San Miguel River Fly Fishing Report Near Telluride Colorado

The San Miguel River is a freestone gem that winds its way through southwestern Colorado. With its crystal-clear water, abundant pocket water, and endless access points, this river is a dream for dry fly enthusiasts. October is bringing cooler water temps, hovering around the mid-50s. That, combined with steady flows around 85 cfs, means it’s a perfect time to target trout with a dry-dropper rig. The fall colors along the riverbanks only add to the beauty of the experience, and with fewer anglers on the water, it's just you, the fish, and the stunning mountain scenery.

October 2024 Fly Fishing Report: San Miguel River

Current Conditions

The San Miguel River is strutting its fall glory this October! With clear water, cool temps in the mid-50s, and steady flows at 85 cfs, the trout are happy and hungry. The autumn colors are in full swing, so you’ll have a stunning backdrop while targeting fish in this classic freestone river. Dry-dropper rigs are the name of the game, and with aggressive brown trout in the mix, streamers are a great option too. Plus, with fewer anglers on the water, it’s like having your own private river—just you, the fish, and the magic of fall in the Rockies!

• Flow Rate: 85 cfs (near Placerville)
• Water Temperature: 55°F
• Clarity: Clear
• Best Times: Late morning to early afternoon

Colorado Division of Nation Resources Stream Report San Miguel River

Hatches & Recommended Flies

Nymphs

• Pheasant Tail (#16-18): Ideal for mimicking mayfly nymphs in the riffles and deeper runs.
• Zebra Midge (#20-22): Effective in the clear, slower sections of the river, especially early in the day.
• Pat’s Rubber Legs (#10-12): Great for getting down deep in the larger pools where trout are holding.

Dry Flies

• Blue-Winged Olive (#18-22): Best on cloudy afternoons when trout are rising in calmer sections.
• Parachute Adams (#16-20): A versatile dry fly for targeting rising trout in both riffles and pools.
• Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16): Great for dry-dropper setups or as a single dry in the faster-moving water.

Streamers

• Sculpzilla (#6-8): Use in the deeper pools and along undercut banks to target aggressive trout.
• Woolly Bugger (#6-8): A staple streamer that works well in both fast-moving and slower water.
• Leech Patterns (#4-6): Effective in the early morning or late afternoon when fish are more aggressive.

Fishing Tactics on the San Miguel River

• Nymphing: October is prime for nymphing, especially with midges and mayfly nymphs. Focus on the deeper runs and pockets where trout are feeding subsurface.
• Dry-Dropper Setup: This is the bread and butter for the San Miguel this time of year. Pair a larger dry fly like a Caddis with a nymph dropper for covering both the surface and subsurface.
• Streamer Fishing: Target the deeper pools and undercut banks with streamers. The aggressive brown trout are looking for a meal as they bulk up for winter, making this tactic highly effective.

Access Points

• Placerville to Norwood: Offers some of the best access to the river, with abundant pocket water and riffles perfect for wading.
• Telluride: The upper stretch near Telluride provides beautiful scenery and less fishing pressure, ideal for dry fly action.
• Deep Creek: A more remote section that offers excellent dry fly fishing in shallow runs and riffles.

This October 2024 San Miguel River Fly Fishing Report highlights ideal fall conditions for trout fishing. The cool water, steady flows, and stunning scenery make it a prime spot for fly anglers this month. Whether you're nymphing or fishing a dry-dropper setup, now is the time to enjoy some great fishing on the San Miguel River!