Report for March 19.
Despite the fact that the snow is still coming down on a regular basis, we are starting to experience the early signs of Spring. Namely the re-emergence of some of our favorite Freestone options. Of course, this should all be understood from a relative frame of mind. It is still early March, we are still getting plenty of new snow, water temperatures are still cold and the higher elevation streams have a good amount of snow to break through between the parking area and the river. The Roaring Fork, Arkansas and Colorado though, are three spots that have really started to shows signs of turning on.
The other major change happening throughout the central part of the state right now is the need to create some space for the coming run-off. With this winters above average snow fall, water managers are already starting to bump up releases from reservoirs on most major drainages. Currently both dams on the Blue River, as well as Ruedi Dam on the Frying Pan, Spinney on the South Platte and Twin Lakes into the Upper Arkansas are all releasing flows above their historical seasonal averages. We anticipate additional increases from most of these, as well as increases from other notable spots not yet purging water. (Williams Fork?)
Action below all of these dams have seen positive reaction to the added flow, as it has not only increased the amount of food into those respective rivers but, also seems to have spurred an increase in the activity of fish as they re-establish in new lies with the higher volumes.
Don’t hesitate to call us for current conditions as well, 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 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: 392 cfs. |
| Conditions: Another bump in flows this week as Denver Water continues to make additional storage space for the above average amount of snow that will starting to melt in the near future. At this level, it is clearly a different animal. Many anglers that only fish the Blue in the Winter months may not recognize the river at this level, as it is about 6 to 7 times the volume for the season but, this is a fantastic level for active fish. However, it may limit your access as a wade angler. With the extra flow from the bottom of the lake, there are good amounts of Mysis Shrimp drifting through town throughout the day and at times Mysis patterns will comprise the majority of action. In addition to that, results have been strong on a good mix of Midge imitations in larva, pupa and emerger stages, with black, red and gray being productive colors. Surface activity has been less consistent than earlier in the Winter but, there are still some days with a decent emergence of adult Midges. Also in the mix at this time of year are San Juan Worm and Egg patterns. With the added flow it is important to adjust your nymph rig accordingly, not only for depth but, additional weight can often make all the difference for a successful day on the water. This time of year can also present a problem with some daily run-off. Generally speaking, the first sunny day after snowfall, we will see that new snow melt off of roadways and make it’s way into the river, causing some light to moderate staining of the water. If that happens, give it a try with a San Juan Worm pattern or something with a little extra flash.
Town Flies: Candy Cane #20, Stalcup’s Mysis, Kingery’s Mysis, BTS Mysis #16-22, RS-2 #22-24, STD Baetis #20, Black or Chocolate UV Emerger #22-24, Kingery’s Cap’n Hook #20-22, Pure Midge Larva #20-24, Black Beauty #20-24, Tube Midge Black or Red #20-22, Medallion Midge #22-24, Split case BWO #20, Winter Baetis #20-22, Desert Storm #20-24, Rainbow Warrior #20, #22 BWO Adult, Adult Midge Dark, Brook’s Sprout Midge #22-24, Parachute Adams #24-26, Split Case BWO, Extended Body BWO, Parachute Purple
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Blue River Below Green Mountain
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| Flow: 762 cfs. |
| Conditions: Flows are starting to rise below this tailwater as well with the need to create a little room for the snow melt to come. At this level, wade fishing once again becomes limited to the bank from which you have accessed the river, as crossing is too dangerous. Reports from the canyon have started to improve slightly and fish are becoming more active. Nymphing will provide the more consistent action, fished with a tandem set-up starting with a larger imitation for a Stonefly or big Mayfly followed up with a Midge or Baetis pattern. It may also be worth the effort to swing a few streamers through this stretch as we enter the early stages of Spring. Access is still very tricky from the parking area with a good bit of snow still on a very steep hill so, scout your route to the river before stepping off into a potential “slide for life”. And yes, all you boaters out there, you read that flow right. At this level some will want to give it a go with the float option. All we can say is take it easy the first time you head down there for the season, there is a reasonable chance that some ice may remain in the darkest part of the canyon, which may pose some navigational issues not normally encountered in the summer. As well, our guess is the launch will still be a snow covered Bobsled type ride and the take out may still have it’s fair share of snow hampering your efforts to put the boat back on the trailer.
Flies: Big bead heads: Hare’s Ear, Tungteaser, Pheasant Tail, Stubby Stone, Twenty Incher, Rubberlegs, Psycho Prince, Mr Peacock Ice, Flossy Worm, Split Case BWO, Barr’s BWO, Juju Baetis, Zebra Midge, Poison Tung, Winter Baetis, Black Beauty, Rojo Midge, Otter Egg
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 (Parshall)
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| Flow: 200 cfs. @ Parshall |
Conditions: Stream flows are an educated guess as the gauges are out of commission due to ice but, they have been relatively consistent over the past couple of months now, as Winter releases from the Willie’s have remained low and unchanged. Good to decent action for this time of year, with Spring Midge hatches showing up spurring consistent subsurface activity as well as some semi regular surface action for the committed dry fly angler. Start off with a tandem nymph rig, with a mix of Baetis or Midge larva and pupa behind a slightly larger lead fly, that imitates a different food source. This front fly can range from a small Mayfly or Stone imitation to more of a searching pattern like a San Juan Worm. Early in the day expect to find fish in the slower currents of a pool or the tail outs of the longer runs. As daytime temps rise and water temps with them, then look for trout to move up towards the head of runs and pools where drifting nymphs will be more prevalent before the hatch. Keep an eye out for subtle rise forms to be feeding first on emerging Midges and then more noticeable surfacing for adults. Olive, gray and black have produced some of the most consistent results for the Midge hatch but we also like to fish some pupa imitations in red and purple.
Flies: BLM Black, Two Bit Hooker, Zebra Midge, RS2, Poxybiot Nymph, Pheasant Tail, WD-40, Split Case BWO, Juju Baetis, Baetis Big Bear, Midge Biot, Tube Midge, CDC Hanging Midge, Sprout Midge, Para Extended Body BWO, CDC Baetis Dun, Winger Parachute, Pure Midge Larva, Tidbit Midge, Medallion Midge, Poison Tung, UV Emerger, Flossy Worm, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Slumpbuster, LE Marabou Streamer.
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Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
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| Flow: 1030 cfs. |
| Conditions: Water has come up and cleared the river of ice, making both float and wade fishing possible. Results have been a mixed bag depending on the day and location but, the river is navigable and fish are being caught. Water temperature will be as big of a factor as any right now and we have seen better results once it has climbed above 38-40 degrees. That being said focus on the more wide open valley areas as opposed to the canyon stretches, as well as slightly further down stream where the water warms more as the day goes on. The most consistent of the action has been on nymph patterns, with that in mind try a double fly rig under an indicator. Start with a beaded searching nymph or Stonefly imitation for the lead fly, then drop a smaller offering in either a Midge or Baetis pattern. There is a good amount of water for this time of year and the river should be full bank to bank in most places. However, with water temps still dropping into the low 30s overnight you will want to focus your attention early in the day to the tail out of runs or slower, deeper pools. Then as the sun warms the water later in the day move up towards the head of pools and runs where the fish may move into to forage on drifting nymphs. Keep an eye on flows here, as we expect further increases to come from upstream water releases over the next couple of weeks.
Flies: Tungteaser, Rubberlegs, Beaded Pheasant Tails, Beaded Hares Ears, Tungsten Prince, RS2’s, Split Case BWO, Barr’s Emerger, Juju Baetis, Blue Ribbon Emerger, Two Bit Hooker, Gidget Olive, Parachute Extended Body BWO, Para Adams, Para Wulff BWO, Miscellaneous Streamers: Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet, Space Invader, Beldar, Bead Head Buggers in Black or White
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Colorado Below Glenwood Springs
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| Flow 2200 cfs. |
Conditions: There has been some good to decent action at times on the lower river, the problem has been consistency. At this time of year there is a good deal of lower elevation run-off making it’s way into the river, either from the Colorado up above Glenwood Canyon or the Eagle. That can change the clarity from day-to-day. There is always a little bit of color to the river below Glenwood the key is what color it is and how thick. Generally speaking a good rule of thumb is: green is good brown is down. Even if it is only a foot or so of visibility, if there is an overall greenish hue to the river it should be good to go. But, when that color shifts to brown it tends to turn off. If you get there and conditions are right, nymph rigs under indicators have been the most productive. Beaded searching nymphs and Stonefly imitations along with larger Midge pupa imitations for the current hatch of Midges that are emerging. We’re talking #16-18 Zebras and that sort of thing. Keep an eye out for scattered pods of risers feeding on those adults.
Flies: Mr Peacock Ice, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, Bead Prince, Twenty Incher, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Bead Hares Ear, Tungstone, Barr’s Emerger, Zebra Midge, Juju Baetis, Poison Tung, Winter Baetis, Sculpzilla, Space Invader, Silver Bullet
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Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
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| Flow: 390 cfs. @ Granite |
Conditions: Starting to see plenty of open water, particularly below Balltown, which is where Lake Creek dumps in the release from Twin Lakes. Although, at this higher elevation, water temperatures will still be on the cool side and action will not be too wide spread. If you are in the upper part of the valley, concentrate your efforts on the stretch from the confluence with Lake Creek down to Granite or drop on down closer to Buena Vista where a greater amount of sun hits the water, bringing temperatures up slightly to spur some insect activity. Look for pools and tail outs early in the day to be holding fish with less energy spent and then as afternoon water temps climb, activity should pick up as food becomes more prevalent.
Flies: Beaded Hares Ear, Hot Wire Prince, Beaded Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Hot Wire Caddis, Tung Z Wing Caddis, Tungteaser, CDC Hares Ear, Twenty Incher, Mr Peacock, RS-2, Zebra Midge, White Streamers
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Arkansas River Salida Area
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| Flow: 534 cfs. @ Salida |
Conditions: In-stream flows are just about double the seasonal averages due to water managers shipping water from high elevation reservoirs downstream in anticipation of high amounts of snow-melt to come. Fortunately for anglers, not only is the flow still manageable for wade fishing but, it is also high enough to float the river, providing access to the entire corridor from Hecla Junction down stream through Big Horn Sheep Canyon. As can be typical of this time of year with cold over night temps, look for fish early in the morning to be more concentrated in the tail out of pools and deeper runs. Then as the water temperatures rebound into mid-day and afternoon they will start to move up into the head of runs closer to the main current to feed on drifting nymphs and emergers. The majority of insect activity at the moment will still be Midges, particularly in the Salida area but, as you head down stream in Big Horn Sheep Canyon you may start to see some early Baetis scattered about. The most consistent method right now is still to fish a double nymph rig, with the top fly being either a small Stonefly pattern or a beaded searching pattern followed up with something smaller. This trailing fly can be a Baetis or Midge imitation, depending on where you are in the corridor. Water temps should start to climb over the next couple of weeks and bring one of our favorite early season hatches to the river: Blue Winged Olives. The initial emergence will start well below Salida and move steadily up stream as daily temperatures become more stable with warming weather.
Worth Noting: This is now the second year of a two year program to re-establish Pteronarcys Californica to the Arkansas. Over the past 2 years CPW has transplanted about 70 thousand Salmonfly nymphs from the Colorado River to the Arkansas and distributed them just above and below Salida. We are keeping an optimistic eye on the river here to see if this insect will take hold and produce a revived population.
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, Pat’s Rubber Legs #8, Zebra Midge, Poison Tung, Tube Midge, Black Beauty Emerger, 5-0 Midge, Para Extended Body BWO
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Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
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| Flow: 535 cfs. |
Conditions: With some down right warm temperatures over the past couple of weeks, there is some good open water to fish throughout the valley. Particularly from Basalt, below the confluence with the Pan, on down to the Colorado in Glenwood. Large quantities of bigger sized Midges are emerging from the lower part of the river making their way up to Westbank. Tandem nymph rigs with 4-6x tippets have been solid and Midge pupa and emerger patterns are working well behind a variety of top flies. That can range from a beaded searching nymph to a medium to large Stonefly imitation, as well as your favorite Egg pattern, which have been very productive lately. When the adults are coming off, there are pods of rising fish to be found sipping Midge emerger and adult patterns off the surface. We like to fish those as part of a two-fly, dry fly set up behind a parachute Blue Winged Olive imitation and have had success on both bugs. Traffic on the river is on the rise as the weather at this lower elevation offers a great break from the long and snowy winter that we have endured at our higher location. During the week most of that is floaters but, on weekends there will be a few wade fishermen around as well.
Flies: Twenty Incher, Tungteaser, Stubby stones, Beaded Pheasant Tail, Standard Pheasant Tail, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungstone, Copper Johns, Hares Ear, Mr. Peacock, CDC Prin, Split Case BWO, Barr’s BWO Emerger, RS 2, Tungsten Psycho May, Hot Wire Prince, Two Bit Hooker, STD Baetis and a variety of Eggs. Parachute Extended Body BWO, Winger Parachute, Parachute Adams, Gulper Special, CDC Adult Midge, CDC Hanging Midge, Morgan’s Midge Adult
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South Platte River, Middle Fork
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| Flow: ??? cfs. |
Conditions: Low flows, wind and cold temperatures have done their best to shut this one down for the year. Not much to offer, as ice covers most of the river. With somewhat mild temps the past couple of weeks there will be some open pockets here and there but, nothing consistent and certainly prone to ice flow. If you happen to be driving through and are curious, then give it a shot with the usual searching nymph patterns along with Midge and Baetis imitations. On a positive note, you should have the place to yourselves.
Flies: Chartreuse Copper John, Rainbow Warrior, Egg Patterns, Hot Wire Prince, Beaded Flash Prince, Tungteaser, Tung Psycho May, Zebra Midge, Poison Tung, Rainbow Warrior, Autumn Splendor, Slumpbuster, Sparkle Bugger
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South Platte, Dream Stream
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| Flow 82 cfs. |
Conditions: Yes, it’s true. Reports of large, pre-spawn fish moving up out Elevenmile Reservoir and into the river are quite accurate. The only problem with that is, the word is out and the crowds are matching the trout numbers. So, be prepared to have to cover some ground to find a spot to call your own. If that doesn’t bother you, then give it a shot. As of yet we aren’t seeing fish on beds and action has been decent, with some larger fish being caught. There have been a good mix of nymphs catching fish, everything from standard Tailwater Midges to small Baetis imitations, along with Eggs and San Juan Worm patterns. The combination of low flows, high sun and big crowds will certainly have an effect on fish sensitivity. Fine tippets and a good drag free drift will be in order. Sight fishing will still produce the best results, as there just aren’t that many spots on this stretch for blind casting to a pile of fish in a deep run. When sight nymphing make sure to use an adequate amount of weight to get down to fish that are holding along the bottom and try to go with out an indicator or at least refrain from using an overly bight color if possible. The fish in this Tailwater seem to be as sensitive to indicators as any spot in the state. With that in mind, try and minimize your wading as much as possible and cast form the bank where you can reach. A deliberate, stealthy approach is going to be your best bet here. Small Midge and Mayfly nymphs in sizes #20-24 are some of the most productive, and the occasional SJW and Egg Pattern can still pull a few fish as well.
Flies: Black Copper John #22, Juju Baetis, Desert Storm Chartreuse, Tube Midge, Midge Biot, UV Emerger, Poison Tung, Zebra Midge Black/Silver, Barr’s Emerger BWO, RS2, Poxybiot Nymph, Egg Patterns, Pure Midge Larva, Cap’n Hook
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Williams Fork River Below Dam
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| Flow 44 cfs. |
Conditions: Flows remain at their winter low and we’re not sure how long that will last. It seems as if the rest of the basin is starting to increase volume but, that is not the case here as of yet. Due to the lack of change here clarity remains very clear and the fish are sensitive to that after the long winter. That is going to make the fishing a little more technical as fish will not be too wide spread, rather they will be holed up in the few deeper holding areas, and feeling a little bit pressured on top of that. Traffic has been relatively light considering the popularity of this Winter fishery but, some days it seems as if everybody had the same idea on where to go. Lighter tippet and a stealthy approach will make a difference in angler success. Nymph fishing should remain the most productive method but, not necessarily deep nymphing, as we have had some recent success on midge emerger patterns fished higher in the column. So mix up your depth and weight amounts as you cover the river. Along with the midge type stuff also look for action on Caddis, Stonefly and Baetis nymphs along with some San Juan Worm imitations.
Flies: Caddis Larva, Flash Back Pheasant Tail, Hatching Midge, Split Case BWO, Tungsten Psycho May BWO, Pure Midge Larva, Rainbow Warrior, Rojo Midge, Biot mayfly Emerger, #20-22 Green Copper John, Zebra Midge, RS2’s, 5-0 Midge, UV Emerger, BWO dries.
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Antero Reservoir
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Conditions: Ice is on and fishing is allowed through the winter. It’s not everybody’s cup of tea but, if you are looking for something to do this Winter, give the hard water a try. It may give you a new perspective the next time you are bobbing around in your float tube.
Flies: Yankee Buzzer, Jumbo Juju, Tak’s Chironomid, Garcia’s Rojo Grande Midge, Rapunzel Damsel, Gaviglio’s Calibaetis Nymph, Poxyback Calibaetis Nymph, Hare’s Ear, Copper John
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Spinney Mountain Reservoir
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| Conditions: The Park has closed for the season. There is no access to the lake until the spring thaw clears the lake of ice.
Flies:
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Delaney Buttes Lakes
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Conditions: Our sources say that the ice is on and safe, with some moderate action to report. Just to the East on Lake John, things look to be very active, as well.
Flies: Egg Patterns, Bead Pheasant Tail, Bead Hare’s Ear, Copper John, Jumbo Juju, Zebra Midge, Tak’s Chironomid, Hale Bopp Leech
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