It has been a very busy July and first part of August, after August 19th town will start to slow down with a lot of schools starting back up. Then there will be another bump with the start of hunting season in late August. The fishing continues to be good with water levels staying fishable and afternoon showers keeping the water temperatures down. A few streams in the area are affected more than others. Most of the best fishing in the Pagosa area has been on streams around 9,000 feet or higher. The fish are still eating dry flies. Caddis, humpy's, and all the terrestrials will take fish. In the deeper holes, add a dropper. Pop's doggystyle, hare & copper, and the fox squirrel caddis pattern all with beads are great dropper fly's.
Below the dam the fishing has been very consistent. The flows got bumped up a few days ago to 925 cfs, the water has cleared and the river is in good shape. Grey midge patterns, and grey foam backs have been some of the top producers. Above the T hole I have been doing very well on a 28 or 26 tan midge pupa with a black head trailed behind a red big mac in the morning. After lunch we would mix up a few different patterns, but always had on a grey foam wing. There are still some PMD's on the lower river, some of the fish are getting tricky, but you can still fool them. I like fishing a compara dun then trail a HCPT or hares ear in the surface film.
Scott Taylor
http://highcountrycharters.com
970-946-5229
While you are in town make sure that you visit the following businesses!
Need Fly Fishing gear? See Pop's
Let it Fly
Located on Put hill, just West of Downtown Pagosa Springs.
970-264-3189
http://www.flyfishpagosa.com
Hungry for Adventure?
Pagosa Outside Adventures - Rafting, Biking, Kayaking, Tubing
Downtown Pagosa Springs
970-264-4202
http://www.pagosaoutside.com
Need Ski Rentals?
Pagosa Ski Rental (PSR)
Downtown Pagosa Springs
970-264-2866
http://www.skipagosa.com
