Gorgeous fall conditions in Telluride

San Miguel River: (103 cfs)  Classic late season conditions and near perfect water flows -- the San Miguel is low, clear and gorgeous.  Hatches are still plentiful.  BWO mayflies come off between noon and 5:00 o'clock.  Midges hatch into the evening and are joined by scattered caddis at dusk.  Fish small single dry flies (size 16-18), or medium sized dries with small droppers (droppers #18-20). 

Dries:  Stimulator #16-18, PMX #16, Royal Wulff #16, H&L Variant #16, Grey Wulff #16, Parachute Adams #16-18, Standard Adams #16, Irresistible #16-18, Stalcups Para BWO #18.

Nymphs: Guide's Choice Hare's Ear #16-18, Soft Hackle PT (#16-18), Micro May #16-20, Mayhem #18-20, Winker Midge #20-22, Zebra Midge #18-22, Cheeseman Emerger #20-22. 

Dolores River: (177 cfs at Dolores, 31 cfs at Rico, 40 cfs below McPhee)

Dry Flies: Stalcup's Para BWO #18, Royal Wulff #16, Parachute Adams #16-18, Turck's Power Ant #11-13, Green River Ant #12, Stimulator #16, Grey Wulff #16.

Nymphs: Wire Prince #18-20 Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle #18, Pulsating Caddis #16, Mayhem #16-20, Split Back Emerger #16-18, Jewel Crawler #16-18, Micro May #16-20. 

The Lower Dolores River (40 cfs) is now officially tough.  Light hatches, bright sun and plenty of wind combine to shut down all but the most dedicated.  If you go, try sculpin and crawfish-style streamers when the dry fly action seems thin. 

Uncompahgre : (103 cfs below Ridgway Reservoir)  Great fishing.  The recent drop in water flow has improved conditions for the wading angler (and since we all wade Pa-Co, it has improved the fishing for everyone). The summer PMD hatch is waning, but mid-day dry fly fishing is still available. Generally speaking, it's better to fish late than early.  With plenty of bugs emerging mid-day, the trout stay on top through the early evening hours, eating PMD cripples and spinners, as well as midges. We're catching fish all day long on nymphs and in the middle of the day on PMD patterns. Uncompahgre trout want a well-tied fly, so choose your dry flies wisely. 

Hatches: Pale Morning Dun Mayflies and midges

Dries:  We're throwing hoppers and Bugmeisters primarily as indicator flies and technical PMD patterns during the mid-day hatch.  Our favorite match-the-hatch PMDs include the Burk's Silhouette Dun, Pink Albert, Pink Albert cripple, Melon Quill and Lawson's No Hackle.

Nymphs: Mayhem, Micro May, Split Case PMD, small Soft Hackles.

Gunnison: (604 cfs below Crystal Reservoir)  Fall fishing is highlighted by the Gunnison's outstanding BWO hatch.  Cloudy days are better than clear ones.  When there are no fish rising, try small nymphs in the riffles or big streamer to the banks.

Dry flies: Kicking Hopper #8-12, Silhouette Dun BWO #18, Parachute Adams #18-20, Hackle Dun BWO #18, Griffiths Gnat #18-20.

Nymphs:  The Mayhem #18-22, Split Case PMD Emerger #16-18, Trina's Present Tail #16-18, San Juan Worm #12-16 (pink and red), Craven's JuJu Baetis #18-20, Winker Midge #20-22.

Streamers:  Double Bunny (olive over white) #2-6, Autumn Splendor #4-10, Rubberlegs Bugger #4-6, Sheila Sculpin #4-6, Sculpzilla #4-10.