Colorado Fishing Reports ยท San Juan & Dolores Basin
Below Norwood, the San Miguel drops through red-rock canyon country past Nucla toward the Dolores. It holds some trout in its upper reaches and warmer water below.
Looking for the latest San Miguel River Nucla 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 San Miguel River โ Nucla and Brooks Bridge.
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
Nucla and Brooks Bridge fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The November 1 and 2 storms caused major flooding across southwest Colorado. The gauge at Brooks Bridge shows about 475 cfs, high and dirty for November.
Give it time to clear. When it does, fish streamers and big nymphs in the softer edges.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Nucla and Brooks Bridge, bring: Woolly Bugger #6-8, Pat', s Rubber Legs #8-10, Prince Nymph #12-14, San Juan Worm #10-12, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, 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.
Nucla and Brooks Bridge river details
| Access | BLM pullouts along Highway 141 and county roads near Nucla and Naturita. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 5,400 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 344 miles, roughly 9 hours 41 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring and fall |
| Fish | Brown and rainbow trout upstream, plus native suckers and warmwater fish below |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 3X to 4X tippet |
| Camping | BLM camping along the canyon |
| Kids | Partly. Remote canyon water. |
| Good to know | Long drive. Check flows and road conditions first. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Cold and quiet.
Spring
Good before runoff.
Summer
Low and warm in the lower canyon.
Fall
Clearing water and browns.
How to get there
Take US-50 to Montrose, then Highway 62 to Ridgway and Highway 145 and 141 toward Norwood and Nucla.