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Updated: 05/09/08
Time to break out the 3x and AAA split shot, runoff fishing is here!!! Great opportunities exist around the state, and just because the cfs may be well into triple digits does not mean don't go fishing. Just remember, where ever you go, be sure to have lots of weight, heavy line, and big flies to be successful. Conditions on rivers are bound to change daily, so be sure to give the shop a call for the most up to date reports.
At this time, we can't make week-long fishing forecasts- the best we can do is one day at a time. Feel free to give us a call or stop in a day or so before you head out and we'll give you the scoop.
Water We Guide On
The Blue is now coming out of Dillon at about 500 CFS. Although many people think this is "high" or "too fast," the truth of the matter is that the river is generally low, and 500 CFS is a normal, healthy flow.
At this flow, the structure of the Blue becomes more natural and fish holding lies become more apparent. Look for fish to be grouped up in the soft spots along the edges and make sure to have plenty of weight to get your flies down.
Recommended Flies: San Juan Worms, Sands Epoxy Mysis, Randy's Mysis, Solitude Mysis, Miracles, JuJuBees, WD-40's, Johnny Flashes, RS-2's, Randy's Baetis, Miracles, UV Emergers, Black Beauties, and Disco Midges.
The canyon below Green Mountain is a little bit pushy for most wade fisherman, but for the adventurous, try fishing San Juan Worms,large Copper Johns, Tung Teasers, or Twenty Inchers fished in tandem with Red Disco Midges, Red Befus Midges, or Red Zebra Midges. The brown trout in the canyon are stunning to look at if you haven't yet seen one.
A NOTE ABOUT FLOATING JURASSIC PARK:
We have been fielding quite a few calls about floating Jurassic Park. We are strong advocates of boaters rights and want you all to have a good time down there. We are also happy to provide FISHING information, flies and other tackle for this area. We do not however, float this section of river comercially and therefore do not feel comfortable providing information about boating it. The only boating advice we do feel comfortable giving is that there are several obstacles in the river that require strong oarsmanship, and that safe flows vary from boater to boater.
Rolln' Rollin' Rollin"........Thought the streams are swollen....
The water conditions at Parshall are currently swollen and off-color, however, I would not call this area unfishable just yet. I have had several reports of moderate success. Make sure to fish plenty of weight to get your flies down and don't be afraid to throw a few goofy attractors in the mix.
Recommended flies include UV, WD-40, WD-50, Brassie, Zebra, Rojo, San Juan Worn, RS-2, SAN JUAN WORM, large Princes, Hot Wire Princes, Flash Bugs, etc.
This is a great time to FLOAT the Upper Colorado, but this fishing part is marginal at best. Clarity has been 1-2 feet on the better days, but 6 inches has been the norm. If you do go, Try Super Buggers in Black, Kauffman's Stones, Rubberlegs Stones, San Juan Worms, flashy attractor nymphs, and on the clearer days, BWO patterns.
The Arkansas is completely ice free, but water temps are still relatively low on the upper reaches of the river. Fish can be caught on a variety of beadheads, caddis larva patterns, BWO nymphs, and midges, but give it a bit of time to really heat up.
Flows have been up and down over the last couple of weeks here, but it looks like things are finally settling out. Expect to see caddis and BWOs from Salida down. These hatches will continue to work their way upstream each day. If you've never experienced the Mothers Day caddis hatch on the Arkansas, be sure to check it out. It's really a thing of beauty!
Flies: Black Foam Caddis, Mothers Day Caddis, Black Elk Hair Caddis, Hot Butt Caddis, Yuba Pupa, Graphic Caddis, Hot Wire Caddis, Chartreuse Copper John, Barr's Emerger, Crystal Hunchback, Killer Mayfly, Randy's Baetis, RS2, Sparkle Baetis, Snowshoe Dun, Hi His Parachute Baetis, Tungsten Prince, Barr's Golden Stone, Tungsten Pheasant Tail, Tung Teaser.
The Fork is running pretty dirty for the most part. From now until sometime in late June or early July, expect to see mostly tough conditions with occasional one or two day window of clarity. The good news is that IF you play you cards right and hit one of these windows, you are likely to have an unbelievable day on the water.......good luck!
Fish large attractor nymphs along with midge and BWO nymphs. We suggest San Juan Worms, Princes, Tung Teasers, Twenty Inchers, Disco Midges, Poison Tungs, Zebra Midges, BLMs, Barrs Emergers, and RS-2s. Oh yeah.....Yellow eggs
Well it would appear that spring has finally arrived in South Park. With temperatures finally getting up into the double digits for the seemingly the first time since October, fishing below Spinney is beginning to pick up. You might still be able to find a few of the big lake fish moving up into the river, but there are still quite a few resident fish to be had. Watch out for spawners though.
Recommended flies: Miracle Midges, Rojo MIdges, Black Beauties, Johnny Flash, RS2's, small pheasant tails, eggs, worms... be sure to bring the whole fly box as the flows have been fluctuating enough that its hard to predict what will be working.
We typically don't get up to Muddy Creek that often, but this time of year can be decent. Watch the flows, and if there was a spike recently that means that the water will be, well, muddy.
Recommended Flies: SJ Worms, Egg patterns, Pheasant tails, Hare's ears, Rs2's, Black beauties, Copper John's
Spinney is now open for the season!!! This is a great stillwater fishery, and should get to be amazing later this spring. Both fishing along the shore and out of a pontoon/float tube have been productive. As always, the wind has been a factor so far in the season.
Recommended Flies: Flashback hare's ears, scuds, chrionmids, wollybuggers, Sex Dungeons
The flows coming out of Williams Fork Reservoir have jumped way up from 50 cfs to 150 cfs. That means lots more food being flushed into the system for those trout who have been starving for 6 months. Also, as the weather gets warm don't forget to have some small midge dries in your arsenal just in case...
Recommended Flies: SJ worms, Egg pattens, BH pheasant tails, Black beauties, UV midges, Zebra midges, Rs2's, Disco midges.
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.
Well, unfortunately Delaney Buttes are still frozen. However, the good news is that the ice is coming off fast. Expect the lakes to be ice free in a week or two, and for fishing to really start to pick up.
The Eagle can be a great fishery given the right conditions. Right now, runoff is getting into full swing. If the water is clear enough to fish, defiantly take advantage and try your luck. If is muddy and off color, don't bother. Fish will be holding in the soft water along edges and in deeper, slower holes.
Recommended Flies: Hare's Ears, Pheasant Tails, SJ worms, egg patterns, prince nymphs, buckskin caddis, copper johns
Gore Creek generally remains clear until runoff really starts to happen. Until that time, it can fish pretty well. A mix of attractor patterns and midges will be your best bet.
Recommended Flies: SJ worms, egg patterns, BH pheasant tails, prince nymphs, miracle midges, black beauties, Rainbow warriors, UV midges, Disco midges, Rs2's
Ten Mile can be a good fishery, but it is more of a summer fishery than a winter/spring fishery. If you can find some soft water through Ten Mile canyon, there could be fish holding, but your best bet will be up by Copper Mountain. Head to the inlet to Dillon once ice-off happens.
Recommended Flies: SJ worms, egg patterns, pheasant tails, hare's ears, psyco princes, Tyler's Fakey nymph, Disco midges, black beauties, Rs2's, UV midges
Clear Creek is already beginning to experience discoloration as it flows out of Clear Creek canyon and into Golden. The upper portions around Idaho Springs and Dumont should remain clearer for a while longer if we don't experience any real hot days.
Recommended Flies: SJ worms, egg patterns, pheasant tails, hare's ears, Rs2's, Zebra Midges, Disco midges, Copper John's.
The Snake River can be a great summer/fall fishery, much like Ten Mile Creek. Until runoff subsides, fishing will be hit or miss. Look for some slower holding water through Keystone for the highest probability of hooking up.
Recommended Flies: SJ worms, egg patterns, pheasant tails, hare's ears, zebra midges, Disco midges, Rojo Midges
The Pan is a great option right now. The clarity will remain good even as the flow increases. Look for lots of action along the banks and in soft water areas. There should be some fairly consistent midge hatches as well, so keep an eye out for those.
Recommended Flies: SJ worms, egg patterns, mysis shrimp, disco midges, UV emergers, Rs2's, Brook Sprout's
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!
