| Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir |
Flow: 903 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Flows have dropped over the past few days by 30%, bringing a few more wading spots into play. That being said, there is still a robust volume of water moving through town. Nymphing continues to provide the most consistent action and for the seasoned angler, the rewards have been good. The key will be locating the quieter holding water and using plenty of weight. When you think you have enough weight on, add more. These types of conditions are most rewarding for the single angler or for multiple anglers that are patient enough to take turns in the same spot. Stomach pumps of landed fish really are showing the focus by the fish on the Mysis Shrimp. You can try a midge here and there, but we wouldn’t make it the focal point of your rig. Flies: Charlie’s Mysis, BTS Mysis, Stalcup’s Mysis, Medallion midge 20-24, UV Emerger black 20-24, Kingery’s Capt’n Hook 20, Garcia’s Rojo Midge Red or Black 20. |
| Blue River Below Green Mountain |
Flow: 1380 cfs. |
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| Conditions: The broken generator has been repaired and put back on line, with that the river has again ramped up to compensate for the coming snow melt. This higher flow will make for rather limited wading options below the dam, not that you can’t do it; it will just be a situation of reduced opportunities. If you do wade it, nymphing is still you best option and those committed fly-rodders on this stretch are having success. Make sure to use enough weight and a good deep set up. Float fishing at this level is fair to medium. That is a lot of water running down valley and in many drifts there isn’t enough time to get your flies down to the fish before the boat passes through a particular hole. Make sure to increase the amount of weight on your nymph rig, just like dropping depth charges. Another option right now would be to throw a streamer rig on a weighted line. It may seem out of place on most Colorado waters, but a 200 grain full sink tip would be an effective way to present your flies to some of those deeper fish. Please respect private property rights along the river. 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. |
| Colorado River Above Kremmling |
Flow: 4259 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Very high, off color and out of the banks in most spots. The middle park valley is reminiscent of a Cambodian Rice Field at the moment. Definitely wait for this water to subside. |
| Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero |
Flow: 8620 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Off color and high water. Yes this is big water and it is not clear, but the Salmon flies are hatching and 12 inches of visibility is more than enough for the trout to pick up your offering. Nymph fishing is still the way to go. Even thought there are plenty of adults around, the fish are still focused on the easier meal subsurface. With the high water, the river is out of its banks and COVERING the willows, which leads to many snags. If you go, this is technical fishing, be prepared for tough access and hard to distinguish trout lies. If you are able to work with all of this, the fishing can be pretty good; we were able to fool quite a few fish Saturday afternoon. Flies: Big Stone fly patterns: Kaufman stones, Bitch Creek, Berry’s Super Stone Salmon, Tungsten 20 incher, Pat’s Rubber Legs. |
| Colorado Below Glenwood Springs |
Flow 23200 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Big and dirty, good for a boat ride. Don’t miss the stop at Dairy Queen, river-right, just past the bridge in West Glenwood. Or for an entertaining side trip, check out the surfers on the stationary wave just above the West Glenwood bridge. The closest thing to Pipeline the mainland has seen. |
| Arkansas River Above Buena Vista |
Flow: 1280-3080 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Flows are up dramatically the last couple of days and clarity is likewise down significantly. These are substantial river volumes and conditions are marginal in many areas, but if you are in the area, take a look. There may be an odd spot here and there that could produce a fishable drift, nymphing with searching patterns would be a safe approach right now, make sure to add enough weight to compensate for the bigger flows. For all you streamer junkies out there, give this one a try in the upper reaches from Hayden Meadows down to the Lake Creek confluence. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tail, Hot Wire Prince, Iron Sally, Tung Teaser, Twenty Incher, Slump Buster Black, Bead Head Rubber Leg Brown Bugger, Le Marabou Leech. |
| Arkansas River Below Buena Vista |
Flow: 3080 cfs. |
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| Conditions: On the rise and out of the angler comfort zone for this section of river. While we never say never, fishing here is going to be a tough slog for now. There may be an odd quiet water lie that could produce a fish or two, but I wouldn’t get too crazy. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Tungstone Golden, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Streamer Patterns. |
| Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs |
Flow: 6930 cfs. |
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| Conditions: See you in a couple of weeks, this one is over for now. Check back on The Roaring Fork as the spring goes on, this is a great river right after run off. |
| Platte South River, Middle Fork |
Flow: 153+/- cfs. |
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| Conditions: Water levels have come up, but clarity offers good opportunity. Tomahawk has been fishing well for numbers, just not seeing any fish of larger stature but, a good option right now for those that want to fish moving water without the risk of being swept away. Flies: Hare’s ear, Red or Copper flavored Copper John, Buckskin caddis, STD Baetis, Tungsten Psycho, Barr’s BWO Emerger. |
| South Platte, Dream Stream |
Flow: 168 cfs. |
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| Conditions: The flow has again stepped up a little bit this week and that should be good news for the fishing. While not exactly on fire yet, this stretch of the Platte really fishes well as the flows gain a little volume, and this should help improve conditions here. Midges are the most consistent offering but the Baetis nymphs are also a good source of forage. The caddis activity should start to pick up soon, so look to fish a larva or pupa offering as well. Flies: Jujubee zebra 20-22, UV Emerger 20-24, Black Beauty 22-24, RS-2 Black or Dun 20-24, Buckskin #18, Rock worm Caddis #16-18. |
| Williams Fork River Below Dam |
Flow 903 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Another jump in volume has this river really on the move, definitely tough conditions. We’re not going to say never on this, but there are far better options available to anglers out there. If you must, concentrate your efforts around the confluence with the Colorado. Flies: Flash Back Pheasant Tails, Buckskin Caddis, Crane fly Larva, Baetis nymphs: Jujubaetis, Big Bear Baetis. |
| Antero Reservoir |
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| Conditions: Conditions: Holy Chironomid Batman. The annual large midge hatch is in full swing. Fishing this week was fantastic and should continue for some time as we have seen the arrival of the first Calibaetis as well. Nymphing under an indicator has produced the most consistent results, but there are some fish on the rise. Please exercise caution when venturing out onto this impoundment. It is not uncommon for winds to blow 20mph with gusts to 40 at this time of year. The Division of Wildlife will once again be doing inspections for invasive species at the boat ramp. Allow for a little extra time before launching any trailered boats. The South boat ramp is only open Friday-Monday, mid week boaters will have to use the North ramp. As for the Flies: Bead Head Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tails 12-16, Copper John Chartreuse or Red 14-16,Tung Teaser 12-14, Jumbo Juju all colors 12-16, Yankee Buzzer 12-16, Zebra Midge 20. |
| Spinney Mountain Reservoir |
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| Conditions: This Lake is also fishing well with Chironomid and Calibaetis patterns. Again using static nymph rigs has been the most consistent, but don’t hesitate to mix it up with the occasional leech or crayfish patterns. Flies: Jumbo Juju all colors 12-16, Hare’s Ear 12-16, Yankee Buzzer, Bead Head PT12-16, Chartreuse Copper John 12-16. |
| Delaney Buttes Lakes |
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| Conditions: Action on the East and South Lakes remains the most consistent, with the North Lake its usual finicky self. And not to sound like a broken record, but the insects here are the same as the South Park impoundments. As with ALL of these lake options, try to mix it up in your selection until you hit on something that the fish appear to be keying on. A good method is to fish a nymph rig under and indicator with 2 or even 3 different patterns. Present the fish with something to imitate the Calibaetis nymphs, as well as a Chironomid and maybe even a Damsel nymph. Once the action picks up, you can determine if there is preference for a particular bug and then offer other imitations of that insect. Flies: Jumbo Juju 12-16, Yankee Buzzer 12-16, Mercer’s Poxyback Calibaetis, CDC Calibaetis nymph, Wilcox’s Rapunzel, Bead Head Aggravator Olive. |
