Archived Fishing Report for Jul 2nd, 2021

Conditions

A nice improvement all around as the lake is full and spilling into the river below.  Great not only for the added volume that will spread fish out and revitalize them, but also for the rise in water temps from the low 30s to the mid 40s and higher as you move downstream. This will give a nice boost to hatches that had already been emerging in fair numbers, Caddis, micro stones PMDs and Green Drakes, to now be more widespread.  Often overlooked for its dry fly potential due to its reputation as a technical tailwater nymph fishery, the Blue can offer some great dry fly action when nymph weary fish are presented with surface options.  Use this as an opportunity to fish the water that may not be as easy to cover with a nymph, i.e. pockets, shallows and edges.

Town is getting it’s fair share of attention so be prepared to experience some crowds and spread out away from the dam if that happens.  .

Current Water Data

Conditions

Although we did see a slight bump in the release from the dam, that was short-lived and flows remain very low for this popular tailwater. Is this a sign of things to come? Due to low snow pack and below average stream flows in the Colorado, were not sure what to expect on the lower Blue this year. On a typical year we will see flows start to increase from the dam late in July, as native flows elsewhere decline. We have heard reports of that “Water Call” coming on much earlier this year, maybe even by July 1. We’ll keep you posted if we hear any updates.

On the bright side, wading anglers continue to have the place to themselves as flows are way too low for boaters to navigate the river and crossing will be possible in multiple places, allowing for extended range in the canyon.  Low flows call for light tippet and stealthy movement, 5-6x tippet will be a must.

Results should remain solid on a growing diversity of insects.  Stonefly, Baetis, Caddis and mid to larger sized searching patterns have all done well as part of a tandem nymph rig.  And with these low and very clear flows, we generally find results to be stronger on overcast days, or at lower light times of day when there aren’t any clouds. As well, we should start to see Green Drakes and PMDs in good numbers in the next few days.

Current Water Data

Conditions

The stream flow at Parshall is actually at 370 cfs, we are having trouble getting a link to the correct gauge below the confluence with the William’s Fork.

Conditions in the immediate vicinity of the Williams Fork are going to be some of the better for the river along its entire upper reaches.  At least as it relates to water temps.  With the reservoir nearly full, water managers have been able to bump the release up from the Williams Fork, which is adding volume and cooler water to the main stem of the Colorado. As a result we are seeing some decent action on the stretch just below the confluence through the Breeze unit and Sunset Ranch BLM access.  Not only will this help to spread out resident trout but the stabilization of water temps will allow for a longer duration of hatches as the emerge from the river.

Be prepared for Caddis, Sallies and PMDs. Nymph imitations for those hatches fished in tandem with a mix of larger Stonefly and searching nymphs have been solid early.  Start the day focused on the tail out of runs and deeper lies where trout can shelter a bit out of the heavier currents.  As the day progresses and rising water temps spark insect activity, shift that focus towards the head of runs and bottoms of riffles where the fish should move to feed on drifting nymphs.  Then once you see emerging adults look for fish to feed on the surface in those same spots, as well as the flats and shallow areas that aren’t idea for nymphing, but hold plenty of fish looking for easy pickings on dry flies.

Current Water Data

Conditions

In an effort to protect this stretch of the river from extreme temperature swings, we are asking anglers to avoid fishing it altogether, or if you must go, only fish it very early in the morning. Water temps in the past 2 weeks have peaked at 72 to 75 degrees.  When it gets that warm the period for recovery overnight where it drops down under the 65 degree threshold may only be 2 hours and just not enough time to protect trout.  There is a bright spot and that would be the combination of the upstream boost in the release out of the Williams Fork and the cooler temperature trend across the mountains this week have brought those peak water temps down into the 60s. Another week for recovery should have fish back to stable health.

Otherwise action is switching over to the way-ahead-of-schedule Pale Morning Duns that are currently emerging, along with Caddis and Yellow Sally Stoneflies. Results have been solid on both adult and nymph imitations for all if those early summer hatches.

Nymphing remains consistent throughout the day but certainly early in the day, before any emergence, results have been best on a mix of Stonefly patterns followed with beaded searching patterns and PMD imitations.  As can be typical with mayfly hatches, cloudy days have been much better for results on dries.  If the clouds don’t roll in nymphing may remain better for results, but you can nymph any day of the year so maybe it’s time to force the issue and throw the dry.

Current Water Data

Conditions

The lower river is under assault from upstream flash floods that have brought debris and very dirty water to the mix, even with relatively consistent quality water mixing in from the Roaring Fork.  It may take a few more days for this section to recover once it dries out and upstream dam releases increase.  Once that happens, read the following.

A good early summer option, in particular to catch the big hatches before they make their way up the Roaring Fork. Action has been good on Caddis and Sally patterns throughout the day with some good evening power hour action for the Green Drakes. Those Drakes are waning as they made the turn up the Fork but there should still be a bit of interest in them for a few more days.  Otherwise look for results to be strong on dry-dropper rigs based around a larger attractor of Golden Stonefly imitation.  Suspended from that we like larger and mid-sized Stonefly imitations along with beaded searching patterns and a mix of mayfly nymphs for the Drakes and PMDs

Current Water Data

Conditions

After a slightly lower than average peak run-off, the river has receded just enough to offer some great mid-to-elevated flow action. While not out of its banks or out of control, it is still on the high side.  This is great for both wading and floating anglers, as it pushes the majority of the fish to the soft water along the edges, making them accessible for both types of anglers.

There have been thick hatches of Caddis all the way up to Leadville. Those should stick around even now as Yellow Sallies and Green Drakes enter the mix in the upper most stretches of the drainage.  Mid-sized to larger attractors and standard-sized Caddis dries have been doing fairly well, as well as Stonefly, Caddis and beaded searching nymphs.  The Drakes will be a little spottier, with strong pockets of them to be found from Kobe upstream, typically we don’t see them much below those locations. And this is a solid time of year to pound the edge water with streamers where aggressive browns are sheltered out of the faster mid river current.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Excellent flow for floating the river, while not being too out of control for wade anglers to make their way along the edges where trout are sheltered in that soft edge water. Whatever your choice is, both anglers will want to target that same water along the edges where fish are pushed to during early summer flows. These are perfect conditions for throwing dries or a dry dropper rig along those banks with a focus on Caddis, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and PMDs, all of which are in play at some point along the river.  Results have also been solid on both mid-to-larger sized attractors and terrestrials, as hoppers are starting to mature and become available as an easy meal.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Fantastic conditions and action abound from the Roaring Fork. Now is the time to get in on one of the greatest fisheries in the west in its prime.  Strong hatches of Caddis, Yellow Sallies, PMDs and Green Drakes are driving all day action. Dry, Dry/Dropper whatever your pleasure.  Certainly nymphs for all of these hatches are producing solid results throughout the day, along with beaded searching nymphs, but why would you do that when you can fish the dry all day. Obviously every angler has their preference, as well as talent limits, but trust us when we say that you can find fish to rise to a well presented dry fly on the Fork at any point of the day. Including what has to be some of the most anticipated moments of dry fly bliss, the “power hour” of Green Drake madness, the last hour of daylight right up to and just after dark.

Current Water Data

Conditions

A little bit of consistency is returning to the river after a period of fluctuating releases aimed at helping the Colorado deal with low flows and high temps.   We have seen a steady uptick in the release to solid flows for fishing this smaller tailwater.  This will allow for fish to be well distributed in all water types, allowing for anglers to spread out from the low water runs and pools. We anticipate a steady rise in action as fish re-establish themselves in the rejuvenated river bed.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Some of the best fishing of the year right now is up and down the Eagle.  Good hatches of Caddis, PMDs and Yellow Sallies are to be found at various points along the river.  Dry dropper fishing is solid throughout, with some of the more consistent dry fly action being found from Edwards down to Eagle.  Flows have seen a bit of an ebb and flow over recent days thanks to steady afternoon showers, thus extending the float season that look all but over last week.  On the flip side of that, wade fishing is only getting better as dropping flows allow for complete bank to bank access. Risers on the flats, riffles and in the pockets, along with nymph eaters in the runs early in the day, make this a solid all day affair.

Current Water Data