Uncompahgre River Fly Fishing Report Near Telluride

Uncompahgre River Fly Fishing Report

The Uncompahgre River below Ridgway Reservoir is strutting its tailwater stuff this October. Flows are stable, the water’s cool and clear, and the trout—both browns and rainbows—are happily feeding. The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk section, known for its big and picky trout, is prime for some technical fishing action. As the water temp hovers around 46°F, the trout are munching on midges, baetis, and the occasional leech. The river is a great place to fine-tune your nymphing skills, but don’t shy away from throwing a streamer or two if you're hunting for that trophy trout. With fewer crowds and gorgeous fall colors, it’s a perfect time to visit this tailwater gem.

October 2024 Fly Fishing Report: Uncompahgre River

Current Conditions

The Uncompahgre River (pronounced Un-com-PAH-gray) is rolling into October with some stellar conditions. With steady flows and clear, cool water, the trout are lively and looking for a meal—especially in the famous Pa-Co-Chu-Puk section. Water temps around 46°F mean the fish are most active in the late morning and afternoon, giving you prime time to get in on the action. Whether you're into nymphing or hoping to land a trophy on a streamer, now's the time to hit this tailwater gem. With fewer anglers on the water and the leaves in full color, it’s the perfect fall fishing setup.

• Flow Rate: 60 cfs (Pa-Co-Chu-Puk)
• Water Temperature: 46°F
• Clarity: Clear
• Best Times: Mid-morning to late afternoon

Source: Colorado Division of Natural Resources River Station Flow Report Uncompahgre below Riverrat Colona Colorado

Hatches & Recommended Flies

Nymphs

• Zebra Midge (#20-24): A must-have for targeting finicky trout in clear, slow-moving water.
• Pat’s Rubber Legs (#10-14): Perfect for deeper sections where the fish are feeding closer to the bottom.
• Baetis Emerger (#18-22): Ideal for when fish are keyed in on small emerging mayflies.

Dry Flies

• Blue-Winged Olive (#18-22): Active in the afternoons, especially on cloudy days.
• Parachute Adams (#18-20): A go-to dry fly that works in both riffles and slower water.
• Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16): Great for dry-dropper setups and targeting surface feeders near structure.

Streamers

• Sculpzilla (#4-6): Target deeper pools and undercut banks for the chance to land a monster brown.
• Black Leech (#6-8): Effective in early mornings or late afternoons when fish are more aggressive.
• Woolly Bugger (#6-8): Strip this through the riffles or along the banks for bigger strikes.

Fishing Tactics on the Uncompahgre River

• Nymphing: This remains your bread and butter on the Uncompahgre. Use light nymph rigs with small midges and baetis patterns to target trout in deeper runs. Be stealthy and make sure your drifts are dead-on.
• Streamer Fishing: Streamer fishing can land you some of the bigger fish in the river, especially around dawn or dusk. Cast toward the banks or structure and use a varied retrieve to mimic baitfish.
• Dry-Dropper Setup: Perfect for covering different depths. Pair a Parachute Adams with a small midge or baetis dropper to fish both surface and subsurface.

Access Points

• Pa-Co-Chu-Puk: Known for its challenging but rewarding fishing. This section below Ridgway Reservoir offers year-round access and some of the largest fish on the Uncompahgre.
• Montrose Section: The urban stretch offers good wading and fishing opportunities, with browns and rainbows aplenty. It's best to target this area in late fall when flows are lower.
• Ridgway State Park: Plenty of public access here, with a variety of water conditions and great dry fly opportunities in the riffles.

This October 2024 Uncompahgre River Fly Fishing Report showcases ideal fall conditions for trout fishing. The cooler water temps, clear water, and steady flows make this tailwater one of Colorado’s top destinations right now. Whether you’re looking to test your skills on technical tailwater fish or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings, now’s the time to hit the Uncompahgre.