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Winter is starting to make a legitimate effort at settling in for the next couple of months. However, there are still a few opportunities out there to connect with a fish or two on waters that will soon be encased in any icy blanket. After that, it will be the tailwaters, so get out and enjoy a sunny day on the water in between the snow showers that are becoming all to regular of an occurrence.
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: 88 cfs. |
Conditions: Fishing has been fair to medium in town as flows have remained steady for several weeks now. Cloudy days have produced pretty good dry fly action on a mix of Blue Winged Olive patterns. This stretch is often over looked as a viable dry fly river, but it is not the river that limits surface activity, rather the conditions and timing that determine the best time to throw dries. On the sunny days nymphing offers the most productive approach, with the aquatic insect imitations slightly more consistent than the Mysis patterns, so make sure to give it a try with both options. Down stream action has slowed as water temps drop closer to the freezing point. As the days get colder and shorter now, more of the angler effort should be focused on access with-in the first 5 or 6 miles of the dam. Flies: Otters Soft Milking Egg, San Juan Worm, Flashback Pheasant Tail #18-22, Rainbow Warrior, STD Baetis. Town Flies: RS-2, UV Emerger, Kingery’s Cap’n Hook, Palm’s Biot Emerger, Black Pheasant Tail, Flashback Pheasant Tail: All in size #20-22, Various Mysis, Winger Parachute BWO, CDC Dun Baetis, Parachute Adams #24-26 (Yikes)
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Blue River Below Green Mountain
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| Flow:202 cfs. |
Conditions: Flows have dropped to a very nice level for wade anglers. The Bureau of Reclamation has indicated that this will hold through the Thanksgiving holiday. Regardless of if they bring it back up or not, floating is done for the winter. Action remains good with the potential for quality fish. Nymphing has been the most productive method, a few Baetis holding on as well as the emergence of winter midge activity. That being said, it is always a good idea to fish a diverse rig, with a larger beaded nymph as your lead fly, followed up with an offering for the more specific hatch of the day. Egg patterns are also still producing decent results. 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, Para Extended Body BWO, Big Bear Baetis, Juju Baetis, Barr’s Emerger, Split Case BWO, Otters Soft Milking Egg, 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: 225+/- 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. Baetis remain a viable offering with the Midge activity picking up as we transition into winter. Tandem nymph rigs offer the most consistent results. Either with a Baetis to Midge combo or leading with an Egg pattern, as there are still a few Browns wrapping up their spawn. Flies: San Juan Worm, Otters Soft Milking egg, Barr’s Emerger, Juju Baetis, RS-2, Pheasant Tail, Winter Baetis, Andrew’s 5-0, Split Case BWO, Sparkle Baetis, CDC Baetis Dun, Lawson’s No Hackle.
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Colorado River Pumphouse to Dotsero
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| Flow: 430 cfs. |
Conditions: River flows below Kremmling continue their decline towards a typical winter level, and water temperatures have followed suit. With overnight lows dropping as low as 33, we haven’t seen the afternoon highs climb above 40 degrees for the past week. As a result action has really fallen off. There are a few fish being caught, but not much in the regards of a daily flurry. As you move further downriver below State Bridge and on to Dotsero, chances may improve with the lower elevation and slightly higher temps. 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 1980 cfs. |
Conditions: Action has been spotty of late with inconsistent results. Day to day would be the most optimistic way to describe it. Nymphing has been the more productive method as fish has really slowed to chasing streamers as passionately as last month. 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: 197 cfs. |
Conditions: With low flows and cold temperatures, the river in the Hayden Meadows/Kobe area has entered an off season lull. 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 turns to 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 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: 359 cfs. |
Conditions: There are still some good options on the river. Look for fish to be holding in the slightly deeper, less intense currents as winter approaches. Flows remain good as water is being shipperd 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. Flow reading is at Salida. Flies: Bead Head Pheasant Tail # 14-16, Tungstone Golden #12-16, Copper John #12-16, Chartreuse Hot Wire Caddis, 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: 757 cfs. |
Conditions: Fishing has held steady in spots where spawning Whitefish are holding. Anglers have had good action at times targeting trout amongst those Rocky Mountain Bonefish with various egg patterns. 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 63 +/- cfs. |
Conditions: Reports coming in from the Platte are spotty to say the least. But not only are there some quality trout being caught, a few large Kokanee are being landed as well. 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. There are still a few Blue Wings around and Midge patterns are picking up as we move into winter. Please avoid wading or fishing on any redds as there are still some spawners trying to finish up the fall ritual. Flies: JujuBaetis, Barr’s Emerger BWO, Split Case BWO, RS-2, Otter Egg, San Juan Worm, Red Copper John, Jujubee
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Williams Fork River Below Dam
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| Flow 30+/- cfs. |
Conditions: Stream flows have dropped to seasonal lows. There are still a few spots holding enough water and fish to make it a decent day on the river. Action has been good on Midge and some Baetis patterns. Look for 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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