Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

Although the past week gave us generally clear weather, on Sunday we had a little rain blow in with the suggestion of a little snow up higher. However with the temperatures remaining in the 40’s it was not so unpleasant and was actually nice BWO weather.

Although the weatherman is predicting some more wet weather in the coming week, the probability is low therefore there is every chance it will turn out like this past week. Either way, the temperature is not predicted to drop much below the mid 40’s so provided you rug up and have your wet weather gear close at hand, there should be some good BWO dry fly fishing in the rain.

The past few days have been quite warm and as a result we are seeing a fractionally larger flow in the Fork. The flow is currently 382cfs but fluctuating a little. But even so it is sufficient to make for good floating from Basalt down.

We are starting to see more visitors in town now, particularly over the weekends so the season has well and truly started.

The ski slopes are getting icy and a little hard for unfit and untrained legs so as the ski-season winds down some of the skiers are taking off a day or so mid-week to enjoy some good fishing as well.

As it warms, don’t underestimate the cold or the rapidity with which a cold wet change can blow through. So dress warmly and maintain your wet weather gear close at hand so your day on the river won’t be interrupted with a sudden cold/wet change.

Usually we expect a lot of snow in March and April. However as March draws to a close, the precipitation has been a little less than usual. So the conversation is turning to whether we will also have a relatively light April. Given the fantastic snow fall this year we are not complaining. But it is interesting to observe.

There have been some great hatches during the week with both midges and BWO’s alternatively working well. The fish are beginning to venture into the current to take baetis and larger bugs drifting by. But generally it is a matter of trying to spot your target unless they are up on dries.

The fish were up on midges and later BWO’s on Sunday but as a colder change blew in everything quietened down so that by evening it was drizzling cold rain with the temperature dipping toward the lower 40’s. They took FPA biot emergers and small black pheasant tails - #20 -#24 and a #26 parachute adams.

Recommended Flies: The principal hatch is still midges but the baetis are getting active. The midges 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.

If the fish start moving higher in the water column or get active under the surface, 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.

When they are on the surface, try 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.

The baetis nymphs are starting to move about in the water. Try some small nymph patterns such as pheasant tails and the FPA sparkle baetis #20 - #24 down deep. In addition try the emerger patterns like crystal hunchback, juju baetis, the mighty mite, icebreakers and the FPA sparkle baetis - #18 - #24 and rs2 #18 - #22 and soft hackle baetis #18 -#22.

If a few BWO’s are starting to come off try dry patterns like the adams and parachute adams #20-#24 and the matthews #18 - #24 with an emerger dropper.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 382cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

Cameron, Mike, Harry and Mal all reported good fishing on the Fork this week. A range of streamers, midges, BWO’s and some caddis larvae all worked at various times as well as stoneflies. And with the level getting close to 400cfs at Basalt it won’t belong before rafts will be floating above Basalt.

Apart from eggs and princes down deep try BWO emergers such as the rs2, soft hackle emergers, and the crystal back BWO. In addition small golden stones are starting to be successful as well as smaller patterns of the 20incher.

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. For baetis emergers try RS2, the crystal hunchback, juju baetis, the mighty mite, icebreakers and the FPA sparkle baetis - #18 - #24. Also try princes, brassies, copper johns and eggs deep down as well as streamers.

As the stoneflies start moving about try small golden stone patterns as well as small sizes of the 20incher.

Colorado River

The water in the Colorado remains generally clear at the moment but as the runoff picks up it will turn. Try bwos and streamers if floating or alternatively baetis nymphs such as pheasant tails as well as emergers and eggs deep down.

Recommended Flies: BWO nymphs (see some of the patterns we mention for the Fork); midges emergers and dries during the hatches, eggs and princes, 20 inchers size #10 - #14; streamers #2 - #8.