Animas River
Antero Reservoir
Arkansas River
Arkansas River Tailwater
Big Thompson
Blue River
Boulder Creek
Cache la Poudre
Cimarron River
Clear Creek
Colorado River, Upper
Colorado River, Middle
Colorado River, Lower
Dolores River
Eagle River
Frying Pan River
Gunnison River
North Platte River
Rio Grande
Roaring Fork River
Rocky Mountain National Park
San Miguel River
South Platte River, 11-Mile
South Platte River, Below Spinney Mountain Reservoir
South Platte River, Cheeseman-Chatfield
Spinney Reservoir
Taylor River
Yampa River
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Water flow: 40.8
Visibility: 50 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 54 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: Mid morning to late afternoon
Best stretch: The 1.5 miles of tailwater below Ridgeway Reservoir (Pa-co-chu-puk).
Best access point: The Pa-co-chu-puk turn, off of hwy 550.
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Midges (#20-26), Baetis/BWO imitations (#20 and smaller), Caddis, Drakes, Cahills
Fish species: Rainbow, Brown, Snake River Cutthroat
Fishing season: Year - round
Nearest airport: Montrose Airport
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet
Best fly fishing rod: 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: WF Trout Fly Line
Ridgway State Park is located four miles north of Ridgway and 26 miles south of Montrose, Colorado. As late as mid-July, the north face of the San Juan Mountains still holds snow and as it melts, it eventually flows into Lake Como north of Silverton, at 12,221 feet in southwestern Colorado. From here, the Uncompahgre is born and runs north 75 miles to enter the Gunnison River in Delta. The Park holds many ...
Small (#20-26) olive, red, and black midges are always consistent producers, especially for Paco's more selective fish. Dead drifting a leech or worm above a midge or smaller baetis is effective as well. Get those flies down in the water column, the fish are hanging low.
Sight fishing for bigger fish has been effective although, the fish are selectively feeding.