Summer fly fishing in Pagosa Springs, CO
Capt. Scott Taylor
July 23, 2014
Pagosa Springs - Freshwater Fishing Report
What does warm days, cool nights, and amazing afternoon thunder storms in the San Juan Mountains mean? Monsoon Season! Although we might still be in a drought cycle, the rains are much needed and some of the water holes in the mountains, that have already been dried up over the last few summers now have water. With that said fire danger is still high at lower elevations with extremely dry grasses and Gamblers Oak brush. Please continue to be cautious while camping and hiking in South West Colorado.
The fishing has been very good. Some of the streams that we were having temperature issues, have now seen lower afternoon temperatures due to the rains. With that said we have also had some major rains that have blown out the East Fork (with mud slides), West Fork, Lower Piedra and several other small streams that do not usually get blown out. Still with a little searching around you can always find some clear water, or head down below the dam to the Lower San Juan River.
Last week while fishing with Elaine McCoy we had to deal with the high water. We had a trip planned on the private property of Sunset Ranch. On the drive out to meet Elaine I already had an idea what the river would look like from the storms the evening before and I checked the flow's online (I have a link on my web page for river flows). I still had hope to fish the ranch, I can deal with chalky stained water, but when I drove downtown and crossed the bridge over the San Juan, my jaw dropped. It looked like the middle of spring run-off in July! I immediately thought of Tobby and his crew at Pagosa Outside. I was betting that they were getting the rafts ready for one more day of white water in Pagosa!
The fishing on the ranch was going to be out of the question. We poked around on the East Fork, checked out the West Fork, then headed to one of my small streams that usually drop very quick. We were putting on a wading gear while it was raining, with some way off thunder. I could tell she was a little doubtful, but we headed out. We got to the stream and there were caddis, mayflies, and midges all flying around in the air, and fish rising! Sometimes it was tough to see the trout rising with all the rain drops. We had lots of fish eat and I saw a lot of heads coming out of the water taking dry's. All of this action, probably would not have happened if it was another 87 degree, blue bird day.
Way to hang in there Elaine!
Here is a nice rainbow from a tiny stream near Pagosa Spring.
This is the hole the rainbow was hanging out it.
Scott Taylor
http://highcountrycharters.com
970-946-5229
While you are in town make sure that you visit the following businesses!
Need Fly Fishing gear? See Pop's
Let it Fly
Downtown Pagosa Springs, across from Kip's
970-264-3189
http://www.flyfishpagosa.com
Hungry for Adventure?
Pagosa Outside Adventures - Rafting, Biking, Kayaking, Tubing
Downtown Pagosa Springs
970-264-4202
http://www.pagosaoutside.com
Need Ski Rentals?
Pagosa Ski Rental (PSR)
Downtown Pagosa Springs
970-264-2866
http://www.skipagosa.com
Pagosa Springs Fishing Forecast:
with cooler water temps the fishing should continue to be good heading into August.
Target Species:
Trout
More Fishing Reports:
