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As the mountains begin to close marking the end of the ski season, more locals are coming out onto the rivers. This week marked the new year for licenses and we saw a lot of actiivity in the shop and on the rivers enjoying the conditions. A few nights of lower temperatures has cleared the rivers nicely over the last few days providing for good fishing everywhere. The hatches have been sporadic however when they do occur the fish are feeding on the emergers and not consistently coming to the surface yet. The period of nice warm days and clear skies may be coming to an end shortly. The snow pack could use some more augmentation and the forecast is calling for rain/snow from midweek for a few days. This is timely and consistent with the current forecasts accompanying the el nino condition which is calling for a cooler and wetter spring. So over the coming week prepare for a possible wetter days on the river but the BWO's will be excellent. So if you get a chance, take the time to come up if it is going to be wet. We haven't had much cloud cover for a while, so it is reasonable to expect the the BWO hatches will be excellent. In addition the colder weather will also ensure that the river conditions will be pristine. It would be reasonable to expect some good BWO activity on the Colorado as well. We have finished the house at the Frying Pan River Lodge and are taking bookings for the coming season. You can now view some photos of the interior.
With the water at 141cfs the fish were a little spooky this week in the bright light. It was necessary to fish a little further away and take care in the presentation, taking nothing for granted. The bug hatches were also a little sporadic. Mid and lower river, the hatches were sparse with a few caddis and midges. Not many BWO's. However closer to the Dam, the hatches were a little more consistent. The fish are still preferring the slower flows or alternatively are staying deep on the brighter days. In the coming week we note forecasts for some rain/snow and cooler weather. This will bring off the BWO's. So be prepared for wet weather and anticipate staying out on the river when the rain starts. The hatches will be excellent. The last thing you want is to be unprepared for the weather and have to leave the river as the hatches kick in earnest. Recommended Flies:Use midges, bwo's, nymphs and attractors. As the weather begins to warm the fish are also taking small nymphs and caddis larva. So unless we get a really cold snap, the fish are beginning to get restless and aren't particularly fussy. 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. As we move into spring and the bugs begin to move about, the fish are taking generic nymphs such as pheasant tails and caddis larva patterns. The BWO's are coming off as well. For BWO naturals use standard BWO's, parachute BWO's, parachute Adams, and Thorax patterns.
Current Flow: near Emma - 422cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page). With a few colder days and the drop in releases in the Pan the Fork has cleared lower down so that the conditions are pristine. When there is a little color the fishing has still been excellent as there is minimal material in the water so the fish are not affected. There are nice BWO and midge hatches bringing the fish to the surface in the quieter sections. Generally however the fish are taking emergers so it is better to use emergers subsurface rather than dries on top. On the bright days the fish are tending to stay low or in the riffles close to drop zones. So fish with plenty of weight into these areas where the fish are seeking protection. It is a great time to get out onto the Fork now. Recommended Flies: The best results on the Fork now are from nymphing. Mostly weighted attractor patterns now or small nymphs and grey emerger patterns. You can try small flies such as, copper johns, pc phlash, mercury rs2's, pheasant tails, bubble back bwos. They will also take small soft hackles such as the grey biot emerger. Also try attractor patternssuch as hare's ears, worms and princes. In the faster water it is also worth trying weighted nymphs such as the Frenchie and Vlad's nymph. They will get down quickly and stay close to the bottom in the faster water where the fish will locate on bright days.
The Colorado is in great condition and should remain that way for now. The water has cleared with the colder snap and even if there is a little color during the day it will clear. Nymphing produces the best results. Cameron reported today that the fish were taking caddis larva fished deep. 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. Check out our new Frying Pan River Lodge. |
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