|
Another cold week in the Valley with flurries of snow, cold weather and wind. The snow didn't stick for long but it was cold. And the cold kept the flows low bringing on excellent water conditions and some great floating. Our second Guide School participants caught some great fish. See some photos here.
The snow this week was sufficient to keep the snowpack at the median level. The Bureau will probably start releases shortly so keep an eye on the flows. As we move into May, a co-ordinated release is usually planned towards the end of the month.
The forecast for next week is generally for clearing weather into next weekend. So conditions should be good, but if the weather gets warmer, the melt will pick up pace and the conditions in the Fork and Colorado will deteroriate. In addition if the bureau picks up the release in the Pan it will take a day to settle down.
Frying Pan With the possibility that the Bureau will shortly increase the flows in the Pan keep an eye out for that eventuality. Generally the flows are increased for co-ordinated releases in May so bear that in mind. Recommended Flies:Use midges, bwos, and egg patterns. 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.
Roaring Fork Current Flow: near Emma - 460cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page). The cold spell has brought the flows in the Fork down nicely over the past week and with it some great fishing in the ideal water conditions. With the possibility of warmer weather and increased releases from the Pan, the conditions might change shortly so keep an eye out. 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.
The colder weather improved the conditions nicely in the Colorado but the wind required a bit of adjustment as to where one embarked on a float. The water conditions were good. With the forecast for warmer weather, the flows may color up so keep an eye on the temperatures in the coming week. Try small flies, attractor patterns, streamers and caddis pupae and larvae. 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. |
|
The san juan angler for the best in San Juan River Fly Fishing |
||