Archived Fishing Report for Jun 25th, 2021

Conditions

A modest improvement to flows last week has been a welcome addition to town, as any added water has added cover and food opportunities. Although we still don’t anticipate the lake to spill over the top, any extra release is a positive development.  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.  Results have been best on a mix of the typical tailwater Midge pupa and larva, Baetis nymphs, Mysis Shrimp and smaller searching patterns like Pheasant Tails. Low flows will necessitate light tippet in the 5 – 6x range for most days.

On recent afternoons with cloud cover, we are also seeing a good chance to find some rising fish.  They won’t be widespread but if you keep an eye out for noses, you may just have a little luck on micro stones and parachute mayfly patterns. And it certainly may be worth your effort to venture just north of town as there are good numbers of Caddis along with Green Drakes and scattered PMDs hatching from town downstream.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Although we did see a slight bump in the release from the dam, 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 430 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. Currently there is a water management exercise going on that is employing daily surge releases out of the Dam on the Williams Fork of 80 cfs of additional flow, from a low of 20 to a peak of 100 and back down. This is in an effort to introduce cold water to the main stem of the river during the hottest time of the day in order to protect the fishery. 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.

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 daily surge 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

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

An unusual situation for Colorado tailwaters no doubt, as daily dam releases are ebbing and flowing through a “surge release” that is designed to benefit water conditions downstream on the Colorado, specifically water temps, which have been rising well above healthy levels for trout.  This practice is not uncommon in other parts of the country where a rise and fall is typical on rivers below a dam that is managed for power generation. But here in Colorado are reservoirs are typically use for water storage, which is sent down river in a steadier release. The swing is an 80 cubic feet per second bump, from a low of 20 up to a peak right at 100 cfs.  Being as this is a new practice locally, we don’t have any historical reference to refer back to.  We don’t think that volume of the swing is too great it’s just that we’re not sure if the bottom level being so low puts any undue stress on the fish.  Once they adjust to it, it might be an interesting case study.

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 are on a steady retreat that may still allow for a couple more days of floating, although the rain in the forecast can hold that off for a few additional days. 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