Detailed Reports - Click on a location for details.
Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
Low and clear flows are here for the foreseeable future, as we are not expecting a fill and spill from Lake Dillon this season. 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 small midge dries.
Flies
BTS Shrimp, Tim’s Mysis, Stalcup’s Mysis, Andrew’s 5-0 Midge, Red Neck Midge, Glassy Brassie, Mirage Zebra Midge, Desert Storm, Rainbow Warrior, Tube Midges, 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, Flossy Worm, #20-#24 Pheasant Tail, #24-26 Parachute Adams
Current Water Data
Blue River Below Green Mountain
Conditions
Flows remain very low and we don’t anticipate them climbing anytime soon. Our best guess would be not until late July when the water call for Shoshone power plant in Glenwood comes on. That could change if we get a good monsoon pattern as we enter summer. On the bright side, wading anglers will 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. We generally find results to be stronger on overcast days, or at lower light times of day when there aren’t any clouds.
Flies
BH PT, Perdigon Nymph, Quill Body Jig in dark olive, Darth Baetis, Magic Fly BWO, Tungsten Psycho May, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Masked Marauder, Psycho Prince, Duracell Jig, Poison Tung, Zebra Midge, Foam Wing RS-2, Flossy Worm, Sculpzilla, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Sparkle Minnow etc
Current Water Data
Colorado River Above Kremmling (Parshall)
Conditions
The stream flow at Parshall is actually at 330 cfs, we are having trouble getting a link to the correct gauge below the confluence with the William’s Fork.
Flows are certainly low for this time of year, but action is being had along the upper river with a mix of hatches in play. The most widespread will be Baetis and Caddis but Salmonflies will hang on for a couple more days in the Beyer’s Canyon area. As well, if the stretches below Gore Canyon are any indication, we expect PMDs to begin emerging directly.
Nymph imitations for those Caddis and Baetis fished in tandem with a mix of 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.
Flies
Clark’s Stonefly Salmon, Designated Hitter Salmonfly, Orange Stimulator, GT Adult BWO, Parachute Extended Body BWO, Lawson’s No Hackle, Winger Parachute BWO, Brook’s Sprout BWO, Sparklebug, Peacock Caddis, Body Double Caddis, Stimulator, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Flashback Hare’s Ear, Miller’s Tactical + One, Flossy Worm, CDC Pheasant Tail, Pheasant Tail #14-18 -beaded and not- Redemption BWO, Darth Baetis, Split Case BWO, Tungsten Micro Mayfly Brown, Tungsten Juju Baetis, Aero Baetis, Buckskin, Silver Bullet Minnow, Goldie, Heisenberg White, Mini Peanut Envy white, Sex Dungeon cream, Sculpzilla
Current Water Data
Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
Conditions
The Salmonfly hatch has all but wrapped up along the majority of the river but, there are still pockets of hangers-on to be found, particularly in the canyon stretches both above and below Pumphouse. If you find any of those big bugs definitely throw an imitation for them. Otherwise action is switching over to the way-ahead-of-schedule Pale Morning Duns that are currently emerging. Results have been solid on both adult and nymph imitations for those early summer mayflies. And if the PMDs are early it won’t be much longer before the Yellow Sallies are popping, so keep an eye out for those to hatch any day now.
With the below average stream-flows and the very hot air temps over the past week or so, we are starting to see water temps climb to concerning levels. The slight bump in flows over the weekend may temper that rise slightly but it won’t be long before it becomes a daily concern if we don’t see a change in flows and weather. As a rule of thumb we like to encourage anglers to quit fishing as water temps hit 65-66 degrees, thus giving trout a little buffer before those temps climb high enough to be fatal.
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.
Flies
Designated Hitter Salmonfly, Clark’s Stonefly Salmon, Foamulator Black or Orange, Slate Gray No Hackle, Winger Parachute, CDC Dun Baetis, Parachute Extended Body BWO, Sparklebug, Stimulator, Hippie Stomper, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Masked Marauder, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Jigged Perdigon, Pearl and Orange Jig, Duracell, Iron Sally, GB Biot Stone Golden, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet, Sex Dungeon,
Current Water Data
Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Flows are up and clarity is down. Even though it is a below average year for snow-pack and subsequent snow-melt, there is still enough water coming down from all of the feeders that drain into the lower river to have an impact. Probably going to be a low percentage destination for the near future but once run-off peaks in the next week or two this should start to come back online as a good location. It won’t be gin clear, as there is always a bit of color on the lower river. Just remember “Green is good, brown is down.”
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, CDC BH Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Duracell Jig, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Bead Hares Ear, Yeager’s BH Soft Hackle J, San Juan Worm patterns, Flossy Worm, Sex Dungeon, Heisenberg Streamers, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
Conditions
Big changes in the river, as run-off has started to build on the Ark. This will be touch and go for a little while as rising water will add color to the river. However, once the flow stops rising and levels off it should start to clear enough to be a good high water destination. There have been thick hatches of Caddis all the way up to Leadville. Those should stick around as the water rises in the stretch above Balltown, where the confluence with Lake Creek is now dumping in cold water that will shut the hatch down below there. Mid-sized to larger attractors and standard-sized Caddis dries have been doing fairly well, as well as Stonefly, Caddis and beaded searching nymphs. 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.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Miller’s Tactical Plus One, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, BH Hare’s Ear, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Iron Sally, Perdigon, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Salida Area
Conditions
The lower river is even bigger and dirtier than up river. As run-off rises this week, this will be a lower percentage opportunity as this takes some time to level off and clear. Once we get about a foot or so of visibility, there can be some good high water fishing if you are prepared to cover some ground. Focus on the edge water where trout have a chance to lay up out of the torrent of water in the main channel. Often times these spots won’t be much bigger than a bench seat in a pick up truck, but with the right amount of weight and an accurate cast you can find hungry fish eager to take whatever food opportunity presents itself. Stonefly, nymphs and beaded searching patterns are a good bet.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, GB Biot Epoxy Stone, Matt Demon Stone, Iron Sally, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Definitely on the rise, with a serious decline in clarity. This trend will probably last through the week with the warm weather in the forecast. Once it levels off, we expect it to come down quick and visibility to rebound to a good high water option. particularly once it drops below 3000cfs – after the peak. After that it will be a into summer hatches of PMDs, Sallies, Caddis Drakes and Golden Stones
Flies
BH Pheasant Tail, BH Prince, Duracell Jig, Chartreuse Copper John, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J,Tungsten Micro May Brown, San Juan Worm, Pat’s Rubber legs,
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
Flows remain very low. And Clear. This will make for some technical fishing, as trout will be very sensitive to movement and cast presentations. Although water temps will be cold enough thanks to the tailwater, the low flow will possibly add to stress from angler pressure. Proceed with caution. We would like to encourage anglers to maybe look elsewhere for the time being so as to not over-stress the resource.
Flies
Current Water Data
Eagle River
Conditions
Flows are up and clarity is down, particularly the further down river you venture. This shouldn’t last too long, maybe by the end of the week we will see it plateau and clear. We have still been fishing it in spots, and having a little luck, but it is a high water experience that will require adjustments to weight and spot selection. Look for any quiet water along the edges and bump up your weight for a quick descent, many of these drifts may only be 3 to 5 feet long and you want your bugs to get down in order to effectively fish the entire drift.
Flies
Duracell Jig, Perdigon Nymph, Miller’s Tactical Plus one, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Psycho Prince, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, Sparkle Worm, Flossy Worm,Glister Grub, Huevos, Goldie, Peanut Envy