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Rio Grande Ranch Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout

Del Norte, Colorado, USA

5 Anglers Maximum

Fishing per day: starting at $150 per guest

Visit the beautiful San Luis Valley of Colorado and enjoy 1 mile of the North Channel of the Rio Grande River. The views at this property are absolutely stunning and the fishing is prime. This 5th-generation homestead was established over 150 years ago. The Rio Grande wraps around the ranch on both sides so you’re literally on an island. An island in Colorado!! Anglers can expect to catch 12-18″ brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Toss some streamers for big browns lurking in the deep pools! River access is easy, although you’ll have to hop over some barbed wire fencing.

1/4 mile of the South Channel of the Rio Grande River is also available for access.

Although we typically get your booking approved within a few hours, please allow up to 1 business day for booking confirmations.

RESOURCES

Know before you go

Check out the resources below to help you prepare for your upcoming trip and ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information for a stellar day on the water.


  1. Don’t forget your local fishing license, you can grab one online here.
  2. Check your local flows.
  3. Contact a local fly shop for the most up-to-date hatch and fly information.
  4. Know the local regulations.
  5. Fishing Hours: Sunrise to Sunset.

Most of our properties are ranches, so expect to walk through hayfields, cow fields, or even hop a few fences. These are not "groomed" properties. They can be rugged and wild and we believe that is part of the adventure with RareWaters! If you have specific questions or concerns, please reach out in advance of booking a trip!

River Data

5-Day Weather Forecast

Wednesday
12/6/2023
51℉ / 25℉

Thursday
12/7/2023
49℉ / 26℉

Friday
12/8/2023
35℉ / 25℉

Saturday
12/9/2023
31℉ / 16℉

Sunday
12/10/2023
41℉ / 13℉

Features and Amenities

Location

Reviews (10)

4.9 out of 5.0
Service 5.0
Value for Money 4.8
Location 4.9
Cleanliness 5.0
  • Marty G
    November 6, 2023 at 4:33 pm

    Great piece of water. Several solid specimens were brought to hand. A bit of ice around in the AMs’. Flows around 250. It was a total streamer game with light tippets. Water was super clear.

    Helpful Review
  • Dan P
    August 31, 2023 at 4:25 pm

    Fished the ranch on August 30th – it was a very sunny day and flows were at 320 cfs and clear-
    First the ranch is cool with all its history spread out all over the place- as for the fishing North Channel was the place – started Morning with a hopper and caught quite a few 10 to12” browns really close to the banks
    By 11:00AM it was getting hot so switched to nymphs ( blowtorch and pats rubber legs)
    That’s when the size started to increase 14-18” and good fighters in the deep holes. Fished till 2:00 as the bite slowed and the heat cranked up-
    All in all great place to fish and will definitely be back!!

    Helpful Review
  • Matt T.
    August 25, 2023 at 5:05 pm

    Beautiful property with lots of great water, easy access, and clear signage. Spent the morning on the south channel and brought several 15” browns to net. Flows were low (300 cfs) and fish were stacked in likely spots (undercut banks + deeper channels next to faster water). Met the owner and he was super nice. Recommended the north channel and it did not disappoint. Landed a few larger, feisty browns both subsurface and top water including some explosive hopper takes along the banks and deep runs. Left mid afternoon as temps climbed and fishing slowed. Next time, I’d start the day on the north channel — smaller but more fishable water and def some larger browns in there. Can’t wait to get back.

    Helpful Review 4

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Rio Grande Ranch
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Frequently asked questions.

What is RareWaters?

We provide affordable and easy access to private ranches for you to experience do-it-yourself (DIY) fly fishing experiences. No upfront membership fees are required. Just pay as you book! Pricing is listed at the top of each property's listing page. DIY fly fishing means anglers are responsible for determining weather, river flow and fishing conditions. When the information is available, we include weather and river flow information for the properties on our website.

What hours can I fish?

Each landowner sets their fishing hours, and most are sunrise to sunset. We have a few landowners who deviate from that timeframe. This information is listed on each property listing page.

Can a non-angling friend or relative join me?

At this time, everyone over the age of 12 must pay the full rod fee to be on RareWaters' property. This is to ensure that all anglers have the serenity, space and outdoor experience we are committed to providing.

Will I get the water all to myself?

We limit each property to a max number of anglers, typically no more than 3-4 anglers per mile. This is different for each property, so be sure to go to the property's listing page to find out what the maximum is for the property you want to book. For example, if you have 2 anglers in your group and the maximum number of anglers is 4, we may add 2 other anglers to the property that day, even if they are from another group. If you book all 4 (or more) rod spots that day, then your group will have the whole property to yourselves.

How do I know where to go after I book?

After we receive your payment, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Within 7 days of your reservation, you will receive a property map via email with GPS coordinates, directions, parking and camping information, etc. We strongly encourage all anglers to save GPS coordinates into their smartphones before leaving cell service. Many of our properties are remote working ranches with limited cell service. Google Maps is our preferred app for all angler directions.

What are your booking policies?

Great question. Here are a few policies you should know before you go:

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations made ten (10) days or more before the booked date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made five (5) to ten (10) days before the booked date will receive a credit for future use. Cancellations made five (5) days or less before the booked date will receive no refund or credit. By submitting a booking request for any RareWaters' property, you agree to this cancellation policy. If you request to book a property within 10 days of the request date, and the booking is approved and you cancel the booking, you will receive a credit for future use. RareWaters is not responsible for weather, river flows or fishing conditions. Anglers are responsible for determining weather, river flows and fishing conditions. Refunds and credits will not be issued for weather, river flows or fishing conditions. The Cancellation Policy may be superseded by extenuating circumstances as deemed appropriate by RareWaters' staff.


Maximum Angler Policy:

Please note, if your party does not equate to the maximum angler amount for the property you've booked, you may encounter another angler or group. Maximum angler amounts are listed in the description for every property on the website. Please practice good fishing etiquette around other anglers by giving each other plenty of space and sharing different stretches of the watershed.


Leave No Trace Policy:

All anglers must adhere to RareWaters "Leave No Trace" policy. This policy requires all anglers to leave properties better off than they found them. If you see trash, please pick it up and pack it out. We ask that you kindly be respectful of the land, any livestock, and the watershed so we can continue to offer fly fishing access for years to come. Trespassing will not be tolerated and all violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. By submitting a booking request through the RareWaters website, you agree to this Leave No Trace Policy.


Solicitation Policy:

Under no circumstances may an angler or their guest solicit RareWaters' landowners for any reason. During your trip, anglers and guests are not permitted to promote, sell or offer any kind of services or products to RareWaters' landowners. Additionally, anglers and their guests may not compete with RareWaters in any way while visiting RareWaters' properties. By submitting a booking request through the RareWaters website, you agree to this Solicitation Policy.