The Rio Grande River in southwestern Colorado is absolutely on fire this October! Flows have settled around 300-350 cfs, and the water is cool and clear, with temperatures in the low 50s. This means that brown trout are starting to turn aggressive as they get ready for the spawn, making streamers your new best friend. You’ll also find that trout are actively feeding on midges and Blue-Winged Olives, making nymphing and dry-dropper setups productive throughout the day. With the river surrounded by fall colors and fewer anglers on the water, it’s prime time to chase after big fish in this wild and scenic river.
October 2024 Fly Fishing Report: Rio Grande River
Current Conditions
The Rio Grande River is strutting its stuff this October! Flows are sitting pretty at around 325 cfs, and the water is cool and clear—perfect conditions for those hungry trout to make some moves. Brown trout are starting to gear up for their spawning season, so you can expect some aggressive strikes, especially if you’re slinging streamers. The midges and BWOs are keeping the fish happy, and they’re not shy about hitting a well-presented nymph or dry fly. Plus, with the fall colors on full display and fewer anglers on the water, it’s a prime time to enjoy some serious solitude along with fantastic fishing.
- Flow Rate: 325 cfs (near Del Norte)
- Water Temperature: 52°F
- Clarity: Clear
- Best Times: Late morning to mid-afternoon
Colorado Division of Natural Resources stream flow station reports
Hatches & Recommended Flies
Nymphs
- Pat’s Rubber Legs (#8-12): A must-have for deeper runs, especially when browns are holding low.
- Pheasant Tail (#16-18): This classic nymph mimics small mayflies and works well in the riffles.
- Zebra Midge (#20-22): Essential for those cold, clear waters in the morning.
Dry Flies
- Blue-Winged Olive (#18-22): Great during overcast afternoons when the hatch is in full swing.
- Parachute Adams (#14-18): A solid go-to for slower water and shallow runs.
- Chubby Chernobyl (#10-12): Perfect for hopper-dropper setups along the grassy banks.
Streamers
- Sculpzilla (#6-8): A deadly streamer for big browns, especially in deeper water.
- Woolly Bugger (#6-10): Great for aggressive trout feeding in fast-moving sections.
- Dungeons (#4-6): Best used along banks and structure where larger fish are lurking.
Fishing Tactics on the Rio Grande River
- Nymphing: With the cooling water, nymphing remains highly effective throughout the day. Combine a Pat’s Rubber Legs with a Zebra Midge to target trout hanging in deeper pools and riffles.
- Streamer Fishing: Fall is prime streamer season. Cast big streamers like Sculpzilla and Woolly Buggers near the banks, especially where brown trout are holding as they prepare for the spawn.
- Dry-Dropper Setup: Try a Chubby Chernobyl as your dry and drop a Pheasant Tail or Zebra Midge underneath. This setup will let you cover both surface and subsurface action, particularly around midday.
Access Points
- South Fork: This area offers plenty of access for both wading and floating, with beautiful runs and pools.
- Del Norte: A popular section with good public access, ideal for float trips and wading, offering great action for both browns and rainbows.
- Creede: Just upstream from Creede, the river narrows, providing excellent wading access and some great dry fly fishing opportunities.
This October 2024 Rio Grande River Fly Fishing Report sets the stage for a fantastic fall fishing trip. With cooler temperatures, aggressive brown trout, and gorgeous fall colors, the river is in top form. Whether you’re tossing streamers or matching the hatch with dries, the Rio Grande is offering some of the best fishing conditions of the season.