|
|
|
Some of the locals are now talking about cabin fever. We are not used to so many days of continuous cloud and snow and if one doesn’t ski, the days are a mixture of shoveling snow, trying to negotiate one’s way from point A to point B over ice and slippery walkways or taking the greatest care driving down the roads. The snow has certainly made access to the dam difficult unless it is well plowed and the greatest care must be taken parking one’s car on the edges near the river. What looks like flat parking can easily constitute a snow drift with little bottom for a few feet. So take care. Generally it has not been overly cold throughout the season except for some intermittent freeze when the clouds clear for a day or so. This week was no exception as the temperatures dropped noticeably midweek but have picked up again. The coming week promises high temperatures in the 30’s and then next week getting into the 40’s with the weather clearing. The current forecast is for snow all week on and off and then clearing by next weekend. Once the temperatures are in the 40’s we will notice the snow melting quickly along the rivers where the sun can get to the valley floor. As we move into February with a little more warmth and longer days, the baetis nymphs will be starting to move about a little more in the water. Like fishermen waiting to get out onto the river, the bugs will be sensing the change in the season. The snow and great skiing conditions have kept the usual low number of visitors on the river at this time of year even lower. So there will be some good opportunities to get out onto the river uninterrupted. Dress in fully fledged sub-zero clothing now and don’t take any chances on the cold. So take care and enjoy some excellent winter fishing. Frying Pan Current Flow: below the Dam -167cfs. (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)
The Bureau has put the flow up again in the Pan. It is now running at 167cfs. It is an excellent flow for this time of year and will certainly ease the end of winter conditions for the fish in the river. With the increased flow it will also begin to clear the river a little more. The flow change was noticeable on Friday as the Pan put more color into the Fork for a day helping clear out the river bottom. Overall the increased flow is excellent for the fish at this time of year. The temperatures this week will remain in the 30’s and then next week they are predicted to get into the 40’s. The higher temperatures will start to melt the ice and snow on the edges of the roads and start the process of the run-off, at least where the sun shines directly on the river. Access to the roads near the dam depends on the Forest Service clearing the road. The increased snow has made parking along side the roads difficult and risky in some places. So take care and try and park where the snow depth is obvious or where the area has been plowed. As the days begin to lengthen look for the wider areas of the valley floor where the sun can reach the water. It has been quite warm and pleasant in the sun, but as soon as it goes down, it gets cold. The fish have been taking dry and emerger midge patterns well into the afternoons up near the dam. Cameron reported some good dry and emerger fishing today. The increased flow will begin to spread the fish out in the river and as we move closer to spring the baetis nymphs will start to move about more in the water. The increased flow will wash some of them about and the fish will start to feed on them. Recommended Flies: The principal hatch is now midges. They will come off during the day, particularly if it is sunny. So try WD-40's #20 , red and black chironocones #20, brassie's #18 - #22, midge larva patterns #18 - #22, copper johns #18 - #22, black polywings #18 - #22 and garcia's rojo midges # 18 - #22. Try the gray loopwing emergers #20 - #22, the FPA special emergers, biot emergers both with and without the trailing shuck and gray RS2's #18 - #22. 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 #28.
With the continual snow and ice build up, the ongoing risk of ice dams breaking persists, so take care on the river and be observant. The increased flow from the Pan has pushed up the flow in the Fork below Basalt. The fish remain stacked up in the runs and are hungry. The principal hatch at the moment is midges which are coming off in the mornings as the day warms up and some sun can get onto the water. The fish will take small nymphs and midge emergers when nymphing during the day.As we are getting past the depths of winter and the days are lengthening, the baetis nymphs will start to move about more in the water. As the days start to warm the flow will pick up in the river and with it a lot of nymphs and insects stirring from their winter slumbers will be washed along to the feeding fish. Recommended Flies: Use midge emergers and tiny nymph attracters. See some of the patterns we have mentioned for the Pan. If you are nymphing deep down, use plenty of weight and pick where the fish are protected behind structure or deeper down in the slower water. Try small baetis nymph patterns such as pheasant tails #18 - #24. Also try princes, brassies, copper johns and eggs deep down.
The water in the Colorado remains clear at the moment. Try midges, streamers if floating or alternatively nymphs and eggs deep down. The baetis will be moving about more now, and as it a touch warmer than the Fork the bug activity will start a little earlier particularly where the sun shines. Recommended Flies: BWO nymphs; midges emergers and dries during the hatches, eggs and princes, 20 inchers size #10 - #14; streamers #2 - #8. |
|
