Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

The last few days have been particularly warm and as a consequence the rivers are dark. The Fork is really rocking along now at 1280cfs and is dark well above Basalt. A few more days of hot weather in the 70’s and some promised thunderstorms and we will see some seriously high water. The rafters will certainly be out. So in the week leading up to Memorial Weekend we are expecting some real run-off action.

Frankly the sooner it gets here the better to clear the way for a great summer of fishing.

Most of the good fishing this week was on the Pan but Mike and Harry did float down on the Fork from above Basalt and got some nice fish on streamers, stoneflies and worms.

But for the coming week if the current weather patterns persist, the Pan will be the order of the day. If you are coming up don't hesitate to ring us at the shop and we will give you an update. Things can change quite quickly up in the Mountains.

Cameron went away for a spot of saltwater flyfishing last week and sent up back some photo's.

A good week’s fishing on the Pan above Seven Castles. The bright light kept the fish low and in quieter areas in the shade. The coming week is predicted to be hot and with thunderstorms later in the week. The heat has the tributaries running very fast at the moment. Taylor Creek is running as hard and as big as it has for years. The other tributaries are the same. But the water quality in the Pan remains fine above the 4 mile mark.

The best results were either in fishing deep or walking carefully along in the shade spotting fish in shallow quiet pools on the edges. They took a few dry flies but mostly it was a matter of fishing down. Cameron and Mal had good trips this week and advised that fishing deep down got the best results. On the weekend mid-river a few fish were rising in the shade. The best results were in fishing an FPA thorax bead sparkle baetis with either a mercury rs2 #20 or an FPA sparkle baetis #20-#22 behind it.

In the coming week, if we do have some rain, one would expect some good BWO hatches.

Recommended Flies: The midges will come off during the day, particularly if it is sunny. So try WD-40's #20 , red and black chironocones #20, brassie's #18 - #22, midge larva patterns #18 - #22, copper johns #18 - #22, black polywings #18 - #22 and garcia's rojo midges # 18 - #22.

If the fish start moving higher in the water column or get active under the surface, 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.

When they are on the surface, try dry patterns such as the z-wing real midge, suspended midge and any similar dry black and gray patterns such as a parachute Adams in sizes from #20 through to #28.

The fish are well onto the baetis now. Try some small nymph patterns such as pheasant tails and the FPA sparkle baetis #20 - #24 down deep. In addition try the emerger patterns like crystal hunchback, juju baetis, the mighty mite, icebreakers and the FPA sparkle baetis - #18 - #24 and rs2 #18 - #22 and soft hackle baetis #18 -#22.

If BWO’s start to come off try dry patterns like the adams and parachute adams #20-#24 and the matthews #18 - #24 with an emerger dropper. If the fish are under the surface try fishing 2 emergers with a very small weight to get the flies down a little. An rs2#20 behind an FPA emerger or sparkle baetis with a thorax bead will do the trick.

On the bright days the BWO's will tend to come off in the shade. But if it starts to rain, don't come in. Just stay out on the water as long as you can - unless its an electrical storm!

Roaring Fork

Current Flow: near Emma - 1280cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

The hot weather over the past couple of days has really kicked up the Fork and with the forecast of hot weather and thunderstorms during the coming week, there is no reason to think that the run-off will slow down any time soon. If it is cold overnight the flow might slow down a little up above Basalt and afford some wade fishing. But from Basalt down it is not going to be good while the temperature remains in the 70s - 80's.

This week Mike and Harry floated down from above Basalt and reported reasonable fishing on streamers, stoneflies and a few worms. The caddis are out in force lower down, so if you can get to some quiet water try caddis patterns with some flash.

Basically, try stone flies, caddis larva and nymphs as well as eggs and princes down deep. In addition BWO emergers such as the rs2, soft hackle emergers, and the crystal back BWO.

But don't expect great fishing lower down the Fork at the moment. Come up higher onto the Pan or higher up the Fork closer to Aspen. If you are coming up, give us a call at the shop and we will give you an uptodate and, to best of our ability an accurate report on the river conditions so you won’t be disappointed when you get here.

Recommended Flies: Try small baetis nymph patterns such as pheasant tails #18 - #24. For baetis emergers try RS2, the crystal hunchback, juju baetis, the mighty mite, icebreakers and the FPA sparkle baetis - #18 - #24. Also try princes, brassies, copper johns and eggs deep down as well as worms.

When the BWO's are coming off try the adams and parachute adams #20-#24 and the matthews #18 - #24.

Try various stone fly patterns and in particular Theo's and the 20incher #10 -#14. In addition use streamers, particularly when floating.

Now that the caddis are about try emergers and dries.

Colorado River

Don’t bother stopping to try the Colorado. It is just too dirty. Just head up valley past Basalt and turn left to the Pan or keep going to the upper Fork. The Colorado won’t be worth the effort for a while so long as the weather remains warm. So check in with the shop to get an uptodate report if you are coming up later in the week.

Recommended Flies: BWO nymphs (see some of the patterns we mention for the Fork); midges emergers and dries during the hatches, eggs and princes; caddis; 20 inchers size #10 - #14; streamers #2 - #8.