Fishing Report

For the Week ending 21st June 2015

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As suggested last week, with temperatures soaring this week, the Bureau was forced to increase releases earlier than expected. However looking at the graph it looks as though the flow into Ruedi has peaked as is falling now. With Ruedi still 3% from full and the inflow at 561cfs tonight and the outflow at 735cfs Ruedi is currently falling. The top inflow today was around 850cfs so with the average daily inflow dropping quickly, the Bureau will have to drop the releases to ensure than Ruedi fills. So expect releases to drop quickly from Monday.

There was quite a lot of criticism of the releases and some of the locals panicked talking about releases closer to 1000cfs. The burst of hot weather caught the Bureau off guard. But a careful look at the graphs indicated that there was never any real danger of the releases getting out of control. Still it is better to be safe than sorry.

Speaking of sorry, we have a humorous response to the flooding of the work done in the old trailer park in Basalt which is supposed to be the site of a new hotel if more than 2 people can ever come to an agreement on how to spend someone else's money. A week ago the flows passed over the top in an "overtopping" process which was indicated as part of the grand plan of the design.

I don't know where the engineers get their sense of humor, but they better be checking their professional liability policy. At least they acknowledged that a "few adjustments" need to be made. The Fork topped out at over 4000cfs and the area was flooded heading straight for the Rocky Mountain Institute's new headquarters. They are all about renewable energy. I wonder if they have considered a renewable building. Because at a little over 4000cfs the area was flooded and the level came uncomfortably close to their building. In 2011 and 2010, the Fork topped out around 6000cfs. That is within living memory despite being in the age of micro-second attention spans. A 6000cfs flow of water would probably flood the park, wipe out the building and flood the road. Some "over topping"! Like being shot by "friendly fire".

So I suspect it will be back to the drawing board for all concerned with lawyers in tow. I can't see any building permits being issued for that area for a while.

Some good news. The wire on public land near Meredith Long's property which has been the subject of further savage adverse comment came down this week. Public shaming still works! Just in time as a number of kayakers were enjoying the high Frying Pan releases. Sadly one didn't make it and died upstream from Basalt.

So for the coming week look for the Frying Pan to come down and be reasonably accessible by the end of the week. But check with the shop. Things can change.

We are now posting photos separately to make the loading of the report easier for your computer. You can see the latest photos: Fly Fishing Photos.

Frying Pan

Current Flow: below the Dam 735cfs.(if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)

It seems that the inflow to Ruedi has peaked and so the releases should drop quickly over the coming week. Ruedi still has 3% to fill so the way to make your own assessment is to look at the average inflow and the current outflow. As the inflow drops the Bureau will have to drop the releases further to ensure that Ruedi fills. With the forecast temperatures remaining in the high 80's to 90's over the next week, there will be no respite so the melt will continue apace.

Still in the current high water, the fishing has been good near the Dam. However the water is high and there is a lot of pressure. With the flood of mysis shrimp for a few days, a rig with a range of mysis shrimp worked particularly well. Check with the shop or the flows to get a current update. However the river should come down quickly over the next week.

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.

As they come off try the gray loopwing emergers #20 - #22, the FPA special emergers, biot emergers both with and without the trailing shuck and gray RS2's #18 - #22, Johnny Flash in Olive, Grey, and Black, Olive and Red Jujubee, trailing shuck midge black and cream.

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 - 3690cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The flow appears to have peaked over 4000cfs and is now coming down very slowly. It is dangerous to float and certainly not reasonably fishable even as the water clears. But it should come down from here. However, with a prediction of hot temperatures over the next week, the melt will continue at a fast pace. So just head to Basalt and the Frying Pan.

Colorado

The Colorado is colored up now so don't bother stopping down there. Just come up to Basalt.

Check out our new Frying Pan River Lodge.

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