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Well. What a difference a week makes! 15" of snow on the ski fields and probably a lot more higher up. The Ivanhoe guage is showing 105% of the median snowpack which is great news. Though not at last year's level which was an exceptional year, the snow pack is excellent and with more rain/snow forecast for later in this coming week, the outlook is looking excellent. We concluded our first guide camp/fishing camp this week and the results were excellent. Here is a link with photos. However it is apparent that there is a demand for experienced fisherman who don't necessarily want to become guides but just want to "hang out" with other good fishermen for a week. We will be holding more of these events later this year, and a lot more early next year. So keep an eye here for details. With the cold weather blowing in, the hatches came off well as predicted and provided one dressed appropriately it was good fishing. The coming week looks like more of the same weather so be prepared to dress well and anticipate snow/rain showers later in the week. The hatches were great so it is worth the effort. The cold weather has maintained the rivers in excellent condition so look forward to good fishing on all local waters while the colder weather prevails. 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 colder weather, the fish responded well to hatches which came off. But the fish are tending to remain in the deeper water as the wintery conditions have only been here for several days. If the cloudy dull conditions persist one would expect the fish to move out into the shallower sections until the clear bright skies return. The fish are still preferring the slower flows or alternatively are staying deep on the brighter days. In the coming week we note more 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 - 473cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page). A couple of snow days, but not particularly cold weather brought the flows up a little in the Fork as the snow melted off fairly quickly. However the flows have settled back a little as most of the snow/rain has passed for the moment. The condition of the Fork is excellent with the colder weather keeping the run-off mild. 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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