Fishing Report

For Week ending 19th December 2004

It has been colder for the last few days. There has not been a great deal of activity on the river. The fish are tending to hold in the deeper water and are bunching up. Streamers and eggs continue to work. If the sun has been on the water for a while a few baetis will come off although in the colder weather it takes longer. My rod was icing up in the sun yesterday so warm yourself well.

Unfortunately there has not been enough snow to freshen up the slopes either. We need more snow for skiing and for the water reserves so hopefully we will get that wish for Christmas.

The next report will be after Christmas so may we at Frying Pan Anglers take the opportunity to wish you and your families all the best for the festive season. We fish all the way through so we will be out on the river and reporting again next week.

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 remained in the 74-75 cfs range for last week. As the suns sinks lower there is less of the Pan in the sun each day. It takes the bugs a few hours to realize its time to come off so the advice is to get where the sun has been shining for a few hours. In the sun a few baetis were coming off on Sunday but the cold kept them down. Midges also produced some results but the fish were sluggish in the shade. The best results are in the deeper water where the fish have gathered. The sunnier areas are up towards mile marker 11. In most places the steep valley prevents the sun for almost all day.

By the time of writing next week, the sun will begin to get higher again. I will begin watch for that first hopper – I am very patient!.

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; on the brighter days use black midges but red or brown will work on the duller days; 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 produced good results during the warmer part of the day. Flies for the week should streamers and egg patterns. The fish will also feeding on stone fly nymphs where they find them. The nymphs get knocked or scraped off the rocks by moving ice and the fish will grab them in a flash. 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

Fish deep with nymphs and eggs - stone fly nymphs sizes #8 through #12. The 20 incher is always productive. Down lower where it is more open the sun will be on the water for hours so the fishing will be a little more 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;