Dolores River Fishing Report: 12/18/24 (Bottom of Page)
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone Stream/Tailwater
Species
Rainbow Trout (Wild)
Brown Trout (Wild)
Cutthroat Trout (Wild)
Brook Trout (Wild)
Size
Small to Medium
Location
Southwestern Colorado
Nearest Towns
Dolores
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
USGS Real-time Data:
At Delores
Non-Resident License
State of Colorado
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
Some of the river’s access road is closed from the first of December until April.
Spring:
Springtime can be a tough time to fish the Dolores River.
Summer:
The water usually gets into good shape about the middle of June.
Fall:
Fly fishing the Dolores River can be great in the Fall. The brown trout spawn during the Fall. Good fishing
can last into December.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Dolores River Colorado
The Dolores River is both a freestone stream and a tailwater stream. It is located in the Southwest corner of Colorado near the small town of Dolores. Its headwater section contains the Dolores and the West Branch of the Dolores River. It starts out as a small alpine meadow type stream at an elevation of about 10,000 feet. The headwaters has some private property areas and a couple of campgrounds located on the stream. The trout in the upper areas are mostly smaller fish ranging from eight to twelve inches. Fly fishing the Dolores River is best in its lower tailwater section.
When people mention the Dolores River they are usually referring to the tailwater section below McPhee Dam. The river has a very good population of trout consisting of rainbows, brown and cutthroat trout. These fish average about twelve to eighteen inches. This isn’t your average tailwater; however, as the locals put it, it requires some highly technical fishing methods. It’s more like a spring creek and in fact, normal spring creek tactics work best on the stream.
The Dolores has a very good population of aquatic insects. Its waters are very fertile. Two of the most important mayflies are the Blue-winged Olives, which hatch in the Spring and Fall, Pale Morning Duns, which hatch from late May through July. There are Green Drakes, Small Western Green Drakes, Pale Evening Duns, Mahogany Duns, Gray Drakes, Tricos and other mayflies.
Caddisflies consis mostly of Little Black Caddis (Mother’s Day Caddis), Spotted Sedges, Little Sister Caddis, Green Sedges and October Caddis.
There are plenty of stoneflies, mostly in the headwaters, but some are in the tailwater section.
Little Winter stoneflies, Little Yellow Stoneflies, Golden Stoneflies and a few Salmonflies make up the majority of them.
During the Summer months terrestrial insects become important food to imitate. Hoppers, Carpenter ants, Japanese Beetles are the most important ones.
Streamers that imitate baitfish and sculpin work year-round under low light conditions and are very important flies to use during the early Fall season.
It’s best to wait until after runoff to start fishing the Dolores. Normally this takes place in June. Fishing continues to be great well into December. The fishing regulations require the release of all trout caught. Only artificial flies and lures can be used.
This isn’t an easy stream to fish. You need to use long, light leaders and tippets. Matching the hatch can be a huge benefit. Good drag-free drifts and good presentations are usually required if one is to expect very much success.
Fly Fishing Report:
05/01/21 The stream is still flowing below a normal level. We are getting good reports from customers. There are March Browns, Blue-winged olives, Midges, Little Black Caddis, Little Brown stoneflies and other insects hatching.
05/09/21 The stream is still flowing a little below a normal level.We are getting good reports from customers. There are good hatches taking place including Green Sedge caddis which are starting to hatch.
05/17/21 The river is in runoff in the freestone section. Discharges remain low considering the runoff. We received some good reports recently. There are lots of hatching insects.
05/25/21 The river is still in runoff in the freestone section. You can still fish the tailwater at the current discharge and flow rates but it will likely come up.
06/01/21 The conditions remain the same. We received two good reports from customers fishing the tailwater. There are good hatches taking place.
06/11/21 The stream is still down way below normal levels. Runoff isn’t affecting it much if any. We received another good report from a customers. Conditions are good in the tailwater right now.
06/23/21 Conditions are good in all respects in both the freestone section and the tailwater. We are getting some good reports from customers. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
07/06/21 The stream is still low but thanks to the rain underway, it is on the way up. We should start getting some very good reports as there are good hatches taking place.
07/15/21 The stream is still low but up a little thanks to some recent rain. We are still getting a few good reports from customers.
07/22/21 Conditions are better since the stream received some recent rain but is still low. There are good hatches and we are getting some good reports. Send us an email to
07/30/21 The stream is staying near a normal level and in good shape. We are still getting some very good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
08/04/21 The stream is at a normal level and in good shape. We are getting some very good reports from customers. This should be a good coming week.
08/13/21 The stream is very low again and you will need to use caution to keep from spooking the trout. We did receive two good reports from customers this past week.
08/20/21 The stream is back up to normal levels thanks to some needed rain. We still received a couple of good reports from customers fishing last week in spite of the low levels.
08/23/21 The river level is back down again but not too low. We received three good reports this past week from our customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/28/21 The river is low flowing at 63.5 cfs at 2.17 feet. Good hatches continue. There is no rain in the forecast for the next four days.
09/06/21 The river is still very low flowing at 49.8 cfs at 2.07 ft. We received two good reports this past week. Fish still eat in low water.
09/21/21 Stream levels remain a little low but we continue to get good reports from customers. There are good hatches taking place including BWOs and several other insects.
09/29/21 The stream levels are up to near normal levels since it has rained. Conditions are good. There are good hatches taking place.
10/12/21 Conditions are very good. We are getting some very good reports from customers. There are good fall hatches taking place.
10/23/21 The stream is in good shape with okay stream levels and clear water. We are continuing to get good reports from customers.
11/01/21 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We continue to get good reports from customers. Some nice ones are being caught on our articulated sculpin streamers.
11/09/21 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We received three good reports from customers this past week.
11/17/21 The stream is at a good level and clear. We continue to get good reports from customers. There are some good hatches and our sculpin patterns are also working good.
11/25/21 The discharges and stream levels are at a normal level and the stream in great shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
12/05/21 Stream levels are just a tad below normal levels and the water clear. We received one good report from a customer this past week.
12/21/21 The discharges and levels are a little low but okay. We received two good reports. Fish as near the dam as legal for warmer water conditions.
12/29/21 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week. The discharges and levels are a little low but okay.
01/06/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing the tailwater this past week. There are good midge hatches.
01/14/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing below the dam this past week. Good midge and black fly hatches are taking place.
01/22/22 We didn’t receive any reports this past week. Conditions in the tailwater are still good. Good midge, winter stoneflies and black fly hatches are taking place.
01/29/22 We received one good report from a customer this past week. Conditions in the tailwater remain fairly good.
02/07/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week. Conditions are still okay and you should be able to catch trout in the tailwater.
02/15/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Skwala stoneflies and Winter stoneflies are hatching.
02/23/22 The stream is very cold except just below the dam. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
03/03/22 Fish near the dam discharge where the water is warmer. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
03/11/22 We didn’t get any report from anyone fishing this past week. You should be able to catch trout in the tailwater.
03/19/22 The river is still very cold in the freestone section but the tailwater is about 39 degrees near the discharge. Good midge and Skwala stonefly hatches are taking place.
03/28/22 The stream is near a normal level in good shape. The freestone section is a little warmer but still cold. The tailwater is turning out some trout with good midge, BWO and Skwala stonefly hatches.
04/04/22 The stream is in good shape in the freestone and tailwater sections. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/12/22 Good little Black Caddis hatches are taking place along with BWOs, Cream midges, and Skwala stoneflies.
04/20/22 March Brown mayflies are starting to hatch. We didn’t receive any reports this past week.
04/28/22 Stream levels are still below normal and the water clear. Trout are being caught in good numbers in the tailwater. There are good hatches taking place.
05/06/22 The stream levels just came up a good bit and are a little above normal level. We have been getting good reports from customers.
05/14/22 The stream is still in okay shape. Trout are being caught in the tailwater in good numbers. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/21/22 We are still getting good reports from customers. Stream levels are still okay and good hatches are still taking place.
05/28/22 There is still no sign of runoff. Conditions remain good.
06/05/22 Still no sign of a runoff. We still didn’t get any reports from anyone fishing. It should be good.
06/13/22 Stream levels in the tailwater are still low enough to fish well. We still didn’t get any reports but you should be able to catch trout there.
06/20/22 Stream levels and discharges in the tailwater are down a lot from last week. There are some very good hatches taking place. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
06/28/22 The stream is still in okay shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Good hatches are taking place.
07/05/22 Two more good reports came in this past week from Perfect fly customers. Very good hatches are taking place. Shoot us an email for a recommended fly list.
07/13/22 The stream levels are good and we are getting some good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place and our terrestrial patterns are starting to work.
07/20/22 Remember the water coming out of the lake in the tailwater is still cool and the trout are active and can be caught in good numbers. Fish the riffles and runs in the freestone section.
07/27/22 The discharges and stream levels are low but up from last week. Good hatches continue to take place including Little Yellow stoneflies.
08/03/22 The stream levels are still a little below normal but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/10/22 The stream is low and you need to use caution to stay as hidden from the trout as you can. There are still plenty hatching insects.
08/17/22 The stream is up to a normal level and in good shape. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/24/22 The stream level is still a little low but recent rain has helped the overall situation and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Good late summer hatches exist.
08/31/22 The stream is still low but okay. Trout still eat in low water. Good hatches are taking place.
09/08/22 Stream levels are quite low. Trout still eat in low water. You do have to stay hidden from them and make good presentations. You are far better off using Perfect flies.
09/22/22 The stream is in okay shape in all sections. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/08/22 Conditions are good. We continue to get good reports. Good late season hatches are taking place.
10/08/22 Sorry for the missed reports. Conditions are currently okay. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/21/22 Stream levels are a little low but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/18/22 Sorry for the miss-dated report. Stream levels are a little below normal but okay. Good late season hatches including small BWOs and Cream and light Green midges continue to hatch.
01/02/23 Stream conditions are not good due to ice. Good winter hatches are still taking place.
02/13/23 Fish below the dam near the discharge where the water is warmer. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Skwala stoneflies and Winter stoneflies are hatching.
02/28/23 The stream is still okay, meaning warm enough catch trout, close to the dam discharge. Good midge hatches continue to take place. The freestone section is just too cold to fish with lots of slush ice.
03/10/23 We didn’t receive any reports last week. The water is cold except below the dam where it is a little warmer and you should be above to catch trout.
03/23/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week but it should be okay below the dam.
04/04/23 The tailwater still offers some good opportunity if you fish near the dam discharge. Let us hear from you.
04/16/23 We received two good reports from customers fishing the tailwater section. Good hatches are taking place.
04/26/23 We didn’t get any catch reports but you should be able to catch trout in the tailwater where the water is a little warmer.
05/08/23 The river is high due to runoff. Stay in touch and we will keep you informed.
05/20/21 The stream is still very high and dirty from runoff.
05/30/23 Stream levels are still too high to fish. Give it some more time to drop and clear.
06/11/21 Stream level remain too high to fish.
06/27/23 The stream is still flowing at a very high level due to runoff. Give it some more time and check back with us.
07/12/23 The stream is still a little above normal but should be down in good shape very soon. Good hatches are coming off.
07/19/23 The stream is down to a normal level and in good shape with clear water. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/30/23 The stream is a little below a normal level and clear. There are good hatches taking place.
08/06/23 The stream is still a little below normal and clear. Both sections, the tailwater and the upper freestone sections are turning out some nice trout for our customers.
08/17/23 Conditions remain very good. We are getting good reports from customers fishing it.
08/23/23 The stream is still in good shape in both the freestone and tailwater sections. Good hatches continue to come off.
08/29/23 The stream is still in good shape in all sections. Good late season hatching are taking place and we continue to get some good reports from customers.
09/06/23 Stream levels are near a normal level and the water is clear. We are getting good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
09/13/23 The stream is still near a normal level in good shape. Good late season hatches are coming off.
09/20/23 Conditions are good in both the freestone and the tailwater section.
09/27/23 The stream is in good condition in the tailwater and freestone sections. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/03/23 The stream continues to be in good shape with good stream levels and clear water. Good hatches are taking place including October Caddis.
10/11/23 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. There are still good hatches taking place.
10/27/23 Stream levels are low but okay. W received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good late season hatches continue to come off.
11/04/23 The stream turned out two good nice catches for our customers this past week. Conditions remain good.
11/11/23 Stream levels are near normal and the water is clear. Good hatches continue to come off.
11/18/23 Stream levels are just a little below a normal level and the water clear. Our tandem pre-rigged midge larva and pupa are working good.
11/28/23 Stream levels are still just a little below normal level. The USGS gauge isn’t working due to ice. Fish below the dam as near the dam as legal and feasible for the warmest water and you should do good using our cream and red (blood) midge patterns.
12/31/23 Stream levels are low but the USGS gauge still isn’t working. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Light green and red or blood midges are hatching.
01/15/24 Stream levels are a little below normal and the water clear. Light green and red or blood midges are hatching as well as Winter stoneflies.
01/24/24 The stream is in good shape with good midge and Winter stonefly hatches.
02/06/24 The stream is still in okay shape with good hatches. We did receive one good report from a customer.
02/20/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level. Ice has the USGS gauge not working. Good light green midges and Winter stonefly hatches are taking place.
02/27/24 The stream levels are okay. The USGS gauge still isn’t working due to ice. Good midge and Winter stonefly haches are taking place.
03/06/04 The stream is in okay shape with light green and red, or blood, midge and Skwala stonefly hatches.
03/13/24 The freestone stream is very cold and the USGS gauge not working due to ice. The tailwater is okay and trout are being caught. Fish it as near the dam discharge as legal.
03/20/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good midge and Skwala stonefly hatches are taking place.
03/27/24 Conditions are good in the tailwater. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/13/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
04/19/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are still taking place.
04/24/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
05/01/24 The stream is still flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place.
05/08/24 Stream levels are still okay and good hatches continue to take place. We received a good report from a customer fishing this past week.
05/15/24 The stream is still in okay condition with good hatches coming off.
05/22/24 The stream is still flowing at a good rate and mostly clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/29/24 The stream is flowing well above normal and stained from runoff.
06/05/24 The stream is still flowing very high and badly stained from runoff.
06/12/24 The stream level is way down near a normal level. It can be fished successfully right now.
06/19/24 Conditions are good. There are a lot of insects hatching and the stream levels are okay. Salmonflies and Golden stoneflies are hatching along with a lot of other insects.
06/26/24 Conditions are still good. We received a good report from a customer fishing recently. Good hatches are taking place.
07/03/24 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are still taking place.
07/10/24 Conditions are very good. We are still getting good reports from customers fishing the stream. Good hatches continue to come off.
07/18/24 The stream is flowing well below a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/28/24 The stream is still flowing well below normal level and clear. It hasn’t hurt the “catching”. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
08/02/24 Conditions are okay. The stream is still flowing well below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are coming off.
08/10/24 Both the tailwater and the freestone section of the river are in okay shape with good hatches. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
08/18/24 Good conditions still exist in all sections. Good late season hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/28/24 Good conditions continue to exist. The stream is flowing at a good level and there are good hatches taking place.
09/05/24 We are getting good reports from customers fishing it recently. Good stream levels and late season hatches continue to take place.
09/12/24 The stream is flowing well below a normal level and clear. You can catch trout but you need to stay as hidden from the fish as possible. Good hatches are still taking place.
09/19/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Conditions are good. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/26/24 Conditions are good. The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are still taking place.
10/03/24 The stream is flowing well below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are still taking place.
10/10/24 The stream is still a little low but okay. Good hatches continue to take place. We received a good report from a customer fishing this past week.
10/19/24 The stream is still flowing a little below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place now including October Caddis.
10/28/24 Okay conditions exist. We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
11/02/24 The stream is still flowing most clear and near a normal level. We are still getting good catch reports from customers.
11/14/24 Conditions are good in the tailwater section and the freestone section. Good hatches continue to take place.
11/23/24 We received a good report from a customer fishing the tailwater this past week. Good hatches are taking place. Our pre-rigged, in tandem Cream midge larva and pupa flies are working good.
12/02/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
12/09/24 The stream is still flowing near a normal level and clear. We recommend fishing the tailwater section.
12/18/24 Conditions are good in the tailwater section. Good late season hatches are taking place.
Perfect Flies are designed and tied to to imitate and behave like the natural foods the trout rely on to survive as much as possible. The more your fly looks like and moves through and on the surface of the water like the real things, the higher your odds of success.
Write us at sales@perfectflystore.com for a recommended fly list.