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As the rain continues to fall and the snowpack continues to build in the high country, we are assured of an excellent year for water. It is cooler than normal and even the lower elevations still have snow on them. Taylor Creek has usually passed the high of its run-off by now. However we haven't even started to see the bulk of the run-off yet. When we do get a warm spell the flows will be fast and furious. The rain is making for an excellent growing season. The weather forecast is for more rain for the whole of this coming week. There has been no need to start running the irrigation yet. There are more blue herons on the river than normal and we have several foxes who have made their homes here. They are cleaning up the ground squirrels and are generally oblivious of the traffic. The snow up high is keeping the deer down lower as well as the big horn sheep. We are looking forward to a great year.
As predicted there was a small increase in the releases so now the flows are running at 204cfs in the Pan. One would expect the flows to pick up again shortly as the snow pack keeps building. The Bureau will have to get control of the level of Ruedi if it starts to fill quickly with a warm spell. With the inflow at 300cfs and the level at 80% things could change quickly with a hot spell. In the meantime the fishing has been good but the rising water is spreading them out a little so it takes some patience. The higher flows are also tending to keep the fish lower and not rising as much while the season changes. and the water conditions ideal. With the forecast for more rain over the coming week the BWO hatches will be strong. Make sure you dress for cold wet conditions. The rain can blow in quickly. But the fishing will be excellent. Recommended Flies:Use midges, bwo's, nymphs and attractors. The fish are also taking small nymphs and caddis larva. The fish aren't particularly fussy yet so a well presented pattern will do the trick. 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.
Current Flow: near Emma - 749cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page). The flows are pickingup with the additional rains and relatively warm weather. However we have reached the peak of 3 weeks ago. But that could happen any day, and then with the water covering more ground which hasn't been touched for 8 months, the debris and material will slow down things until the level falls a little. So if you are uncertain just head to Basalt and the Frying Pan. If the weather cools the flows may subside a little but expect the conditions to remain colored lower down now that the run-off is appearing to pick up with the warmer weather. 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 colored up now so don't bother stopping down there. Just come up to Basalt. 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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