Note: The area rivers fishing report as of May 25, courtesy of Duranglers Flies and Supplies.
Animas River: 3,260 cfs; The water is dirty and fishing is tough. Streamers are the best idea, especially in mornings and evenings. Stonefly nymphs and San Juan worms are also a good option.
San Juan River in Colorado: 1,510, cfs; Flows are rising and fishing will be tough. Big dark streamers and nymphs will be key right now. Look for hatches of stones and caddis soon.
San Juan River in New Mexico: 5,010 cfs, steady; Fishing is good right now with flows at 5,000, don’t be scared. Worms, eggs, and annelids will be on the menu. Otherwise, keep an eye out for solid midge and baetis hatches.
Piedra River: 1,420 cfs, slowly dropping but will bump back up; Flows will be high and the river off color. Fishing will be tough. Big dark stuff may find fish.
Los Pinos River: 925 below dam, recently increased; With flows up, fishing will be good. BWOs are a staple but keep an eye out for caddis and midges. Streamers are also a good option.
Dolores River above McPhee: 2,030 cfs; The Upper Dolores is flowing hard from snow melt and is muddy. Nymphs and streamers will be the name of the game here.
Rio Grande: 916 at 30 mile/2,850 at Wagon Wheel Gap, rising; Flows are rising with snowmelt. Stonefly, Caddis and nymphs will be your best bet, fished in slow deep water. Streamers fished slow are also a good option. Watch for BWO hatches.
Florida River: 336, 235 below, rising above, recently increased below; Fishing the Lemon inlet may be good, it will be cold, though. Below the water is low, but steady and fishing is good. Sneaky approaches are a must.
Creeks: Riding; Creek fishing is picking up with each day. Most creeks will be high and cold but still fishable if you can access them.
Lakes/Ponds: Pike fishing is prime time right now. Vallecito, Pastorious, Totten, Puett, and Navajo are all fishing. Vallecito, Lemon, Navajo, Totten, and Puett are all open. The Pike bite is on, and trout are moving and grooving strong. Look for bass to start moving to streamers as well.
Have a big catch you would like to show off to the La Plata County fishing community? Send your photo with a brief description of where you caught the fish and what you were using to editor John Livingston at jlivingston@durangoherald.com.
