Fishing Reports

Fishing Report – Montrose Area Waters
Updated: 8/2/26 | Ed’s Fly Shop

Current Flows:
East Portal: 258 cfs | Gunnison at Delta: 323 cfs | Uncompahgre at Colona: 101 cfs | San Miguel near Placerville: 146 cfs

Gunnison River – East Portal

Note: East Portal access is currently closed due to a mud slide. Call the shop for the latest access updates.

Current Conditions:
East Portal is in great shape right now. Flows are very manageable and fishing has been consistently good. Fish are holding in seams, softer edges, and slower buckets during mid-day sun. Expect steady action on nymph rigs with increasing dry fly opportunities. Caddis are active, PMDs are showing mid-day, and stoneflies are still relevant.

Fly Selection:

  • Pat’s Rubber Legs (black/brown) #8–12

  • Spanish Bullets (black, olive, red) #14–18

  • Pheasant Tails #16–18

  • Walt’s Worms #14–18

  • Zebra Midges #18–22

  • Caddis Nymphs #14–16

  • PMD Dries #14–16 (mid-day)

  • BWO Dries #18–20

  • Griffith’s Gnats & Mole Flies #18–22

  • Golden Stones #8–10

Gunnison River – Gunnison Gorge

Current Conditions:
The Gorge is fishing well and settling into summer with historically low flows making the gunni gorge un floatable, the hike in access has been well although with bugs still hatching and hoppers jumping around.  Fly Selection:

  • Pat’s Rubber Legs #8–12

  • Perdigons (various) #14–18

  • Pheasant Tails #14–18

  • Morrish hopper 10-14

  • Caddis Nymphs #12–16

  • Chubbies & Stimulators #8–12

  • Caddis Dries #14–16

  • BWO Dries #18–20

Recommended Gear: 9’ 5wt or 6wt

Gunnison River – Pleasure Park (Walk/Wade)

Note: With low flows and high water temps, we recommend ending your day early.

Current Conditions:
Similar to the Gunnison gorge, fishing has been best in the morning with voluntary river closures in the afternoon due to the heat of the day.

Fly Selection:

  • Spanish Bullets (red, black, olive, brown) #14–18

  • Baetis Nymphs #16–20

  • Pat’s Rubber Legs #10–14

  • Floss Worms #12

  • Yellow Sally Nymphs #14–16

  • Caddis Nymphs #12–16

  • Caddis Dries #14–16

  • BWO Dries #18–20

  • Grasshoppeer #10-14

Gunnison River – Below Pleasure Park (Delta Section)

Current Conditions:
We would recommend to stay off due to 75+ degree water temps and low water  

Fly Selection:

  • Pat’s Rubber Legs #8–12

  • Worms & Stoneflies

  • Perdigons (olive, brown, black) #14–18

  • Pheasant Tails #14–18

  • Caddis Nymphs #12–16

  • Small Streamers

  • Caddis Dries #14–16

  • BWO Dries #18–20

  • Yellow Sallies #16–18

  • Hoppers #8–14

  • Flying Ants #16-18
  • Trico dries #18-22

Recommended Gear: 9’ 5wt or 6wt

Uncompahgre River – Paco Chu Puk

Current Conditions:
Paco is fishing fair to good with technical conditions. Fish are still selective, so stealth and presentation matter. Light tippet and small flies are key. Best success has been on subtle nymph rigs and small dry-dropper setups.

Fly Selection:

  • JuJu Baetis #18–22

  • Zebra Midges #18–22

  • Demon Midges #18–24

  • Rainbow Perdigons #18–22

  • Small Pheasant Tails #18–22

  • Cased Caddis #14–18

  • Griffith’s Gnats #20–22

  • Black Leeches #14–18

Recommended Gear: 8–9’ 4wt or 5wt

Uncompahgre River – Town Section

Current Conditions:
Tunnel flows are on and the river is fishing well through town. Increased water has fish less spooky and more willing to eat larger bugs. Focus on structure, seams, and softer edges.

Fly Selection:

  • Black Leeches #12–16

  • Pheasant Tails #14–18

  • Blowtorches #16–20

  • Pat’s Rubber Legs #10–12

  • Hot Head Perdigons #12–16

  • Caddis Nymphs #12–14

  • Streamers: Woolly Buggers, Kreelex, Mini Peanut Envy #6–10

Recommended Gear: 9’ 5wt

San Miguel River

Current Conditions:
The San Miguel is shaping up nicely as flows drop. Still a bit pushy, so focus on softer water—inside bends, edges, and slower pockets. Dry-dropper fishing has been productive, and attractor dries are bringing fish up.

Fly Selection:

  • Chubbies #8–12

  • Stimulators #10–14

  • Caddis Dries #14–16

  • Pat’s Rubber Legs #10–12

  • Pheasant Tails #14–18

  • Perdigons #14–18

  • Caddis Nymphs #12–16

  • Small Streamers

Recommended Gear: 8’ 3wt or 4wt

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Current Conditions:
Open water fishing remains good. Shore anglers are finding success, and boat anglers have expanded opportunities as temps rise. Look for fish cruising points, rocky shorelines, and transition zones. Wind can change conditions quickly.

Stop by Ed’s Fly Shop for the latest bugs, local intel, and daily updates.