Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Rio Grande Basin
Around Wagon Wheel Gap the Rio Grande is big water famous for its spring salmonfly hatch and large browns.
Looking for the latest Rio Grande Wagon Wheel Gap 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 Grande โ Wagon Wheel Gap.
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
Wagon Wheel Gap fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Flows are still very high after the November 1 to 2 storm, around 1,500 cfs, and the river is dirty. Clearing will take a few days to a week.
If you go, fish heavy flies along the banks: Pat's Rubber Legs, worms, Prince nymphs and dark streamers at midday.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Wagon Wheel Gap, bring: Pat', s Rubber Legs #8-12, 20 Incher #8-12, Prince Nymph #14-18, San Juan Worm #10-12, Woolly Bugger #4-8, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Wagon Wheel Gap river details
| Access | Highway 149 runs alongside. Much of the land is private, so look for public sections such as the Coller State Wildlife Area. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,400 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 255 miles, roughly 5 hours 28 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Late spring through fall |
| Fish | Big brown and rainbow trout |
| Regulations | Special-regulation sections apply. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 3X to 5X tippet, 1X for streamers |
| Camping | Palisade national forest campground and private RV parks |
| Kids | Partly. Wide, with pushy current. |
| Good to know | Famous for the salmonfly hatch and spring float trips. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Low, cold, midges on mild days.
Spring
Salmonflies in late May and June around runoff.
Summer
Caddis, PMDs, drakes and hoppers.
Fall
BWOs and browns on streamers.
How to get there
Wagon Wheel Gap is on Highway 149 between South Fork and Creede.