Southwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

October 21, 2008

Animas River -- Tuesday's flows were 308 cfs at Durango and 101 cfs below Silverton. As the weather cools, fishing on the Animas slows down. The season for terrestrial bugs is about over, although on warms days a grasshopper pattern might still attract trout. The best patterns are small nymphs such as size 16-18 bead-heads and Pheasant Tails. Small streamers might be effective in the deeper holes.

Beaver Creek Reservoir -- Fishing for rainbow and brown trout from shore and boats has been good. A few kokanee have been caught recently. Power Bait and worms are popular among shore anglers; boaters troll a variety of lures.

Big Meadows Reservoir -- Anglers report good action for rainbow trout and slow action for brook trout using the typical baits and lures from shore.

Blue Mesa Reservoir -- The reservoir is about 10 feet below capacity and likely to go down before freeze-up. Fishing for kokanee salmon remains slow, with the majority of mature fish having moved up the river. Kokanee snagging is not permitted until Nov. 1. Shoreline fishing for trout is slow, but trolling with Rapalas in 20-40 feet of water has been taking some fish. Lake trout remain very deep, in 80-120 feet of water. Trolling Flatfish off downriggers might produce one. Perch can be taken in shallow coves with worms off a bobber or small spinners.

Conejos County (high country lakes) -- The Conejos County high-country lakes are open and accessible. Conejos County offers a variety of high-country lakes for the angler to explore in search of a variety of trout species.

Conejos County (small streams) -- Conejos County has a variety of small streams that offer excellent trout fishing opportunities. Conditions on these streams are excellent and fishing has been good on a variety of methods. Trout species include cutthroats, brooks, browns and rainbows.

Conejos River -- Fishing has been good for brown and rainbow trout. Flows have come down significantly, to 81.4 cfs at Mogote and 8.09 cfs below Platoro on Tuesday. Angling techniques include nymphing and dry-droppers (e.g. attractor patterns in combination with a stonefly or other nymph), spinner fishing and bait. The Conejos has two sections of special fishing regulation waters: From the upper boundary of Aspen Glade campground to Menkhaven Resort, artificial flies only and a daily bag and possession limit of two trout 16 inches or longer, and from the confluence of the South Fork to the lower bridge at Platoro, artificial flies and lures only, with a daily bag and possession limit of two trout 16 inches or longer.

Crawford Reservoir -- The lake offers fishing for rainbow trout, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, largemouth bass and channel catfish. All species reportedly were caught last weekend. Numerous crappie were reported, as well as a 3-pound largemouth bass. The Iron Creek boat ramp has been closed. Plenty of water for launching remains at the Peninsula.

Dolores River (lower) -- Fishing in the Dolores River below the dam is looking better than it has in years. Recent DOW fish surveys suggest the trout population is rebounding after years of drought-related low-water releases. A number of large brown and rainbow trout were captured near the dam. Flows were reduced to 40 cfs for the remainder of the fall and winter. To monitor the flows, log on to the Dolores Water Conservancy District Web site at http://www:doloreswater.com/releases.htm.

Dolores River (upper) -- Fish the river high in the drainage, above and below Rico, where public access is available and the fish habitat is good. Use spinners, streamers or nymphs close to the bank. Stimulator dry fly patterns are working well. With cool air and water temperatures, there's no need to start too early in the day. Afternoon fishing can be good. Much of the lower part of the river is private. Because the lower section of the river has been channelized over the years, habitat is poor and the river holds few fish.

East River -- The river is low and clear, flowing at 96 cfs on Tuesday. Though trout still may rise to blue-wing-olive mayflies or take a dead-drifted nymph, the annual salmon run from Blue Mesa Reservoir is well under way, with fish stacking up in the river. Taking kokanee salmon is prohibited, but catch-and-release salmon fishing is legal below the lower boundary of the Roaring Judy hatchery.

Echo Canyon Reservoir -- Weed growth makes for tough late-summer fishing, but for anglers with a small boat it still can be fairly good. Look for conditions to improve with cooler weather, when the weed growth begins subsiding. While most fishermen are after trout, the lake also has largemouth bass and panfish.

Gunnison River (through the canyon) -- Fishing conditions on the river remain good from Chukar Trail downstream to the North Fork of the Gunnison. Anglers report lots of big fish and some of the best fishing ever. The flow in the Gunnison Gorge has remained 799 cfs recently. Caddis pupae have been hot the last few days, as have Baetis mayflies in small sizes. Orange Stimulators, Royal Trudes, red Copper Johns, caddis, RS2-s, hopper-droppers with a nymph as the trailing fly and streamers also have been effective the past few days. The North Fork is low enough to wade.

Gunnison River (Upper from Almont to Blue Mesa) -- The river is low and clear, flowing at 301 cfs on Tuesday. The temperature is dropping and the primary summer hatches are pretty much done, but some blue-wing-olives and midges still could be on the water. Trout still might rise to them, but most of the action now is below the surface. The annual spawning run of salmon from Blue Mesa Reservoir is under way. Taking kokanee salmon is prohibited through Oct. 31; catch-and-release fishing for them is permitted. Fishermen typically use bright streamer flies, egg patterns, egg-sucking leeches and nymphs such as Princes, Copper Johns and Pheasant Tails for both salmon and trout this time of year.

Jackson Gulch Reservoir -- Fishing has been excellent for 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout. Try the dam, the coves along the northwest side and the inlet. Orange Power Bait has been a consistent producer. Larger trout often show up this time of year. Also, try small silver crankbaits or silver/gold in-line spinners in the coves and along the dam in the morning and evening. Some surface activity still occurs in the evenings. Perch are plentiful but small. Use small jigs tipped with a piece of worm under a slip bobber for good perch action. The water level is low. The concrete boat ramp is out of water but small boats still can launch. Call 970-882-2213 or visit www.parks.state.co.us for current conditions. Campsites and heated yurts are available.

La Jara Creek -- Fishing on La Jara Creek has been fair for brown trout. Some insect hatches have been occurring on the creek and fly fishing dry-dropper combinations has worked well. Fishing also has been good on worms and spinners. Flows are low and the water is clear, so anglers should use a stealthy approach when fishing the creek.

La Jara Reservoir -- The reservoir is open and accessible, and water conditions are good. Fishing pressure has been light. Fishing has been slow. Good fishing for brook trout and splake is expected throughout the fall.

Los Pinos River -- The river above Vallecito Reservoir is running clear, and fishing is good on spinners and flies. Fishing is good in this section of river, but it is accessible only on foot. Below the reservoir, the river runs through private property and access is limited.

McPhee Reservoir -- Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass is fair from the bank. Please remember that all smallmouth and largemouth bass 10-15 inches long must be returned to the lake immediately. However, anglers should keep fish that are under 10 inches. They are tasty, and by taking out the smaller fish, more food is left for the others to grow to trophy size. At the east end of the reservoir, near where the water comes in from the Dolores River, anglers are reporting good catches of kokanee salmon. The salmon are starting to move toward the river for their annual spawning run. Remember that snagging for kokanee is not allowed until Nov. 15.

Miramonte Reservoir -- The 405-acre lake south of Norwood offers potentially good fishing for larger-than-average rainbow trout. The DOW stocks subcatchable rainbows, which grow to size in the lake. Crayfish are a primary source of forage for the trout, and crayfish-imitating flies and lures generally work well.

Mountain Home Reservoir -- Anglers report good action for rainbow trout of 12-16 inches using spinners and Power Bait. The boat ramp is usable.

Narraguinnep Reservoir -- Fishing for pan-sized trout has been fair to good.

Navajo Reservoir -- The water temperature is 58 degrees. Fishing for crappie remains fair near the breakwater tires. Northern pike fishing still is good along rocky points with large Rapalas and jointed-type lures. Trout fishing has been fair up the San Juan and Piedra inlets. No recent reports have come in about the catfish and kokanee salmon. The marina, offering minnows and other supplies, is open.

Piedra River -- Fishing is slow. The best fishing along the Piedra is found by hiking away from the road to tributary streams. Fishing pressure is heavy in the areas easily accessible by roads.

Platoro Reservoir -- Fishing has been good for rainbow trout and fair for kokanee. Anglers have been catching trout on Power Bait and worms. Fishing pressure has been low. The water level is high and the boat ramp is usable.

Ridgway Fishing Ponds -- The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of Ridgway State Park is excellent for children because it has the only water below the dam not restricted to artificial flies and lures or catch-and-release fishing. A limit of four trout per person may be kept there, both by children and licensed adults (16 years or older). The ponds were stocked on Aug. 14 with 700 additional rainbow trout. Fishing is very good using worms or grasshoppers on a 3- to 4-foot leader behind a clear casting bubble. Salmon eggs and Power Bait work using the same technique. Fly fishermen have been doing very well on hopper patterns.

Ridgway Reservoir -- Ridgway Reservoir is dropping. Fish are beginning to concentrate near the inlet. The rainbows are hitting on gold Kastmasters. Brown trout are still in the deeper water. Fly fishermen are beginning to use streamer patterns effectively. Many fishermen in boats report catching their limits. Kokanee are hitting on pink or green Kastmasters trolled behind Pop Geer. Ridgway State Park has a mandatory boat inspection for all boats launching on the reservoir. Boats are checked for aquatic nuisance species such as zebra and quagga mussels. Clean, drain and dry your boat after each use.

Rio Grande High Country Streams -- Flows in high-country streams have dropped and fishing should be excellent. Dry flies and lures should produce excellent action for hungry trout.

Rio Grande River -- The river has come down a little and barring rain, has been clear. Tuesday's flows were 422 cfs at Del Norte and 3292 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap. All the major insect hatches have finished. Typical fall fishing can be expected. Attractor flies, hoppers, stonefly nymphs and Woolly Buggers have produced fair to good action, though the trout can be a bit temperamental.

Road Canyon Reservoir -- Fishing for rainbow trout and splake has been fair. However, the fish have been of quality size - around 18 inches. Anglers have been using worms, flies and Kastmasters from shore and from boats.

San Juan high-country lakes, streams -- Fishing in the high lakes and streams is starting to slow a bit, as air and water temperatures drop. Small Stimulator patterns continue to work well. Woolly Buggers, other streamers and spinners are working well. In deep pools, a hopper-dropper combo is worth a try.

San Juan River -- Fishing has slowed down significantly as the weather continues to cool. Some fish are still being caught by those willing to work at it. Small nymph patterns such as green caddis larvae, and purple Wooly Buggers are the best patterns to try at this time of year.

San Luis Lake -- The San Luis Lake has been stocked with 10,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout. Fishing is reported to be slow for trout and fair for carp on nymphs and streamers.

Sanchez Reservoir -- Fishing for northern pike of 22-30 inches was reported as good on various plugs and jigs. Walleye, brown trout and catfish action was reported as slow. Perch action has picked up, with some quality size fish of 12-15 inches in the bag. The boat ramp is usable.

Smith Reservoir (San Luis Valley) -- Fishing for trout has been slow to fair on Power Bait, spinners and flies. The south boat ramp is usable.

Taylor Reservoir -- Lake trout are ready to spawn, with the larger fish rolling in the shallows and inlet areas. Others have been caught by trolling with cow bells and worms in about 20 feet of water near the Taylor inlet. Trollers also are taking rainbow trout. Kokanee snagging is permitted through Dec. 31, but the salmon have not yet been running.

Taylor River -- Flows have come up slightly, and on Tuesday were 171 cfs at Almont and 107 cfs below Taylor Dam. The river is clear and wadable. Stoneflies and blue-wing-olives have occasionally been hatching along the lower river, providing some decent dry fly activity, as well as the usual nymphing. The tailwater directly below the dam has some exceptionally large rainbow trout, but the area attracts large crowds the year around. Mysis shrimp and midges are the go-to patterns. Think small - sizes 18-24.

Trujillo Meadows Reservoir -- Trujillo Meadows Reservoir has been fishing well for rainbow and brown trout. Anglers have been catching both in the 14- to 16-inch range. The reservoir has been busy during the weekends, with light pressure during the week. Anglers have been catching trout on worms, spinners and fly-and-bubble rigs. Fishing seems to be the most productive in the evening. Boats are allowed on Trujillo Meadows Reservoir; however, they cannot create a white-water wake.

Tucker Ponds -- Fishing for rainbow trout has been reported as fair to good using the typical baits and lures from shore.

Uncompahgre River in Ridgway Park -- Fishing on the river at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is fair to good. Flows are finally falling, recently running at 240 cfs. Try using hopper patterns or caddis nymphs, fished slowly in the backwaters. Smaller dry fly patterns also are working - Mosquitoes, Pink Cahills and Mellon Quills in a size 18. As soon as fall is in full swing, large streamer patterns will be the fly of choice.

Vallecito Reservoir -- October fishing can be surprisingly good at Vallecito. Troll with big Rapalas for northern pike and brown trout. Trout are coming up again, so cast from the shore with spinners or bait. From the dam, anglers are making good catches of smallmouth bass. Toss in a worm with just a little bit of weight and reel in slowly. Kokanee have started to run up the creeks at the upper end of the reservoir. Remember that no snagging is allowed for kokanee until Nov. 15. A mercury advisory has been issued for consumption of northern pike from the lake. Trout fishing at nearby Lemon Reservoir has been reported as fair. Brown trout move toward the inlets of Lemon in the fall, presenting the best opportunity to catch a large one.

Williams Creek Reservoir -- With brook and brown trout moving toward the inlet, fishing is improving. Try spinners and bait near the inlet. Try Stimulator patterns and hopper-dropper combos in the tailwater below the dam.