Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

As the report was being written last week, it was noted that the rain was falling. By the time we awoke on Monday morning, it had turned to snow. The mountains got 13inches over night and 33 inches of snow during the whole week. So much for the suggestion that it had been quite dry for the month of March.

The Bureau put up the level in the Pan during the week so that it is now running at 222cfs. They noted that at present the snow-pack is 150% of average. The next few days are also forecast to experience a few more spring snow showers with the weather warming towards the end of the week so that next weekend should be bright and clear.

The warming weather and the extra flow from the Pan has increased the flows in the Fork so that at 432cfs at Basalt it is now reasonably good floating from higher up the Pan. This is desirable as the increasing run-off will begin to color up the water, particularly below Carbondale where the Crystal flows into the Fork. So as the weather warms ring the shop to get a view on the quality of the water.

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

We have been taking delivery of a number of new patterns for the coming season including a great range of new streamers. We will have 2500 patterns and sizes in a month or so. So if you are in the area, come by and see what new interesting things we have on offer.

With the changeable weather this week the quality of the fishing was intermittent. Essentially it was a matter of spending some time on the river to catch the hatches. As soon as a cold change blew through the hatch would turn off. But when the clouds cleared and it was a little warmer the hatches would be back on and the fish would feed well.

The increased flow mid-week also contributed to slowing the fishing for a day closer to the dam as the released water cooled things down for a day and carried a little debris with it. However when the fish settled down they could be found feeding on the edges and in the slower water. On Saturday the dry fly fishing was quite good in the slower water as the fish took both midges and a few BWO’s midriver. Essentially they took the parachute adams #22, the gray RS2 #22 and the biot emerger #22 - #24.

So now with the water up higher and the fish more spread out, take your time moving quietly along the edges and in the quiet areas and spot the fish feed either sub-surface or taking dries.

Dress well for the cold as spring storms blow through during the day. No point having to spend time on the river uncomfortable from a sudden down pour or snow shower.

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, and Harry all reported good fishing on the Fork this week. Ed is back from a holiday so we’ll get a view from him next 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 432cfs at Basalt it won’t belong before rafts will be floating above Basalt.

Closer to Glenwood Gary reported some good BWO fishing while wading while Mo had success nymphing at Basalt and took some on princes and eggs.

Midges 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 continue to get more active and the stoneflies moving about as well.

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.

When the BWO's are coming off try the adams and parachute adams #20-#24 and the matthews #18 - #24.

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 relatively clear at the moment but with the increasing flow from the Pan and the Fork it will begin to color up as the weather warms and the run-off picks up. Try midges but generally try streamers if floating or alternatively nymphs and eggs deep down. In addition the baetis are moving about so try nymphs such as pheasant tails and well as emergers and dries when they start to come off.

But if you find the water is a bit too colored, just come further up Valley to Basalt and we can point you to some great water either on the Fork or the Pan. There is no point in coming all this way and passing up the opportunity to see what the upper Valley has to offer.

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.