Colorado Fishing Reports ยท San Juan & Dolores Basin
Below McPhee Dam the Dolores is a small, technical tailwater in a quiet canyon, with browns, rainbows and Snake River cutthroat.
Looking for the latest Below McPhee Reservoir 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 Below McPhee Reservoir.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Below McPhee Reservoir fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The dam is releasing only about 5 cfs, so the river is low and clear near the dam. Lower down it was blown out by side streams after the late-October storm.
Stay close to the dam and fish small flies on long, fine leaders: midges and RS2s in sizes 18 to 24, with a Parachute Adams or Griffith's Gnat when fish rise at midday. Keep fish wet.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Below McPhee Reservoir, bring: Parachute Adams #18-24, Griffith', s Gnat #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-24, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-24, Zebra Midge #20-24, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14, Scud Bomb #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Below McPhee Reservoir river details
| Access | A Forest Service road downstream from the dam toward Bradfield Bridge, where the road gets rough. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 6,900 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 380 miles, roughly 7 hours 30 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | All year |
| Fish | Brown, rainbow and Snake River cutthroat trout |
| Regulations | Special tailwater rules apply. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 to 12 ft leaders, 6X to 7X tippet |
| Camping | Bradfield and Cabin Canyon campgrounds |
| Kids | Partly. Small, calm water, but picky fish. |
| Good to know | Very little water this year. Handle fish gently. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Midges on mild days.
Spring
BWOs.
Summer
PMDs and terrestrials.
Fall
BWOs and clear, technical water.
How to get there
Take Highway 184 to Forest Road 504 below McPhee Dam.