Colorado Fishing Reports ยท San Juan & Dolores Basin
Below Vallecito Reservoir the Los Pinos (Pine) River has very little public water, and its flows depend on irrigation releases.
Looking for the latest Below Vallecito 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 Los Pinos River โ Below Vallecito Reservoir.
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
Below Vallecito Reservoir fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Two big storms on October 22 to 24 and November 1 to 2 caused major flooding across southwest Colorado. Releases were very high for fall at the end of October and the river is still running high. Expect fast water and fish pushed to the edges.
If you go, fish big nymphs and buggers along the soft edges. Check road conditions around Vallecito first.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Below Vallecito Reservoir, bring: Pat', s Rubber Legs #8-12, 20 Incher #8-12, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Prince Nymph #14-18, Woolly Bugger #6-8, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Below Vallecito Reservoir river details
| Access | Very little public water below the dam. Land further down is private or Southern Ute tribal land, which needs a tribal permit. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 7,600 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 338 miles, roughly 7 hours 29 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Fall at lower releases |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Southern Ute tribe for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Camping | Forest Service campgrounds around Vallecito Lake (mostly closed now) |
| Kids | No. Little access and fast water. |
| Good to know | Flows depend on irrigation releases from the dam. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Very low releases, often slow.
Spring
Releases climb with runoff.
Summer
Steady irrigation flows, caddis and attractor dries.
Fall
Releases drop. BWOs and browns.
How to get there
Take County Road 501 north from Bayfield to Vallecito Dam.