Del Norte Town Stretchon Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado)
Midges are a consistent and reliable food source
- 01Midges are a consistent and reliable food source, with trout actively feeding subsurface.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) are providing intermittent dry fly opportunities, especially during overcast periods.
- 03Terrestrial insects, particularly grasshoppers, are still present and can draw opportunistic strikes in the early part of the month.
- 04Streamer fishing remains highly effective for enticing aggressive browns and rainbows, mimicking leeches and baitfish.
- 05The 875 cfs flow allows for easy wading in many areas and provides well-defined current seams and holding lies.
What to tie on at Del Norte Town Stretch
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity can still be strong in early fall, and hoppers (sizes 6-10) are a substantial food source, especially along grassy banks of the Rio Grande.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
Effective for enticing aggressive strikes from larger trout holding in deep holes and undercut banks, imitating leeches and baitfish.
Elk Hair Caddis
Caddis are still very active, particularly in the mornings and evenings, providing consistent dry fly action.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a consistent subsurface food source year-round, making this a reliable nymphing pattern, especially as a dropper.
Buy at AmazonYellow Sally
Lingering Yellow Sallies from July hatches can still bring fish to the surface, particularly in early August.
Buy at AmazonPale Morning Dun Sparkle Dun
Lingering PMD emergers can be highly effective for selective trout keying on emerging mayflies in the surface film.
TH Zebra Midge
This weighted Zebra Midge (sizes 20-24) is excellent for getting deeper into the water column, targeting trout feeding on abundant midge pupa on the Rio Grande.
Hopper
Hopper hatches are an almost daily occurrence on the grass-lined banks, making this a top terrestrial choice for opportunistic trout.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
Excellent for getting deep in high spring flows and imitating large stonefly nymphs, a consistent food source year-round.
Buy at AmazonColorado season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.