Detailed Reports - Click on a location for details.
Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
Lake Dillon has filled and to releases are now happening. Water temp is increasing and more bugs are begginning to show up around town. Expect inflows in Lake Dillon to match outflows for the near future.
The flow is still a bit on the high side. The key is going to be to focus on the right water type and bump up your weight. 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 1700 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 dropped recently at Windy Gap, combined with a drop in flows from the Williams Fork wading will be very nice in the Parshal area.
The bottom of the river is now available. With many nice dishes and deeper holes Nymph rigs are going to be the best approach in the morning. Look for midges to start with bigger bugs coming through the day. PMDs and Caddis, should be found by mid morning with fish looking up as afternoon clouds build. While we are still a bit early to see BWO on a regular basis, it is always a good pattern to use on this water.
The Parshal area is great place to find the type of fishing you want to do. The variation in the water available and some waking and hunting will surely find fish looking up or down.
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, Zebra midge in black, 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 stabilized for the time being, or at least they are not going up. My favorite flows for this gauge are between 2000 and 3000 cfs. which is where they are right now. While these flows are ideal for float fishing, many spots are available for the wader. Try Gore canyon, or walking around Pumphouse, or even getting out of your boat to walk a few banks.
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. BWO have yet to show themselves, fishing them in the nymph stage is always a good idea on this water. While the flows are still a bit high compared to historical levels, they are very fishable.
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.
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, Zebra midges, 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 8000cfs and falling. While still on the high side it is also fishable. The reduction in up river reservoir flows have finally hit Glenwood, combined with the Roaring Fork falling it will be a good option.
Keep an eye on afternoon storms as it easy for this section to muddy up. Nymph rigs, Dry Droppers, and Sreamers are the general go to on this section. With higher flows the water should stay cold despite day time highs in the 90’s. Keep an eye out for bigger bugs in the evening lower light hours.
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
Wade fishing the upper river is the way to go on the Ark at this time. Overall, flows are a tad high and are coming down with an occasional spike. (look at the Nathrop graph for July 22)
Fish are beginning to look up for bugs on the surface. Attractor dries, smaller hoppers and caddis have been getting fish. Drakes are hatching in the area around Hayden Meadows!
Nymphing has been good on a mix of beaded searching patterns, Caddis larva, Baetis nymphs and smaller stones. Look for any slower deeper bends where fish can lay up out of the heavy currents and still feed on passing nymphs.
I find some of the best dry action in the faster riffles during the Drake hatch. You should plan on covering a little bit of water to find those favorable lies so, don’t get too married to a spot, keep moving.
Flies
GT Adult Green Drake, Colorado Green Drake, 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
No real changes here for the time being.
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. Fish will rise to well placed dry flys, however the drift is a quick one.
Flies
Elk Hair Caddis, Simulators, Purple parachutes, 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
The Roaring Fork has dropped below 3000 cfs in Glenwood Springs making the float a fast but good one. Get in and get ready, not much time for thinking about your target. Drakes in the evening, caddis, PMD, and Yellow Sallys during the day.
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
GT Adult Green Drake, Colorado Green Drake, Big beaded searching nymphs, BH Pheasant Tail, Duracell Jig, Chartreuse Copper John, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J,San Juan Worm, Pat’s Rubber legs
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
Flows have settled into a comfortable 200 cfs for the time being. While I feel that 250 is the high end of the flow that I like, 200 will offer a number of good nymphing spots as well as good dry possibilities at the confluence.
Midges, Baetis, PMD’s, and a few Red Quills will likely be found. Nymph imitations to match the hatch along with smaller searching patterns such as Pheasant Tails and Tactical nymphs are going to be your best bets for finding fish.
If you encounter afternoon clouds look close for the possible start of the BWO hatch.
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 sliding right into the float window. Good hatches have been found on the entire length of the river. Caddis, PMD’s, and Yellow Sallys are coming off mid day.
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.
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