Colorado Fishing Report
It looks as if most of our local drainages have finally peaked and are starting their long drop towards more fish-able levels. That is not to say run-off is over by any stretch of the imagination, but over the next couple weeks things should dramatically improve for all or our stream lovers out there. In the past few days we have seen minor to major flow reductions from just about all of Central Colorado.
The Colorado River below Kremmling has fallen from a Saturday morning peak of 9450 CFS down to 7240 CFS Tuesday afternoon, over 20%! Yes, this is still a very high flow, higher than peak flows most years even, but it is on the way down and looks to be doing so at a decent rate.
As the flows begin to drop, keep an eye on the clarity. Most rivers will actually have great clarity relative to their volume at this time of year, because they are on the decline. As snow-melt starts in the spring and flows go up, clarity really falls off because the increase in volume raises the water into normally dry parts of the channel, that over time accumulate debris and sediment that is then mixed into the river.
Once higher stream flows peak and start to recede, the debris is either flushed down river or settles into the now exposed river bank again and clarity improves. With even a modest improvement in visibility, high water fishing can offer great results. The key will be to focus your attention on the quieter lies in the river where trout can get a break from swifter currents still present as run-off subsides.
The Stillwater fishing continues to offer great action, although we are seeing a progression in hatches as the Chironomid population is fading and Calibaetis and Damsel flies are now the prevalent hatches on most local impoundments. Day to day the trout may favor one of these choices over the other, but they are both a potential meal every day on many of Colorado’s great lake fisheries.
Both Antero and Spinney Reservoirs are fishing as well as anywhere in the state right now. As fiver flows persist above average for the time being, these are a great option for fly casters looking to get into feeding fish.
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 but, space is limited and we may not have answered all of you questions. We want to make sure you get the information your looking for. Toll Free 855-CO TROUT (268-7688) or stop by and see us in the Summit Place shopping center in Silverthonre, next to Blue Moon Bakery, Exit 205 on I-70, then south 1 block.
Summer Hours: 7am-7pm
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| Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir |
Flow: 1610 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Denver water has increased release levels again Tuesday. As this happens, holding water continues to disappear, but there are still fish being caught in town. Experienced anglers definitely have the edge as this is very technical fishing. Nymphing continues to provide the most consistent action . 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: 2320 cfs. |
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| Conditions: This week again saw an additional bump in releases from the dam. As temperatures have been consistent at warmer highs, snow melt has increased and additional room is being made for this added volume. Nevertheless, the reservoir is coming up by about a foot per day. By Tuesday the 5th the elevation in the reservoir was about 3 1/2 feet from full. 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: 3885 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Very high, off color and out of the banks in most spots. Still very high and not a good choice, but a steady decline in flows over the last couple of days gives us hope that fishing could resume here before long. |
| Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero |
Flow: 7090 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Stream flows have dropped from a high Saturday morning by 2,000 cfs. Clarity at times is up to 2 feet. Water temps continue to climb, producing a great PMD hatch. There are spots where a wade angler can find fish not only holding, but feeding with-in close proximity to the bank. 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; over the weekend we were able to fool enough rising fish to make it worth the effort and nymphing was a little more productive. If you do go, do not forget your bug spray. Mosquitoes are starting to show up for what looks to be a banner year for them as well, especially in the daytime. Flies:Burk’s Silhouette Sulpher, Lawson’s PMD, Bead Pheasant Tails, Bead Head Mercers PMD, Tungsten Hares Ear, Pat’s Rubber Legs. |
| Colorado Below Glenwood Springs |
Flow 21,900 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: 1190-2690 cfs. |
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| Conditions: In stream flows had started to recede and clarity was way up, then the rain on Tuesday afternoon reversed that, at least the volume of water. This is a temporary set back. The overall trend here is for the positive. As the air dries out, the river will once again drop and we expect access to improve. Look for flows to drop down to 8oo +/- in the upper reaches. 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. Note that the flow range on detail is Hayden Meadows the lower number, 1190 and the higher number is at Granite. 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: 2970 cfs. |
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| Conditions: As with the upper stretch of the Ark, the trend here is good, there is just a bit of rainwater that needs to move on down valley. Clarity has been great, the river just needs to drop a little for it to be a solid option for more than the most skilled anglers. For those experienced anglers out there look for pockets of softer water along the bank, the fish are holding tight and are looking for an opportunity if you can get it to them. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Tungstone Golden, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Streamer Patterns. |
| Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs |
Flow: 82600 cfs. |
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| Conditions: Big spike over night Tuesday as rain water inundated the valley. It is a shame, as we were on a good steady decline towards fish-able levels. Yes this is high, very, but we may have seen the peak over the weekend. If that is the case, then you want to keep an eye on this one. When this beauty hits the sweet spot in the flows, it will be the place to be. Keep checking with us and we will give you the low down. |
| Platte South River, Middle Fork |
Flow: 384+/- cfs. |
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| Conditions: Insects are starting to hatch and water levels have peaked and appear to be dropping a little. However, flows are still very high and fish-able lies are spread out. You will have to cover a lot of terrain but, look for any larger back eddies and foam lines. Fish can be brought to the surface as there are Caddis, Pale Morning Dun and even a few Green Drake adults around. Tomahawk or Badger Basin, it’s a push. Flies: Elk Hair Caddis #18, Burk’s Silhouette Sulpher, Headlight Yellow Sally, Red Legged Hopper, Graphhic Caddis, Hare’s ear, Red or Copper flavored Copper John, Tungteaser, Buckskin caddis, STD Baetis, Tungsten Psycho |
| South Platte, Dream Stream |
Flow: 549 cfs. |
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| Conditions: This piece of water can fish very well at these higher levels. The caddis activity should start to pick up soon, so look to fish a larva or pupa offering as well. Downstream in Eleven Mile Canyon, Caddis and PMDs are starting to really produce results and may be worth a look as well. Flies: Buckskin Caddis, Barr’s Graphic Caddis, Mercer’s Poxyback PMD Emerger, Caddis Rockworm. |
| Williams Fork River Below Dam |
Flow 942 cfs. |
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| Conditions: This has been fishing decent for experienced anglers in the few slack water spots that present themselves. There are Yellow Sallies and a few mayflies around. If you do go, do not forget your bug spray. Mosquitoes are starting to show up for what looks to be a banner year for them as well. Flies: Pat’s Rubber Legs, San Juan Worms, Stubby Stones, Flash Back Pheasant Tails, Buckskin Caddis, Crane fly Larva, Baetis nymphs: Jujubaetis, Big Bear Baetis. |
| Antero Reservoir |
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| Conditions: Action remains strong on this impoundment as the Calibaetis and Damsel Flies are in full swing. Nymphing still provides the greatest action, but there have been good dry fly days as well. 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. Check out the method section under Delaney Buttes Lakes below for more tips to consistently get into fish. As for the Flies: Parachute Extended Body 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: As with Antero, this Lake is probably fishing as well as it will all year. Action remains solid on Calibaetis and Damsel Fly 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. Check out the method section under Delaney Buttes Lakes below for more tips to consistently get into fish. 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: Not as good as the South Park impoundments, but this is a high-water option for still water here as anglers wait out the run-off season. 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. Method: 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 an 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. |
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