Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Rio Grande Basin
The Rio de los Pinos is a small, quiet meadow stream near the New Mexico line, reached from Highway 17.
Looking for the latest Rio de los Pinos Ortiz 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 Rio de los Pinos โ Ortiz.
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
Ortiz fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The flood warning for western Conejos County included Cumbres Pass and Highway 17, the road to this river. Flows are still elevated, and access may be cut off until the road reopens.
Check road conditions before you go. In normal fall conditions this is small, clear water with midges and BWOs.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Ortiz, bring: Parachute Adams #16-20, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, Zebra Midge #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20, RS2 Emerger #18-22, 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.
Ortiz river details
| Access | Highway 17 near the New Mexico line, with a lot of private land. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,000 to 8,500 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 260 miles, roughly 5 hours 13 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Summer |
| Fish | Brown trout and Rio Grande cutthroat |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 5X to 6X tippet |
| Camping | Trujillo Meadows national forest campground (seasonal) |
| Kids | Yes in summer. A small, slow meadow stream. |
| Good to know | Remote and quiet. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Snowed in.
Spring
Late runoff.
Summer
Dries in the meadows.
Fall
Spawning browns and low, clear water.
How to get there
Take Highway 17 west from Antonito toward Cumbres Pass.