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Uncompahgre River water or watershed scenery in Colorado
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Uncompahgre River

Photo: Bill Gillette Opens in a new tab. · Public domain

Should I go fishing?

Check the water temperature first.

Water temperature is unconfirmed. Use a stream thermometer; stop trout fishing at 70°F or warmer, or sooner if fish show stress.

Rating updatedRiver local time:

Why this recommendation?

USGS shows 110 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1989-2025, 37 readings) show a typical middle range of 93 cfs to 260 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.

Available live dataHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Confidence in this recommendationMediumWater temperature not verified; do not use this score to clear warm-water risk.
Usually checks again about every 45 minutes

If you go

Check first
Use the below-Ridgway flow chart for the tailwater reach.
Try
Start with Pa-Co-Chu-Puk and exact CPW rules before expanding the plan.
Leave when
Skip the reach when special-rule boundaries are unclear, when releases make safe wading unrealistic, when low clear water concentrates pressure, or when winter ice and shelf edges make footing unsafe.

Flow and weather

Showing server-checked river conditions while current readings refresh.
Flow
110 cfs
From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.
Air forecast
61°F
Next 24h high
83.0°F

NWS air forecast near

Rain chance
3%

This is an air forecast, not a river-temperature reading. Check the water with a stream thermometer before fishing in hot weather.

Latest stored weather check

Mostly Clear

Wind
5 mph
Weather checked
More forecast and source details

Mostly Clear

National Weather Service

Uncompahgre tailwater forecast point

The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.

Live data

Where these readings come from

RiverReports gauge: Uncompahgre River below Ridgway Reservoir

Official USGS station Opens in a new tab.RiverReports gauge Opens in a new tab.Official NWS forecast Opens in a new tab.

Flies for this time of year

Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.

See flies for every season
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try

Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.

More fishing tips

Methods, fish species and trip notes

How to fish Uncompahgre River today.

The Uncompahgre is best when releases are stable and water is clear enough for careful nymphing or dry-fly work. If flows change quickly or the state park reach is crowded, use a backup western Colorado plan.

Low clear release

Use small flies, long leaders, and careful approaches to avoid lining fish.

Stable medium release

Nymph rigs and dry-droppers can cover riffles, seams, and deeper buckets.

Sudden release change

Step back, reassess wading, and avoid low banks or mid-channel positions.

Hot valley weather

Tailwater temperatures may stay cooler, but still check handling conditions before fishing hard.

Wading, bank fishing or floating?
Access choicesNo single best option

Wading and Floating have the same top score. Use current access, footing, weather, and local rules to choose.

Wading92/100

Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.

Bank fishingNot recommended

This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.

Floating92/100

A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.

Full river report

Is Uncompahgre River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Colorado before you go.

The Uncompahgre below Ridgway Reservoir is a small, technical tailwater with important state park and CPW rule details. Check the below-dam flow, Pa-Co-Chu-Puk rules, and access notes before choosing flies.

Fishing words used on this page
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
Cubic feet per second (cfs)
Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
Technical fishing
Technical fishing means the fish are hard to fool, so careful casts and natural drifts matter.
Nymph
A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
Presentation
Presentation means how you cast and move the fly so it looks natural to a fish.
Riffle
A riffle is shallow, fast water broken by rocks.
Seam
A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
Tailout
A tailout is the shallow, slower water at the lower end of a pool.
Blue-winged olive (BWO)
Blue-winged olives, or BWOs, are small mayflies that often hatch in cool or cloudy weather.
Caddis
Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
Why this call

Why this score

FlowHelps

USGS shows 110 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1989-2025, 37 readings) show a typical middle range of 93 cfs to 260 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.

SeasonHelps

Fall: Cooler weather, BWOs, and streamer windows can improve the tailwater plan.

WeatherHelps

The current NWS air forecast is about 61F, and the next 24-hour high reaches about 83F. Mostly Clear.

Public alertsHelps

No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.

Fishing usefulnessHelps

Skip the reach when special-rule boundaries are unclear, when releases make safe wading unrealistic, when low clear water concentrates pressure, or when winter ice and shelf edges make footing unsafe.

Trip notes

Check these before you choose a reach.

Best flows

Use the RiverReports Ridgway chart and USGS 09147025 together. Stable releases make the best technical window. Sudden changes, thin clear water, or pushy discharge should shift the plan toward edges, lighter pressure, or another nearby river.

When to leave

Skip the reach when special-rule boundaries are unclear, when releases make safe wading unrealistic, when low clear water concentrates pressure, or when winter ice and shelf edges make footing unsafe.

Local plan

Start with Pa-Co-Chu-Puk and Ridgway State Park context, then compare Billy Creek SWA and nearby access only after checking current rules and posted signs. Keep the day focused rather than chasing every visible bend.

Backup water

If the Uncompahgre is crowded, icy, release-sensitive, or too technical for the day, compare the Upper Gunnison, Cimarron River, or Dolores River after checking current flow and access.

Uncompahgre River access and rules.

Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter.

Before you go

CPW lists special rules for the below-Ridgway tailwater reach, including artificial-only catch-and-release water in defined sections. Verify the current boundary language before fishing.

Where to access the river

Pa-Co-Chu-Puk at Ridgway State Park

The key public tailwater access with state park rules, fees, and managed fishing water.

Below Ridgway Reservoir gauge reach

The main flow reference and tailwater planning area for this report.

Billy Creek SWA

A CPW access point in the broader Uncompahgre area with land-specific rules.

  • Ridgway State Park access can require a parks pass or fee.
  • No boating or tubing should be assumed in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk fishing reach.
  • Private land and posted boundaries matter outside obvious public areas.
  • Dam releases can change quickly, so keep an eye on water level while fishing.

If this water does not fit the day, check another report before you start the drive.

ColoradoCimarron River fishing reportA higher-country Gunnison-area option when you want smaller water.ColoradoDolores River fishing reportAnother western Colorado release-dependent tailwater and canyon plan.ColoradoUpper Gunnison River fishing reportA larger nearby system with broader public-access planning.
See all Colorado fly fishing reports

Sources and report details

Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

More helpful links

Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.

See all 7 checked sources

Rules and closures

Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.

Flow and weather

Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.

Access and land

Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.

More helpful links

Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.

Source check is old. Last checked . Open the official links now and check for changes.

See something wrong? Report a source problem. Please do not send private spots or private access notes.

How this report was checked

How this report was checked

Trip guidance checked

What was checked: This Uncompahgre River report is maintained from RiverReports and USGS flow data, Colorado regulation and access sources, state-park and wildlife-area references, weather checks, and Ridgway tailwater planning guidance.

Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.

First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.

Quick questions

What reach does this Uncompahgre report cover?

It focuses on the Ridgway Reservoir tailwater and Pa-Co-Chu-Puk access, with broader nearby context.

Is this a good runoff backup?

Often yes, because it is a tailwater, but release changes and park access still need to be checked.

Which flies should I carry?

Small midges, BWOs, PMDs, caddis, scuds, worms, and a few small streamers are the core box.

What is the main safety issue?

Sudden flow changes below Ridgway Reservoir and slick tailwater footing are the big concerns.