The most current information is key to a good day on the water, so our
streamflow data is updated every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. Looking for
general river and lake information? Visit our
General River Information Page.
For an archive of previous reports, visit our
Archived Fishing Reports Page.
Overall Report
Get the right gear for your next trip! Check out our Online Store
Updated: 06/26/09
First of all, we're going to give this twipping or twitting (or whatever you call it) a go. So what does this have to do with fishing reports you ask? We'll be among other things letting you know as soon as any big or new fishing or hatch event happens, so click the picture on the left to get on board.
A week ago, rivers were settling and things were looking excellent in terms of flows and fishing. With summer finally taking hold this past weekend, the second runoff period smacked us in the face with high and dirty water! Almost everything is back up and roaring. However, despite the high water, we are finding several fish stacked along the edges and softer pockets in almost every venue.
Be extremely careful out there! The rivers are not forgiving at all right now!
A couple things to keep in mind...
- Elevenmile canyon is fishing well top to bottom. Caddis are popping in huge numbers from mid-morning until around 3 or 4.
- High alpine lakes are producing...the fish are hungry and looking for food!
- Antero Resevoir is on fire! Fish are taking damsel nymphs, chironomid patterns, calibaetis stuff, and multiple large midge patterns. In two days, my boat landed 88 fish and hooked several more!
Check the detailed reports below or give us a ring for more info.
Water We Guide On
Fill and spill continues here in town, meaning that water is being released from the bottom of the dam and also spilling over into the river. The water is big, but clear.
I took a bike ride yesterday and saw hundreds of fish stacked up in soft pockets, making them easily catchable with the right tactics. Adapt by fishing the soft pockets along the banks with plenty of weight.
Recommended Nymphs: MYSIS SHRIMP in all flavors, San Juan Worm, Non-Beaded PTs and Princes, Barr's Pure Midge Larva Red, Cream, and Black, Desert Storm Red, Rojo Midge, WD-40/WD-50, JuJu Bee Midge.
6/26
It is huge! Umm, maybe try dragging your anchor to slow you down enough to catch fish if you float. Wade fishing will be beyond pushy, so bring your wading staff if you decide to attempt it! Expect to find clear water in the canyon and for things to get progressively more off color if you're floating. Fishing big bugs should help remedy this.
Float Flies: Butt Monkey, Stacked Blonde, Zoo Cougar, Sex Dungeon, Beldar, Conehead Madonna, Shagadellic, Fat Bastard, Glimmer Stone, Tung CDC Prince....... Big Stuff....
Wading Recommendations: Tung Teaser, Tungsten Prince, Tungsten Copper John, Barr's Pure Midge Larva Black and Red, JuJuBee Zebra and Red, Disco Midge Red, WD40, Griffiths Gnat, #22-24 Parachute Adams, Brooks Sprout.
6/26
Right now the river is huge but clear at Parshall. You can definitely pick up some fish in the area, but be careful crossing and make sure to keep your rigs deep and heavy! Also, PMDs, caddis, and drakes are coming off in the afternoon. Try throwing a dry dropper in the slower areas.
Top producers include JuJuBaetis, Barrs Emerger, WD40s, UV Emergers, Barr's Pure Midge Larva, Garcia's Rojo, JuJu Bees, Disco Midges, Miracles, Befus Glass Bead Emergers, Red Brassies, Hi-Vis Griffiths Gnats, Midge Adams, Big Bear Baetis, RS2s, Crystal Hunchback Baetis, Killer Mayfly, Sparkle Baetis, Brooks Sprout Baetis, and San Juan Worms.
Dries: Para Wulff PMD, Matthew's Parachute Sparkle Dun PMD, Elk caddis, orange and yellow stimulators
06/26
The Salmonfly hatch is pretty much over and the water is pumping again! Be extremely careful when floating and wading (5 boats have been lost in the needles rapid so far this year). Focus on the edges and softer pockets! We are starting to see a large number of PMDs and Caddis on the water from mid-morning to late afternoon.
Nymphs: Rubberlegs, PMD Barr's emerger, JuJu Baetis, phesant tails in all flavors
Dries: PMDs, elk caddis, yellow and orange stimis
06/26
Runoff round two! Accordingly, the water is huge and brown. If you decide to fish, focus on the soft pockets and edges. Make sure you've got enough weight on your rig when nymphing.
Hopefully, the water will go back down this week!
Recommended nymphs: tung teaser, golden stone, iron sally, tungsten poxyback.
Recommended dries: Stimulators (orange and yellow), yellow sallies, elk hair caddis.
06/26
Down at Salida, the water is even bigger and angrier than it is upstream! Despite the high water, fish are keying on stoneflys in almost every flavor along the edges and back eddies. We are waiting for the water to come down...
Recommended nymphs: tung teaser, golden stone, iron sally, tungsten poxyback, rubber legs
Recommended dries: stimulators (orange and yellow). yellow sallies, elk hair caddis
The peak of the runoff season has come and gone. Accordingly, the flows are dropping every day, and the Fork is GIN CLEAR!
More and more bugs are popping hourly; Drakes, PMDs, Sallys, and Caddis have been seen in numbers. The HATCH is coming any day now.
With this latest development, be ready to drop everything and put your boat on the water. Better yet, book a guide in the next couple of weeks to maximize your Fork experience!
The Dream Stream remains bank full, making fishing very difficult. On Tuesday evening, I was only able to pick up a few fish in the back eddies and along the banks. Streamers were the most productive in these areas! Bring your fishing brain and be willing to try something new and different than the usual fair.
Flies: RS2s, WD40s, JuJuBees, UV Emergers, Miracles, Black Beautys, Tiny Pheasant Tails (#22-24), Hi Vis Griffith's Gnats, and Brooks Sprout Midges, Barr's Emergers, JuJu Baetis, Sparkle Baetis, Brooks Sprout Baetis....
Streamers: slump buster (olive and natural)
An idea for this upcoming weekend... Rip big fish on Antero in the morning and catch the evening rise on the river in the afternoon.
I honestly haven't gotten any reports on Muddy Creek in quite a while. If I hear anything I'll update...
From what I'm hearing, Spinney's on! Guys have been catching on a host of things, including Chironomid Patterns such as the new Jumbo JuJu Chironomid by Charlie Craven, Chironicones, etc. I have also heard about Hare's Ears, Squirrel Nymphs, Copper Johns, Bugger/Leech Patterns, and even BWO nymphs!?!?! Oh...and Cheesy Poofs. Sounds like you just need to be at the right depth and get something in the water right now!
It looks like the peak of the runoff has ended. Finally, the Fork is clear but still big! We are seeing more and more bugs every day. Drakes, sallys, PMDs, and Caddis are starting to pop.
Top Producers include, WD40, RS2, Adams/Parachute Adams, Miracle, UV Emerger, JuJuBee, Black Beauty, Mercury Midge, Brooks Sprout, Griffiths Gnat, Grizzly Midge, JuJu baetis.
This creek is always flowing cold and foamy. Try using limes and salt if needed. Longnecks are the preferred choice, but almost any variety will catch a buzz.
Other Local Water
Becuase we do not guide on the following rivers, we cannot give the same detailed information that you find for the Water We Guide On. However, the streamflows are continuously updated, and we've done our best to give you a general idea of what to expect on these waters for this time of year.
This is the time of year when stillwater fishing is at its best. Not only does it provide consistency that river fishing sometimes lacks, but there are plenty of giant trout coming out of their winter slumber and feeding hard on Chironomids, Scuds, Damsel Nymphs and other lake creatures.
Get out your float tube and fish Jumbo JuJu Chironomids, Chironicones, Squirrel Nymphs, Hare's Ears, Scuds on the strip..... anything really! If you're not catching try adjusting your depth or kicking around to new spots until you get into them.
Sounds like the Eagle is pretty ugly for the most part right now..... We'll update when conditions improve...
Pretty blown right now.... Stay tuned.
Tenmile has been fishing fair of late. Attractor dry flies, and bead head nymphs have been working well. The water up by Copper Mountain is a little easier to fish, with the run from Copper to Frisco is mostly pocket water.
Recommended Flies: JC Wilcox, Crystal Stimis, Olive Stimis, Goddard Caddis, Tung Stud, Tyler's Fakey Nymph, Hotwire princes, Green Hornets, Tungsten Prince Nymphs, Tungsten Hare's Ears
Don't know anything about Clear Creek. See Tenmile Creek for flies.
The Snake has been getting good reports lately. Attractor dry flies, and bead head nymphs have been working well. Streamers have been taking fish through Keystone on cloudy days
Recommended Flies: JC Wilcox, Crystal Stimis, Olive Stimis, Goddard Caddis, Tung Stud, Tyler's Fakey Nymph, Hotwire princes, Green Hornets, Tungsten Prince Nymphs, Tungsten Hare's Ears, Slump Busters, Black Wooly Buggers, Christmas Island Specials
....Check out Taylor Creeks Report. Been Very good.
View Archived Fishing Reports
Disclaimer: Fishing reports are only as good as yesterday's information. Please
understand that while we strive to provide you with the most accurate information
available we can only relay yesterday's news. We also can't control the weather,
which plays a major role in hatches and trout activity. So, if we report a great
hatch, and you arrive at the river the next day to find no bugs we're terribly
sorry but that's why its called fishing - Enjoy the ride!