Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

This week finished on an unlikely note – very pleasant weather. Prior to that we had some snow and some serious winds. Snowmass reported 13" of snow for the week. However on the Pan and the Fork it was not so much the snow as the wind which shook us about towards the end of the week. So strong was the wind that Eisenhower Tunnel was closed for a time on Friday preventing travelers heading our way from being able to arrive. The lifts on the ski mountains were closed down and branches were flying about everywhere.

Today however was a beautiful day, a prime time to get out onto the river. There was a little traffic with cars at some of the pull-offs lower down towards town. The wind packed the snow and ice along the edge of the river so one had to be a little careful wading into the flow.

The forecast for the coming week starts out with a little snow, then clearing during the middle of the week with snow returning at weeks end.

We are beginning to see more fishermen about, and the difficult weather on the slopes this week sent us a few visitors to the shop. We have had good reports both on the Fork and the Frying Pan at the moment and there has been a little floating from Carbondale down with good results.

The Pan is running fractionally higher at the moment at 140cfs. The water conditions are excellent and the level is providing great winter cover for the fish. As the days get longer the fish are moving about a little. It is clear that closer to town the recent very cold weather and anchor ice pushed the fish into the deeper slower water and they have not begun to move much out of it yet. The fish are feeding well on midges and still are taking eggs. Shortly the baetis nymphs will be moving about in the water so it wouldn't hurt to try a nymph down deep with a midge for a variety if you wanted. Try a small sparkle baetis or a pheasant tail. Try sizes #18 - #22.

With the warming weather it is getting a little easier on the fish, but it is best to continue to take care when handling them. It is easier on the fishing during the warmer days but if it gets cold again as predicted take care.

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.

Watch until the fish are poking their heads out of the water to take the midges off the surface before switching to dry patterns. 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.

When the fish are taking midges off the surface, try and identify the size of the midges floating by and match the size. Carry a range of dry patterns such as the z-wing real midge, suspended midge and any similar dry black and grey patterns in sizes from #20 through to #26.

As we approach spring, the baetis nymphs will be moving about a little more in the water, so it won't hurt to try small baetis patterns with a midge for some variety. Try sparkle baetis and pheasant tails, both flashback and natural #18 - #22. We have just had some very small princes specially tied down to #24 so try some of those for variety as well.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 252cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The flow has dropped of just a little in the Fork over the last few days with the clearer weather. The water condition is excellent all the way to Glenwood. A number of fishermen have reported good results on san juan worms and nymphs. Travis and Chris reported good floating with san juan worms and midges. 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.

The Colorado should remain clear over the coming week. There are good reports of fishing on the Colorado down towards Rifle and Newcastle at the moment. Use 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.