Southwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

October 20, 2009

Animas River -- The river is running low and clear. Because of the warm, dry weather, water is warmer than usual and fish are favoring holes. Cast near undercut banks for brown trout, rainbows prefer faster water. Anglers should be ready to try a variety of flies - caddis, nymphs, hopper-droppers, and stimulators. If the water goes off-color due to rain, try a wooly bugger. Try small spinners for spin casters.

Crawford Reservoir -- It has been an unusual season! There has not been a single week the whole summer, when we haven't had all six species in the lake being reported as having been caught. Anglers are still catching their limit of crappie. There have been more bass and catfish reported this year than ever. Pike, trout and perch are also still biting. Water temperature is around 65-68 degrees. The lake level is dropping, but that doesn't stop anglers from launching at the Peninsula boat ramp.

Dolores River (upper) -- Fish the river high in the drainage, above and below Rico, where public access is available and the fish habitat is good. The river is running low, so look for pocket water in the morning and evening. Try small dry flies, nymphs and spinners. Much of the lower part of the river is private. Because the lower section of the river has been channeled over the years, habitat is poor and the river holds few fish.

Echo Canyon Reservoir -- Fishing for trout has been good for anglers using worms, garlic-flavored power bait and light-colored lures. Cast beyond weeds that grow near the shore at this time of year. This is a great place to take kids to give them fish-catching experience. Put on a worm and a bobber.

Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) -- Flows are up a 100cfs today Friday to 829cfs for the next week while the DOW does a river survey. BWOs on top, BWO emerges, RS2s, San Juan worms, #6 Woolly Buggers, egg patterns, #14 orange and green scuds, #10 GB Poxy Back Biot Stones, #12-16 GB Prince Nymphs, #16-20 Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails and Flashback PTs, and #10 20-Inchers and Halfbacks. Midge fans jump in, it's all good!

Gunnison River (through the canyon) -- The flow in the Gunnison Gorge has remained about 524 cfs. Fishing conditions are good and water is low and clear. Fishermen are using Red Copper John's and Autumn Splendors as well as Hoppers, Caddis, and Mayflies, especially RS2's. Large Hoppers in Orange and Yellow have been good. Zebras, Flashy Wooly Buggers, are still being used along with Chernobyl Ants, and emergers. Red San Juan worms have been the hottest fly recently. The North Fork is now low enough to wade.

Los Pinos River -- The river above Vallecito Reservoir is accessible only on foot and requires a hike of more than a mile from the trailhead. Anglers who hike farther will see more rewards. A stealthy approach is recommended. Be prepared to try a variety of flies - caddis, Mayflies, and small hopper patterns. Below the reservoir, the river runs through private property.

McPhee Reservoir -- Fishing for trout has been good for kokanee, trout and walleye. Anglers also have been enjoying some good activity for smallmouth bass. Remember that all smallmouth and largemouth bass 10-15 inches long must be returned to the lake immediately. However, anglers should keep fish that are less than 10 inches. They are tasty, and by taking out the smaller fish, more food is left for the others to grow to trophy size. Boat inspections are conducted from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sagehen ramp.

Navajo Reservoir -- Fishing improved slightly this week, with water temps at 68 degrees. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms, spinners and crank baits. Crappie are hitting on jigs and grubs in 10-20 feet of water. Pike action is still good on large swim baits and large broke back lures. Fishing should continue to improve daily with the water cooling. Bring your catch by for a free picture. See you soon.

Pastorius Reservoir -- The reservoir south of Durango has been stocked with catchable-sized trout. Fishing has been fair to good fishing with the standard array of baits and lures.

Piedra River -- The Piedra is running low and fish are gathering in holes. The river, however, receives a lot of pressure. Anglers who are willing to hike a couple of miles off the road will be rewarded. Be prepared to try a variety of wet- and dry-fly patterns, small spinners.

Ridgway Reservoir -- The lake is going down (a lot!). The water temperature is in the upper 60s and the fishing is still good. Some 45,000 catchable-sized trout have been stocked over the past few months. A 12-pound brown trout was caught the end of July on Power bait. Several 3-6 pound Browns have been caught this past three weeks on night crawlers. Boaters are starting to pick up some Kokanee on pink needlefish. Bank anglers have been doing well using night crawlers, red salmon eggs and silver or gold Kastmasters.

San Juan River -- The San Juan is running very low and clear. Fish are bunching up in holes. Hopper-droppers, caddis emergers, small attractors and nymphs are safe bets. Fishing is only fair.

Summit Reservoir -- Population sampling by the Colorado Division of Wildlife has shown the sucker-eradication effort in 2007 to have been successful. The reservoir now has a good population of 10- to 14-inch rainbow trout, and has been fishing fairly well.

Taylor Reservoir -- Fishing for Rainbows with cowbells and nightcrawlers is still the best way to go. Lake Trout are starting to rise slowly, in 74 feet of water. There hasn't been very much pressure. Pike action has slowed this past week, best Trolling with spoons and spinners.

Vallecito Reservoir -- The reservoir is fishing well for northern pike and smallmouth bass. Some anglers are reporting catching walleye. Use spinners and Rapalas. Trout fishing is slow. A Mercury advisory has been issued for consumption of northern pike from the lake.

illiams Creek Reservoir -- Fishing is best in the early morning and at dusk. The best fishing is at the inlet and near the dam. Fishing is good for trout. Use worms, power bait and small spinners in the reservoir. Small flies and nymphs are best for the creek below the lake.