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The weather has definitely made a turn towards fall, with over night lows dropping into the low 40s and even mid 30s. Generally speaking, the days still are quite comfortable and are what we come to look forward to with fall fishing here in the high country. Day time temps can range from 60 to 75 on average across the mountains with the chance of a short cold snap passing through from time to time.
As I write this, the temperature is south of 40 and rain is falling lightly across the central mountains. But, this is expected to clear out Thursday afternoon and see a return to more seasonal norms by the weekend. If you are looking for the silver lining in these passing fronts, think Blue Winged Olives. During last weeks 2 day weather swing, there was a great dry fly event on the Breeze Unit along the Colorado. With river levels finally down to a wade-able point, it’s time to make up for the lost summer on the Upper Colorado.
There are definitely some great opportunities out there right now for excellent fishing. So before the rest of the season slips on by, get out there and see if there are a couple of fish you think that need to have their picture taken. While we’re on the subject, if you have any great river shots you want to share, send them in to us and maybe we can post them here as well. If we get enough submissions we could do a little on-line survey and give a prize for viewer’s choice. Let us know what you think.
Check out the detailed river section reports to the right for recommendations on flies to use as well as a more in-depth discussion of the conditions on those river sections.
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 www.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. Summer Hours: 7am-7pm
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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
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| Flow: 109 cfs. |
| Conditions: Lake Dillon is no longer spilling over the top and flows have returned to tail water only. There are still a few Caddis around and even a few remaining Sallies. Look for Baetis to enter into the mix as well. Down stream reports have shown good results on Caddis imitations as well as some Parachute Adams and Attractor dries. On the lower river check out the access points at Palmer Gulch and Blue River SWA as well as the Sutton Unit and Forest Service access closer to town. In town will start to switch over to the typical fall midge patterns mostly below the surface, although there are still fish looking for the right, well presented fly on the surface. Flies: Flash Back Pheasant Tails #18-14, Flash Back Hare’s Ear #16-14, Nitro Caddis #14-16, Graphic Caddis #16-14, Iron Sally #16-14, Barr’s Tungstone #12-14, Potter Pearl and Elk, Peacock Caddis, Stimulator, H&L Variant, Hippie Stomper, Lawson’s PMD, Burk’s Silhouette Dun. Town Flies: RS-2, UV Emerger, Kingery’s Cap’n Hook, Black Pheasant Tail, Flashback Pheasant Tail: All in size #20-22,Various Mysis. |
Blue River Below Green Mountain
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| Flow:406 cfs. |
| Conditions: With flows now under 500 cfs, float fishing is pretty much done, so wade fishermen should have the run of the place. Although at this level, crossing the river is a stretch for all but the strongest waders. Work all types of water: pockets, riffles, runs and seams as the trout have spread out and are making the most out of this level to feed throughout the river. Look for hatches of Caddis and Stones in the Canyon, as well as the first signs of late summer/early fall Baetis. 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. Peacock Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Designated Hitter, Foamulator, Stimulator, Para Extended Body BWO, Big Bear Baetis, Juju Baetis, Barr’s Emerger, Split Case BWO Floaters should note: The take out that has been used for years is no longer available, that property is now private. For boat take out you now need to continue on down the Blue to the access ramp for the Gore Canyon put-in. this is approximately another mile. Please respect private property rights along the river. |
Colorado River Above Kremmling
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| Flow: 499 cfs. |
| Conditions: Finally flows have dropped to fish-able levels for the attentive wade fisherman. Nymphing may still be the most productive approach on sunny days, but with these short fall weather events moving through, dry fly fishing can take off with a little cloud cover. Make sure to adjust your depth and weight accordingly as you move around the river. The fish that are being caught are in great shape. Keep in mind that there are multiple access points along this stretch of river with lots of room to accommodate anglers. If a particular access is full (ie.Breeze), check out one of the other sites near by, you may end up with the place to yourself. Not to mention that the wading above the Williams Fork is much easier with 30% less water. Do NOT forget your bug spray. Flies: San Juan Worm, Tungstone, Iron Sally, Graphic Caddis, Mercers Poxyback PMD, Split Case PMD, Pheasant Tail, Sparkle Baetis, CDC Baetis Dun, Lawson’s No Hackle |
Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
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| Flow: 1190 cfs. |
| Conditions: River levels have been pretty steady for the last couple of weeks with only minor fluctuations. Although there has been an afternoon thunderstorm or two, the effects on the clarity have been minimal for the most part. Solid action has been seen for wade anglers at Pumphouse and up into Gore Canyon. Float fishing has been at times busy and has shown signs of feeling the pressure on those days. Nymph fishing is still the most productive method during mid-day and high sun conditions, but if you have time, stick around until evening for two hours of solid dry potential. The late season Blue Wings are making their impact know as well. Definitely work a Baetis nymph into your rig prior to the any surface activity. Mosquitoes remain firmly entrenched, so take your preferred method of repellant. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tails, Jujubaetis, Tungsten Split Case BWO , Tungsten Hares Ear, Stubby Stone, Twenty Incher, Psycho Prince. |
Colorado Below Glenwood Springs
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| Flow 2980 cfs. |
| Conditions: River levels have finally dropped into a comfortable level for this stretch. A good option for float and wade anglers now, especially for those looking to escape the crowds on the Roaring Fork. Clarity can experience minor set backs at this time of year depending on any upstream thunderstorms, but overall a relatively solid option for the fall. Give it a try with large heavy nymphs under indicators with additional weight. Look for Baetis as well as a few Caddis hanging on. Flies: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, Bead Prince, Twenty Incher, Morrish’s Anato May, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Two Bit Hooker |
Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
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| Flow: 100-176 cfs. |
| Conditions: Good things are happening here as stream levels are finally at optimum wading levels. This is good news and a long time coming. Look for a strong Caddis presence throughout, as well as some smaller stones and PMDs. Dry fly anglers have been doing well pounding pockets of quiet water amongst the heavy currents, but as this drop settles in, look for dry-dropper fishing to pick up as riffles and runs become a little more reasonable in flow. Golden Stones are in the river in the Buena Vista area as well as Blue Wings throughout and some remaining Tricos. Note that the flow range on detail is Hayden Meadows the lower number: 100, and the higher number is at Granite. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tail, Hot Wire Prince, Iron Sally, Tung Teaser, Twenty Incher, Chubby Chernobyl, Designated Hitter Golden, Peacock Caddis, Spotlight Caddis, Grillo’s Hippie Stomper, Headlight Sally, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Slump Buster Black, Le Marabou Leech. |
Arkansas River Below Buena Vista
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| Flow: 330 cfs. |
| Conditions: The river below Buena Vista is fishing very well. Flows are finally getting comfortable for the wade angler as river levels are dropping to fall volumes. A great time of year to fish the canyon water that is now all but deserted of raft traffic. Dry dropper fishing is solid, with a larger Golden Stone pattern holding up a variety of nymph offerings. Try general searching nymphs like Beaded Pheasant Tails and Copper Johns as well as more specific hatch matching flies for the Tricos and Baetis. Dry fly fishing has also been particularly rewarding on cloudy afternoons and in the evening hours. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail # 12-16, Tungstone Golden #12-16, Copper John #12-16, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Tungsten Redemption PMD, Barrs PMD Emerger, Tungsten Yellow Sally Nymph, Designated Hitter Golden, Stimulator, Foamulator, Chubby Chernobyl |
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
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| Flow: 873 cfs. |
| Conditions: Fishing continues to impress with good action throughout the day. Nymph fishing has been the more productive method during the day under sunny skies, but with a little cloud cover afternoons have seen solid dry fly action. Clarity remains good as rain showers have been minor. The river between Catherine’s Bridge and Basalt is currently closed to float traffic as this spring’s heavy flows have redirected the river channel into private property. There is talk of a remedy, but until that happens the river is impassable. Up river above Carbondale wade fishing is very productive all the way up to Aspen. Look for Caddis, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and Blue Winged Olives. Flies: Tungteaser, Twenty Incher, Bead Prince #12-14, Copper John#12-14, Juju Baetis, Barr’s Emerger, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Stimulator #10-16, H & L Variant |
Platte South River, Middle Fork
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| Flow: 50+/- cfs. |
| Conditions: Fall river levels are here and wade fishing is low and easy. Action has remained strong on dry-dropper rigs using a Foamulator or your favorite hopper pattern. there are still a few Caddis along the river and Blue Wings are emerging on cloudy days. Tomahawk or Badger Basin, it’s a push. Flies: Elk Hair Caddis #18, Gulpher Special, Sparkle Baetis, Putterbaughs Foam Caddis, Headlight Yellow Sally, Red Legged Hopper, Stream Bank Hopper, Graphic Caddis, Hare’s ear, Red or Copper flavored Copper John, Tungteaser, Buckskin Caddis, STD Baetis, Tungsten Psycho |
South Platte, Dream Stream
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| Flow 127 +/- cfs. |
| Conditions: Reports coming in from the Platte are spotty to say the least. There are still some Tricos left as well as some Baetis. This is a technical situation that requires a little skill, but the only way to develop that skill is to get out and practice the techniques necessary. Flies: Zebra Midge, Black RS-2, Barr’s Drowned Trico, Trico Spinner, JujuBaetis, Barr’s Emerger BWO, Split Case BWO, Buckskin Caddis, Barr’s Graphic Caddis, Mercer’s Poxyback PMD Emerger, Caddis Rockworm. |
Williams Fork River Below Dam
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| Flow 279 cfs. |
| Conditions: Flows are a little high for this time of year, but that has kept the crowds down.t The fish have spread out again and the entire river is in play. Still a few Quills around as well PMDs, Caddis and Sallies, and fall is a great time for the Blue Wings to show up. Nymphing in riffles and the tail-outs onto flats and runs is producing good results under mid-day sun. If you go, do not forget your bug spray. Mosquitoes are hanging on for the last few days of summer. 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, Barr’s Emerger, Split Case BWO, RS-2. |
Antero Reservoir
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| Conditions: High sun and a lowered lake level have taken their toll. Action has really hit the wall here as water temps have risen to 68-70 degrees. It may be time to give this impoundment a rest until these temps drop to a safer level for trout populations. Note: 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: 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: This is the better option for those lake fishermen not looking to head to the streams just yet. Action has been a little inconsistent, with results varying from day to day. Fish continue to eat Damsel Fly patterns with decent amounts of interest. 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 too consistent as water temps have steadily risen with the hot weather we have been experiencing. Damsel fly and a few Calibaetis are still a good place to start. 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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