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Happy New Year. 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. However, that combined with the peak of holiday season has led to a few more anglers than normal for this time of year. We do expect weekdays to return to a more seasonal level of traffic over the next couple of weeks.
Fishing through town on The Blue continues to produce relatively consistent results. Although individual catch rates may be slightly lower than earlier in the month, the overall success rate has remained the same, there are just more fishermen on the water to divide that amongst. 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 compitition from other anglers and a greater chance at solitude.
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 Chocalate 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:307 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 alot 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. 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: 532 cfs. |
Conditions: Pretty much done for the time being as shelf and anchor ice are limiting the amount of fishable 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 1560 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: 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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