Colorado Fishing Reports ยท San Juan & Dolores Basin
At Bedrock, the lower Dolores runs through Paradox Valley in remote desert canyon country. It is mostly native fish water, with few trout.
Looking for the latest Dolores River Bedrock river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Dolores River โ Bedrock.
Current flows
Heads up: Major flooding hit southwest Colorado on November 1 and 2. Expect high, dirty water and check road conditions before you drive.
Wind forecast
Bedrock fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The November 1 and 2 storms caused major flooding across southwest Colorado. The gauge at Bedrock shows about 215 cfs and off color.
This is not a trout fishery. Come for the canyon, not the fishing.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Bedrock, bring: Woolly Bugger #6-8, Clouser Minnow #4-6, Pat', s Rubber Legs #8, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Bedrock river details
| Access | Highway 90 and BLM land in Paradox Valley. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 4,950 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 426 miles, roughly 9 hours 22 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring and fall |
| Fish | Native flannelmouth and bluehead suckers, roundtail chub, and some smallmouth bass |
| Regulations | Protected native fish must be released. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 3X tippet |
| Camping | BLM camping near Bedrock |
| Kids | Partly. Remote desert water. |
| Good to know | Very remote. Bring water and fuel. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold and quiet.
Spring
Spring flows if McPhee releases.
Summer
Hot and low.
Fall
Mild weather and smallmouth.
How to get there
Take US-50 to Montrose, then Highway 90 west through Naturita to Bedrock.