This beautiful tailwater is the river below the Ridgway Dam in Ridgway State Park, it is considered one of the crown jewels in the Colorado State Park System.
January 13, 2025
Paco is full-steam ahead in the winter season. Flows are sitting between 60-70cfs. Fish have continued to feed actively sub surface. Nymphing is the way to go. With low flows, it is important to get your weight right so you are not dragging bottom every drift. Fishing small caddis larva in sz 18-20 and midge/mayfly nymphs in sz 18-22 have been putting fish in the net consistenly. Lead your rig with a bigger bug such as a leech, egg, or worm (#14-#18) for weight and as a good attractor. Behind your point fly continue to drop small midge and baetis patterns, as they make up the majority of a trout's diet in this fishery. With lower flows and colder temps, these fish are not going to move much to eat your fly. Focus on getting the right weight and a good accurate drift if you want to catch some fish. Rely on light tippet and sensitive indicators to pick up light takes.
Come into the shop and get stocked up on your midge and baetis fly patterns, we have the best selection on the Western Slope, and we can help you get rigged up for this rewarding Tailwater.
Demon Midge Red #22, Mighty Midge Red or Blue #22-24, Black Beauty #22-24, Massacre Midge #20-24, Mayer’s Mini Leech #16-14, Jujubee Midge Red #22, Juju Baetis #20-22, Sidewinder midge #22-24, Frenchie #14-18, Killer Mayfly, Two Bit Hooker, San Juan worm
Fly Rod: The Uncompahgre River @ Pa-co-Chu-Puk is where you are going to want to lean on your "traditional" sized trout fly rods. We suggest fishing a 5wt or 6wt fly rod in 9' or 10' length. The longer length in rod allows for better reach and lift off of the water, ensuring effective drifts and presentations. Using a 5wt or 6wt allows you to be ready for when that trophy trout eats your fly.
Fly Reel: Having a nicer reel with a large arbor for tailwater trout fly fishing is essential due to the often larger and stronger fish found in these waters, which require a smooth, reliable drag system to prevent break-offs. The large arbor design allows for faster line retrieval, making it easier to stay connected with fast-moving fish in strong currents. Additionally, the durability and refined engineering of a premium reel ensure it can handle frequent adjustments and challenging conditions while lasting for years of reliable use.
Fly Line: A good fly line is essential for tailwater trout fishing because it provides the versatility needed to switch between techniques like throwing dries and nymphing with precision. High-quality lines offer improved control, ensuring delicate presentations for selective trout when fishing dry flies and allowing for effective depth control when nymphing in challenging currents. The right fly line also enhances casting accuracy and reduces drag, enabling anglers to adapt to ever-changing conditions and maximize their success in tailwater environments.
The Uncompahgre River, or the “Unc” as it is locally known, births high in the windswept San Juan Mountains and slogs northward through the towns of Ouray, Ridgway, and Montrose as it makes its 75 mile voyage toward a marriage with the Gunnison River in Delta. The premiere stretch of the Unc is the tailwater below Ridgway Dam in Ridgway State Park known as Pa-Co-Chu-Puk or “Pa-co.” Pa-co is a tremendous year-round trout stream which boasts wild brown trout, a hodgepodge of wild and stocked rainbow trout, and Snake River cutthroat trout brood fish. This tailrace easily exceeds the qualifications for Gold Medal Water and excels in the winter when other fly waters are hibernating and during runoff when other trout streams are roiling with high, chocolaty water.
Further downstream, the Uncompahgre River runs through the town of Montrose and may be the best kept fly fishing secret on the western slope of Colorado. The town stretch of the Unc offers great fly angling for browns, rainbows, and cutbows, especially during fall, winter, and early spring. A couple of the best locales within Montrose are behind Home Depot and Riverbottom Park, but there is quality fly fishing throughout the town stretch. Although the average fish size is much smaller, 20-plus inch trout are not uncommon. Surprisingly, despite having high numbers of brown trout, and some hefty ones, the Unc is not regarded as an overly productive streamer fishery.
