Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

After a cold and snowy week, finally some beautiful weather this weekend. Actually the fishing was excellent during the week for those who ventured out. The cloudy damp conditions on the Pan brought on good hatches of midges for most of the week. Snowmass recorded 28" of snow during the week. And the temperature was quite cold later in the week as evidenced by the drop in the flow in the Fork over the last two days. The cold and snow resulted in a lot of ice floating down the Fork aborting a few float trips which had been planned.

It is predicted to warm up over the next few days with a low chance of snow towards the end of the week so the fishing should be excellent.

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 a few eggs. Today the fish were lower in the water in the morning due to the cold and the little bit of ice which had formed overnight on the edges. The fish took brassies and chironocones until about midday. After then the midges began to hatch and the fish began to take emergers and dries well into the afternoon. The most effective flies were beadtail emergers and parachute dries.

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 emergers both black and gray, some with a trailing shuck. Also carry dry patterns such as the z-wing real midge, suspended midge and any similar dry black and gray patterns in sizes from #20 through to #26.

The baetis nymphs are beginning to move 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. In addition, there have been a few reports of Bwo's hatching towards the dam. So take along a few dry patterns as well just in case. We have just had some very small princes specially tied down to #24 in the shop so try some of those for variety as well.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 230cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The flow picked up during the week when it was snowing and just a little warmer, but has dropped in the last 2 days with the colder weather. However with the promise of temperatures well into the 40's during the coming week, the flow will pick up again. The combination of snow and cold caused some ice to be floating down the Fork towards the end of the week. However it cleared a little over the weekend and was in great condition all the way to Glenwood. A number of fishermen have reported good results on san juan worms and nymphs. 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.

With the cold and snow over the last week there was some ice floating in the Colorado. However with the warmth promised this week, the Colorado should clear. 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.