Detailed Reports - Click on a location for details.
Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
Conditions
A little bit of a pull back from the dam as inflows into the reservoir have slowed. However, there is still a good amount of water running through town and will certainly continue to 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
A dramatic reduction in flows below the dam leave this popular tailwater at it’s low flow for the year. This is quite the contrast to everywhere else in the area, including here just a few days ago, and we don’t expect it to last very long, as the reservoir is filling fast. This will be a technical level for wading anglers, as it is going to put undue pressure on the fish from anglers and predators as they see a reduction in cover and habitat. This will lead to some very sensitive fish, particularly on sunny days, so you will need to adjust your tactics and set-ups to increase your chances.
First, drop your tippet size down as low as possible. 6x is probably as thick as you want to go with mono, but you should be able to get away with 5x in fluoro. Then make sure to approach the water with as little disturbance as possible, walk slowly with a light step so as not to not alert spooky fish to your presence. The food supply will remain rich and diverse, as it is not too dependent on the tailwater to add to the biomass in the river. There is potential for success on Midges, Caddis, Baetis, Stoneflies, Drakes and searching nymphs. Tandem nymph rigs should be the best place to start and then you can adjust to a dry dropper set up if you feel that the presentation with a dry is better than an indicator. As well, with such low flows tight line, or euro nymph techniques can be very productive.
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 790 cfs range, we are having trouble getting a link to the correct gauge below the confluence with the William’s Fork.
Flows in the upper basin continue to run at seasonal highs, but that continues to fall daily with a combination of reduced snow melt and a cut from Williams Fork. This is still a good amount of water for the upper river and will slightly limit access and wading opportunities, but clarity is on the rise and action is picking up as well. Focus your effort on the available soft water along the edges, at the bottom of riffles where it flattens, and the tail outs of the runs with a large dry dropper set-up, or tandem nymph rig. Stonefly, Caddis, Baetis and bead head searching patterns all have been producing results.
Keep in mind that the flow above Parshall, and the confluence with the Williams Fork, is a little bit lower and may offer a slightly less intimidating experience, with slightly warmer water temps. Which should result in an earlier emergence of summer hatches.
Flies
Foamulator in Black or Orange, B-1 Bomber, 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
Flows have dropped back do to a very nice level in the mid-teens that offers great action for both wading and floating anglers. Although, you won’t be able to wade across the river at this flow. Clarity is improving nicely, and should get even better once the Blue fills and spills in the coming weeks. 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.
We are already seeing Caddis, Yellow Sallies and Baetis along with a few larger Grey Drakes. Early in the day, results will be best on nymph imitation’s, either as part of a tandem nymph rig, or more ideally in conjunction with a dry/dropper set-up. As the day goes on watch for emerging insects to bring fish to the surface. This will be more intense on cloudy days. However, on those days that the clouds don’t materialize, stick around until the evening when the sun is off the water and fish are more likely to rise for a mix of Caddis, parachute Mayflies and attractor dries.
As well, after slowing during the Salmonfly hatch, the streamer action seems to be on the rebound the past week or so, with good results on Sculpin and juvenile trout imitations.
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, Iron Sally, Bullet Quill, 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
Things are on the mend here, and once again a viable destination. Clarity may look to be an issue, but it has turned a tell tale greenish tint from brown and that is the indication of action to be had. Look for Caddis and Green Drakes to be sparking the bite as those will be emerging from the river before the rest of the season hatches follow.
Action will be best on big nymph rigs that are best suited for covering the big water, but if you can handle a deeper than average dry/dropper rig, you can get action on big foam attractors and Golden Stone imitations. Even though it is a very large river, with deep currents and a lack of visible variation mid-channel, dry fly fishing along the structure and eddies on the banks can be very good when adult insects are present.
And in the “Big News” category, 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, Deep Dish Green Drake, KGB Drake, Extended Body Green Drake, Colorado Green Drake, Elk Hair Caddis, Psycho Prince, Twenty Incher, 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
A dramatic drop in flows in just a few short days, as run-off came and went before we even knew it. Great news for fans of the longest Gold Medal river in Colorado. This will be some of the best action of the summer for the next several weeks. Results will be good on a mix of attractor patterns, Caddis and small Stonefly dries along the banks, either as straight dry fly rigs or as part of a dry dropper set-up.
Although this is still a decent amount of water for waders in some spots, there is plenty of good wade fishing to be had. In those narrow locations that may be to heavy to wade very far out, focus on the softer edge water that tends to hold plenty of fish looking for shelter from that current. Where the river opens up you should have a multitude of options including riffles, pockets and flats.
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.
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, Masked Marauder, 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
What a difference a week makes. This river went from full on run-off to perfect almost overnight. This is a great development on one of the finest rivers in the state. Look for fish to be still be along the edges, where the soft water was most recently found. But now as things quickly recede, they will move almost as quickly into other lies in the river and be well distributed. Dry dropper rigs are the perfect way to start the day using a mid to larger size attractor followed up with a Caddis, Yellow Sally or beaded searching nymph, at least until you get some interest in that dry. If you do start to turn fish on the surface, then make a switch to double dry and hammer the banks, pockets and riffles.
Flies
PMX, Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, Swisher’s PMX Golden Stone, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Peacock Caddis, 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, Silver Bullet, Sparkle Minnow.
Current Water Data
Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
Conditions
Flows have fallen like a rock and are now running at prime levels for taking advantage of some of the best hatches of summer. Look for Caddis to kick it off then move quickly into Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies and Golden Stones. This is perhaps one of the finest big freestone rivers in the west when these summer hatches emerge. As quick as the flows have dropped and snow pack melted, this could be a shorter than average window of opportunity, so don’t delay. We like to start of early in the day with a big dry dropper rig using a Golden Stone or Chubby then dropping a mix of Stonefly, Drake, PMD and beaded searching nymphs underneath. Watch for emerging bugs in the late morning to early afternoon to drive fish to the surface. When that happens, switch up to dries to match whatever is present. If you experience a mid-afternoon lull for the dries, switch back to droppers before once again throwing dries at dusk for that power hour right before dark.
And the newly renovated Two Rivers Park is back open with a brand new boat ramp.
Flies
BH Pheasant Tail, BH Prince, Psycho Prince, Iron Sally, Twenty Incher, 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, Stimulator, H&L Variant
Current Water Data
Williams Fork River Below Dam
Conditions
After a brief jump up over 500 cfs, flows have settled back down to a more manageable level. Although, this is still a good deal of water for this small tailwater, it is a solid flow for anglers that are comfortable fishing spring flows. However, unlike freestone rivers at the moment, this will be clean water and should fish well. As such, we do 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
After a brief spike from weekend rain, flows are once again on the decline and getting closer to ideal levels. Yes the river is still fairly big for wade fishing, but 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. 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.
On the other hand, these levels are perfect for floating. This river has a very short float season and this year looks to be no different as flows are dropping fast. Action will be solid on dry dropper rigs all day long, with opportunities to throw dries increasing every day as summer hatches get going. Look for Caddis, Baetis and a few Yellow Sallies that have already started. These will pick up and add PMDs in large numbers in the very near future.
Keep an eye on this one, as once it drops a little more you will see some of the finest freestone fishing in the entire western U.S.
Flies
Chubby Chernobyl, PMX, Stimulator, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Hippie Stomper,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