Telluride Fishing Report June 1, 2025

Chris Sommers June 3, 2025

Fishing Conditions

Fishing Report May 30, 2025
by Troy Youngfleish

San Miguel

The San Miguel is at 561 cfs this morning and climbing. I would anticipate a continual increase over the weekend and a bit of a drop early next week. The forecast is for pretty low temps next week, which should slow the runoff once again. This is generally good news as it should save some of that high elevation snow for late June and into July. Keep an eye on flows as we may see a fishable window by mid next week. Big attractor dry flies with a large dropper fished along the edges will be the ticket.

Dolores

The Dolores River is flowing at 901 cfs as it enters the town of Dolores. This could very well be the peak of runoff for this basin but with the impending remnants of tropical storm Alvin expected to arrive next week it is hard to predict. While the storm will bring a good bit of moisture, that will be coupled with much lower temperatures. At 961 cfs, the Dolores is unfishable, stand by.

Lower Dolores

Well.....hmmmm? The folks at DWCD are managing their releases from Mcphee Reservoir in a way we have never seen. The flows have been up to 50 cfs for a few days, followed by releases as little as 14 cfs. The fishing is actually quite good, fish are looking up to hoppers, beetles and ants and there are a few BWOs hanging around. For the safety of the fish I would suggest keeping an eye on the flows and try to get down there when they are at their highest. Maybe easier said than done.

Uncompahgre/Pa Co Chu Puk

Pa Co Chu Puk has steadied at 200 cfs. Normally this would be great news but fishing has been very difficult. The latest reports from guides have been grim, fish numbers seem to be down substantially. We will provide an update if and when the powers that be do their spring stocking.

In the meantime, take this opportunity to explore the water at Billy Creek and through Montrose. Both areas offer outstanding fishing in really different water types from Pa-Co. Reach for bigger flies. Fish heavier tippet. Throw streamers, nymph with stoneflies or run a King Prince under a Chubby. It's a different world down there. You'll love it.

Lower Gunnison

The Aspinall folks are doing their annual prescribed release and it appears today is the peak. You are looking at 3,930 coming out of the canyon and that is paired with almost 1,000 cfs from the North Fork. The ramp down through the canyon should begin over the weekend, combined with colder temps next week, we could see pretty good conditions by next weekend.

In closing, I would enjoy some stillwater fishing over the weekend, both Trout Lake and Miramonte are fishing well; both dry flies and streamers should be effective. Once they ramp down flows on the Gunnison, the East Portal should be back in play. For those that would like a really great experience, reach out to us about a day on Gurley Creek, which has been fantastic.

Good fishing,

Troy Youngfleish
Guide Service Manager