Report for June 14th
The big news is the peak of run-off has hit and we now look to be on the downward trend. Keep in mind that it won’t be an immediate revival but, with the impressive heat over the last week or so, snow pack is receding faster than typical. We are expecting some substantial progress by early this coming week. Once that happens, we expect the summer hatches to turn on quickly.
Currently there are still some great options until everything gets back to normal flows. Certainly the still-water options out there are fishing very well not only for chunky trout but, this is a great time of year to target Pike on the fly. Check out the recent blog post for more into that.
Don’t hesitate to call us for current conditions, we’ll do our best to try and interpret changing stream flow readings with you. Or follow us on Twitter @coloradoangler, where we try to post changing conditions as we learn about them.
Detailed reports on the right side of this page will give more specific information on a particular stretch of river. Make sure to check those out for your river of interest, as they will be able to answer questions pertaining to hatches and flies.
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 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. Spring Hours: Monday – Saturday 8 am – 6 pm, Sunday 8 am – 5 pm
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Blue River Below Dillon Reservoir
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| Flow: 55 cfs. |
Conditions: As mentioned in our blog post regarding the Blue River blowout, there has been a sudden change to river conditions here in Silverthorne. It looks as if Straight Creek flows may have peaked and should hopefully start to recede in the next few days. With this current situation, we will see a dramatically different look to the river. Clarity below the confluence of the two streams will be off color to down right dirty depending on the time of day. In the morning will be the best time of day to fish below the mix as inflow from the creek is at it’s low mid-morning. While it may be off color, there will still be a foot or greater visibility at times and there is still some success to be had. Focus on the traditional dirty water nymphs like beaded searching patterns along with Egg Patterns and San Juan Worms. As the day moves into afternoon, clarity will continue to drop and at some point you will need to move upstream above the mix. The water above Straight Creek remains low and gin clear and fishing continues to impress as both resident fish along with the recent plants from CPW remain very active. The typical small Tailwater Midge and Mayfly nymphs will be the core of the action along with the occasional early morning Midge hatch. Crowds will definitely be brisk as the majority of anglers will be on the clean water. Stay patient, this should hopefully start to clear in a few days.Town Flies: Spaghetti and Meatballs (San Juan Worm Patterns and Eggs) Candy Cane #20, BTS Mysis #16-22, RS-2 #22-24, STD Baetis #20, Black or Chocolate UV Emerger #22-24, Kingery’s Cap’n Hook #20-22, Pure Midge Larva #20-24, Black Beauty #20-24, Tube Midge Black or Red #20-22, Medallion Midge #22-24, Split case BWO #20, Winter Baetis #20-22, Desert Storm #20-24, Rainbow Warrior #20, #22 BWO Adult, Adult Midge Dark, Brook’s Sprout Midge #22-24, Parachute Adams #24-26 .
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Blue River Below Green Mountain
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| Flow: 73 cfs. |
Conditions: Look for these low flows to continue through the end of June at the earliest as water managers will try and hold off on releasing any water from here until it is absolutely necessary. That is not entirely a bad thing however, as low water means incredible wading access and range in the canyon. While action has not been fast and furious, as fish have been rather skittish with such low flows, this might still be a great opportunity to target some of the deepest runs in the river, which often make it tough to cover under higher flows. The majority of current activity will be to Midge and Baetis nymphs, with a good possibility of an emergence coming in the form of a Blue Winged Olive hatch. As always down here, don’t overlook the larger nymphs in the system, as we find fish throughout the year will still capitalize on a hearty offering when presented well. Try running a double nymph rig with a larger bead head for the Green Drakes or Stoneflies that are well established in the Canyon, followed up with either a Baetis or Midge pattern for a more timely offering.Flies: Big bead heads: Hare’s Ear, Tungteaser, Pheasant Tail, Stubby Stone, Twenty Incher, Rubberlegs, Psycho prince. Smaller Hatches: Juju Baetis (Standard and Purple), Barr’s Emerger BWO, Redemption BWO, Split Case BWO, Tung Psycho May BWO, Baetis Big Bear, Zebra Midge, Rojo Midge, Pure Midge Larva, Jujubee, Biot Midge, UV Emerger, CDC BWO Comparadun, Winger Parachute BWO, Sparkle BaetisFloaters should note: Floating is done for the season, river levels are much too low. The river volume on this stretch of water can change on an infrequent schedule and often. It is important to know the flow before you launch and make an honest assessment of your ability and watercraft capability. Please respect private property rights along the river.
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Colorado River Above Kremmling (Parshall)
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| Flow: 200 cfs. |
Conditions: The Salmonflies have finished up here as well. It was certainly a great hatch this year and will hopefully be a sign of things to come. Fishing is currently staying strong as low water levels and hot days have driven water temps up to mid-summer levels. Hatches of PMDs, Yellow Sallies and Red Quills are starting to happen and results for well presented imitations of all of them have been good. With such low flows it makes great sense to fish a dry/dropper set up, there should be very few spots where you can’t get the depth you need for a nymph before the hatch. With the current conditions we would ask that you carry a thermometer with you and stay aware of the current water temperatures. Aggressive water diversion in the upper valley combined with hot weather have driven water temperatures to near dangerous levels late in the afternoon. Please keep an eye on this and try and wrap it up when it hits 67. 70 degree water is considered terminal to trout in stressful situations, certainly hooking and playing a trout creates stress. By forgoing any fishing after 67degrees you give the fish a chance to recover before the temp climbs too high for a recovery to happen. Look for well oxygenated water as the sun warms the water, fish will move into those faster lies for the added oxygen and cooler water. Flies: Poxyback PMD, Barr’s PMD Emerger, Poxybiot Nymph, Tungsten Yellow Sally, Tungstone, Pheasant Tail, Para Extended Body PMD, Thorax PMD, Garcia’s Mini Hot, Stimulator, Foam Yellow Sally Dry Pat’s Rubber Legs in Orange/Brown, Brown/Black and Black. Hot Wire Caddis, Barr’s Graphic Caddis, Z Wing Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger, Pearl and Elk Caddis, Ginger Variant, Slumpbuster, LE Marabou Streamer.
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Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
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| Flow: 520+/- cfs. |
Conditions: The Salmonflies have wrapped up for the year but, fishing does remain solid. We have seen a quick change in insect activity to include Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallies as well as dark stones, even a few Drakes. Results are solid on dries and nymphs fished in whichever technique you favor and there are still fish looking for a larger meal taking Hopper and Foam Attractor imitations off the surface. Our concern is going to be for how long? With these unseasonably low flows and hot days, water temperatures are climbing fast. Currently, day time temperature swings are from a low of 59 to highs pushing 68. Please keep an eye on this and try and wrap it up when it hits 67. 70 degree water is considered terminal to trout in stressful situations, certainly hooking and playing a trout creates stress. By forgoing any fishing after 67degrees you give the fish a chance to recover before the temp climbs too high for a recovery to happen. There are still options on the river in this stretch. As you move down to Radium and State Bridge, the feeder creeks of Sheephorn and Piney dump fresh snow-melt into the river and drop the temperature. Fishing below both these two has been good particularly for float anglers. At times clarity down low has been marginal but, results indicate fish are on the feedbag. Flies: Large stones, Tungteaser, Rubberleg, Sexstones, Salmonfly dries: Designated Hitter, Fuzzy Wuzzy Orange, Half Cocked, B-1 Bomber, Clark’s Stonefly, Beaded Pheasant Tails, Beaded Hares Ears, RS2’s, Split Case BWO, Barr’s Emerger, Juju Baetis, Blue Ribbon Emerger. Gulper Special, BWO Sparkle Wulff, Winger Parachute, CDC Baetis Dun
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Colorado Below Glenwood Springs
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| Flow 9870 cfs. |
Conditions: Consider this done for the immediate future. Things have gotten to be pretty dirty on the lower river. With a combination of run-off from the lower Eagle and the Roaring Fork from the Crystal River downstream, this may take some time to clear. Not to mention that flows have jumped up considerably and the river will be gaining a certain amount of debris as it scours areas that have been dry. Definitely not a destination at this time. If you are in the neighborhood on your way to fish the Pan or Upper Roaring Fork, then give it a look but, by no means go out of your way for the risk at mostly dirty water. It’s a shame too, as huge Caddis hatches had been pouring off the river and fishing was solid.Flies: Mr Peacock Ice, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungteaser, Bead Prince, Twenty Incher, Hunchback Green Drake nymph, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Bead Prince, Bead Hares Ear, Zebra Midge, Rojo Midge, Poison Tung, Juju Baetis, STD Baetis, Tungsten Split Case BWO, Para Ext. Body BWO, Parachute March Brown, Gulpher Special, Various Egg imitations.
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Arkansas River Above Buena Vista
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| Flow: 1510 ^cfs. @ Granite |
Conditions: Stream flows are robust to say the least but, they appear to have peaked and receded a little bit. With the heat that we have had lately the snow pack is going fast and we expect things to get back into shape relatively quick. There are still a few options above Lake Creek where Twin Lakes dumps in but, they are limited and require covering some ground when you hit the river. Look for “soft” water along the banks and the insides of corners. Best action will be on nymph rigs with beaded searching nymphs and Stonefly imitations as well as casting streamers across any quite lies that you find and retrieving it cross current. Clarity will vary from day to day based on snow melt, with some days having good visibility early then clouding up as the day goes on. As the water drops, things should improve as water temps rise and push the Caddis to hatch. Moving downstream below Ball Town the flow is going to be above and beyond what is considered high although, there may still be an odd eddy or soft bank water here an there. It may be best to look to other safer bets. Again things may come into shape quickly so, keep an eye on the report for news of improving conditions.Flies: Beaded Hares Ear, Hot Wire Prince, Beaded Pheasant Tail, Copper John, RS-2, Zebra Midge, Poison Tung, Jujubee, Juju Baetis, Barr’s BWO Emerger, Winter Baetis, Rojo Midge,WD40, Para Extended Body BWO, CDC Baetis Dun, Winger Parachute
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Arkansas River Salida Area
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| Flow: 2160 ^ cfs. @ Wellsville |
Conditions: Time to look for another spot for the time being. Flows are running high at late spring levels as runoff is adding volume to the river. Now that things may have leveled off, clarity will be improving daily. We like to see it get back to that 1500 +/- flow after it peaks and then the float fishing can really turn on. That will be fish-able for wade anglers as well, it will just be limited to how much wading an angler can do at a given spot. Nymph rigs will be your best bet along with a well placed streamer tight to the bank in a break from the current. Large sized bead head searching patterns and stones should do the trick. Just something that looks like a good meal, presented to the fish where he shelters can be very productive. Be flexible and not afraid to move through some water in order to find good holding areas where the trout may be congregating. Worth Noting: This is now the second year of a two year program to re-establish Pteronarcys Californica to the Arkansas. Over the past 2 years CPW has transplanted about 80 thousand Salmonfly nymphs from the Colorado River to the Arkansas and distributed them just above and below Salida. We are keeping an optimistic eye on the river here to see if this insect will take hold and produce a revived population. The next couple of weeks will be telling.Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail # 14-16, Tungstone Golden #12-16, Tungsten Yellow Sally, Iron Sally, Chartreuse Copper John #12-16, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, Hot Wire Prince, Pat’s Rubber Legs #8, Parachute Extended Body BWO, Juju Baetis, Split Case BWO, Zebra Midge, Garcia’s Rojo Midge, RS-2 and Poison Tung, Parachute Extended Body BWO, Winger Parachute, Sparkle Baetis, CDC Para Dun, High Vis Para Baetis, Elk Hair Caddis Olive, Tan or Brown, Stimulator, Hippie Stomper.
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Roaring Fork River at Glenwood Springs
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| Flow: 3,000-3,500 cfs. |
Conditions: Flows have peaked and are on the way down, with clarity improving as it does. This is going to be ready quick and should turn on very fast after that point. The way the graph has been trending, we anticipate this could get to a level for serious consideration by as early as Sunday or Monday. Once this happens the water temperatures look to be entering into prime levels for kicking off prolific summer hatches of Caddis, PMDs, Green Drakes and Yellow Sallies. When the Fork is in it’s summer prime, there is no finer river in the west. Above Carbondale there will start to be a few pockets of opportunity along the upper river and into Basalt as early as this weekend. Look for the edge water that may have a break from the current as well as inside corners and eddies. Keep an eye out for our report to change, as we will bring that information to you as soon as it happens.Flies: Twenty Incher, Tungteaser, Stubby stones, Beaded Pheasant Tail, Standard Pheasant Tail, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Tungsten Juju Baetis, Psycho Mayfly, STD’s, Barr’s Emerger, BWO dries, Para Extended Bosy BWO, Zebra Midge, UV Emerger, Rainbow Warrior
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South Platte River, Middle Fork
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| Flow: 350+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Stream flows are still up and on the high side but, run-off appears to have peaked and volume is receding. Clarity is not overly horrible and there is still some potential if you are willing to cover some ground. With the nature of this stream being shallow gradient as it winds through meadows, there are some good bends in the river that will offer a chance to get some flies in the water where fish are taking refuge from some of the faster runs. Nymphs will probably provide the best results but, it you want to give your self the potential for some surface activity, then a simple dry dropper set up should get you to most of the spots on the river and offer a mix of nymph and dry fly eats. We recommend fishing your way upstream with that type of rig using either a good sized attractor or small hopper on top and following it up with a beaded searching nymph. Then on your way back to the parking area, work the same water over with a streamer up against cut banks and across ledges.Flies: Chartreuse Copper John, Rainbow Warrior, Egg Patterns, Hot Wire Prince, Beaded Flash Prince, Tungteaser, Autumn Splendor, Slumpbuster, Sparkle Bugger
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South Platte, Dream Stream
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| Flow 193 cfs. |
Conditions: For whatever reason, water managers have been all over the board with the flow here, rarely keeping it at the same rate for more than 24 hours. However, the flows have all been above 100 for the last week and that is good news. Sight fishing will still produce the best results, as there just aren’t that many spots on this stretch for blind casting to a pile of fish in a deep run. As water temperatures rise, now will be the time to look for Caddis and Pale Morning Dun hatches to emerge. When sight nymphing make sure to use an adequate amount of weight to get down to fish that are holding along the bottom and try to go with out an indicator or at least refrain from using an overly bight color if possible. The fish in this Tailwater seem to be as sensitive to indicators as any spot in the state. With that in mind, try and minimize your wading as much as possible and cast form the bank where you can reach. A deliberate, stealthy approach is going to be your best bet here. Flies: Black Copper John #22, Juju Baetis, Zebra Midge Black/Silver, Buckskin Caddis, CDC Caddis Emerger, Caddis Candy, Caddis Larva, Barr’s Emerger PMD, Mercer’s Poxyback PMD, Poxybiot Nymph, Egg Patterns, Pure Midge Larva, Cap’n Hook
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Williams Fork River Below Dam
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| Flow 17 cfs. |
Conditions: Flow is down to minimal levels as we start to move into Spring and water allocations from the reservoir are depleted. Sufficient holding water will be reduced in many stretches and anglers intent on fishing this tailwater should really look to another fishery. At this flow stress levels in fish will be high enough. Any excessive pressure on them may be detrimental to the overall health of the river. Try to wait until we see a rebound in water in the river.Flies: Pure Midge Larva, Rainbow Warrior, Rojo Midge, Biot mayfly Emerger, #20-22 Green Copper John, Zebra Midge, RS2’s, 5-0 Midge, UV Emerger, BWO dries.
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Antero Reservoir
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Conditions: Things are really starting to pick up as the Chironomid hatch is in full swing. Look for action to be strong on static nymph rigs with a mix of Chironomid and Calibaetis patterns fished either under an indicator or with a slow retrieve. Try varying your depths between 6 and 11 feet with a couple of different offerings to try and tune into what the fish are keying on. We like to fish a 3 fly rig mixed with alternating Midge/Mayfly/Midge. If you fish with a partner make sure to fish different colors for the Chironomid, in different sizes and depths. This will be the quickest way to see which depth and imitation the trout want most. Calibaetis are already popping just down valley at Spinney and won’t be far behind here. It is always a good method to mix some in to your attack as the trout can often be a little more aggressive to an insect as it first starts to get active prior to the hatch. With run off now having an impact on many stream access points, weekend traffic in particular has been very brisk so, be prepared to wait a few minutes at the inspection station if you are taking a boat.Flies: Yankee Buzzer, Jumbo Juju, Tak’s Chironomid, Garcia’s Rojo Grande Midge, Rapunzel Damsel, Poxyback Calibaetis Nymph, Hare’s Ear, Copper John
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Spinney Mountain Reservoir
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Conditions: Despite all forecasts to the contrary, the boat ramp has opened for the season and trailer launching is now available. Not a moment too soon. Action on the lake has really started to happen. There is good success on both Chironomid and Calibaetis imitations, not only on nymphs but Adult Calibaetis as well. Anglers looking to target cruising risers can definitely do so when conditions allow and then go back to subsurface methods when the hatch is done or the wind picks up. Traffic has been brisk with the combination of good fishing and high rivers elsewhere but, the lake has plenty of surface to spread out on. Static nymph rigs are providing solid success with a combination of Calibaetis and Chironomid imitations fished from 5-11 feet depending on the time of day and weather. As we mention in the Antero report, we like to fish 3 flies under the indicator and be willing to mix up the patterns and depth until we find the right combo for the moment. Keeping in mind that the right combo can change over the course of the day as fish may change their appetite or the food changes it’s elevation. Anglers looking to mix it up and target Pike have been doing well also. We have had reports of luck for those on Streamers given some action as well as even a few fish landed on Olive Wooly Buggers suspended under indicators.Flies: Jumbo Juju, Tak’s Halo Midge, Yankee Buzzer, Poxyback Calibaetis, Birds Nest, Gaviglio’s Calibaetis Nymph, CDC Calibaetis Nymph, Hare’s Ear, Brook’s Sprout Calibaetis, Parachute Adams, CDC Calibaetis Spinner, Hale Bopp Leeches
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Delaney Buttes Lakes
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Conditions: Starting to become a good option with many rivers getting higher and off color. Early season means fish tight-in, cruising the banks and a lot of the traffic has been from shore. Sight fishing can be productive when that is the case. Fish a couple of nymphs suspended under and indicator or slow crawl a smaller leech pattern to start.Flies: Egg Patterns, Bead Pheasant Tail, Bead Hare’s Ear, Copper John, Jumbo Juju, Zebra Midge, Tak’s Chironomid, Hale Bopp Leech
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