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Well it looks as if winter is returning to the high country this week. The weather forecast over the next 5-7 days is calling for successive snow events to pass through the central mountains of Colorado. This is actually great news, as we certainly need to add to the snow pack for this coming season of fishing. Not to mention, if you are inclined to brave the elements, you should have a lot more room to spread out on the river.
Overall this winter’s milder weather pattern has been favorable to Colorado anglers. With the snow on the mountain providing less than optimal coverage, fishing in the depth of winter has rarely looked as promising.
Fishing through town on The Blue continues to produce relatively consistent results. Now that the crowds have leveled off, individual catch rates have once again gone up. With the best action still being the upper reach of the Tailwater, try to focus your attention on the stretch from Town Hall upstream, as the further you go from the Dam, the less productive the river has been.
Also worth a look right now is the Lower Blue below Green Mountain Reservoir. Flows are holding relatively steady in the 300 cfs range and that is producing some very favorable conditions for wade fishing. With it’s more remote location and much tougher entrance, this canyon may offer less competition from other anglers and a greater chance at solitude.
One other spot to check out that we don’t give a space in the detailed report is the Frying Pan. Reports bordering on the unbelievable have been coming in about the fantastic winter fishing on that Tailwater right now. Crowds have been equally impressive as the snow conditions in Aspen are no better than anywhere else in the state. But, from the buzz we’re hearing it may be worth a trip out west. Seems like the Mysis patterns and various midge offerings are the ticket.
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.
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 your questions. We want to make sure you get the information you are 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. Winter Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am-5pm, Saturday 8 am-5 pm, Sunday 8 am-4 pm
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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
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| Flow: 53 cfs. |
Conditions: Fishing remains solid for winter conditions. Mild weather and good action has certainly combined to make this a popular stretch with anglers. Nymphing has been the most productive approach and that should continue for few weeks. Although flows remain at their seasonal lows, which typically results in very few shrimp coming through the dam, action on Mysis patterns has stayed strong. Combined that with a good mix of midge imitations in the #22-24 range. River is low and very clear, as well as seeing plenty of pressure, so don’t be afraid to drop your tippet down to 6x or lighter if you feel comfortable with that. Town Flies: RS-2, Black or Chocolate UV Emerger, Kingery’s Cap’n Hook, Black Pheasant Tail, Flashback Pheasant, Black Beauty, Rojo Midge, Winter Baetis, Desert Storm, Rainbow Warrior, BTS Mysis, Stalcups Mysis, Candy Cane
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Blue River Below Green Mountain
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| Flow:198 cfs. |
Conditions: Flows look to be holding steady here and that is great news for wade anglers. At this level, strong waders can cross the river and increase their range. Generally speaking midge and Baetis nymphs are strong bets here, but larger searching nymphs can also have good success through the winter. Keep in mind that this canyon gets very little sun in the winter, so dress appropriately, and definitely use caution on getting down to and back up from the river. The hill is steep and doesn’t provide a lot of footholds. 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, Big Bear Baetis, Juju Baetis – standard and purple, Barr’s Emerger, Split Case BWO, Jujubee, Poison Tung, UV Emerger. 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.
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Colorado River Above Kremmling
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| Flow: 180+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Cold nights and short days are having an impact every where and the Colorado is no exception. Generally speaking the access at the Breeze unit offers some of the best winter fishing along the Colorado thanks to the influence of the Williams Fork Tailwater. Tandem nymph rigs offer the most consistent results. Either with a Baetis to Midge combo or a double offering of either. The flow reading here is a best guess, as the gauges are currently not functioning due to winter conditions. Flies: San Juan Worm, Biot Midge, Barr’s Emerger, Juju Baetis, RS-2, Pheasant Tail, Winter Baetis, Andrew’s 5-0, Split Case BWO, Pure Midge Larve
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Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
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| Flow: 400+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Pretty much done for the time being as shelf and anchor ice are limiting the amount of fish-able water. There are a few fish being caught, but not much in the regards of a daily flurry. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tails, Jujubaetis, Tungsten Split Case BWO, Barr’s Flashback BWO Emerger, Tungsten Hares Ear, Two Bit Hooker, Stubby Stone, Twenty Incher, Psycho Prince.
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Colorado Below Glenwood Springs
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| Flow 1010 cfs. |
Conditions: Action has been spotty of late with inconsistent results. Day to day would be the most optimistic way to describe it. But if you are looking for a slightly warmer locale to scratch your winter itch, this could be it. Nymphing has been the more productive method as fish has really slowed to chasing streamers. Focus on ledges and deeper pockets that offer fish a break from the current yet close proximity to the food carried in that current. Midges have been the most prevalent food source, but mix in a larger nymph or two as your lead fly. Flies: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, Bead Prince, Twenty Incher, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge, Rojo Midge, RS-2 #20-22
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Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
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| Flow: 238 cfs. |
Conditions: With low flows and cold temperatures, the river in the Hayden Meadows/Kobe area is done for the time being. Best bet would be to head down stream a few more miles to at least Granite and below, where the release from Twin Lakes may have a slightly positive effect on the river. Over all, fishing in the upper basin, is slowing as the season is full on winter at this elevation. Focus your efforts on the deeper, gentler runs and pools that will offer trout an energy conserving lie for this time of year. Midges and Caddis Larve will be the primary available food sources, but there are still some fish that will take smaller searching nymphs. Flow is at Granite. Flies: Bead Pheasant Tail, Hot Wire Prince, Rojo Midges, 5-0 Midge, UV Emerger, Poison Tung, Rainbow Warrior, Mercury Midge
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Arkansas River Below Buena Vista
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| Flow: 390 cfs. |
Conditions: There are still some good options on the river, weather permitting. Best bet would be to focus your attention from Stone Bridge down, where the sun has a chance to warm water temps enough to keep some ice free access open. With mid day being the most consistent action as well. Look for fish to be holding in the slightly deeper, less intense currents as winter is in full effect. Flows remain good as water is being shipped down river. Concentrate your efforts with the core winter offerings of Midges and Caddis Larvae, along with a few classic searching patterns that can produce year round. Some action can also be had on Stone fly nymphs. Flow reading is at Salida. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail # 14-16, Tungstone Golden #12-16, Copper John #12-16, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Hot Wire Prince, Zebra Midge, Jujubee, Garcia’s Rojo Midge, RS-2 in #22-24, Caddis Candy
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Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
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| Flow: 400+/- cfs. |
Conditions: This flow is a best guess right now as the gauges are not on line due to winter conditions. There are some decent winter options here along with some down right comfortable temperatures. Take advantage of these mild conditions and finish up the day with a soak in the hot springs. Mix it up with a variety of midge and searching nymphs, as well there are still some fish feeding on Baetis patterns. Concentrate your efforts on the runs and pools where fish are holed up in greater density. Flies: Otter Egg, Flash Tail Mini Egg, RS-2, STD Baetis, Tungteaser, Twenty Incher, Bead Prince, Copper John#16-18, Juju Baetis, Barr’s Emerger
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Platte South River, Middle Fork
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| Flow: 22+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Water levels and temps have dropped to winter levels with action grinding to a near halt. A few fish can still be found but, there are better options out there yet. Flies: Otter Egg, Red Copper John, IED, Hot Wire Prince, STD Baetis, Tungsten Psycho
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South Platte, Dream Stream
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| Flow 123 cfs. |
Conditions: Reports coming in from the Platte are spotty to say the least. However, this is a great spot to find some larger, solitary fish. This is a technical river that requires a little skill, but the only way to develop that skill is to get out and practice the techniques necessary. The best approach right now is double nymph rig pairing a either a Baetis pattern or maybe an egg as your lead fly and trailing that with a Midge pattern. Please avoid wading or fishing on any Redds, as there are still some spawners trying to finish up the fall ritual. Flies: Juju Baetis, Barr’s Emerger BWO, Split Case BWO, RS-2, Otter Egg, San Juan Worm, Red Copper John, Jujubee, Barr’s Pure Midge Larva, UV Emerger, Desert Storm
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Williams Fork River Below Dam
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| Flow 54 cfs. |
Conditions: A slight bump in stream flows have given a shot in the arm to this popular tail-water. Fish have once again spread out to cover a little more territory. Action has been good on Midge and some Baetis patterns. Look for the potential of a few rising fish mid-day with nymphs producing throughout. Please be sensitive to avoid spawning beds when wading and fishing. Flies: San Juan Worms, Flash Back Pheasant Tails, Miracle Nymph, Otters Egg, Garcia’s Rojo Midge. Baetis nymphs: Jujubaetis, Big Bear Baetis, Barr’s Emerger, Split Case BWO, RS-2. Dries: Para Winger, CDC Baetis Dun, Lawson’s No Hackle, Gulpher Special, Brook’s Sprout Baetis.
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Antero Reservoir
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Conditions: Boat Ramps are closed for the season and ice is starting to form. We do not keep tabs on the ice fishing scene on any lakes, as it is not our specialty. Check back with us in the spring.
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Spinney Mountain Reservoir
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Conditions: Boat ramps are closed
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Delaney Buttes Lakes
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Conditions: Ice is starting to form here as well. Check back with us in the spring for ice out.
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