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The snow pack continues to accumulate. Today is quite windy and cold. We had a little snow last evening. The next few days promises to get colder although it will clear and we will have blue skies. It has been an excellent year for skiing. The warmer weather of the past week cleared some of the buildup in the river a little but it is still a little harder to get on. The Pan and the Fork below the confluence at Basalt is more accessible and clearer. With the releases from Ruedi remaining high, the best fishing is therefore on the Pan at the moment. We'd love to see you if you are about. So take the opportunity to drop by the shop and catch up on old stories from last year and begin composing some new ones for next season. As a side note, for those of you who might be contemplating coming out this year and renting the cabins, might we suggest that you do not wait too long to book. We are astounded at the rate at which the bookings are filling up. We already have weeks in July and September which are fully booked. If you want details click on the lodging link on the left. With the high water continuing throughout winter, and the good snow pack the bigger fish will be well rested this winter and not have suffered the usual privations of low water and anchor ice. We think this year will be better than ever.
Frying Pan Current Flow: below the Dam - 160cfs. (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)
The Pan continues to run at 160cfs. Last year during this week it was running at 75cfs. The fishing remains great with midges and mysis shrimp just below the dam. Merle continues to report that the best combination is a black midge biot with an egg as an attractor. In fact in Merle's opinion anything small and black is working including pheasant tails as the small nymphs begin to move about in the water. In his view the best midge fishing of late has been up close to the dam. The unusually large winter flow has augmented the fishable areas markedly. With the colder weather returning, continue to be careful with the fish when landing them. One does not want them to expend unnecessary energy. In addition, try not to take them out of the water. The cold will freeze their gills very quickly. It is now midges, very small nymphs and eggs. Recommended Flies: The water is very clear and is now well above its usual winter flow so the fish will be more spread out than usual. It will also be a little easier wading as the increased flow has limited or eliminated much of the anchor ice. Make sure you are using light tippet – 7x. Generally fish down deep as the fish generally remain close to the bottom. However, there is midge activity when the sun warms things a little although there has not been much activity in the snowy conditions. The sun is beginning to get noticeably higher touching the water in more areas. This is beginning to open up the Pan a little more to good midge hatches. Spot the fish feeding as they will not move far laterally to take midges. Try midge larva and pupa before the hatch starts. When the fish begin to feed under the surface, try small emergers; olive biot emergers, size #18 - #22 and black special emergers #18 - #22. Small copper johns are working well. On the surface, use midge dries with emergers in the film as a dropper. Egg patterns will also work well particularly as an attracter with a midge. Be prepared to vary the color of the egg a little if it is not getting results. Roaring Fork The river remains clear. This week was warmer so the flow picked up a little. The fishing has been excellent lower down with midges with an egg attractor. The main thing though is to fish as close to the bottom as possible. So weight the fly so that it catches on the bottom. Then you will know that you are deep enough. Other successful flies are small stonefly patterns such as mercer's poxyback stone, the roaring fork stone and the 20 incher. Use the smaller patterns as the nymphs are growing and therefore they appear in a range of sizes. Recommended Flies: Above Carbondale use the same flies as the Pan (See our report for the Frying Pan). Generally try midge patterns larva, pupa and emerger patterns. For variety try very small baetis nymph patterns. Small stone flies #16 - #12 - try mercers poxy-back, roaring fork stone, 20 incher. Cased caddis patterns will work deep as well. Black and olive beadhead streamers are also working. Also egg patterns. Colorado River The water color remains good. The fishing is good. Try midges, and 20 inchers. Also try any nymphs #20 and smaller. Recommended Flies: midges, both dries and emergers; pheasant tails #16, 18; BWO's #18,20; small copper johns; 20 inchers size #10 - #14; bead head prince nymph red #12 - 16; egg patterns #10 - #18; streamers #6 and #8 and smaller.
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The san juan angler for san juan river fishing reports, san juan river fishing, durango fly fishing, san juan fly fishing and san juan river guides. Your adventure for san juan river fly fishing. The Frying Pan River for the best in Fall Fly Fishing. |
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