tuned in to when it happens. Caddis are still out and the occasional red quill will show up here and there.  Patterns to use: Chernobyl Chubby royal sz.14/16, Plan B sz.12, Baby Boy hopper yellow sz.14, Phat Azz hopper banko, Fuzzy Wuzzy tan sz.12/14, Parachute Adams sz. 16/18, Light Hendrickson sz. 16, Griffths Gnat sz. 20, Renegade sz.18, peacock caddis sz.12, and Elk Hair Caddis sz.14/16.

  ***Call the shop for any questions you need answered. With our summer season slowing down here in downtown Creede, we are officially closed on Sundays. We still have a couple openings, these upcoming weeks, so give us a call if you are interested in fishing. Also, we have several sales going on at the fly shop, so get your end of season gear at a discounted rate!  ***