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Friday Morning: This morning’s action has already been the same steady results we have been seeing in town on the Blue. In an hour of fishing just below the Dam, Andrew hooked into 3 Rainbows and another Brook trout. Releases below Green Mountain started their reduction this morning as well dropping 25 cfs each morning until Sunday. When completed, the reduction will drop overall flows by 75 to 175 cfs. This is to allow for some scheduled maintenance at the facility.
Monday’s Update: Check out a couple of nice Blue Tailwater fish landed this past weekend. Not a bad morning for Mark. Just as remarkable as these two fish are, is the fact that he also landed an elusive Brookie in town. Action definitely remains solid in town, but with the less than stellar conditions on the local ski hills, traffic on the river is on the rise.
Spring has made a power move here in the high country. As temperatures have risen to more than 20 degrees above average, rivers all over the central part of the state are emerging from their winter coats(of ice that is) and providing new options for chasing trout. While it may be a little premature to think that winter is over, considering that March and April are two of the snowiest months of the year, we encourage you to take advantage of this reprieve from Winter.
Options for anglers now include solid freestone choices. The days of jostling for position on one of the usual winter tailwaters are starting to fade. In the past week, action on the Arkansas, Eagle, Roaring Fork and Lower Colorado has all improved. Not only has the warmer temperature improved access with the reduction in snow and ice, there is also an increase in aquatic insect activity. Robust Midge hatches will start to give way to Blue Winged Olives in the coming days and anglers should be prepared to fish a variety of both bugs.
It should be noted that with the warm weather, we are seeing the impact on stream conditions both in clarity and a slight bump in volume. This is not to be confused with “Runoff”. Generally any coloration is later in the day and clears off overnight. You should be able to work around it and find some water with enough clarity.
Check out the detailed river section reports to the right for recommendations on flies to use as well as a more in-depth discussion of the conditions on those river sections.
Please feel free to call us at The Colorado Angler, at any time to discuss any questions and concerns you may have about the current conditions. There is a lot of information here on this page as well as on our main page at www.TheColoradoAngler.com but, space is limited and we may not have answered all of your questions. We want to make sure you get the information you are looking for. Toll Free 855-CO TROUT (268-7688) or stop by and see us in the Summit Place shopping center in Silverthorne, next to Blue Moon Bakery, Exit 205 on I-70, then south 1 block. Winter Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm, Saturday 8 am-5 pm, Sunday 8 am-4 pm
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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
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| Flow: 53 cfs. |
Conditions: After a two week run of slightly higher flows, river volume has dropped back down to winter levels. We expect this to continue for some time as snow-pack is lower than average. Action through town has been fairly solid. Although, you need to be flexible in your approach to the river. Not only in what patterns you fish, but also in when and where. Some days the high sun has had a more detrimental effect on success than others. Other days not so much. With that in mind, it doesn’t hurt to come early or stay late, if you are not finding active fish. As far as flies, the fish have been focusing their attention on a combination of Midge patterns along with Mysis imitations, it just varies from day to day as to the amount of concentration. Some days it may be 50-50, Shrimp to Midges, and the next it may only be 20-80. The other variable in the equation is color. We have seen good results on Black, Red, Gray, Olive and Chocolate, you just have to experiment with which color the fish are focused on for a given day. Crowds have been what you would expect with nice weather and Spring Break ramping up. But the spring also means larger Bows drifting down from the Dam. Town Flies: RS-2, Black or Chocolate UV Emerger, Kingery’s Cap’n Hook, Black Pheasant Tail, Flashback Pheasant, Black Beauty, Rojo Midge, Winter Baetis, Desert Storm, Rainbow Warrior, BTS Mysis, Stalcups Mysis, Candy Cane
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Blue River Below Green Mountain
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| Flow:227cfs. |
Conditions: Action is starting to improve as longer days and warmer temps have had a positive impact on bugs and fish. There is a good mix of patterns working right now from larger Stonefly patterns down to Midge and Baetis imitations. Best bet would be a double nymph rig anchored with a larger offering trailing something smaller, to get an idea on the flavor of the day. Definitely use caution on getting down to and back up from the river. The hill is steep and doesn’t provide a lot of footholds. Flies: Larger size Bead Head Nymphs: #10-12 Hare’s ear, Prince, Tungteaser, Tungsten Rubber Leg Yellow Sally, Stubby Stone, San Juan Flash Worm and Red Hot Worm, Big Bear Baetis, Juju Baetis – standard and purple, Barr’s Emerger, Split Case BWO, Jujubee, Poison Tung, UV Emerger. Floaters should note: The take out that has been used for years is no longer available, that property is now private. For boat take out you now need to continue on down the Blue to the access ramp for the Gore Canyon put-in. this is approximately another mile. Please respect private property rights along the river.
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Colorado River Above Kremmling
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| Flow: 300+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Generally speaking the access at the Breeze unit offers some of the best winter fishing along the Colorado thanks to the influence of the Williams Fork Tailwater. Action has been fairly solid and mid day temps relatively mild. However, with the Middle Park inversion is always a threat, so be prepared for cold mornings and give it time to warm up. Tandem nymph rigs offer the most consistent results. Either with a Baetis to Midge combo or a double offering of either. This is the time of year for Midge hatches and as the month wears on, expect some solid opportunities for surface activity. The flow reading here is a best guess, as the gauges are currently not functioning due to winter conditions. Flies: San Juan Worm, Biot Midge, Barr’s Emerger, Juju Baetis, RS-2, Pheasant Tail, Winter Baetis, Andrew’s 5-0, Split Case BWO, Pure Midge Larve, Otter Milking Egg
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Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
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| Flow: 586 cfs. |
Conditions: Starting to see signs of a coming spring. Flows have risen steadily over the past week or so and that will start to break up the ice along river. Fishing will be inconsistent for the next few weeks, but there are fish being caught. Action has been best on nymph rigs focusing on runs and deeper pockets. For the time being, midges are the most visible of insects, with a sporadic emergence here and there. However, it is always a good idea to work some larger searching patterns or Stonefly nymphs into the mix. With the mild weather in the high country, we should start to see Blue Wings in the coming weeks. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tails, Jujubaetis, Tungsten Split Case BWO, Barr’s Flashback BWO Emerger, Tungsten Hares Ear, Two Bit Hooker, Stubby Stone, Twenty Incher, Kaufman Stone, Jimmy Legs, Psycho Prince,
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Colorado Below Glenwood Springs
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| Flow 1750 cfs. |
Conditions: Action is starting to really pick up from Glenwood Canyon on down stream. Best results have been on medium to larger searching and Stonefly nymphs with a well presented mix of Midge patterns behind that. Hatches of Midges have been solid and providing a good source of food for winter weary trout. Cloudy days have been seeing pockets of rising fish in scattered locations, as well as a few shady spots on those bright sunny days. Flies: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, Bead Prince, Twenty Incher, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Rojo Midge, RS-2 #20-22, Poison Tung, Parachute Adams #20-24, Trailing Shuck Midge, Morgans Para Midge
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Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
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| Flow: 159 cfs. |
Conditions: Winter water transfers out of Twin Lakes have kept the shore ice to a minimum from Ball Town down. However, water temps remain on the cold side at this higher elevation. Still a little early, particularly in the Hayden Meadows/Kobe area, but if these weather conditions persist, should be worth looking at as you move down below Granite and towards Buena Vista in the coming days. Focus your efforts on the deeper, gentler runs and pools that will offer trout an energy conserving lie for this time of year and as the temperatures warm up later in the day, look for fish to venture into feeding lanes. Midges and Caddis Larve will be the primary available food sources, but there are still some fish that will take smaller searching nymphs. Flow is at Granite. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tail, Hot Wire Prince, Rojo Midges, 5-0 Midge, UV Emerger, Poison Tung, Rainbow Warrior, Mercury Midge
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Arkansas River Below Buena Vista
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| Flow: 245 cfs. |
Conditions: Things are starting to move forward on the central part of the river. There have been good results on Midge patterns as well as Caddis larva and some Baetis nymphs. With day light savings time, action has pushed back slightly, but still make a point of getting out on the water mid to late morning and stick around til late afternoon. Best bet would be to focus your attention from Stone Bridge down through Salida and into Big Horn Sheep Canyon. With such great weather, it shouldn’t be long before the Blue Wings start to emerge. Truth be told, this hatch is often far more consistent and productive than the more well attended Caddis. Some action can also be had on Stone fly nymphs as a lead fly in your nymph set up. Flow reading is at Salida. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail # 14-16, Tungstone Golden #12-16, Chartreuse Copper John #12-16, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Hot Wire Prince, Zebra Midge, Jujubee, Garcia’s Rojo Midge, RS-2 in #22-24, Caddis Candy and Poison Tung
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Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
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| Flow: 506 cfs. |
Conditions: Another good spring option for anglers looking to take advantage of the great conditions. Look for fish to be taking Midge and Blue Winged Olive nymphs. As well as a good compliment of searching nymphs such as the Prince or Tungteaser. Mild conditions have expanded the normal spring range from the lower river through Glenwood all the way up to and above Basalt. Midges have been the hatching insect of late, but the Blue Wings will start to emerge over the coming days and weeks.Take advantage of these mild conditions and finish up the day with a soak in the hot springs. Flies: Otter Egg, Flash Tail Mini Egg, RS-2, STD Baetis, Tungteaser, Twenty Incher, Bead Prince, Copper John#16-18, Juju Baetis, Barr’s Emerger, San Juan Worm patterns.
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Platte South River, Middle Fork
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| Flow: 22+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Water levels and temps have dropped to winter levels with action grinding to a near halt. There are better options out there. Flies: Otter Egg, Red Copper John, IED, Hot Wire Prince, STD Baetis, Tungsten Psycho
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South Platte, Dream Stream
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| Flow 97 cfs. |
Conditions: Reports coming in from the Platte have been improving. The first signs of some larger fish moving in from Eleven-mile have been producing a few nice. There also seems to be a couple of pockets of “Stocker Madness”, with cookie cutter 10-12 inch fish all over a dead drift nymph rig. And being that it’s the Platte in Spring, there are a lot of anglers out there. So if a little solitude is what your after, you may want to think twice. The best approach right now is double nymph rig pairing a either a Baetis pattern or maybe an egg as your lead fly and trailing that with a Midge pattern. Flies: Juju Baetis, Barr’s Emerger BWO, Split Case BWO, RS-2, Otter Egg, San Juan Worm, Red Copper John, Jujubee, Barr’s Pure Midge Larva, UV Emerger, Desert Storm
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Williams Fork River Below Dam
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| Flow 42 cfs. |
Conditions: Always worth a look this time of year. Crowds have been a little heavy with the weather and start of Spring Break. Flows are still low, limiting the available lies for fish. It may be necessary to cover some distance while searching for good water. Look for the potential of a few rising fish mid-day with nymphs producing throughout. Flies: San Juan Worms, Flash Back Pheasant Tails, Miracle Nymph, Otters Egg, Garcia’s Rojo Midge. Baetis nymphs: Jujubaetis, Big Bear Baetis, Barr’s Emerger, Andrew’s 5-0 Midge, Split Case BWO, RS-2. Dries: Para Winger, CDC Baetis Dun, Lawson’s No Hackle, Gulpher Special, Brook’s Sprout Midge, Trailing Shuck Midge.
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Antero Reservoir
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Conditions: Boat Ramps are closed for the season and ice is starting to form. We do not keep tabs on the ice fishing scene on any lakes, as it is not our specialty. Check back with us in the spring.
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Spinney Mountain Reservoir
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Conditions: Boat ramps are closed
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Delaney Buttes Lakes
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Conditions: Ice is starting to form here as well. Check back with us in the spring for ice out.
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