Colorado River Salmonfly Update – May 24, 2012
May 24th, 2012
The hatch is definitely starting to wane in the lower end of it’s range, below Kremmling, in the Gore Canyon to State Bridge section. There are still some adults flying around later in the day, as well as in the bushes completing the mating ritual. We just aren’t seeing a full on emergence any longer.
That does not mean that there are still not fish actively taking Salmonfly imitations, it is just a less prominent portion of their diet. Day to day activity has ranged from as little as 10% to as high as 75% on the big stone patterns. With the rest of the action filling in on a wide variety of imitative nymphs for PMDs, Caddis and even Baetis, as well as searching patterns and even some streamers.
For those anglers still looking to capitalize on the continued emergence of new bugs and the frenzy that it brings to feeding trout, head up stream to the public water in the Parshall/Beyers Canyon area. Reports indicate a strong presence of both adults and migrating nymphs. There are plenty of points of access along this stretch, so you should be able to at find somewhere to wet your line.
It has been just over two weeks now since the first signs of adults were spotted below Gore and about 9 days in the upper river. That being said, if you have not yet made it out to the Colorado River for this year’s exceptional Salmonfly hatch, you need to go soon, as it is likely to finish up over the next few days.
Salmonfly Patterns:
Dry Flies: Loco Stone, Designated Hitter, Rogue Foam Parachute Salmonfly, Clark’s Stone-Salmon, Sofa Pillow, Rollin’ Stone-Salmon, Half Cocked Salmonfly, Big PMXs, Chubby Chernobyls
Nymphs: Kaufman’s Stone Nymph – Brown, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Half Back, Cory’s Stone, Berry’s Super Stone, Sexstone – Peacock, Tungsten Poxyback Stone – Black