Archived Fishing Report for Jul 4th, 2020

Conditions

Solid conditions as town is enjoying the rare and short lived phenomenon of an overflow from Lake Dillon.  This results in a dramatic rise in water temps and a mostly overlooked opportunity to find hatches larger than the standard #26 midges.  Look for good amounts of Caddis and lesser amounts of PMDs. When fishing these hatches in town it will be important to alter the typical tailwater approach of anchoring yourself in the same run for hours of repetitive nymph drifts. Rather, adopt an approach that is both thorough while not being static. Using a double dry set up, find a spot to start fishing and make sure to cover that spot/run with a good amount of casts, focusing on hitting all of different drifts, seams, lies and structure with couple of casts in each feature, until you have blanketed that spot with searching casts.  Once that is done, take a few steps up and repeat the process until you have fished a good section of water. Of course if you happen upon a pod of rising fish, then take your time to work them.

If dry fly fishing isn’t your jam then you will also want to adjust your nymph rig slightly, particularly with regards to flies.  With the reservoir spilling over the top there are not going to be any Mysis Shrimp in the river, as they are pulled from the depth of the lake when it bottom feeds.  Look for Midge stuff to remain effective along with Mayfly imitations for the PMDs and Baetis, and Caddis patterns as well.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Flows are currently in a great place for both wading and floating.  Although, we aren’t sure how long that will last as inflows into the reservoir continue to drop. Caddis and even a few Drakes have started to emerge.  This is a great time of year on this section. Wade anglers won’t be able to cross but should still be able to cover a good deal of water from the near bank.  At the same time anything above 550 is good for floaters to avoid a trespass issue on the lower river, below that is going to depend on the type of boat and skill of the oarsman.

With such a rich biomass there is a  potential for success on Caddis, PMDs Stoneflies, Drakes and searching nymphs. Tandem nymph rigs can be a good way to start early in the day 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. Not to mention, it is a great way to judge if there is an interest in the dry.  Once you see an interest in surface flies, then you can make the switch to throw double dries. Over the next several weeks you can expect to see thick hatches of Caddis, PMDs, Sallies and Green Drakes.

Current Water Data

Conditions

The stream flow at Parshall is actually in the 360 cfs range, we are having trouble getting a link to the correct gauge below the confluence with the William’s Fork.

Flows are running at mid-summer levels, offering comfortable wade fishing to get in on some solid dry fly action. Hatches of Caddis, PMDs, Yellow Sallies are wide spread in the upper basin, with a few pockets of Red Quills in certain locations. Early in the day, start off with nymph imitations for any of those, fished in runs and pools. As the day progresses into mid-morning, move up towards the bottom of riffles as the nymphs will start to drift as they begin the emerging process.  By late morning you should be able to switch over to dries for the PMDs and Sallies.

Keep in mind that the flow above Parshall, and the confluence with the Williams Fork, is a little bit lower and may offer an accelerated schedule for the day, with slightly warmer water temps.  Which should result in an earlier emergence of summer hatches.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Flows are holding steady at 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 stay fairly stable in the absence of any measurable rain in the forecast.  As this continues we expect the action to remain consistent as fish look to cash in on the easy calories available with multiple summer hatches emerging from the river.

We continue to have good action on Caddis, Yellow Sallies and Golden Stones 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.  If you are fortunate enough to be on the river with afternoon clouds, commit to throwing a double dry set up with a combination of Small attractors or Yellow Sally in front followed up with a parachute mayfly imitation. 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 egg laying insects will return to the water shortly before dark.

Current Water Data

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 Golden Stones to be driving the action along with a few remaining PMDs and Yellow Sallies.

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.

Current Water Data

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, Hopper 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 too 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.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Flows have come down dramatically and are at prime levels for mid summer fishing. 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. As the flow has dropped it has also opened up plenty of mid river structure that will offer fish excellent mid-day cover under the high sun. Don’t overlook this water type, as that is where you find some of the stronger fish sheltering. 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, PMD 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.

Current Water Data

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. In fact the majority of the hatches are now emerging from the river from Basalt down to West Bank. We like to start off 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.

Current Water Data

Conditions

Flows have been all over the board in the past week, as water managers try to get a handle on where they need to be for stake holders. Aside from being a bit of an uncertainty on what you will find for stream flow on a given day, it really shouldn’t adversely affect the fish too much, as the flows are all within a manageable amount.  If nothing else this may kick up a little additional food supply in the form of nymphs from the sudden spike in water. As well, clarity should remain intact and productive

If you get there in the midst of a jump in the flow, 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)

Current Water Data

Conditions

Fantastic fishing continues along the entire river, with good clarity and water temps driving strong hatches of PMDs, Caddis and Yellow Sallies.  The hatches are moving upstream, with the meat of the bugs being in the Wolcott stretch, but that is kind of like the eye of the hurricane, as there continues to be insects emerging from Avon to Gypsum.

Flows are on a steady drop, offering wide spread wade access the entire length of the river. However, it is getting close to the point of being to low to float most of river for much longer.  Dry dropper rigs have been very productive throughout the day and will be the most consistent method over the entire day. BUT we prefer to force the dry fly thing, as these hatches won’t be around for too much longer.  Sallies, Caddis, PMDs and small to medium attractor dries have all be very productive if you are committed to throwing them, even in the absence of fish actively rising to naturals.

Current Water Data