Fishing Report

For Week ending 12th December 2004

It has warmed a little since last week. The anchor ice thankfully has gone. With the warmth have come reports of great fishing. The fish remain sluggish in the shade but if you get into the sun there have been reports of hatching baetis.

Captain Eric Wallace was an honored guest this week. In a previous life he guided for us at Frying Pan Anglers and developed a great reputation. Since then he has established his own successful saltwater flyfishing operation. His website can be viewed at www.coastalflyangler.com. He is with us until Tuesday and has been giving us his report which can be noted below. We will retain his link on our page so that in the future if you have the urge to check out stripers or some Florida destination he would be a great point of contact.

Overall, the better weather has brought out the fishermen. Wait until the sun has been on the water for a little. If a hatch is going to happen the sun will bring it on. Just dress extremely warm and carry a thermos of hot coffee. The warm weather will not be good for the skiing so it is a great time to take the opportunity to get into some great fishing. In the shop we have just received some new smaller midge ties up to size 28!! We know that they might be hard to see but we know the fish will love them! If you are around come by and have a look.

Frying Pan

Current Flow: below the Dam 74 cfs. (if you want more up to date figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)

The water flow in the Pan ticked up to 74-75 on the 6 th. If this was done by the Bureau of Reclamation in response to the anchor ice buildup, this is excellent. Of late the Bureau representatives have indicated a willingness to respond to this problem which is to everyone's benefit and is to be complimented. As always, the mysis shrimp is working for the first half mile below the dam at Reudi Reservoir.

Captain Eric Williams reported several days of strong fishing in the warmer weather. On Thursday he fished the lower portion of the ‘Pan, within 5 miles of Basalt. In the early afternoon he was having good luck with small midges, #20 & #22. He was fishing them on the swing, and getting strikes when the midges began to rise at the end of the swing. The lifting fly emulated a midge beginning to rise to emerge and the trout pounced.

On Friday he fished further up the ‘Pan, around mile marker 10. It was warmer and using his knowledge of the area fished water in the sun. He had great luck particularly in the early afternoon until 3:00pm. He reports that the baetis were coming off and he hooked 19 fish in 2 hours on drys.

In the shade the fish were more sluggish. Again fish were caught on small gray and black midges size #20 - #22. But as nothing was coming off in the shade it was necessary to fish deep. The fish were visible lying on the bottom and they rarely moved far from their lie to take anything.

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: near Emma at Basalt 263cfs. (if you want more up to date figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)

The Roaring Fork has again been excellent during the warmer part of the day. On Friday Ed set out on the Roaring Fork below Basalt with clients. He found the fishing rewarding fishing the deeper, slower runs. The fish were taking eggs, #14 &#16, and midges, #16 &#18. The temperatures were in the 40’s and 50’s, and we’re expecting more of the same this week. Flies for the week should include midges, BWO’s, and, for the Fork some egg patterns. 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 - 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;