Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

With another 28inches of snow having fallen over the past week the total snowfall for the season now just keeps piling up. However the last 3 days have been clear and warm bringing a few visitors onto the rivers. Roofs are weighed down, and if they are not metal allowing the snow to slip off, the contractors are out all over the place shoveling them off. As the weather warms, the accumulation of snow and ice beings to melt seeping inside building in the most unlikely places.

Now we can say that the warm weather has finally arrived! At last we are seeing some snow melt in the car-park in front of the shop as well as along the roads. Getting down to the rivers in the deep snow is a bit of a battle in some places as the latest drop has just topped of a magnificent season. The coming week promises warm weather in the mid 30’s to 40’s every day through to next weekend so we expect that skiers will start to come down valley for a little fishing to rest tired legs.

Some of those locals who have been waiting for a break in the weather were certainly celebrating out on the rivers today enjoying the blue skies and the bright sun. Very soon the talk will be of run-off, muddy roads and tracks, and the coming season. However it is only February and traditionally we get most of our snow from now until April so we will enjoy the coming week but remian aware of the possibility of more snow before too long.

The warm weather will certainly increase the flow in the Fork over the coming week. So if you are going to venture out take care of the ice dams. One would reasonably expect at least one ice dam to break during the week after such a cold and snowy period.

As we move into February with the increasingly warm weather and lengthening days, the opportunities to get some excellent fishing abound. Both the Fork and the Pan are fishing well now so if you are in the area, take the opportunity to get out onto the river for a while if you have the time.

Dress in fully fledged sub-zero clothing and don’t take any chances on the cold. The day will warm quickly now, so your will be able to peel off the layers as the day progresses. But don’t be deceived. No matter how well you dress, standing for a few hours in the near freezing waters, particularly in the shade will test your clothing. So take care and enjoy some excellent winter fishing.

The beautiful warm weather brought out some fishermen along the river today. There were midges coming off in the sun mid-river as well as near the dam. Cameron and Mike both reported excellent fishing through the day as the sun hit the water. Midriver, fish took midge emergers and beadhead brassies fished down. Generally though the fish are in the quiet sections of the river or on the edges where the flow is slower. It will be a little while before they venture into the current to take the first baetis and larger bugs drifting by. It is a matter of trying to spot them lying down on the deeper section and fishing too them unless they are up on dries.

The temperatures this week will start in the mid 30’s and then reach 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. As the days lengthen and the temperature warms extra layers of clothing are quickly stripped away. But make no mistake, it is still cold in the shade. Today ice was still gathering on the guides in the sun so don’t underestimate the conditions.

The fish have been taking dry and emerger midge patterns well into the afternoons up near the dam. 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.

Now that we are moving into the latter part of winter and the baetis nymphs are starting to move about in the water, try some small nymph patterns such as pheasant tails down deep. The increased water flow will be spreading the fish out more and washing some of the small nymphs about in the increased flow.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 200cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

After week with a lot of additional snow and cold weather, the river is ready for another ice dam to break as the days warm. So if you are of a mind to go out, take care and make sure you are aware of what is going on.

Cameron and Mike reported some excellent fishing in the Fork just below Basalt during the week, particularly in the afternoon after the sun had been on the water for a while. The fish were not particularly fussy and took practically all the nymphs that were thrown at them.

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 the days warm and lengthen, the baetis nymphs will start to move about more in the water. 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. As the days lengthen try streamers for some variety.

Colorado River

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.