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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
Another big change in town as the release from the dam is up again in anticipation of spring runoff into the reservoir. This is a good deal of water moving through town and will certainly limit where you can fish, but there are still fish to be caught if you are committed to searching them out. The big flow does continue to be a positive with regards to food supply, as the higher flow from the dam represents a great amount of suction to pull shrimp from the reservoir into the river.
From a technical standpoint, the good news is that you can bump up your tippet size a notch, 4x should be light enough, maybe even 3x fluorocarbon. While you’re at it don’t overlook the need for extra weight, anywhere from 2 to 3 BBs for most spots.
In addition to the Mysis, Midges are still the primary aquatic insect in the food chain, with good results also coming on the typical “spring-water-is-on-the-rise” patterns. ie Spaghetti and Meatballs.
Traffic overall has been lighter than typical, but as the fishing has improved and we near the end of the tightest travel restrictions, we anticipate busier days lie ahead.
Flies
BTS Shrimp, Tim’s Mysis, Stalcup’s Mysis, Red Neck Midge, Glassy Brassie, Mirage Zebra Midge, Rainbow Warrior, Tube Midges, Black Beauty, Brassie, Bead Head Biot Midge, Tungsten Psycho May-Black, Rojo Midge, RS-2 – Black or Dun, WD40 – Black or Chocolate, Zebra Midge, Flossy Worm, Squirmy Wormy, Huevos, #20-#24 Pheasant Tail
Current Water Data
Blue River Below Green Mountain
Conditions
After a big jump in the release from Green Mountain earlier in the week, flows are on the drop. We’re not sure yet where they are going to settle out at, but it is under that threshold level of a thousand. And if you know the lower Blue then you know what that means. That is generally the high end for floaters. If this downward trend holds, then it’s time to bust out your 100 foot rope and grab a hand full of Dungeons.
As for wading, it remains to be seen how much it will continue to drop. We think it will continue to run at an elevated level, but maybe it will drop enough to make an effort in the soft edge water.
We’ll keep you updated as the water level adjusts and give you intel for making the best of it, no matter what flow.
As a general rule, there are a decent range of food options due to a rich biomass, which gives you the potential for results on Caddis and Baetis along with Stonefly and searching nymphs. Tandem nymph rigs, with a good amount of weight to facilitate a quick drop in the edge water will be the best place to start. As well, big water means struggling juvenile fish, so work those same edge lies with a streamer rig.
We have not had any communication with water managers at Green Mountain to see what their schedule for spring releases is. The lake is starting to fill, but it has a way to go at this point. With a fairly robust snow pack in the Blue River Valley we are anticipating a strong run-off which will require a spill. That being the case, they tend to ramp up outflow ahead of time in anticipation of that spill, so that it doesn’t go from zero to apocalyptic overnight.
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, Sculpzilla, Sex Dungeon, Cheech Leech, Sparkle Minnow etc
Current Water Data
Colorado River Above Kremmling (Parshall)
Conditions
The stream flow at Parshall is actually in the 1300 cfs range, we are having trouble getting a link to the correct gauge below the confluence with the William’s Fork.
There was a substantial jump up in flows this week, as a combination of snow melt in the upper basin along with a release from the Williams Fork injected another 400 cfs into the river. This is a robust amount of water for the upper river and will limit access and wading opportunities, but clarity is on the rise and some action has been had by big water aficionados. With Salmonflies, no less. Make smart decisions when it comes to wading and hammer the banks with a dry-dropper combo for the Salmonfly.
Flies
Half-Cocked Salmonfly, Foamulator in Black or Orange, B-1 Bomber, Rogue Foam Stone Salmonfly, Chubby Chernobyl Brown, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Flashback Hare’s Ear, Flossy Worm, CDC Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Psycho Prince, Breadcrust, Pheasant Tail, 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
After settling in during the Salmonfly hatch, a couple of tailwater releases upriver have doubled the river through Gore Canyon and below. Initially causing a substantial degradation to clarity. That is once again on the mend and flows are dropping as well, due to pulling back that release from the Blue. As this continues we expect the action to steadily rebound as conditions improve and fish need to feed again after easing up on the feed bag after the gluttony of the Salmonfly hatch.
As fish get back to feeding in the aftermath of the big hatch, look for action on Caddis imitations and beaded searching patterns, fished in a tandem nymph rig with a Stonefly imitation. Although always worth a try, the streamer bite has slowed a bit after some great action earlier in May.
Flies
Pat’s Rubber Legs, Smethurst’s Stonebomb, Jiggy PRL, Masked Marauder, Deep Dish Green Drake, Psycho Prince, Yeager’s Soft Hackle, Bead Head Pheasant Tail, Duracell, Aero Baetis, Millers Tactical Plus 1, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet, Sex Dungeon, Slumpbuster,
Current Water Data
Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs
Conditions
After the warm up things are pretty well shot on the lower river, as clarity has cratered. It is currently running various shades of brown, from light mocha to full on chocolate. Once run-off peaks, starts to stabilize and then drop, look for the color to switch over to a greenish tint before committing to this stretch again.
However, once conditions do improve enough to fish, the newly remodeled Two Rivers Park Boat Ramp in Glenwood Springs is open to the public.
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, Flossy Worm, Sex Dungeon, Heisenberg Streamers, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet.
Current Water Data
Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
Conditions
As with just about everywhere, the Ark is up, but it has leveled off and allowed for an improvement in clarity. While certainly not ideal for wading anglers, it does offer some opportunities to find fish as we make our way through run-off, particularly above the confluence with Lake Creek. Look for Baetis and Caddis to be emerging. Nymph imitations for either of those, along with Stoneflies will be your best best either in a traditional nymph rig, or under a large dry fly if you just can’t give up on the hope of a fish rising any time you fish. Streamer fishing has been solid, as well for the past several weeks. Make sure to experiment with retrieval patterns and speed, as the fish may not be as aggressive in their pursuit of larger prey.
Which ever method you choose, focus on the soft water along the edges, insides of corners, below islands and in back eddies where fish can shelter out of the rising flow.
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
Conditions in the Salida area going to be challenging for the near future as water levels are up. However, we have seen a bit of a plateau and clarity is improving. You can catch fish at high water if you know where to look. Focus your efforts on the quiet water along the edges, in back eddies and below any bank structure you find. Straight nymphing may offer the better consistency, as fish should be hunkered down, just make sure to use a good amount of weight to get your flies down quick in what is sure to be some shorter drifts. As well, a dry- dropper may be more enjoyable to throw, and could produce good results in spots where fish have risen in the column to feed on drifting nymphs.
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, Tungsten Psycho May, Tungsten Micro Mayfly, Flossy Worm, Purple parachutes, Winger Parachute, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Flows have once again jumped back up to a hearty level, BUT, Thursday evening’s low touched the 3000 cfs mark, the ceiling for many to once again give this river a go. This will be fast and aggressive, but the rewards can be great. Just about every fish in the river will be jammed out at the banks and looking to feed. Beef up your tippet and add a little weight and run and gun. Definitely improves as the day goes on and flows steadily drop, before rebounding in the evening and climbing overnight.
Nymph rigs and big dry-dropper set-ups alike, trailing Stonefly imitations or beaded searching nymphs followed up with a Green Drake, Yellow Sally pattern or Caddis pupa are a good place to start. Floating the lower river and wading the upper reaches offer plenty of diversity for anglers of either persuasion.
And the newly renovated Two Rivers Park is back open with a brand new boat ramp.
Flies
BH Pheasant Tail, BH Prince, Duracell Jig, Chartreuse Copper John, Yeager’s Soft Hackle J,Foam Wing RS-2, Tungsten Psycho May, Pat’s RL, San Juan Worm, Pat’s Rubber legs, Peacock Caddis, Mother’s Day Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Body Double Caddis
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
Flows have made a big jump up and the river is running at a fairly robust level. In some places it may even be out of it’s banks. The positive will be clarity but, it will be tough to find much soft water. As well, expect some crowding as tailwaters always draw a high level of interest during run-off.
High water staples such as San Juan and big beaded searching pattern along with 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
Breadcrust, Duracell Jig, Perdigon Nymphs, Flashback Pheasant Tail, Buckskin, Miller’s Tactical Plus One, Flossy Worm, Squirmy Worm, Sparkle Worm etc., Wooly Bugger, Sculpzilla, Silver Bullet.
Current Water Data
Eagle River
Conditions
Another big push from snow melt has bumped it up to a beefy endeavor. However, the Eagle is a great big water option for someone that is a fan of high water fishing. Beef up your tippet, add some weight and look for any soft water spot you can find. Some of which may be no larger than the hood of your car. Focus on any sheltering lies you can find either with a traditional tandem nymph rig or larger dry-dropper rig. Mid to larger sized Stonefly nymphs fished with a beaded searching pattern or Caddis in the rear have been very productive. And it doesn’t have to be gin clear either. 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.
Flies
Duracell Jig, Tungsten Psycho May, 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