Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

The warm weather at the beginning and middle of the week gave way to some rain and snow as the week progressed through Saturday. By Sunday the weather had passed, the barometer had settled and although a little cooler it was a fine day with intermittent clouds. The colder weather cleared up the Fork higher up but did not help its condition lower down towards Glenwood below Carbondale because of the rain.

The recent rains and snow up high have pushed up the flow in the Fork significantly since last week. So it is best to try and fish higher up where the water condition is better. The Pan is pristine as usual with the heat and rain contributing very little additional flow and no color. The flow in the Pan was increased to 150cfs for several days during the middle of the week but has since been adjusted back to 140cfs. The fishing was good through the week although the change in air pressure slowed it down a little on Friday.

The coming week promises more warm weather until mid week when it will get colder for 2 days with the chance of some further precipitation. By the end of the week it will clear up again for a warm weekend.

Nice 16 inch rainbow taken on #20 beadtail emerger on Tuesday 20th March on the Pan.

The water conditions are excellent and there has been great fishing the full length of the Pan over the past week. The midges are prolific and the baetis are starting to come off a little towards the dam. The larger fish are starting to move out of the deeper holes with the arrival of the warmer weather and are getting a little more active. The principal food source at the moment is still midges and therefore the fish are still a little quiet when taking them. So it is still a matter of going carefully and spotting the fish as they feed in the deeper water or sip them from the surface.

Recommended Flies: In the bright light the fish can easily be spotted in the deeper slower water. Fish midges deep and then if they start coming off fish closer to the surface with emergers when the fish start rising in the water column. Watch until they 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. 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 try a nymph down deep with a midge for variety. 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 - 382cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The warm weather followed by the rain and snow higher up caused the flow in the Fork to jump up again. The best fishing is above Basalt although if it is cold overnight the condition of the water lower down towards Carbondale is still good. With the Crystal depositing a lot of color whether as a result of the rain or from run-off on the warmer days, the fishing below Carbondale is not a good choice. Ed and Harry had trips out during the week fishing higher up and reported good fishing.

Recommended Flies: Use the same flies as the Pan. In addition use streamers, stone flies such as the 20 incher and golden stones, 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 is now dirty. So it you are in the area, make the journey up valley to at least Basalt to experience the difference in water color.

Recommended Flies: midges, larva, pupae, dries and emergers; bwo's both nymphs emergers and dries; 20 inchers size #10 - #14; streamers #6 and #8 and smaller and try egg patterns.