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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
Another big change in town as the release from the dam is up again in anticipation of spring runoff into the reservoir. This is good news any way you look at it. The additional water will help spread out fish into greater habitat, as well, it will offer them added cover from predators, hopefully making them feel a little more at ease. But even more important, the added flow from the dam creates a stronger pull of food from the reservoir, most notably in the form of Mysis Shrimp.
From a technical standpoint, the good news is that you can bump up your tippet size a notch, 5x should be light enough, maybe even 4x. While you’re at it don’t overlook the need for extra weight, anywhere from 2 to 3 BBs for most spots.
In addition to the Mysis, Midges are still the primary aquatic insect in the food chain, with good results also coming on the typical “spring-water-is-on-the-rise” patterns. ie Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Traffic overall has been lighter than typical, but as the fishing has improved and we near the end of the tightest travel restrictions, we anticipate busier days lie ahead.
Flies
BTS Shrimp, Tim’s Mysis, Stalcup’s Mysis, Red Neck Midge, Glassy Brassie, Mirage Zebra Midge, Rainbow Warrior, Tube Midges, Black Beauty, Brassie, Bead Head Biot Midge, Tungsten Psycho May-Black, Rojo Midge, RS-2 – Black or Dun, WD40 – Black or Chocolate, Zebra Midge, Flossy Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Huevos, #20-#24 Pheasant Tail
Current Water Data
Blue River Below Green Mountain
Conditions
A modest bump up in flows is good news, as it offers additional cover for trout and allows them to spread out into new habitat, while at the same time is still low enough to offer for crossing the channel. This should contribute to fish feeling slightly more at ease with the additional water, as well.
Even with that, we generally find results to be stronger on overcast days, as well as the lower light times of day when there aren’t any clouds. Definitely drop down to at least 5x, but 6x has been more productive with the clarity being completely transparent. Be careful getting down to and back up from the river. Slick conditions on the steep canyon walls makes for a treacherous hike, and torn waders or a broken rod is a real possibility. A decent range of food options due to a rich biomass, gives you the potential for results on Midges and Baetis along with Stonefly and searching nymphs. Tandem nymph rigs drifted through the deeper runs have been the most consistent but keep an eye out for any early season emergence of those Midges and Baetis to potentially bring a few fish to the surface.
We have not had any communication with water managers at Green Mountain to see what their schedule for spring releases is. The lake is starting to fill, but it has a way to go at this point. With a fairly robust snow pack in the Blue River Valley we are anticipating a strong run-off which will require a spill. That being the case, they tend to ramp up outflow ahead of time in anticipation of that spill, so that it doesn’t go from zero to apocalyptic overnight.
Flies
BH PT, Perdigon Nymph, Quill Body Jig in dark olive, Darth Baetis, Magic Fly BWO, Tungsten Psycho May, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Psycho Prince, Duracell Jig, Poison Tung, Zebra Midge, Foam Wing RS-2, Flossy Worm, Parachute Extended Body BWO, CDC Baetis Dun, Slate Gray No Hackle, Winger Parachute, Parachute Purple, Sculpzilla, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Sparkle Minnow etc
Current Water Data
Colorado River Above Kremmling (Parshall)
Conditions
The stream flow at Parshall is actually in the 965 cfs range, we are having trouble getting a link to the correct gauge below the confluence with the William’s Fork. As with some other freestone rivers, we have seen a slight reduction in flows this week. This is still a robust amount of water for the upper river and will limit access and wading opportunities, but clarity is on the rise and some action has been had over the holiday weekend. With Salmonflies, no less. Make smart decisions when it comes to wading and hammer the banks with a dry-dropper combo for the Salmonfly.
Flies
Half-Cocked Salmonfly, Foamulator in Black or Orange, B-1 Bomber, Rogue Foam Stone Salmonfly, Chubby Chernobyl Brown, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Flashback Hare’s Ear, Flossy Worm, CDC Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Psycho Prince, Breadcrust, Pheasant Tail, Sparkle Worm, Silver Bullet Minnow, Goldie, Heisenberg White, Mini Peanut Envy white, Sex Dungeon cream, Sculpzilla
Current Water Data
Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
Conditions
After a solid surge in water and dramatic drop in clarity earlier in the month, things have stabilized and even dropped a bit over the past week. Although clarity if far from gin clear, it is more than enough for trout to see the emerging Salmonflies (and Caddis). With the Salmonfly hatch in full swing we recommend a dry-dropper rig fished tight to the banks to start off the morning. The prime reason for this is the nymphs are crawling to the banks to emerge and opportunistic trout position themselves appropriately to intercept them. As well, early in the day before it warms up, lethargic adults often fall from their bank side perch in the bushes, where the same opportunistic trout hammer them for an easy meal.
Once the day warms up, adult Salmonflies will begin to take flight in order to find a mate and then lay eggs on the water. As you see this begin to happen, switch up to a single or double dry set-up and continue to hammer the banks. Sure, there are other things to throw and methods to fish, but we only get to throw 3 inch dry flies for a week to two each year, so that other stuff can wait a couple of days.
If you insist on that other stuff, there has been very good action on Caddis imitations and beaded searching patterns. Although always worth a try, the streamer bite has slowed a bit after some great action earlier in May.
Flies
Half-Cocked Salmonfly, Rogue Foam Salmonfly, Chubby Chernobyl Brown, Foamulator in Black or Orange, Designated Hitter Orange, Swisher’s Foam PMS Stone Orange, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Duracell, Aero Baetis, Millers Tactical Plus 1, Magic Fly, Foam Wing RS2, Tungsten Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Zebra midges, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet, Sex Dungeon,
Current Water Data
Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs
Conditions
After the warm up things are pretty well shot on the lower river, as clarity has cratered. It is currently running various shades of brown, from light mocha to full on chocolate. Once run-off peaks, starts to stabilize and then drop, look for the color to switch over to a greenish tint before committing to this stretch again.
However, once conditions do improve enough to fish, the newly remodeled Two Rivers Park Boat Ramp in Glenwood Springs is open to the public.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, CDC BH Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Duracell Jig, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Bead Hares Ear, Yeager’s BH Soft Hackle J, Zebra Midges, San Juan Worm patterns, Flossy Worm, Sex Dungeon, Heisenberg Streamers, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
Conditions
As with just about everywhere, the Ark is up, but it has leveled off and allowed for an improvement in clarity. While certainly not ideal for wading anglers, it does offer some opportunities to find fish as we make our way through run-off, particularly above the confluence with Lake Creek. Look for Baetis, Midges and even a few Caddis to be emerging. Nymph imitations for all of those, along with Stoneflies will be your best best either in a traditional nymph rig, or under a large dry fly if you just can’t give up on the hope of a fish rising any time you fish. Streamer fishing has been solid, as well for the past several weeks. Make sure to experiment with retrieval patterns and speed, as the fish may not be as aggressive in their pursuit of larger prey.
Which ever method you choose, focus on the soft water along the edges, insides of corners, below islands and in back eddies where fish can shelter out of the rising flow.
Flies
Brooks Sprout Baetis, No Hackle Slate Gray, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Miller’s Tactical Plus One, 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, Perdigon, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Salida Area
Conditions
Conditions in the Salida area going to be challenging for the near future as water levels are up. However, we have seen a bit of a plateau and clarity is improving. You can catch fish at high water if you know where to look. Focus your efforts on the quiet water along the edges, in back eddies and below any bank structure you find. Straight nymphing may offer the better consistency, as fish should be hunkered down, just make sure to use a good amount of weight to get your flies down quick in what is sure to be some shorter drifts. As well, a dry- dropper may be more enjoyable to throw, and could produce good results in spots where fish have risen in the column to feed on drifting nymphs.
Flies
Elk Hair Caddis, Ginger Caddis, Foam Caddis, Spotlight Caddis, Para Extended Body BWO, GT Adult BWO, No Hackle Slate Gray, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, GB Biot Epoxy Stone, Matt Demon Stone, Iron Sally, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Zebra Midge, Poison Tung, Flossy Worm, Purple parachutes, Winger Parachute, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Flows have receded enough to once again hit the entire length of the river and results have been solid as fish feed on a range of spring bugs including Caddis and Baetis. Nymph rigs and big dry-dropper patterns alike, trailing Stonefly imitations or beaded searching nymphs followed up with a Baetis pattern or Caddis pupa are a good place to start. Floating the lower river and wading the upper reaches offer plenty of diversity for anglers of both persuasions.
And the newly renovated Two Rivers Park is back open with a brand new boat ramp.
Flies
BH Pheasant Tail, BH Prince, Duracell Jig, Chartreuse Copper John, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J,Foam Wing RS-2, Tungsten Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Flashwing RS-2, Split Case BWO, Pat’s RL, San Juan Worm, Pat’s Rubber legs, Peacock Caddis, Mother’s Day Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Body Double Caddis
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
Flows have made a nice jump up and the river is running at a solid early season flow. This flow should provide good enough cover for fish to spread out a bit from their winter “low water” lies and offer more opportunities for anglers. As well, this should be a good level to take advantage of the reconditioned channel from the recent restoration project that was completed just last fall. There will still be sections that haven’t seen the insect population completely back fill yet, but that will improve as the season goes on. As you would expect, Midges are key right now but Baetis, smaller Stonefly nymphs and Caddis imitations can be productive as part of a two nymph set-up. (The Breadcrust is an all time pattern for a point fly)
Flies
Darth Baetis, 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
A dramatic turnaround after what looked like the end of spring fishing on this powerhouse. With cool temps and slowing snow melt, things have greatly improved and good fishing has returned. We’re not sure for how long, as warm weather is in the forecast for the later part of the week. But until that actually has an impact, there are some good high water conditions for those that are comfortable at elevated water levels. Focus on any sheltering lies you can find either with a traditional tandem nymph rig or larger dry-dropper rig. Mid to larger sized Stonefly nymphs fished with a beaded searching pattern or Caddis in the rear have been very productive. And it doesn’t have to be gin clear either. This is a river that does have a tendency to run a little off color for long periods of time, and as such the resident fish don’t mind a little bit of tint to the water. As long as it isn’t in the process of turning from clear to dirty and you have a foot or better, you should still give it a shot.
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, Flossy Worm,Glister Grub, Huevos