Detailed Reports - Click on a location for details.
Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
Flows are beginning to transition to a top release from a bottom release, this will increase the water temp in town and should trigger warmer water hatches. Expect inflows in Lake Dillon to match outflows for the near future.
The key is going to be to focus on the right water type and bump up your weight, substantially. First look for any sheltering lie out of the main current. Edge water, behind structure, inside bends in the river and above some of the man made weirs all offer trout a place to find a break from the higher flows. Once you have identified those sheltering lies, then make sure to increase the amount of weight in your nymph set-up. We would say start with at least a single AAA or a couple of BB size split shot and adjust from there. There will be a good diversity of patterns working, as high flows tend to bring more options into the system. From the typical searching patterns such as San Juan and Egg patterns to dead drifted leech imitations. As for traffic, that has been day-to-day. With other rivers starting to fall into wade able flows locally, tailwater traffic is down.
Flies
BTS Shrimp, Tim’s Mysis, Stalcup’s Mysis, Buckskin, Andrew’s 5-0 Midge, Red Neck Midge, Glassy Brassie, Mirage Zebra Midge, Desert Storm, Rainbow Warrior, Black Beauty, Brassie, UV Emerger, Biot Midge, Lil Spanker, Tungsten Psycho May-Black, Rojo Midge, Tube Midge – Black or Red, RS-2 – Black or Dun, WD40 – Black or Chocolate, Zebra Midge, Otter Soft Milking Egg, Bead Eggs, Flossy Worm, Gummy Worm, Sparkle Worm, Jake’s CDC Leech, squirrel leech, Pheasant Tail,
Current Water Data
Blue River Below Green Mountain
Conditions
After seeing flows over 2400 cfs in early July, the lower Blue has now come down to 1800 cfs. While still on the high side for the Blue it is supplying a high percentage of clean water to the Colorado River. Green Mountain Reservoir is near full and outflows should match inflows for the near future.
At this level it will be a stretch for even the most sure footed wader. Action should be most consistent on a mix of nymph patterns for Midges and Baetis paired with small to mid-sized stones and searching patterns. At the same time, keep an eye out for surface activity to emerging Midges and Blue Winged Olives when conditions allow. Look for nymphs being available for trout to feed on including Caddis, Green Drake and Stones, as well. Even better news is the higher water will negate the need for light tippet, 3 to 4x should do the trick in most cases.
Please, pay attention to flows and make an honest assessment of your ability before deciding to float through the ranch. With the snow-pack we have this year, there will be more than enough time this season to do that under ideal conditions.
Flies
Dries: Parachute Extended Body BWO, CDC Baetis Dun, Hanging Midge, Slate Gray No Hackle, Winger Parachute, Parachute Purple. Big bead heads: Deep Dish Green Drake, Hare’s Ear, Tungteaser, Pheasant Tail, Rubberlegs, Psycho Prince, Duracell Jig, Flossy Worm, Sparkle Worm, etc. The Smaller Stuff: Aero Baetis, RS-2, Tung Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Split Case BWO, Barr’s BWO, Lil Spanker, Big Spanker, Juju Baetis, Red Neck Midge, Tube Midge, BH Biot Midge, Mirage Zebra,Otter Egg. Sculpzilla, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Sparkle Minnow etc
Current Water Data
Colorado River Above Kremmling (Parshall)
Conditions
Flows have risen recently at Windy Gap, combined with still high flows from the Williams Fork wading will be a challange in the Parshal area.
All of that being said, the current level of water is not un-fishable, you just have to adjust your tactics and equipment. Look for softer lies out of the main current, where fish can shelter a bit from the heaviest water and still forage on drifting nymphs. Bump up your weight so that you can get those nymphs down quickly, as your soft water targets may be very short drifts. Increase your tippet size as well, not only will the stained water cloak your tippet, if you do hook up a fish you will need a little extra tensile strength to hang on to them if they get into that faster current. Nymph rigs are going to be the best approach at the moment, with a mix of Midge, Baetis, Caddis and Stonefly imitations fished in tandem with beaded searching nymphs and San Juan Worm patterns.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Flashback Hare’s Ear, Miller’s Tactical + One, Flossy Worm, CDC Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Psycho Prince, Breadcrust, Hammerhead Nymph, Pheasant Tail #14-18, Redemption BWO, Split Case BWO, Tungsten Micro Mayfly Brown, Tungsten Juju Baetis, Aero Baetis, Root Beer Float, Sparkle Worm, Zirdle, Sculpin patterns.
Current Water Data
Colorado River Pumphouse to Catamount
Conditions
The gauge for this report is the Kremmling gauge that includes The lower Blue, Muddy and Williams Fork.
Flows have been a bit up and down in the last couple of weeks. The Kremmling gauge topped out at over 5000 cfs then came all the way down to 3000 cfs before returning to 4000 cfs in the last week. Clarity is a non issue as most of the volume is from up river reservoirs. Yellow sallys, Caddis and PMD’s are still hatching daily. While the flows are high compared to historical levels, they are still very fishable. If floating, be aware that the rapids on the upper Colorado are very real at these flows please use caution and good decision making.
Dry dropper rigs, and nymph rigs are going to be the most productive, streamers and dry flies will also pick up fish under the right conditions and terrain.
Leave the light tippet in the car and fish the 3 and 4 for nymphs, or 0 to 2x for streamers.
Flies
Big Dries, Chubby Chernobyl, etc., Pat’s Rubber Legs, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Duracell, Lil Spanker, Millers Tactical Plus 1, Foam Wing RS2, Tungsten Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Eggs, San Juan Worm, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Crystal Bugger
Current Water Data
Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Flows below Glenwood are down from around 20,000cfs to about 12,000cfs. While still on the hight side it is also fishable.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, CDC BH Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Duracell Jig, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Deep Dish Green Drake, Bead Hares Ear, Yeager’s BH Soft Hackle J, Zebra Midges, San Juan Worm patterns, Lil Spanker, Tung Psycho May, Big Spanker, Rainbow Warrior, Magic Fly, RS-2, Bead Eggs, Otter Egg, Flossy Worm, Sex Dungeon, Heisenberg Streamers, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
Conditions
Overall, flows are still high and are coming down with an occasional spike. Although flows are up, the fishing can still be good. Fish are beginning to look up for bugs on the surface. Attractor dries, smaller hoppers and caddis have been getting fish. We are also beginning to see more Green Drakes flying around and have been getting an occasionally fish on Green Drake patterns. Nymphing has been good on a mix of beaded searching patterns, Caddis larva, Baetis nymphs and smaller stones. Look for any sheltered lies that you can find where fish can lay up out of the heavy currents and still feed on passing nymphs. The way conditions are you may have to cover a little bit of water to find those favorable, soft water lies so, don’t get too married to a spot, keep moving.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, BH Hare’s Ear, Lil Spanker, Hot Wire Prince, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Iron Sally, Hammerhead Jig, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Salida Area
Conditions
Flows have been dropping although we are seeing occasional spikes in flow. Nymphing has been productive on a mix of beaded searching patterns, Caddis larva, Baetis nymphs and smaller stones. Golden stones and yellow sallies are starting to move around so be ready with some of those patterns as well. Softer water is where you will want to focus your efforts. Up against the banks, the inside of turns, pools behind boulders and deeper riffles are the types of structures to look for. Cover water and don’t be afraid to toss a streamer up against the bank as well.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, BH Hare’s Ear, Lil Spanker, Hot Wire Prince, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Iron Sally, Hammerhead Jig, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Conditions
While flows had been dropping, they have steadied the past several days right around 4500 cfs. Nymphing will offer the best results, whether as part of a tandem nymph set up, or underneath a big bushy attractor as part of a dry-dropper. Focus on the edge water where fish can get a break from the heavier flows mid-river. Caddis remain a viable hatch, so be prepared to encounter them. Other nymphs to have on hand are Baetis, Stoneflies, Drakes, San Juans and beaded searching patterns. With flows being up, wade fishing will be challenging and you will likely need to cover a decent amount of water to find fish.
Flies
Big beaded searching nymphs, BH Pheasant Tail, Duracell Jig, Chartreuse Copper John, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J,San Juan Worm, Pat’s Rubber legs, etc
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
Flows continue to fall with the occasional spike due to heavy rainfall and warm temperatures. Midges, Baetis and Caddis larva imitations along with smaller searching patterns such as Pheasant Tails and Tactical nymphs are going to be your best bets for finding fish. Streamers can be a good option as well while searching for fish. Casting along the banks where softer pockets are and into pools behind rocks are where you will want to place most of your casts
Flies
Breadcrust, Duracell Jig, Perdigon Nymphs, Poison Tung, 5-0 Midge, Pure Midge Larva, Flashback Pheasant Tail, RS-2, Foam Wing RS-2, Buckskin, Tungsten Psycho Mayfly, Barr’s Emerger, Miller’s Tactical Plus One
Current Water Data
Eagle River
Conditions
Flows have steadily receded and are definitely fishable. The up river stretches above Milk Creek (downstream of Wolcott) will offer the more consistent conditions. Yellow Sallys and Pale Morning Duns are the hatch. Look for these bugs mid morning through Mid afternoon.
Look for any sheltered lies off of the main current that you can find. Dries may pull a few fish along the edge water with Yellow Sallys, PMDs, and attractor patterns but, nymphs are going to be the more consistent approach. Stoneflies, Caddis pupa, beaded searching nymphs and the odd San Juan pattern to start and if you land a fish or two, maybe do a stomach pump to see if there are any other options that you have overlooked. While it’s a tad high the future for the Eagle this summer is bright, as a strong snow-pack and cool temperatures this spring should provide a healthy amount of water, keeping it in the mix well into August.
Flies
Duracell Jig, Tungsten Psycho May, RS-2, Juju Baetis, Darth Baetis, Aero Baetis, Perdigon Nymph, Miller’s Tactical Plus one, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Psycho Prince, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Sparkle Worm, Glister Grub, Huevos