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We got our first taste of winter this week when a snow storm blew through leaving snow on the higher peaks and in the shade. It was enough to remove most of the remaining leaves from the trees. It was also time to get the winter tyres installed. It is still pleasant in the sunlight but as soon as it passes behind the high peaks, it gets dark and cold quickly. So now one has to plan one's fishing day according to where the sun will be. The fishing was still good as there are still bugs about and the fish are still feeding well. There is a window for some dry fly activity during the middle of the day, while the rest of the time, fish either streamers or nymphs. Apart from the possibility of some rain/snow on Tuesday or Wednesday, the coming week will generally be comfortable with bright days and temperatures in the high 40's. However overnight the temperatures are now dropping well below freezing making the mornings very cold. This will persist while there is no cloud cover. So there is no hurry to get out onto the rivers. Give it time to warm a little and get comfortable. The conditions will be very pleasant, but in the bright light and low water, the fish are tending to be very spooky.
There are still a few bwo's and midges about and there are some nice hatches to take advantage of during the day. But as the sun drops it gets cold quickly. So don't rush to get out onto the river, and dress for cold/winter conditions. The browns are getting aggressive now as they begin to move into the redds. So fishing with streamers in any water will produce results. Recommended Flies:Use midges, bwo's, nymphs and attractors. The fish are also taking small nymphs and caddis patterns. For mysis at the dam use Mike's Mysis. epoxy mysis, and BDV mysis. The midges will come off during the day, particularly if it is sunny. So try Wilson's Reverse Candy Cane #20, red and black chironocones #20, nick's larva in miracle pink, olive, and purple back, brassies #18 - #22, midge larva patterns #18 - #22, copper johns #18 - #22, rainbow warriors, black polywings #18 - #22 and bling midges # 18 - #22. In addition try dry patterns such as the z-wing real midge, black cdc midge and any similar dry black and gray patterns in sizes from #20 through to #26. The fish are taking generic nymphs such as pheasant tails and caddis larva patterns. The BWO's are coming off as well. Try emerger patterns such as rs2's and WD-50's. For BWO naturals use standard BWO's, parachute BWO's, parachute Adams, and Thorax patterns.
Roaring Fork Current Flow: near Emma - 328cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page). The Fork has settled a little since the mid-week storm offering more great fishing. The browns are chasing streamers aggressively. The only floating is from Carbondale down. Recommended Flies: The best results on the Fork now are from nymphing. Use either stoneflies or attractor patterns down deep, with small nymphs or emergers as the second fly. In the clear water and bright days the fish are near structure or down deep. Now the big browns are chasing streamers as well so take along your streamer gear for a change. Try small baetis such as the FPA Sparkle Baetis, the FPA Thorax Emerger, and black pheasant tails have also worked well. For emergers, the rs2 in black or gray. Also the sparkle wing rs2. For small flies, copper johns, pc phlash, mercury rs2's, pheasant tails, bubble back bwos.
The Colorado is clear and is offering good fishing. Recommended Flies: Generally the way to go is nymphing with small baetis, the FPA sparkle baetis, sparkle rs2's and biot emergers. For stonefly nymphs use the BTB Hot Spot 20 Incher, rubberleg patterns such as Mike's BTB Coffee/Black and the Halloween Speckled Girdle Bug, with midges, worms and small baetis patterns behind the lead fly. Try streamers as well. |
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