Runoff in the San Juans has officially come to an end. Although we all hoped it would continue for another week or two it has not; however, you can take advantage of ideal conditions in all of our drainages earlier than normal. Cross your fingers for monsoon season to ramp up and dump the much needed cool water we will need to carry us through the summer.
San Miguel
The Miguel has stabilized at just over 200 cfs for the last few days, a truly wonderful level to wade fish with a dry fly rod. There are a ton of caddis throughout the river corridor with a few stone flies here and there. Fish a medium dry dropper rig in the morning and perhaps switch over to a single yellow Chubby in the afternoon. Parachute Caddis, Stimulators and Chubby Chernobyl's on top followed by a small Perdigon, La Fontaine Caddis Pupa or a Soft hackle. Fish may start transitioning into the faster, more oxygenated water so don't be afraid to ply the wave trains with a big hopper.
Dolores
The Dolores water levels are hanging in there at 50 cfs below Rico but cool water temps are not going to last much longer. There are great caddis and mayfly hatches occurring throughout the day and fish will be looking for them on the edges of the fast water and any shaded banks. Smaller dries, smaller droppers are the name of the game. Parachute Caddis, AK Quills and Parachute Adams on top, dropping to a small Soft Hackle or brown glass bead micro mayfly. Be aware of water temps and move upriver when the water gets over around 66-68 degrees.
Lower Gunnison
The lower Gunny is really coming into shape. With increased flows of 460 cfs from the canyon combined with a generous 260 cfs inflow from the North Fork, the lower section is very floatable at 720 cfs. It is absolutely bug soup down there but it is also very hot. Ambient temps have been pushing mid 90's and the fish are reacting to those temperatures and high sun by feeding in the wave trains and on the shady banks. Get out there early or launch for an evening float. Elk Hair Caddis, Larimer Sallies and any PMD pattern should work if you can get a drag free drift along the two inches of shade on the grassy banks. Nymphing in the 2 ft deep wave trains can be very effective and really fun. Try a Pat's Rubber Legs and hang a Soft Hackle Caddis below, cast into the green stripe and mend, mend, mend. Streamer fishing is pretty good early in the morning and late evenings once the direct sun is off the water.
Black Canyon
Reports from the canyon have been fairly perplexing, honestly. Other than the lack of a real spring flush, this year has not been remarkably different in regards to flows, yet the canyon has not really experienced a stone fly hatch. While a few have reported seeing a smattering of Pteronarcys in the monument water in the higher reaches, the gorge has had virtually none of the big bugs. That said, those upstream had great fishing throwing large dry flies even with few naturals on the water. Caddis, PMD's and Sallies are throughout the canyon and fish will sporadically key into them. It appears most of the fish are in the heavy water best fished with a nymph rig.
Miramonte Reservoir
Miramonte has been the real standout in what has been a very strange start to our fishing season. Larger fish have been caught with more regularity than I can remember. Streamer fishing, hoppers and evening midge fishing have all been off the charts. Call the shop and book a day with one of our guides up there, you will not be disappointed.
