 Book Your Guide Trip NowIs it Labor Day already, where did the summer go? Not to worry if you haven’t made it out much this summer because now is the start of the second season here in Colorado. This is actually the time of year many anglers look forward to for all that fall has to offer.
First and foremost is the lack of summer crowds that have been competing with you for your favorite stretch of water. Combine that with the emergence of fall Baetis on just about every river you would want to fish and you have the start of something great. But what drives many anglers this time of year is the idea of pre-spawn Browns chasing large flashy streamers with reckless abandon. What ever your preference, autumn has something for everyone.
Conditions here in the central mountains remain quite good overall. With continued water transfers within the upper Colorado basin, flows have been holding steady for the most part. The only interruptions in consistency have been the odd short lived run off from an afternoon rain shower. The Williams Fork and Lower Blue in particular are providing robust amounts of water to the system, which offer their own rewards as well. Both of these tailwaters are worth the effort to get in to. The few areas at lower elevations that experienced warm water, poor clarity, and tough fishing as a result, are quickly improving and will be back in play for the great month of September.
Don’t hesitate to call us for current conditions, we’ll do our best to try and interpret changing stream flow readings with you. Or follow us on Twitter @coloradoangler, where we try to post changing conditions as we learn about them.
Detailed reports on the right side of this page will give more specific information on a particular stretch of river. Make sure to check those out for your river of interest, as they will be able to answer questions pertaining to hatches and flies.
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. Spring Hours: Monday – Saturday 8 am – 6 pm, Sunday 8 am – 5 pm
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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
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| Flow: 53 cfs. |
Conditions: Hate to sound like a broken record but the fact remains, little has changed on the Blue in months. That said, fishing has been steady through town and spotty further down stream. Look for action to improve above Green Mtn. resevoir with recent stocking of the lake, and fish moving into the river as we enter the fall season. Town Flies: RS-2, STD Baetis, Black or Chocolate UV Emerger, Kingery’s Cap’n Hook, Pure Midge Larva, Black Beauty, Split case BWO, Winter Baetis, Desert Storm, Rainbow Warrior, BTS Mysis, Stalcup’s Mysis, #22 BWO Adult, Adult Midge Dark, Hippie Stomper, Purple para wulff.
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Blue River Below Green Mountain
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| Flow: 325 cfs. |
Conditions: Flow has been hovering around 400 cfs for many weeks now, beneficial to both fish and wade anglers. Drake hatches have started to wane, but still seeing some caddis and a few PMD’s. Look for fall baetis to start playing a significant role in the fish’s diet in the coming weeks. Hoppers and attractor dries producing fish when conditions are favorable, specifically cloudy days. Flies: Big bead heads; Hare’s ear, tungteaser, stubby stone, twenty incher, rubberlegs. Psycho prince, juju baetis, Barr’s emergers, redemption BWO. Chubby Chernobyl, parachute adams, ext. body BWO. Floaters should note: The river volume on this stretch of water can change on an infrequent schedule and often. It is important to know the flow before you launch and make an honest assessment of your ability and watercraft capability. Please respect private property rights along the river.
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Colorado River Above Kremmling
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| Flow: 365 cfs. |
Conditions: Fishing remains good around Parshall area. Flow above Williams Fork has dropped to under 100 cfs, while below has stayed at an ideal wading volume. Although this is always a popular area, crowds should thin as the days shorten. This stretch is never a bad option as it always holds potential for great fishing, especially when the Blue Wings pop in the fall. Flies: Sparkle wing RS2, big bear baetis, two bit hooker, black pheasant tail, mercury black beauty, biot midge. Sparkle Dun BWO, winger parachute BWO, Adams.
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Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
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| Flow: 932 cfs. |
Conditions: Float fishing has been very consistent as of late. With kids back in school and summer vacations winding down, traffic has thankfully been much quieter with both rafters and fishing boats. Still seeing some tricos, PMD’s, and rusty spinners, but change is coming. Along with most rivers in the area, the fall blue wing hatch is certainly cause for excitement among anglers. Knowing the river holds potential for some lights out fishing is reason enough to be on the water. Flies: Large stones, tungteaser, rubberleg, sexstones, beaded pheasant tails, beaded hares ears, RS2’s, Barr’s emerger, juju baetis, blue ribbon emerger. Gulper special, BWO sparkle wulff.
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Colorado Below Glenwood Springs
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| Flow 1810 cfs. |
Conditions: After a tough summer with plenty of rain, high water temps, and clarity issues, this water has begun to normalize as we move into fall. Having this area back in play is welcome news since it can offer some great fishing for both float fishing and wading. Flies: Autumn Splendor, White Zonker, Slump-buster, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, Bead Prince, Twenty Incher, Hunchback Green Drake nymph, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Foam Caddis, Spotlight Caddis Emerger, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Nitro Caddis, Zebra Midge, Rojo Midge, Poison Tung, Juju Baetis, STD Baetis
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Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
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| Flow: 185 cfs. Granite 94 cfs. Hayden Meadows |
Conditions: After some prior concern about low flow and high water temps, it appears that this section has made it through summer with no ill effects. Fishing has been surprisingly steady on both small nymphs and dries as well. No doubting that weather, coupled with time of day has played a role in the action. Cloud cover has been favorable, while bright, sunny days have been a little tougher. Waiting for the water to warm a little in the morning isn’t a bad idea, neither is staying into the evening for some good dry fly opportunity. A good first drift in fishy water is important, as is fishing very tight to banks. Flies: Parachute hopper, stream bank hopper, hippie stomper, purple parachute, micro mayfly, small black copper john, red zebra midge, pearl disco midge
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Arkansas River Below Buena Vista
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| Flow: 350 cfs. |
Conditions: Water levels remain at a very agreeable flow for wade anglers, while still providing an opportunity for the skilled boater on most stretches. While the majority of the action has been on subsurface flies, particularly on days with high sun, we continue to bring fish to the surface on a variety of Stonefly and Terrestrial patterns presented as the anchor of a dry dropper rig. With the lower flow, a dry dropper set up allows for productive nymphing, while still presenting the chance at some fantastic surface strikes. Flow reading is at Nathrop. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail # 14-16, Tungstone Golden #12-16, Tungsten Yellow Sally, Iron Sally, Chartreuse Copper John #12-16, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Hot Wire Prince, Parachute Extended Body BWO, Juju Baetis, Split Case BWO, Zebra Midge, Garcia’s Rojo Midge, RS-2 and Poison Tung
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Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
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| Flow: 558 cfs. |
Conditions: September is finally here, which means good things for the Roaring Fork valley. The high water temperature will no longer be of concern as the days shorten, and nights cool down. Volume is such that allows for both floating and wade fishing alike. The current flow lends itself well to the hopper dropper rig, and the opportunity for dries isn’t out of the question with the right conditions. Look for the small flies to become increasingly important as the dominant hatch will be the fall baetis. Flies: Twenty incher, tungteaser, stubby stones, beaded pheasant tails, tungsten juju baetis, psycho mayfly, STD’s, Barr’s emerger, caddis pupa, caddis dries, BWO dries, sweetgrass hopper, fuzzy wuzzy.
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South Platte River, Middle Fork
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| Flow: 35+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Although water level is on the low side, we’ve gotten some solid reports as temps drop and pressure eases. Small hoppers and large attractor dries with smaller droppers below is the preferred rig. Fish all water types to locate fish and don’t be afraid to keep moving to ensure fresh water. Flies: Parachute hopper, charlie boy hopper, stimulator, royal wulff, small chartreuse copper john, buckskin, CDC prince, Mercers PMD poxyback nymph
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South Platte, Dream Stream
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| Flow 165 cfs. |
Conditions: Consistent flow and easy wading has anglers liking the conditions on this famed piece of water. The prospect of large lake fish moving into the river as Autumn lurks only heightens the excitement for the trophy seeking fishermen. Use stealth and delicate presentation to increase your odds at fighting one of these brutes. Flies: Black RS-2, Barr’s Drowned Trico, Black Copper John #22, Juju Baetis, Zebra Midge Black/Silver, Buckskin Caddis, Mercer’s Poxyback PMD, Poxybiot Nymph
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Williams Fork River Below Dam
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| Flow 272 cfs. |
Conditions: Flow is in the ideal zone for fishing this great tailwater. Both crossable and still enough volume to offer plenty of holding lies for fish. Be sure to use plenty of weight to quickly sink flies in deeper/faster water, and don’t overlook subtle holding water often passed by. Still seeing some hopper activity, with a mix of caddis, PMD’s, tricos, and fall baetis starting to show. Flies: Fatboy Mcknights hopper, B/C hopper, biot mayfly emerger,small green copper johns, PT cruizer, flashback hares ear, zebra midge, RS2’s, caddis dries, stimulator, BWO dries.
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Antero Reservoir
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Conditions: Got good report this week even though the lake level is down. Look to fish calibaetis nymhs above weed beds, along with chironomids. Putting action on your flies can make all the difference when conditions are calm. Heard rumor ramps may be closing soon so check before you go, luckily Spinney isn’t too far away. Flies: Yankee Buzzer, Jumbo Juju, Tak’s Chironomid, Garcia’s Rojo Grande Midge, Rapunzel Damsel, Poxyback Calibaetis Nymph, Hare’s Ear, Copper John
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Spinney Mountain Reservoir
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Conditions: Definitely the better of the two popular trout lakes in South Park right now. While the early summer hatches have all but wrapped up, action has been pretty decent on a mix of nymphs and leech type patterns. We recommend a multi-fly rig of 2 to 3 flies fished over a span of 3 to 4 feet between the top and bottom fly, this will give you a good range of depth for targeting fish as you figure out how deep they are feeding. This lake has been the better quality producer in South Park so far this year and we think that should continue for the season. Flies: Garcia’s Rojo Grande, Jumbo Juju, Skinny Nelson, Zebra Midge, Hare’s Ear, CDC Calibaetis Nymph, Rapunzel Damsel Nymph, Hale Bopp Leech, Ruby Eye Leech, CDC Pheasant Tail, Copper Johns in various colors.
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Delaney Buttes Lakes
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Conditions: Reports have been pretty solid overall, with all three lakes offering opportunities. The North lake opened first, with some moderate to good results on streamers, Egg patterns and a mix of Midges. The South lake was right behind in thawing and wade anglers are doing well for those bank cruisers. Reports off the East lake have been off the charts for boaters. Flies: Egg Patterns, Bead Pheasant Tail, Bead Hare’s Ear, Copper John, Jumbo Juju, Zebra Midge
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