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Christmas has passed and the New Year is upon us. Despite the predictions of snow and cold over the last week, it has turned out quite mild with bright blue skies. Denver caught a storm on Thursday but the main predicted storm passed it by as well. The days are now getting longer, although we won't notice for a while. The prediction is for clear weather until later in the week. It will be cold with the clear skies, with temperatures around zero overnight. We wish you and your families all the best for the new year. Thank you again for your support during the year and we hope you travel safely and make it back for some great fishing when you have a mind to do so.
Frying Pan Current Flow: below the Dam - 83cfs. (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)
The coming week promises clear skies and cold weather overnight. The key will be to wait until the sun is up then follow the sun when the midges will come off. Take care when handling the fish. Leaving a fish out in the air when it is so cold will cause the water to freeze and damage the gills potentially causing irreparable harm to the fish. In addition, land the fish and release it quickly to limit the amount of energy expended. Sometimes if I can't remove a hook quickly enough I will just break off the line. The fish are now confined to restricted diets for the next 3 months so it is important to let them alone as much as possible so that they will survive the winter in reasonably healthy condition. Recommended Flies: Wait for the sun to hit the water before venturing out. Then follow the sun . In the bright light the fish can easily be spotted in the deeper slower water. In the coming week fish midges deep and then if they start coming off fish closer to the surface with emergers if the fish start rising in the water column. When the fish are taking midges they won't move much to take them so fish as accurately as possible to ensure that the fly drifts down or up to the level of the feeding fish. It is imperative that one fishes right to the fish, so continually vary your weights. If you are careful you will get a lot of shots at a suspended fish as it won't move much to inspect a fly. Try WD-40's #20 , red and black chironocones #20, brassie's #18 - #22, midge larva patterns #18 - #22 and garcia's rojo midges # 18 - #22. It's only when you practically hit the fish on the head and he moves off that you will know for sure he won't take your midge pattern. In addition with the browns on the redds still spawning take care not to disturb them. Instead fish downstream with egg patterns where other fish will gather to feed on them. Roaring Fork The lack of snow in the past week has dropped the flow of the Fork a little. It is still a higher flow than last year. With the predicted colder temperatures and no snow, the Fork will get a little lower until the weather changes again. The lower flow will make rafting from higher than mid valley a questionable proposition. There are midge hatches in the sun. Streamers and eggs will work as well. Recommended Flies: Use the same flies as the Pan. (See our report for the Frying Pan). In addition use streamers, san juan worms and egg patterns. Generally try midges. Try larva and pupa patterns until the fish are moving under the surface then try emergers. Colorado River The Colorado should remain clear for the moment. There continues to be good fishing with similar patterns to the Fork only a little larger. Recommended Flies: midges, larva, pupae, dries and emergers; 20 inchers size #10 - #14; streamers #6 and #8 and smaller and try egg patterns. |
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