Weekly Fishing Report: 08/16/24

Rio Grande River Flows: 

 87cfs @ 30 Mile Campground 

379cfs @ Wagon Wheel Gap

506cfs @ Del Norte

Where to fish? Fishing right now on the main stem Rio Grande has picked up substantially. Over the past week, we have received an incredible amount of rain that has freshened the river up. Middle river sections are fishing best right now from a wading standpoint. We would recommend fishing downstream of the deep creek bridge near Creede. Marshal Park & Rio Grande Campgrounds have been great options. If you have any questions regarding these spots give us a call. Our creek recommendations would be squaw creek & south clear creek. Keep in mind storms have been coming into our valley by about 2 everyday. Make sure you have cover nearby in case it is a bad blow through. * We are taking float trips, it won’t last long*. Give us a call if you are interested.  

What time to fish? Even with the bumps of flows we are still seeing warm water temperatures, so make sure you have a riverkeeper thermometer on you at all times. Once the water hits 67 degrees, stop fishing. Don’t be the person that keeps fishing in warm water even if the fish are biting. This is a sacred resource to us, let’s keep it that way! Fishing has been best from about 8am to 11am. Wait for the clouds as they have been rolling in at about 9:30am, then the fish have been firing off. 

What to use!  This is the time of year, we recommend having two rods set up. If you don’t have two rods, set pre-rigs. As the tandem deep nymph rig and the small double dry rig being set up in advance could really help your success out there. Nymphing wise: We recommend your point bug being a tungsten rubber legged prince nymph or a BH twenty incher. Then for your tailing fly go small, boroff caddis in a #16 or #18, pink tag jig in a #18 or #20. Think black/gray on point bugs and green/purple on your tailing fly. With it being later in the season yarn indicators have helped with our success. 

Dry Flies: Our weather has been ideal for trico(small mayfly) hatches. As we are seeing outdoor temps in the morning hitting 68 degrees by about 10ish. Plus, the clouds have been pushing in hard. We have seen some blanket hatches that only last about 45 minutes but they have been epic. Match the hatch with a  #18 Ron’s trico spinner and #20 Quigley’s midge cluster. Keep in mind, big fish sometimes eat small. Also, terrestrials are out and about. Hopper patterns we have liked are the stream bank hopper & hopper flopper in a (#12- #16). 

Streamers: We have had some success after storms when the river bumps. Throw black first, if that does not work try green, then try yellow. If those are not working don’t throw streamers. Sex dungeons and gongas have been our predominant streamers recently.

Where are the fish? Fish are still in the riffles, think oxygen as the water temps are a bit higher. We have the classic Rio Grande green tea color going on right now. If you see light green water turning into dark green water it’s probably a bucket. Let your nymph rig have a pass or two through it. We recommend fishing thoroughly this time of year. Give spots some time, don’t just move like crazy up river if you are not catching fish. Shelfs are exposed currently, the fish are stacked on them. We have noticed a bit of a transition from fish being in eddys. They are still in eddys however, they are also in the pillows hard. Meaning the water running in the front of a big boulder.

Most importantly: Be safe, watch your footing please. Don’t forget to look at the scenery around you. Call the fly shop for any information. We are thrilled to be one of you local shops, use us for advice.