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Fishing Report For Week ending 20th March 2005 The weather turned cold for a few days. It didn't snow earlier in the week so the skiing was not to be recommended. On Thursday there was a light dusting of snow and a little more mid-morning Friday but not sufficient to make the slopes inviting after such a good year. The colder weather will slow the run-off and ensure that the water remains clear auguring well for some great fishing. The pond remained iced over until Thursday indicative of the prevailing colder temperatures. However, Friday it melted off a little indicating warmer temperatures had returned. It was 47 middmorning on Saturday. We have had a ton of calls from front range fishermen in the last few days indicating that there will be some serious activity on the rivers this weekend. They are correct. It will be great fishing over the next few days. With the questionable snow, now is a great time to take the trip down valley for a day on the river. If you come down you are going to be getting into some of the best fishing prior to the run-off. Frying Pan
Current Flow: below the Dam 77 cfs. (if you want more up to date figures check out current readings on our "Links" page) Midges continue to work on the upper pan. Harry reported a great day on Saturday with dries and emergers size #24 and #25. He also reported good results on baetis nymphs. So if there is not much surface activity, the baetis nymphs are moving about. Try nymphs before the midday hatch and after the hatch slows down. If there is no surface activity, use nymphs. On Friday after there was a modest mid-river midge hatch. The fish were stacking up in the slower water rising infrequently. Both a #20 special emerger and #20 RS2 worked well. The rig was an emerger with the RS2 as the dropper. Grease the line to 3 or 4 inches from the emerger so that it will hang just below the film. The dropper will sink behind it. Saturday was a little cloudy. Mid-river the fish were active on the surface around mid-day until mid afternoon. The fish were mostly taking emergers but some were taking dries off the surface as well. Again the emerger with an RS2 dropper worked well. Around 1 – 1.30 the water was boiling. It was great fishing. At one point a fish was striking every second cast. It quietened down by 2 but the odd fish kept moving. The black pheasant tail #18 is working well as a nymph pattern however Harry has had success with a number of colors through to green. So experiment. In addition #12 stone fly nymphs such as the 20 incher are working in the pocket water closer to town.. Merle continues to advocate the sparkle baetis #20 and a special emerger #22 down deep. The baetis nymphs continue to move about in the water. Recommended Flies: The fish are moving about more as the sun plays warmer and longer on the water. Look to see if any midges are hatching. Some of the midges mid-river were a little larger so we suggest trying #18 and smaller. Try parachute midges or adults; put an emerger dropper behind the parachute; also try small emergers; olive biot emergers, size #18 - #22 and black special emergers #18 - #22. If the fish are moving without breaking the surface, they will be taking emergers. A #20 special emerger with a #20 RS2 dropper has been very effective this week. If there is no surface activity try dark olive pheasant tails size #20 and #22; midges, size #20 and smaller both red and black lava and pupa patterns - disco midges red and black sizes #20 - #24. The baetis nymphs have now been moving about and will continue to do so for the next 6 weeks. Roaring Fork
Current Flow: near Emma at Basalt 218cfs. (if you want more up to date figures check out current readings on our "Links" page). Ed reported good fishing this week. He had success with midges and BWO's between Carbondale and Westbank. The BWO's have been coming off between 1 – 3 in the afternoon. He advises that the midges are hatching in the morning. He had most success with midge pupae both dark brown and black with bead head. Brad had great fishing between Basalt and Woody Creek on midges and dries. He advised that on Thursday the small dry midge worked particularly well. He advised a #20 dandelion. He caught a power of fish including a 21 incher. Please note that from 15th March until 15th May fishing is prohibited 50 yards both upstream and downstream from Four Mile Creek and Three Mile Creek while the rainbows are spawning. Recommended Flies: same as the Frying Pan. In addition try the prince nymph #14 and #16 and #18; carrot nymph #18; red copper john #18 and #20; superfloss olive #20; gold ribbed hare’s ear #16 and #18; 20 incher stone #10 - #14; egg patterns #10 - #18; streamers #10 (on some days); autumn splendor #4 - 8; bead head pops bugger olive #6. Lower down the Roaring Fork towards Colorado use #12 - #14 midges. If the BWO's are coming off try #16. Colorado River
The fishing remains strong. Ed advocates larger midges further down as he is of the view that the fish aren't so fussy. Also fish deep with nymphs, streamers and eggs - stone fly nymphs sizes #8 through #12. The 20 incher is always productive. Try sizes #8 - #14 tungsten. In view of the emergence of small fry, try streamers in the seams between the faster and slower water down low. Try sizes #6 and #8 and smaller. Please note that from 15th March until 15th May fishing is prohibited 50 yards both upstream and downstream from No Name, Grizzly and Canyon Creeks while the rainbows are spawning. Recommended Flies: Bead head pheasant tails #16, 18; Blue Wing Olives #18,20; bead head prince nymph red #12 - 16; egg patterns #10 - #18; streamers #6 and #8 and smaller; |
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