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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
Action in town has been hit or miss, with the fish fairly scattered . This just means that you need to be prepared to move a bit to find the action. You may find a spot with multiple fish holding, while others have one or two. Don’t commit to staying put, even if it is in a run that you have solid success in the past. Low and clear conditions call for 6x and long leaders. As well, make sure and use a subtle approach when moving along the river. Avoid wading too much and quick movements. At this point of the year the majority of the trout’s diet will still consist of Midges, with a little bit of interest in Baetis nymphs. The response to Mysis Shrimp imitations has been relatively minor as well, due to the low flow from the reservoir not having enough pull to pump a noticeable amount of naturals into the river. Even though flows are low, don’t overlook the need for weight. That can often be the biggest difference for success.
Traffic overall this winter and into spring has been below average, which has helped offset the inconsistent action.
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, 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 for this popular tailwater and this is having an impact on action. We generally find results to be stronger on overcast days, as well as the lower light times of day when there aren’t any clouds. Definitely drop down to at least 5x, but 6x has been more productive with the clarity being completely transparent. Be careful getting down to and back up from the river. Slick conditions on the steep canyon walls makes for a treacherous hike, and torn waders or a broken rod is a real possibility. A decent range of food options due to a rich biomass, gives you the potential for results on Midges and Baetis along with Stonefly and searching nymphs. Tandem nymph rigs drifted through the deeper runs have been the most consistent but keep an eye out for any early season emergence of those Midges and Baetis to potentially bring a few fish to the surface.
Flies
BH PT, Perdigon Nymph, Quill Body Jig in dark olive, Darth Baetis, Magic Fly BWO, Tungsten Psycho May, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Psycho Prince, Duracell Jig, Poison Tung, Zebra Midge, Foam Wing RS-2, Flossy Worm, Parachute Extended Body BWO, CDC Baetis Dun, Slate Gray No Hackle, Winger Parachute, Parachute Purple, Sculpzilla, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Sparkle Minnow etc
Current Water Data
Colorado River Above Kremmling (Parshall)
Conditions
Our guess is that flows are actually in the range of 300, give or take, as the gauge seems to be acting up. This is a nice winter/early spring level and fishing has been solid, albeit busy due to the closure of the ski resorts. Midges are the bulk of aquatic insect activity, but the Baetis should start to be a greater contributor over the next several weeks. Imitations for those two hatches fished in tandem with a mix of Stonefly and searching nymphs have been solid. Start off early in 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.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Flashback Hare’s Ear, Miller’s Tactical + One, Flossy Worm, CDC Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Psycho Prince, Breadcrust, Pheasant Tail #14-18 -beaded and not- Redemption BWO, Darth Baetis, Split Case BWO, Tungsten Micro Mayfly Brown, Tungsten Juju Baetis, Aero Baetis, Root Beer Float, Zebra midge in black, Bead Head Biot Midge, Sparkle Worm, Silver Bullet Minnow, Goldie, Heisenberg White, Mini Peanut Envy white, Sex Dungeon cream, Sculpzilla
Current Water Data
Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
Conditions
Access along this stretch of river is improving, but there is still plenty of snow/ice/slush and mud on the road making it difficult to get to some of the parking areas if you are driving a sedan with lousy tires.
Once you do get to the access points, action has been fair to good, depending on the day. This stretch of river is always a little behind with regards to fish activity, than popular spots upstream and farther down. Typically getting more consistent around the first week of April. You may have fantastic action one day, followed up with a couple of days of almost non-existent results.
There is still a good bit of shore ice, but the main body of the river is open in most parts. Boat ramps are still spotty for launching and watch for shelf ice in the shadier parts of the river. Big Stonefly and beaded searching nymphs along with Baetis and Midge imitations have all been working. Water temps are still a bit on the cold side for consistent streamer action, but if that is your preferred method, then slow down your retrieve and favor Sculpin imitations, which should be getting a little more active in the coming weeks in advance of their spawn.
Clarity will be up and down depending on daily temps and snowmelt, but overall in great shape for this stretch and shouldn’t require anything heavier than 3 and 4x.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Duracell, Lil Spanker, Millers Tactical Plus 1, Magic Fly, Foam Wing RS2, Tungsten Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Zebra midges, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet, Sex Dungeon,
Current Water Data
Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs
Conditions
With it’s lower elevation and position below some key tributary streams, the lower Colorado offers a great combination of warmer temps and healthy stream flows. Although a better location for floating due to access issues, there are some spots to wade if you put in the effort. Action continues to be decent on a good mix of all three methods, although nymphing will be most consistent throughout the day. Look for fish to rise for Baetis and larger Midges mid day when they are present. Other wise nymph patterns for them along with mid-sized to larger searching nymphs and stones. And the steamer fishing has been decent. We wouldn’t call it lights out but, if you put in the effort, you should pull some fish.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, CDC BH Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Duracell Jig, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, 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, Flossy Worm, Sex Dungeon, Heisenberg Streamers, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
Conditions
Flow at Granite 105 cfs.
Still going to be too early for the upper-most reaches of the river in the Hayden Meadows area, where ice is predominant, but things really open up just a few miles down stream in Balltown. This is where the tailwater release from Lake Creek dumps in and injects warmer water. It will still be day-to-day based on weather and temperatures, but the river is open bank-to-bank and there are good results to be found.
Focus your efforts on the deeper runs that offer fish cover under extremely clear conditions; tail outs, pools and drops. Sunny days should offer the better water temps for insect and thus fish activity, but the overcast days will provide a more welcoming situation for fish comfort without the harsh light and shadows. We say fish during both scenarios and adjust your approach for either. More stealth under the sun, while more patience on the cloudy days. Beaded searching nymphs and smaller Stonefly imitations followed by a mix of Midge and Baetis patterns is a good place to start. With the super clarity, you should probably drop down to 6x in a fairly long length, 9 to 10 feet.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Miller’s Tactical Plus One, 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, Perdigon, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Flossy Worm, Silver Bullet
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Salida Area
Conditions
Flow at Salida 220.
Conditions in the Salida area are some of the best early spring freestone fishing in the state. Low and clear water offers a wading angler easy access to the entire width of the river. However, at these low flows, boating is going to be fairly tough. Not only from a navigation stand point(it’s pretty thin) but also from a tactical stand point. As the lower flows narrow the river channel, it draws most of the fish into that for cover and then you end up running over those fish, as you have nowhere else to go with the boat.
There is a lot to choose from as there is a consistent Midge emergence throughout, with Baetis starting to move into the picture downstream from Salida. Combine that with molting Stoneflies and you have a pretty good recipe for active trout. We recommend starting with a beaded Stonefly or searching nymph, like a Pheasant Tail or Hare’s Ear and following that up with either Midge or Baetis imitations. Early in the day focus on the deeper and more sheltered lies adjacent to the current, then as the water warms a bit look for fish to move up towards the head of pools and runs to feed on drifting nymphs.
Look for rising fish to be active when adult insects are emerging. This is a much better proposition on overcast days when fish will feel more at ease to come to the surface.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Collar Leggy PT, Duracell, Copper John, BH Pheasant Tail, Lil Spanker, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J, GB Biot Epoxy Stone, Matt Demon Stone, Iron Sally, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Beaded Biot Midge, Zebra Midge, Poison Tung, Flossy Worm, Purple parachutes, Ext Body Parachute BWO, No Hackle Slate Gray, Winger Parachute, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Another fantastic early spring option, as the lower elevation offers plenty of open water and milder temps. Solid Midge activity is beginning to see the start of one of the best early season Baetis hatches, making for a strong 1 – 2 punch. Flows are good enough for rafts, but if you aren’t very familiar with the river it might be a bit on the low side for a hard boat.
At this level it may be also be a bit of a stretch to try and do too long of a float. Pick a reasonable length float and focus on the deeper runs and structure along with tail outs to pools in the early part of the day. Once the water temp starts to climb and insect activity picks up, change your attention to the head of those runs for fish feeding on drifting nymphs. As well, look for rising fish in eddies and foam lines once you see emerging bugs.
Keep in mind that the Two Rivers boat ramp in Glenwood Springs is closed for a construction project through April, so if you are floating the lower river make sure to familiarize yourself with alternative take-outs. And on top of that, the ramp at South Canyon is in it’s normal winter closure, and probably won’t open for until early April.
Flies
BH Pheasant Tail, BH Prince, Duracell Jig, Chartreuse Copper John, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J,Foam Wing RS-2, Tungsten Psycho May, Darth Baetis, Flashwing RS-2, Split Case BWO, Pat’s RL, San Juan Worm, Pat’s Rubber legs
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
Flows remain steady at a relatively decent winter level. This should continue to provide good holding water in those narrower/deeper lies. As well, this should be a good level to take advantage of the reconditioned channel from the recent restoration project that was completed just last fall. There will still be sections that haven’t seen the insect population completely back fill yet, but that will improve as the season goes on. As you would expect, Midges are key right now but Baetis, smaller Stonefly nymphs and Caddis imitations can be productive as part of a two nymph set-up. (The Breadcrust is an all time pattern for a point fly)
Flies
Darth Baetis, 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
Action continues to be solid up and down the river, depending on the day. With warmer temps over the first couple of weeks of the month, we are seeing low elevation snow melt having an impact on conditions at times. In particular, as you work down stream from Wolcott and pick up sedimentary laden tributaries from the North.
With a shot of cold temperatures this week that should help to abate that and offer a greater amount of fish-able water. In your search for clean water it is important to keep in mind a couple of things for fishing the Eagle. First, this is a river that does have a tendency to run a little off color for long periods of time, and as such the resident fish don’t mind a little bit of tint to the water. As long as it isn’t in the process of turning from clear to dirty and you have a foot or better, you should still give it a shot. And the second tip would be to not assume it is dirtier downstream. Yes, that can be the case, but at this time of year as it warms and cools most days there will be waves of off-color water that move through. Sometimes it is possible to head downstream and get in front of that wave of dirty water, at least for a couple of hours before it catches you.
When you do find that good water, there have been a wide assortment of patterns working. Start with Baetis and Midges, add in Stonefly and beaded searching patterns, with some people reporting the spaghetti and meatball rigs to be effective, as well. Particularly when you find that off-color water.
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, Flossy Worm,Glister Grub, Huevos