Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

After a cold beginning to the week, it warmed up considerably on Saturday. The cold slowed the run-off despite some snow up high. Consequently the flow in the Fork dropped from above 450cfs during the week to 336cfs by the weekend. With a little warm weather the flow was up at 350cfs on Sunday. The water conditions in the Fork above Carbondale are excellent. The Pan was also excellent all week with the flow being dropped on Tuesday to 83cfs and then being lifted on Thursday to 92cfs.

The floating on the Fork is now great although with the drop in the releases from Ruedi putting the flows at Basalt at 350cfs it is a touch skinny in places. But with the return of the warmer weather it would be expected that the flow will pick up a little during the next week.

With the ski slopes now closed, everything is quiet around town at the moment. It will remain that way for the next month and a half. The coming week could have patchy weather with the possibility of a little snow and rain intermingled with clear warmer days.

The flow in the Pan jumped about this week first dropping to 83cfs for 3 days then rising back up to 92cfs by the end of the week, where it remains. It will be interesting to see where it stays for the moment. Perhaps there is inadequate snow pack at the moment because we have not had a great deal of rain or snow of late with March being quite dry and warm. Therefore the current goal is to fill Ruedi for the summer. Consequently, the Pan is very accessible at the moment for wading. However the bright light and shallow water will push the fish into the deeper holes in the shade.

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. With the drop in the level of the Pan, the fish will be particularly wary in the shallow water on bright days and won't hang about long once disturbed.

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.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 350cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

As a consequence of the colder weather and the reduction in the flow from the Pan the flow in the Fork has dropped back to the mid-300's at the moment. If the current warmer weather persists for a day or so the flow will pick up again. The water condition is excellent at the moment. 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. On Saturday they were taking 20 inchers as well as some light green caddis larva in the seams. The midges are working well as are san juan worms, streamers and some baetis 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 continues. The color deteriorates when the melt is mixed with some rain which washes additional material into the water. The best thing is to ring the shop and check the conditions. Just because the river looks dark at Glenwood doesn't mean that we haven't got excellent fishing higher up.

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.