Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

Generally the weather was excellent for fishing this week. The ski slopes are closing down and the warmer weather has returned. Many of the locals will be leaving town for a break soon and the river will be in perfect condition as the run-off from the lower elevations slows down for a while. The only thing that will interfere with excellent fishing over the next month will be a burst of hotter weather which accelerates the run-off at the higher altitudes or rain. There are some predictions for thunderstorms over the next day or so, but provided they pass quickly they should have little effect.

Remember though that the rain in the higher altitudes takes a while to flow down to the Fork, so great fishing, particularly with BWO's can be had during the rain. Then it is some time later that the dirty flow hits the river. Always call ahead to the shop if you want an update on the river conditions at this time of year as they vary a lot. The key, though is to fish the Fork higher up above Carbondale, and better still above Basalt if you have the time.

From now until the main run-off we get some of the best floating on the Fork all year. The flow is now just high enough to get a raft in at the higher elevations. Currently at 453cfs near Basalt the river is perfect for floating with a raft. In contrast this time last year the Fork was running at 578cfs.

The Pan is in excellent condition and will be affected only by increased releases from Reudi or thunderstorms which causes tributaries of the likes of Seven Castles Creek to flow quickly. This usually happens a couple of times a year so with predictions of thunderstorms, always keep an eye out for that eventuality. However if the water in the Pan is bad from the Seven Castles area, just drive above it and it will be fine. This time last year the water releases from the Dam were at 278cfs so one would not be surprised if the Bureau increased the flow in the Pan at any time.

We heard a lovely little story this week in the shop. A gentleman came in with his son to pick up some flies. His son had caught 10 fish that day up towards Aspen and needed some more flies. He had been catching them on a willow switch with a floating line tied on the end! He said princes were working well. No need for $1,000's of gear or attitude. Just live life and enjoy it. Happy Easter.

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. The larger fish have moved out of the deeper holes with the arrival of the warmer weather and are getting a little more active although they are still preferring the slower deeper water rather than the riffles. 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 sipping them from the surface. Generally the fish are still laying low but the smaller ones are a little more active than the larger fish. This past week they took a variety of midge patterns including the palaminos and garcia's rojo midges, but the most successful pattern was the chironocone. In addition the fish have started to key in on the baetis midges and have been taking the FPA sparkle baetis #20 behind a chironocone or a copper john. In addition they have also taken an icebreaker #20.

Recommended Flies: The fish can easily be spotted in the deeper slower water. Look in the seams as the fish are preferring the slower water to conserve energy but are feeding on the edge of the faster water as the food is washed by. They are also in the slower pools taking adult midges off the surface. 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. 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 moving about in the water so try a nymph down deep with a midge for variety. Try a small FPA sparkle baetis, icebreaker or a pheasant tail. Try sizes #18 - #22. In addition, some BWO's are coming off. So take along a few dry patterns as well just in case. Try a parachute Adams with a midge emerger behind it.

Nice rainbow 16" taken on #20 chironocone on
Saturday 7th April on the Pan.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 453cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The flow has moved back up to the mid 400's so the raft floating is possible higher up. The fishing has been good the higher up one moves to get to the clearer water. The stoneflies are starting to roll around in the water as the moult starts so as the fish move into the riffles and feed on them, try a variety of patterns. The midges are working well as are sanjuan worms, streamers and some baetis patterns. In addition Mal and Cameron reported taking fish on some bead head caddis patterns. The better fishing remains above the confluence with the Crystal at Carbondale because for weeks the Crystal will put in color as the melt contines. The color deteriorates when the melt is mixed with some rain which washes additional material into the water. Last night was a good example as it rained up the Crystal Valley for a time.

Recommended Flies:Use the same flies as the Pan. (See our report for the Frying 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. For variety try bead head caddis patterns with the stone flies.

The Colorado is now dirty so long as the Crystal continues to put color into the Fork at Carbondale. 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.