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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 1200 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 has come down slightly with a combination of reduced snow melt and a cut from Williams Fork. This is still 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. The Salmonflies have pretty much run their course, but you may still find an opportunistic fish looking for a big meal. Otherwise focus your effort on the available soft water along the edges 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.
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.
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 the peak 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
After a major spike in flows over the weekend due to heavy rain, flows are once again on their seasonal decline from peak run-off last week. We anticipate that flow dropping below the 3,000cfs threshold again Monday evening, which is 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
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 comfortable levels. Yes the river is still very big, 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. 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.
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
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