Fishing Report

For Week ending 5th December 2004

It has been extremely cold for the last week. The locals are commenting that they have not experienced such cold so early in the season. It was so cold on some days we could not get current water level readings on all parts of the rivers.

In fact there is a substantial buildup of anchor ice in the Frying Pan. Anchor ice is a problem for the fish because as it breaks off and moves down stream it tends to drag over the rocks and subsurface scraping the insects which tend to cling to the surface of the rocks and the gravel.

The Roaring Fork Conservancy has in conjunction with Miller Ecological Consultants been studying the phenomenon for the past few years and has been documenting the effect on the fish population and the feed biomass. It takes about 2 years for that part of the biomass affected by the anchor ice to fully regenerate. The only solution is to increase the water flow from Reudi to ensure that the temperature of the water stays high enough to prevent the anchor ice from forming. However, this year it has caught the Bureau of Reclamation unawares. Anchor ice is not such a problem in the Fork because it is more open to the sun and has a greater volume of flowing water throughout the winter.

Some intrepid souls made it to the toilet bowl at the outflow of Ruedi but have not been seen or heard from since. In fact it was so cold on one day, Merle and Pat report that their lines and rods froze up after 3 casts! I remember January days like that but not November/December.

Overall, the weather has put down all but the keenest fishermen. The ideal is to wait till the sun has been on the water a little by about the middle of the day. Just dress extremely warm and carry a thermos of hot coffee.

Frying Pan

Current Flow: below the Dam 70 cfs. (if you want more up to date figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)

The water in the Pan has been running at 68-70 for the past week. As always, the mysis shrimp is working for the first half mile below the dam at Reudi Reservoir provided you are willing to brave the cold.

The colder weather will call for midges and nymphs. The anchor ice is limiting access in some places and also concentrates the fish in the flowing areas.

Recommended Flies: If the bugs are coming off try baetis #20 and smaller; mathews sparkle dun #20; sparkle baetis emerger #18; brooks sprout baetis #20; barrs blue wing olive emerger #18 and #20; and olive biot emergers, size #20 and #22. If the bugs are not coming off then try dark olive pheasant tails size #20 and #22; midges, size #20 and smaller; egg patterns #10 - #18.

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: The guage has iced up!. (if you want more up to date figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The Roaring Fork has been excellent if you go out in the warmer part of the day. It does not have the anchor ice problems of the Frying Pan. The fish are still feeding on eggs and stone fly nymphs. Midge emergers are also working as well as the red copper john, #16 and #18.

Recommended Flies: same as the Frying Pan. In addition try the prince nymph #16 and #18; carrot nymph #18; red copper john #20; gold ribbed hare’s ear #16 and #18; 20 incher stone #10 - #14; Blue Wing Olives #20 (if the bugs are coming off); egg patterns #10 - #18; streamers #10 (on some days); autumn splendor #4 - 8; bead head pops bugger olive #6.

Colorado River

The fishing on the Colorado has slowed a little. Fish deep with nymphs and eggs. I like the stone fly nymphs sizes #8 through #12. The 20 incher is always productive.

Recommended Flies: Bead head pheasant tails #16, 18; Blue Wing Olives #18,20; bead head prince nymph red #12 - 16; egg patterns #10 - #18;