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Float & Wade Fly Fishing Adventures in Southwest Colorado & the San Juan River 

Rio Epic offers custom guided trips throughout the Southwest near the great towns of

Durango, Pagosa Springs, Creede, South Fork, Silverton, Dolores, Rico, Bayfield, Mancos

and on the San Juan near Navajo Dam New Mexico. Serving the entire Southwest we

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offer the best custom fly fishing vacations to meet your goals and schedule. As you

scroll down and you will find all the different Rio Epic guide trips, kids camps, lessons and classes that we offer.​

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rio
rēō (spanish for riv·er) | - noun
large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another such stream.

epic
ˈepik | - adjective
heroic or grand in scale or character: an epic journey to the best fly waters in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico.

guide trips ~ memories & more

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So many fly fishing options . . .

Rio Epic Rio Grande River

Rio Grande

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float and wade

The Rio Grande flows near Creede and South Fork Colorado and offers mega hatches and piles of trout. It is an exceptional float-fishing river, but when flows are low offers solid wade fishing as well. There aren’t many western rivers that compare.

Rio Epic Trophy Trout San Juan River

San Juan Quality Waters & mid river

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float and wade

The San Juan is one the West's most prolific trout fisheries that offers trophy sized trout. Typically the flies are small making any fish landed the ultimate challenge for anglers of all skill sets. Float and wade fishing 

Rio Epic San Juan River

San Juan lower river private waters

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float and wade

The lower Juan offers crowd-free float and wade trips. Fish range from 12 to 16 inches with some monsters lurking in depths. Float and wade fishing 

Rio Epic Animas River

Animas

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float and wade

The Animas is the home river to Durango and offers incredible diverse waters from small headwaters, miles of oxbows to pockets & runs.

Rio Epic Mountain Streams

Mountain Streams

season: June - October

skills: rookie to advanced

options: wade only

Mountain streams are the true roots of fly fishing. Amazing scenery and numerous opportunities at stunning rainbows, cutthroat and brook trout. Not be as big as their cousins in the bigger rivers but they sure are fun.

and more . . .

Rio Epic Wilderness Fly Fishing

Pine - wilderness waters

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: wade only

The upper Pine flows into Vallecito Reservior. The river's origin begins high up in the mountains in the Weminuche Wilderness and is part of the San Juan National Forest. Such an amazing remote fishing experience.

Rio Epic Pine River

Pine - lower private waters tailwater

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: wade only

The Pine flows out of Vallecito as a tailwater. The Pine is an amazing fishery made of mostly private water. 

Rio Epic Dolores River

Dolores - lower below McPhee

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float (depends on flows) or wade

The lower "D" is a technical fishery that gives off New Zealand vibes. Located in a stunning canyon full of wildlife.

Rio Epic Dolores River

Dolores - upper

season: May - November

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float (depends on flows) or wade

The upper Dolores offers small waters near Rico and Dolores Colorado. Stunning rainbows and browns call this river home.

Rio Epic Durango Lakes

regional lakes

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float and wade

The Southwest has numerous lakes with opportunities to chase trout, pike, bass and carp. Man-made impoundments to remote alpine lakes.

Rio Epic Pagosa Springs Fishing

upper San Juan

season: year-round

skills: rookie to advanced

options: float

Flowing through Pagosa Springs Colorado the upper Juan offers a beautiful float through an undeveloped canyon full of trout, scenery and wildlife.

Classes & Lessons

Durango Area

REO offers beginner 101 classes covering the basics in gear, technique and casting as well as intensive advanced lessons. REO also offers ladies clinics, fly tying, Euro nymphing plus trout spey and two-handed lessons for anadromous species. Group size is small and is hands on. Details about classes will be updated soon. 

Classes & Lessons

guide trip photos

This gallery gives you a taste of all the sweet fly fishing locations & experiences we share with our guests.

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durango | creede | south fork | pagosa springs

navajo dam | silverton | dolores​

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© Rio Epic 2000 - 2025  |  All Rights Reserved  |  Colorado Guide License #2008

office 970-259-0484

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