St. Vrain Angler

Rio Grande River 

            River: Rio Grande River is located in the South Central portion of Colorado near Creede; Upper river accessed near Rio Grande Reservoir. Good fishing through Del Norte

 Access: US 160 at South Fork take Colorado 149 Northwest toward Creede, stay on 149 for about 35 miles to FR 520. Turn left on FR 520 to the Rio Grande Reservoir. The river can be accessed from the road below the Reservoir. Thirty Mile and River Hill camp grounds are below the dam and also offer access. Other access points are primarily for float trips (refer to page 142-143 of Fly Fisher’s Guide to Colorado).

Fish: Predominantly browns in the 12-14 inch range, with larger fish common. There are Rainbows from 12-16 inches and some Rio Grande Cutthroats in the upper river.

            Bugs: good salmon fly hatch in June; good populations of all typical mayflies, caddis flies and midges.

            Flies: Green Drakes in June/July; PMD’s, caddis patterns work great as do attractor dries such as stimulator, Royal Wulff, Humpy etc.

            Techniques: Below Rio Grande Reservoir, a 9’ 5 weight rod is a good choice for nymphing and handling some larger dries; good float fishing where casting flies to banks can be productive. Above the reservoir, a shorter rod in a lighter weight, say a 7-1/2 or 8’ 3 weight, will work nicely to cast attractor patterns in this brushy stream.

            Seasons: good pre-runoff fishing; good float fishing with streamers and salmon flies during runoff if river stays fairly clear; good hatches of Green Drakes, PMD’s and caddis after runoff; good walk/wade fishing opportunities in August, September and into later fall in canyon stretches when flows are low and stable.

            Rating: good fishing available most years. A fair amount of private land but fishing access is sufficient to keep one happy.

Back to Fishing Reports