West of Telluride, the San Miguel River is a popular freestone river known for outstanding dry fly fishing throughout the summer. The San Miguel River starts in the hills east of Telluride and flows west through town and continues 45 miles. It is mainly a freestone river that becomes a warm water fishery. There are plenty of riffles and pocket water holding rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. The San Miguel River is known for its prolific hatches.
The best section for fly fishing on the San Miguel River is considered to be from the Deep Creek confluence downstream to Norwood Bridge.
Overall, San Miguel River is the 14th most popular fly fishing river of all 47 fly fishing spots in Colorado.
