Fishing Report

For the Week ending 24th April 2016

**********************************

Another cold wet week which ended with several nice warm days. The outlook is for possibly more rain with the temperatures warming a little. So though possibly wet, look for warmer weather. The rain is intermittent so it is a matter or dressing appropriately. Typical Colorado spring weather.

The Bureau raised the Pan at the end of last week, bringing the current flow to 112cfs. A nice flow for this time of year. The wet weather brought the flows in the Fork up so with the increased flows in the Pan, the level approached 475cfs at Basalt during the week. This made the Fork relatively unfishable as the higher levels brought in material from the banks which had not seen water for 6 months.

We are now in the transition to run-off so ring the shop if you are coming up and want to float. It may be problematic. Just keep an eye on the flows and the weather. The Pan will certainly offer great fishing for the next month or so until they get closer to the usual co-ordinated releases in late May. That is always determined by the snow pack which currently remains at the mean level for this time of year.

Frying Pan

Current Flow: below the Dam 75cfs.(if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page)

The report is the same as last week with the cold weather making it a little uncomfortable out on the river if one did not dress for the conditions. And the succession of changes during the days, rendered the fishing a little inconsistent. There was not much evidence of hatches for much of the time. When there was a hatch it was done with very quickly. This cold snap has unsettled the balance for the moment. But it should be better as the temperatures warm and remain in the mid 50's. Furthermore the continuing cold is evidenced by the fact that Taylor Creek has hardly picked up any pace in its flows. Usually we are seeing some more evidence of melting at lower elevations by now. So it could come quickly when the weather warms consistently.

Recommended Flies:Use midges, bwos, nymphs and attractors. The fish are also taking small nymphs.

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 - 360cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The colder weather and rain has continued to push the flows up in the Fork during the week bringing in come colour for a time rendering the Fork the poorest of options to float. The forecast for next week is for more rain and if the temperatures stay higher, the melt will pick up pace. So check with the shop for current conditions.

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.

For the stone fly nymphs good patterns continue to include the BB FB Epoxy 20 Incher, the BTB Hot Spot 20 Incher and the CTB RL Epoxy 20 Incher.

Try streamers now as well.

Colorado

The Colorado is going to get a little color now as the melt begins at lower elevations. Keep an eye on the weather as the warming days will bring in more color.

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.

[Archive Index]