Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

With the Fork now running at 803 cfs at Basalt it is safe to say that the run-off is well underway. In the absence of any cold snap which slows down the run-off overnight the only worthwhile place to fish on the Fork now is above Basalt. The tributaries to the Frying Pan are also coloring up but the fishing and access is still good above the 4 mile mark.

The weather forecast is calling for a few colder days later in the week with below freezing temperatures overnight. So if that weather arrives, it will slow things down a little and give the river a chance to clear up. At least higher up above Basalt.

So now for the most accurate reports on water quality take the time to call the shop and get an indication from us as to how things look. The quality can change quite quickly. A hot day and some wind will melt the snow quickly on the lower elevations. Today was a prime example.

So if you are coming up or are in the are, do take the time to ring us to get a river report.

The Bureau cranked up the flow into the Pan on Tuesday pushing the flows to 332cfs. The water colored up for a day or so, but now it has settled down and is quite good. The flow is quite strong now, so if you are unsteady on your feet, take care and aim for the wider sections of the river where the current dissipates a little. Fish along the edges as the fish will keep to the areas which are a little quiet but which are close to the flow.

With the warm weather and some wind the lower elevations are melting off quite quickly putting some color into the Pan. By Sunday evening Taylor Creek was quite dark, but it did not affect the Pan a great deal as the increased flow tended to dissipate the tributary quite quickly. Below Seven Castles remains problematic while this stage of the run-off remains in progress.

So the key is to aim higher up the Pan and move higher as the day progresses and the tributaries start to color up. With overnight temperatures predicted to be near freezing later in the week, that will certainly slow the run-off over night and will afford some good fishing lower down in the mornings.

Mike and Kim reported a good BWO hatch mid to later afternoon on Sunday near the dam and the fish took emergers. Lower down there was a strong midge hatch and the fish took small adams and black biot midge emergers. With the higher flow and a little more color in the water, it is possible to drop down a size with your leader if your prefer a little more strength as the water color will hide the tippet a little better for the moment.

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 such as a parachute Adams 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 - 604cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The flow in the Fork has really jumped over the past week, augmented below Basalt by the extra flow from the Pan. So now the best bet is to head above Basalt so that you get a chance for some clearer water. Anything below the Crystal inflow at Carbondale is not worth the effort.

Cameron reported reasonable streamer fishing coming down the Fork above Basalt during the week. There is good fishing if one works quietly along the edges looking for the quieter sections. The stoneflies are well into their moult now.

So try stone flies, caddis larva and nymphs as well as eggs and princes down deep. In addition BWO emergers such as the rs2, soft hackle emergers, and the crystal back BWO.

But if you are coming up, give us a call at the shop and we will give you an uptodate and, to best of our ability an accurate report on the river conditions so you won’t be disappointed when you get here.

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.

Try various stone fly patterns and in particular Theo's and the 20incher #10 -#14. In addition use streamers, particularly when floating.

Colorado River

Don't even bother stopping at the Colorado at the moment. It appears to be flowing upside down it is so dirty. Just make a turn onto Highway 82 and come to Basalt for some half decent water. Give us a call at the shop and we will give you an uptodate report on conditions.

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.