Frying Pan Anglers - Colorado Fly Fishing Report 18th June

Another week of great weather. In fact the promised thunderstorms did not eventuate and the temperatures rose progressively through the week. The levels in the Fork rose as well.

The temperatures in the coming week promise to get hotter and then cool as the week progresses. There is a forecast for some thunderstorms later in the week with the coming weekend being fine and warm again.

The level in the Pan has also been increasing as the week progressed so that now it is running at 374cfs. The Bureau has been increasing it very gradually so the fishing hasn’t been affected to any great extent. With the Fork in full run-off mode the slow increases in the flows in the Pan have enabled fishermen so respite from the run-off throughout the State. So at current levels, although a little challenging, it will hopefully reduce the need for a big flow later in the month in the Pan while the Fork peaks.

So if you are coming up, give us a call and we will give you the latest reports.

Here is an interesting little note. Mason Carter recently stayed with us and floated with Ed. He caught this very large whitefish and then researched the records. Here is Mason's note to us

"I was looking over state records recently and discovered that the current state record whitefish was caught in the Roaring Fork in 1982. It weighted 5 lbs. 2 oz. and measured 18.75 inches. I don’t know much about estimating weight of a whitefish, but I think the one we caught was more than 18 ¾ inches. Too bad we didn’t measure it."

As the week progressed the Bureau raised the level in the Pan a little each day. By the end of the week the level sat at 374cfs and was a little tough to wade in places. The fish tended to stay to the sides and down deep or in the quieter areas. With persistence though the fishing was good. With the water a little higher and a little more color it was possible to use marginally stronger tippet. However the bright light kept the fish in the shade where they could find it.

As the water level picked up larger flies worked well. Cameron and Mike had good fishing through the week using worms. There were reports of good fishing with woolly buggers and mid river the fish took #12 magnum princes, swiss straw emergers and even a #12 female adams dry in the shade. Being feeders of opportunity, the fish were taking larger flies in the faster water so it was just a matter or using a little imagination spotting the fish or fishing deep.

So in the coming week if the water level remains where it and you feel the fishing is a little tough, try bigger flies which you might use in a larger river.

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 - 2250cfs (if you want more uptodate figures check out current readings on our "Links" page).

In the last week the Fork has risen steadily as the temperature increased. It is really in full run-off mode. So for as long as this lasts, its not worth trying to fish it with the Pan just around the corner. However if you are of a mind to try, go as high as you can towards Aspen and pick your way along the edges. With more warm weather coming early this week, the Fork will only get bigger for the moment.

Recommended Flies: In the high water, pick your way along the edges and try caddis dries and emergers and dries with baetis droppers. If you are nymphing deep down, use plenty of weight and pick where the fish are protected behind structure or deeper down in the slower water. Try small baetis nymph patterns such as pheasant tails #18 - #24. Baetis emergers try RS2, the crystal hunchback, juju baetis, the mighty mite, icebreakers and the FPA sparkle baetis - #18 - #24. Also try princes, brassies, and copper johns as well as stones fly nymphs. Use flies with a bit of flash which the fish will pick up in the darker water.

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. 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.