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Updated: 01/31/12
We hope you are having an excellent start to your 2012 fishing year. If not, stop by the shop. Perhaps we can help make 2012 your best ever!
The recent warm weather has really helped our fishing. Both guest and guide report seeing midges on the water later in the day. Water temps have warmed significantly over the past few days and the trout have been on the feed. Don't go home if the fishing is slow early in the day. It might just take the water some time to warm up. Also, we have been experiencing some off-color water in town due to snow melt on the warmer days. The fish really like this water and you should too; visibility drops and the fish are less selective about both their food and your presence on the river. Indicator and non-indicator nymphing continue to produce consistent results. Darker, thinner midge patterns seem to be working best, especially in town (Silverthorne). Get out there while we have this nice weather. There are fish to be caught!
Please note that some of the reports below include new notes about ice in the rivers. The Blue in town is still ice free but North of Silverthorne it is beginning to ice up. Several other rivers are experiencing ice as well. Please check individual reports below for specific info on a specific river.
We are pleased to announce the dates for our 2012 Spring Guide School. The school will take place from Sunday, April 29th - Saturday, May 5th. Contact us soon if you are interested as we only have two spots left.
***Winter Hours starting October 31st 9am-5pm daily***
Breckenridge

Water We Guide On
Fishing has been day to day up Parshall way. Some days the trout are fairly aggresive and some days they prove to be less willing. There has been a decent midge hatch on the warmer days. Look for the slower, deeper water and you will find large concentraions of trout.
Other Flies to Try:
Dark UV Midges #22-#26
JuJu Baetis and JuJu Midges #20-#26
Barr's BWO Flashback #22-#24
Black and Olive RS-2's #18-26
Micro-Mayfly #20-#24
Parachute Adams #18-#16
Pat's Rubberleg Black and Tan #6, #8
The river is iced over in spots. Look for a warm stretch of weather if you are looking to fish the river more than 5 miles north of Silverthorne.
We haven't been seeing much surface action but a nymph rig has been producing good results. Keep your eyes out for a midge hatch if the temps warm up a bit.
Patterns for this stretch:
UV Midges,Red Copper Johns, Egg Patterns, JuJu Baetis, Barr's Emerger, Zebra Midge, Smaller Pheasant Tails and other BWO Nymphs. Don't forget about trying large Stonefly Nymphs and Pheasant Tails!
Fishing has been day to day up Parshall way. Some days the trout are fairly aggresive and some days the trout prove to be less willing. There has been a decent midge hatch on the warmer days. Look for the slower, deeper water and you will find large concentraions of trout.
Other Flies to Try:
Dark UV Midges #22-#26
JuJu Baetis and JuJu Midges #20-#26
Barr's BWO Flashback #22-#24
Black and Olive RS-2's #18-26
Micro-Mayfly #20-#24
Parachute Adams #18-#16
Pat's Rubberleg Black and Tan #6, #8
Lots of ice in the river. Fishing has been difficult. Wait for warmer weather and the ice to clear. Or just head up there for a gorgeous hike with a rod for company.
Midges and StoneFlies are the most important food source up on The Pumphouse in the winter. But smaller egg patterns are still effective. Tiny midges are still hatching even though the water temps are just above freezing early in the day. If you find fish stay and fish to them. Chances are good that there are lots of fish in the area. The browns are finished with their spawn and are looking to feed again. We have also been catching a few large bows, mostly on egg patterns.
Try these patterns: UV Midges, Black Beauties, Zebra Midges, Tung Teasers, Pat's Rubber legs, Wired Stonefly, CDC Hare's Ear, Tungsten Flash Prince and Psycho Prince. Also try Parachute Adams, Comparaduns and Brook Sprouts (#22-#18)
Reports of ice over in many spots. Lots of ice in the river as well. We'll try to keep you posted if things improve.
Although the fish haven't left the river they have moved to their winter water. You will find most of them in the deeper, slower pools--if they aren't iced over! If you aren't having any luck consider driving down closer to Salida where both the weather and the water are warmer.
Flies: Stones, Midges, BWO and Attractor Nymphs.
Getting reports of lots of ice in the river. As well as slow fishing as of late. With this currnt warming trend perhaps things will improve down on the Arkansas.
Patterns to try if you decide to go: Red Rojo's, Black Beauties, Black Zebra Midges, Barr's BWO Emerger, JuJu Beatis, Split-Case Bwo's, small Pheasant Tails, Parachute Adams, Sparkle Duns (BWO), Misc. Caddis and Attractor Dries, Egg Patterns and small Black, Maroon and Olive Streamers.
With the recent warm weather the fishing has picked up some.The majority of the shelf, and all the floating, ice is gone (for now).
If you decide to float the Roaring Fork call us. We can usually get a current report. Look to fish the water where trout can spend the winter: slow moving, relatively deep, water. Although Mighty Whitey is finished spawning, egg patterns should still be in your box. As well of the usual early winter stuff: Midges, Midges, Midges and a few tiny mayfly nymphs. Use smaller, imitative (i.e. less beads and less flash) flies and smaller tippets. That said, large Stones and attractor Nymphs are always worth a try!
Water is a bit low for optimal fishing but the crowds are dwindling so you can leave the sidearm at home. Fishing has been spotty but decent most days. It is mostly a nymphing show using small midges and mayflies with the occasional fish being fooled by an olive or orange scud. I miss the old days on this piece of water but it still fishes well some days and I love spending the day walking around the place. Having a rod in my hand is a bonus.
Muddy Creek is flowing clear and the fish are eager. The mosquitoes are all but gone (as are the horseflies).
Flies:
*
Parachute Adams (#18, #20)
*
Brooks Sprout (#20)
*
Cinnamon Ant
*
Beatle
*
Red Rojo Midge (#18)
*
Brassie Red (#18)
*
Black Copper John (#16, #18
We are hearing that it is beginning to ice over but do not have any reports regarding the fishing. Sorry.
Spinney Closed. Will re-open in the Spring of 2012. We will post the opening day date when it is made available.
One of our favorite places to fish. In the fall/winter, this is often an excellent option for solitude (and good fishing) when many other would-be anglers are off hunting or hitting the slopes. Unfortunately, we haven't guided the Willy's Fork recently. But we have heard from our guests that the fishing has been quite good. We suggest the following fly patterns:
San Juan Worms, Egg Patterns, Barr's BWO emergers, Natural Pheasant Tails, Miracle Nymphs, RS2's, WD40's, UV midges, Buckskins, Thin Skin Caddis Pupa, Prince Nymphs and Hare's Ears. For dries, go with Adult Midges, Parachute Adams and Sparkle Beatis
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.
River is ice free just below the dam. Ice beginning to be a problem further down.
Recent reports from below Green Mountain have been fair to good. Be careful of the access as the hill is very slippery. Some folks are using a rope or ski poles to aid both decent and ascent.
Bring: Midge larvae, emergers and adults--such as RS-2'S, Black Beauties, Zebra Midges, UV Emergers and Parachute Adams-- in Black, Gray and Olive (#18-#26). Egg Patterns, Smaller Pheasant Tails, Baetis Nymphs (#18-22) and Stonefly Nymphs (#16-#6) have also been effective.
See Spinney Mountain Reservoir report (above)
We have been getting reports of less ice on the river than there was just a few weeks ago. When the Eagle is fishable it is always a good bet, anytime of the year. Mostly midges, stonefly nymphs, egg patterns and attractor nymphs these days.
Good option - Low and clear but the fish are hungry. Fish the deeper, slower pools with dry droppers and nymph rigs.
Our first time on Ten Mile this year was 3/26. Spotted a few fish, non to net, stick to the Blue for a few more weeks.
We don't guide this water but I've always found very willing fish in the Idaho Springs area. The fish are on the small side but very enjoyable nontheless. Small drys and hoppers--with small attractor beadheads hanging down below--usually do the trick. On occasion, however, I have had to match the hatch on the Clear Creek.
The Labor Day arrivals haven't completely disappeared. Try Eggs and Attractor Nymphs.
This is the time to fish the Pan. Decent flow, light crowds and feeding fish. Can we tag along?
Just spoke with someone who fished the Pan recently, he and his wife did well on Mysis. They fished the upper 3 miles of river; from the "toilet bowl" down.
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!
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