Colorado Fly Fishing Report
Wednesday Morning Update
Monsoonal rains have returned to the high country once again and conditions may be a little tough to nail down. Overall conditions and fishing are solid, but with the potential for localized rains we may experience periods of off color water in a given river on a particular day. Case in point; this mornings flow swings. We have seen an upswing in many of our local rivers and it remains to be seen on how clarity on some of those was affected.
What is known is that the rivers impacted are to the south and west of us here in Silverthorne. Slight jumps on the Arkansas, South Platte, Upper Blue, Eagle and Roaring Fork indicate a modest jump in river levels, but not a major blowout. There may be a slight change in color, but that should be temporary and most areas will remain fishable. (You may want to add a San Juan worm in Red or Worm Brown into your fly selection for the day.)
To the north of us, river flows are virtually the same as yesterday. The Colorado, both in the upper drainage above Kremmling and below the confluence with the Blue, are holding steady. While the flows are above average for this time of year, the fishing has really been very productive.
Check out the detailed river section reports to the right for recommendations on flies to use as well as a more in-depth discussion of the conditions on those river sections.
Sunday Morning
What is amazing is that here it is the first of August and the conditions and fishing are typical of a normal first of July. That is great news for anglers as we are seeing relatively good action across the central part of the state.
Often times it is tough to wade through the superlatives when it comes to fishing reports and actually determine in your own parameters how good the fishing is. But the fishing right now “really is” taking off just about everywhere in the high country. Why not get out there and make up for lost time during the early summer.
Dillon reservoir finally filled and began spilling over the top early this week., and after the transition period of switching from a bottom release to overflow was completed Wednesday, we are now seeing water temps rise to levels that should bring an emergence of aquatic insects down The Blue River. In the coming days we anticipate hatches of Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallies and even the elusive Green Drake.
Up on The Colorado River, flows have dropped to levels that actually allow not only floating, but also give wade anglers a reasonable chance to hit the water. The public access fishing in the greater Parshall area is once again in play as the river continues to drop and a few bugs are starting to hatch. Keep in mind that while the river is still quite a bit higher than most anglers want to see, it is an option and should only continue to drop and get better.
Please feel free to call us at The Colorado Angler, at any time to discuss any questions and concerns you may have about the current conditions. There is a lot of information here on this page as well as on our main page at www.TheColoradoAngler.com but, space is limited and we may not have answered all of you questions. We want to make sure you get the information your looking for. Toll Free 855-CO TROUT (268-7688) or stop by and see us in the Summit Place shopping center in Silverthorne, next to Blue Moon Bakery, Exit 205 on I-70, then south 1 block.
Summer Hours: 7am-7pm
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| Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir |
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| Flow: 656 cfs. |
| Conditions: Dillon Reservoir is full and spilling over the top. Look for temperatures to rise and spur insect hatches in the coming days/weeks. In town at the Ryan Gulch Rd. bridge we are seeing 48-50 degrees, as you move further down this is climbing to 62, in the afternoon, by the time it reaches Green Mountain. With that in mind insect activity should start in this lower reach of the river and start moving up steadily. Already there are plenty of Caddis up and down the river and the other hatches are starting to emerge along the lower river. Check out the access points at Palmer Gulch and Blue River SWA. Look for Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallies and Green Drakes. Flies: Flash Back Pheasant Tails #18-14, Flash Back Hare’s Ear #16-14, Nitro Caddis #14-16, Graphic Caddis #16-14, Iron Sally #16-14, Barr’s Tungstone #12-14, Potter Pearl and Elk, Peacock Caddis, Stimulator, H&L Variant |
| Blue River Below Green Mountain |
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| Flow:1340 cfs. |
| Conditions: A big decrease in flows has once again made this a viable option for floating and a fair to decent option for skilled waders. Keep in mind that this level does prevent wade fishermen from crossing the river and access will be limited. However, if you can get down there, action has been solid for the first few anglers of the day as there is only so much room to spread out. Look for hatches of Caddis and Stones in the Canyon with a possibility of PMDs and Green Drakes as well. Floaters should note: The take out that has been used for years is no longer available, that property is now private. For boat take out you now need to continue on down the Blue to the access ramp for the Gore Canyon put-in. this is approximately another mile. Please respect private property rights along the river. Flies: Larger size Bead Head Nymphs: #10-12 Hare’s ear, Prince, Tungteaser, Tungsten Rubber Leg Yellow Sally, Stubby Stone, San Juan Flash Worm and Red Hot Worm. Peacock Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Headlight Sally, Designated Hitter, Foamulator, Stimulator |
| Colorado River Above Kremmling |
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| Flow: 1196 cfs. |
| Conditions: Finally flows have dropped to fish-able levels for the attentive wade fisherman. Starting to see an emergence of Red Quills and Yellow Sallies, PMDs should appear shortly. Nymphing may still be the most productive approach as flows are still high by most accounts. Make sure to adjust your depth and weight accordingly as you move around the river. The fish that are being caught are in great shape. Keep in mind that there are multiple access points along this stretch of river with lots of room to accommodate anglers. If a particular access is full, check out one of the other sites near by, you may end up with the place to yourself. Do NOT forget your bug spray. Flies: San Juan Worm, Tungstone, Iron Sally, Graphic Caddis, Mercers Poxyback PMD, Split Case PMD |
| Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero |
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| Flow: 3010 cfs. |
| Conditions: Big drop here as well as flows plummeted over 3000 cfs in less than a week. Solid action has been seen for wade anglers at Pumphouse and up into Gore Canyon. There are still a few PMDs around and Yellow Sallies as well. Float fishing has been good for those that have ventured out as river levels have been dropping. Nymph fishing is still the most productive method during mid-day and high sun conditions, but if you have time, stick around until evening for two hours of solid dry potential. Float fisherman should note that while this is a substantially better level than the peak at 9400 a couple of weeks ago, this is still a very robust flow. A thorough knowledge of the river and honest assessment of your ability will go a long way to insuring a safe float down at this level. Action has been good all the way down to at least Catamount. Although, clarity has been a little inconsistent, varying anywhere from 1 to 4 feet at times. Mosquitoes are starting to show up for what looks to be a banner year for them as well. Flies:Burk’s Silhouette Sulpher, Lawson’s PMD, Bead Pheasant Tails, Bead Head Mercers PMD, Tungsten Hares Ear, Stubby Stone, Twenty Incher . |
| Colorado Below Glenwood Springs |
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| Flow 6520 cfs. |
| Conditions: Getting there. Below the mix with the Roaring Fork clarity is improving, but the volume is still ripping along. Should start to become a good option over the next week or two if we don’t get too much adverse impact from monsoonal rains. Give it a try with large heavy nymphs under indicators with additional weight. Flies: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, Bead Prince, Twenty Incher, Morrish’s Anato May. Don’t miss the stop at Dairy Queen, river-right, just past the bridge in West Glenwood. Or for an entertaining side trip, check out the surfers on the stationary wave just above the West Glenwood bridge. The closest thing to Pipeline the mainland has seen. |
| Arkansas River Above Buena Vista |
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| Flow: 247-762 cfs. |
| Conditions: Good things are happening here as stream levels are finally dropping. This is good news and a long time coming. Look for a strong Caddis presence throughout, as well as some smaller stones and localized Green Drakes to emerge shortly. Dry fly anglers have been doing well pounding pockets of quiet water amongst the heavy currents, but as this drop settles in, look for dry-dropper fishing to pick up as riffles and runs become a little more reasonable in flow. Note that the flow range on detail is Hayden Meadows the lower number, 198 and the higher number is at Granite. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tail, Hot Wire Prince, Iron Sally, Tung Teaser, Twenty Incher, Peacock Caddis, Spotlight Caddis, Grillo’s Hippie Stomper, Headlight Sally, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Slump Buster Black, Le Marabou Leech. |
| Arkansas River Below Buena Vista |
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| Flow: 1110 cfs. |
| Conditions: The river below Buena Vista is fishing very well. Flows are still robust for the wade angler, but there are plenty of breaks along the bank to find some opportunities. We have been floating it the last two weeks and clarity is great. At this level, boaters move along pretty fast and action is pretty intense, but there are plenty of hungry fish looking for an easy meal. Dry dropper fishing is solid, with a larger Golden Stone pattern holding up a variety of nymph offerings. Try general searching nymphs like Beaded Pheasant Tails and Copper Johns as well as more specific hatch matching flies for the Yellow Sally and PMDs. Dry fly fishing has also been particularly rewarding in the evening hours. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail # 12-16, Tungstone Golden #12-16, Copper John #12-16, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Tungsten Redemption PMD, Barrs PMD Emerger, Designated Hitter Golden, Stimulator, Foamulator, Chubby Chernobyl |
| Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs |
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| Flow: 1590 cfs. |
| Conditions: Fishing here is entering into the period of summer hatches and every fish in the river will be on the feedbag. One of the joys of western fishing is July on The Roaring Fork. Float traffic has been high as pent up desire for this river is finally being relieved. Nymph fishing has been the more productive method during the day under sunny skies, but with a little cloud cover afternoons have seen solid dry fly action. Don’t be afraid to stay all day, or put on late in the day, and hit the evening dry fly action as well. The last two hours of day light can be one of the most enjoyable evenings you will have all year. Look for Caddis, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMDs and Green Drakes. Flies: Tungteaser, Twenty Incher, Bead Prince #12-14, Copper John#12-14, PT Cruiser #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Stimulator #10-16, H & L Variant |
| Platte South River, Middle Fork |
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| Flow: 160+/- cfs. |
| Conditions: Flows are finally settling to mid summer levels and clarity is great. Hatches have been strong, with multiple choices for anglers with both aquatic insects as well as terrestrials. Fish can be brought to the surface as there are Caddis, Pale Morning Dun and even a few Green Drake adults around. Tomahawk or Badger Basin, it’s a push. Flies: Elk Hair Caddis #18, Burk’s Silhouette Sulpher, Headlight Yellow Sally, Red Legged Hopper, Stream Bank Hopper, Graphic Caddis, Hare’s ear, Red or Copper flavored Copper John, Tungteaser, Buckskin Caddis, STD Baetis, Tungsten Psycho |
| South Platte, Dream Stream |
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| Flow 232 +/- cfs. |
| Conditions: This piece of water can fish very well at these higher levels. Right now the annual emergence of Tricos is engulfing the river. Action has been good for sight fishing to larger fish. This is a technical situation that requires a little skill, but the only way to develop that skill is to get out and practice the techniques necessary. Flies: Zebra Midge, Black RS-2, Barr’s Drowned Trico, Trico Spinner, Buckskin Caddis, Barr’s Graphic Caddis, Mercer’s Poxyback PMD Emerger, Caddis Rockworm. |
| Williams Fork River Below Dam |
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| Flow 274 cfs. |
| Conditions: Flows are now back to typical seasonal levels and that is great news for anglers as the fish have spread out again and the entire river is in play. Still a few Quills around as well PMDs, Caddis and Sallies. Nymphing in riffles and the tail-outs onto flats and runs is producing good results under mid-day sun. If you go, do not forget your bug spray. Mosquitoes are starting to show up for what looks to be a banner year for them as well. Flies: Pat’s Rubber Legs, San Juan Worms, Stubby Stones, Flash Back Pheasant Tails, Buckskin Caddis, Crane fly Larva, Baetis nymphs: Jujubaetis, Big Bear Baetis. |
| Antero Reservoir |
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| Conditions: High sun and a lowered lake level have taken their toll. Action has really hit the wall here as water temps have risen to 68-70 degrees. It may be time to give this impoundment a rest until these temps drop to a safer level for trout populations. Note: The Division of Wildlife will once again be doing inspections for invasive species at the boat ramp. Allow for a little extra time before launching any trailered boats. The South boat ramp is only open Friday-Monday, mid-week boaters will have to use the North ramp. As for the Flies: Parachute Extended Body Bead Head Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tails 12-16, Copper John Chartreuse or Red 14-16,Tung Teaser 12-14, Jumbo Juju all colors 12-16, Yankee Buzzer 12-16, Zebra Midge 20. |
| Spinney Mountain Reservoir |
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| Conditions: This is the better option for those lake fishermen not looking to head to the streams just yet. Action has been a little inconsistent, with results varying from day to day. Fish continue to eat Damsel Fly patterns with decent amounts of interest. Again, using static nymph rigs has been the most consistent, but don’t hesitate to mix it up with the occasional leech or crayfish patterns. Check out the method section under Delaney Buttes Lakes below for more tips to consistently get into fish. Flies: Jumbo Juju all colors 12-16, Hare’s Ear 12-16, Yankee Buzzer, Bead Head PT12-16, Chartreuse Copper John 12-16. |
| Delaney Buttes Lakes |
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| Conditions: Not too consistent as water temps have steadily risen with the hot weather we have been experiencing. Damsel fly and a few Calibaetis are still a good place to start. Method: As with ALL of these lake options, try to mix it up in your selection until you hit on something that the fish appear to be keying on. A good method is to fish a nymph rig under an indicator with 2 or even 3 different patterns. Present the fish with something to imitate the Calibaetis nymphs, as well as a Chironomid and maybe even a Damsel nymph. Once the action picks up, you can determine if there is preference for a particular bug and then offer other imitations of that insect. Flies: Jumbo Juju 12-16, Yankee Buzzer 12-16, Mercer’s Poxyback Calibaetis, CDC Calibaetis nymph, Wilcox’s Rapunzel, Bead Head Aggravator Olive. |
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