Including the Upper Arkansas, Colorado and GunnisonRivers
All reports are up-dated on Wednesdays each week during the summer season and every other week during the winter season (November - March). Reports will not be up-dated the week following holiday weekends. Good luck and good fishing, The Fish Phone.
Report Date: 8/18/2010
Rivers:
Arkansas River
A tributary of the Mississippi River Approximately 1469 miles long, Headwaters originate in Lake County near Leadville, The River runs through Colorado, Kansas Oklahoma and Arkansas. The upper and middle river is located in (Region 3) and the lower section is located in (Region 6) includingthe section that runs through Canon City. Fish species: Wild Rainbow and Brown Trout
Upper Section - Leadville to Buena Vista
Flow: Near Leadville: 58 CFS Clarity: Murky with occasional clearing Fishing conditions: Excellent
Trout: Good Flies: Caddis and BWO emergers and attractor nymphs
Lures: Gold and black Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Trout: Good to excellent Flies: Caddis and BWO emergers and attractor nymphs
Lures: Gold and black Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Blue River
A tributary of the Colorado River Approximately 75 miles long, Headwaters originate in Southern Summit County; The River runs north and flows past towns of Blue River and Breckenridge then river then flows through Dillon Reservoir. From Dillon the river runs north - northwest where it flows into Green Mountain Reservoir, then the river joins the Colorado 13 miles downstream at the Town of Kremmling. (Region 1) Fish species: Wild Rainbow and Brown Trout
Upper section - Through the Town of Blue River down to Green Mountain Reservoir
Gold Medal Water and wild trout water- Special regulations apply
Flow: Blue River: 16 CFS / Below Dillon Reservoir: 80 CFS Clarity: Clear Fishing conditions: Fish the edges with larger flashy flies like rubber leg stones, san juans, lightning bugs, and small flashy streamers. Larger tippets can be used during these higher flows, so leave the 6x at home. Mysis are working a bit but larger flies seem to be better menu items. The wading is difficult with the high flows but remember the edges clear first and that is where the fish will be. Olives and midges are hatching a bit and some stones and caddis have been seen as well, but scuds and san juans have done the most damage. Hatches on the lower river are more diverse with stones and caddis starting to dominate. Drakes will start soon in July. The streamer bite has been good as well with black being the better color, white is also working. Articulated streamer like dungeons, monkeys, silveys sculpin, and sculpzillas were excellent the last two days below Green Mountain with darker colors working the best. Kelly Galloup is a genious.
Trout:Good to excellent
Flies: Dries: Extended Body BWO #16-22, Last Chance Cripple #18-22, PMX in all colors #8-16, Griffiths Gnat #10-22, Sparkle Duns #16-20, X-caddis #14-18, South Fork Foam Stone #8-14, Elk Hair Caddis #14-18, Rainy's Grand Hopper, GT PMD #14-16, PMD Pullover #16, CDC PMD #16-18, Stimulator #8-16, Club Sandwich #6-10 Nymphs: Ray Charles, Hares Ears, 20 Inchers, Tungsten Flash Prince #12-18, Electric Caddis #14-18, Sparkle Pupa #14-18,Tungteaser #10-16, Scuds, San Juans, Eggs, STD's #18-22, Barr Emergers #20-24, Pheasant Tails #16-22, Top Secret Midge #18-24, Girdle Bugs, Blue Poison Tungs #18-22, and Rainbow Warriors. Black sculpins #2-10, leeches on a dead drift are good as well.
Lures: Small spinners
Colorado River
This is Colorado's Largest River originating from La Poudre Pass Lake where it then flows into Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir below Rocky Mountain National Park. The Colorado River flows for over 1450 miles into Mexico. The Upper Colorado River flows from Lake Granby to Parshall and then Parshall to Glenwood Springs (Region 1). The river then continues through Colorado into (Region 3), where it flows through the town of Grand Junction and later is joined by the Green River in Utah.
Fish species: Rainbow and Brown Trout
Gore Canyon
Flow: Kremmling: 944 CFS / Dotsero: 1,630 CFS / Glenwood Springs: 3,060 CFS Clarity: Green cast Fishing conditions:The Upper Colorado is big and off coloor due to run off and every dam upstream is open. The Salmon Flies have preety much come and gone. It could be a couple of weeks before we can get back on the Upper C, keep checking back. The Lower Colorado below Glenwood is muddy.
Trout: Fair Flies:DRIES; Parachute Blue Wing Olives (#16-18), Para. Adams (#16-20), Royal Wulffs (#14-18) NYMPHS;,20 Incher's (#8-10), Superfly's (#14-18) BH Prince (#14-18), Barr BWO emergers (#18-20) Biot BWO (318-20) Red San Juan Worms (#8), Veiled Egg(#10), Gray or black midge Pupa and emergers (20-24). STREAMERS!! Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Eagle River
A tributary to the Colorado River approx. 70 miles long, headwaters start in the White River Natl. Forest. Most of the river parallels I-70 near the towns of Gypsum, Eagle and Avon.
Fish species: Rainbow Brown Cutthroat and Brook Trout
Gold Medal Water- special regulations
Flow: Red Cliff: 29 CFS / Near Minturn: 67 CFS / Avon: 169 CFS / Below Gypsum: 283 CFS Clarity: Iced Tea Fishing conditions: The run off is quickly comming to an end and the water levels are dropping fast, the river behind the shop is running clear. The Eagle is fishing better everyday. Streamers and nymphs are best bet right now. Look for the Caddis to pop in the next few days as the water tempatures come up into the low 50's. If the trends continue we should be floating the Eagle by weeks End!!!
Trout: Fair Flies: DRIES:Peacock Stimulatos (#14-16), Royal Wulff (#12-14) NYMPHS: Beadhead Prince(#10-14), Guide's Choice Hairs Ear(#12-16), Pheasant Tails in all flavors(#12-16), Cased Caddis(#10-12) Hulk in a House(12), New trick Softhackle Purple(#16-18). Gold B.H Epoxy back Golden STone (#10-14), 20 Incher(#8-10), Kaufman Golden Stone(#8), Gold B.H. Purple Prince(#12-14) San Juan Worm Pink/Red/Rust(#10-14). STREAMERS: Slumpbuster Olve or rust (#4-6) Conehead Wooly Bugger Olive or Black(#4-6), Kiwi Muddler Olive(#4), Tequily (#2-4)
Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
East River
A tributary of the Gunnison River Approximately 30 miles long, Headwaters originate near Emerald Lake north of Gothic. The river runs through Almont where the East River meets the Taylor River to form the Gunnison. Fish species: Salmon, Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat and Brook Trout
Fishing conditions: Good to excellent, summer flows and clear water is producing excellent fishing.
Kokanee Salmon Run (August 1 - October 31): Kokanee are a land-locked form of sockeye salmon. Each April, 2-inch kokanee fry are released from Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery into the East River. Their overnight journey takes them down the East to the Gunnison River and onto Blue Mesa Reservoir, where they typically spend two or three years. In late August, the salmon begin their trek back to the hatchery and the run usually lasts through October. Division of Wildlife personnel spawn the salmon at the hatchery, taking 3,000,000 to 10,000,000 eggs per year. Catch & release fishing for kokanee is allowed on the Gunnison River and East River from August 1st through October 31st. The run normally peaks around mid September.
Trout: Good Flies: 20-Incher 6-8, Pat's Rubber Leg Stone 6, Pheasant Tail 18-20, Copper John 16-18, Barr BWO Emerger 18-20. BWO emergers and adults 16-20. Muddy Buddy and Sculpzilla streamers 4-8.
Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Frying Pan River
A tributary of the Roaring Fork River, Headwaters originate in the White River National Forest where it flows into Ruedi Reservoir. From Ruedi Reservoir to Basalt contains the Gold medal waters. At Basalt the river joins the Roaring Fork River. Fish species: White fish, Rainbow, Brown, Brook and Cutthroat Trout
Gold Medal Water- special regulations
Flow: Near Ruedi: 256 CFS Clarity: Clear Fishing conditions: Good at the toliet bowl and down stream!
Trout: Good to excellent Flies: Mysis shrimp, BWO's and midges
Lures: Spinners
Gunnison River
A tributary of the Colorado River, Headwaters originate where the Taylor River and East River join to form the Gunnison River at Almont. The upper section runs approximately 20 miles down stream to Blue Mesa Reservoir. The lower section starts below Blue Mesa Reservoir where it runs through the Black Canyon before its confluence with the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Fish species: Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow and Brown Trout
Gold Medal Water- special regulations
Upper Section - Headwater to Blue Mesa Reservoir
Flow: Near Gunnison: 603 CFS Clarity: Crystal clear Fishing conditions: Excellent, with many extremely large fish being cuaght!
Trout: Good Flies: 20-Incher 6-10, Pat's Rubber Leg Stone 6, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Copper John 16-18, Micro Mayfly 16-18, BLM 16-18, Barr BWO Emerger 18-20. BWO emergers and adults 16-20. Caddis 14-18. Muddy Buddy and Sculpzilla streamers 4-8. Green Drake 10-12 and PMD 16. Golden Stonefly 8.
Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Lower section - Blue Mesa Reservoir through the Black Canyon to confluence of the North Fork
Flow: Delta: 913 CFS / Near Grand Junction: 1,280 CFS Clarity: Green cast
Fishing conditions: The Salmon Flys are still out! These BIG beautiful bugs are now in the National Park. Through the gorge PMD nymphs and Yellow Sally nymphs are catching the majority of the fish. PMDs are just starting to emerge in Ute park. The fishing is outstanding below the Smith Fork. The fish can’t get enough of theYellow Sallys it seems. Start fishing the nymphs in the morning, changing to dry flys about 11:00 a.m.. Big brown Caddis were skating across the suface and fish were taking them all afternoon. A few PMDs where coming off, but not in great number yet.
Trout: Good Flies: Stone fly's, caddis and PMD's
Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Roaring Fork River
A tributary of the Colorado River, the upper section runs approximately 15 miles down into Aspen. The middle section starts below Aspen to Basalt. The lower section is the most popular and provides year round fishing. This stretch is from Basalt to Glenwood Springs where the river meets the Colorado River. Fish species: Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow and Brown Trout
Upper section - Headwater to Basalt
Flow: Near Aspen: 44 CFS Clarity: Murky Fishing conditions: Good
Trout: Good Flies: Stones and caddis for now with red quils and green drakes anyday now.
Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Middle section - Basalt to Carbondale
Flow: NearEmma: 570 CFS Clarity: Clear Fishing conditions: Good
Trout: Good Flies: Stones and caddis for now with red quils and green drakes anyday now.
Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Lower section - Carbondale to Colorado Confluence
Gold Medal Water- special regulations between the confluence of the Crystal river down the Colorado Confluence at Glenwood Springs.
Flow: Glenwood Springs: 1,130 CFS Clarity: Off - color Fishing conditions: Good
Trout: Good Flies: Stones and caddis for now with red quils and green drakes anyday now.
Lures: Panther Martin's Bait: Power bait, salmon eggs and worms
Snake River
Flow: Near Montezuma: 44 CFS Clarity: Green cast Fishing conditions: Water levels are dropping and fishing is improving daily
Trout: Good with nice healthy winter hold overs Flies: Woolly buggers, 20 inchers, red copper johns, stimulators and Parachute Adam's
Lures: Spinners
Taylor River
A tributary of the Gunnison River Approximately 20 miles long, headwaters originate in the Gunnison National Forest above Taylor River Reservoir. Below the reservoir, river flow usually averages 250 - 300 year round except for May and June when it can rise to 700 - 1500 CFS. The river runs through Almont where the East River meets the Taylor River to form the Gunnison. The Taylor is known for its Grand Slam (4 species in one day) and the size of each species! Fish species: Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat and Brook Trout
Gold Medal Water- special regulations
Flow: Taylor Park: 77 CFS / Below Taylor Park reservoir: 300 CFS / Almont: 372 CFS Clarity: Clear below Taylor Reservoir Fishing conditions: Good at tail water and below, with many large trout being landed at catch and release section below the dam.
Trout:Good Flies: (Catch & release - below the dam): general midge patterns 18-24, mysis shrimp 18-22, Jujubee 20-22, Brassie 20-22, Black Beauty 20-24, RS2 18-20, Pheasant Tail 18-22, and Barr BWO Emerger 18-22. BWO emergers and adults 16-20. Caddis 14-18.
Almont: 20-Incher 6-10, Pat's Rubber Leg Stone 6, Pheasant Tail 16-20, Copper John 16-18, Barr BWO Emerger 18-20. BWO emergers and adults 16-20. Caddis 14-18. Muddy Buddy and Sculpzilla streamers, and Wooly Buggers 4-8.
Lures: Spinners
Lakes:
Antero Reservoir
A 2000 acre reservoir, located on the South Platte River between US 285 and 24. Ice fishing allowed.
Clarity: Weedy Lake Level: Full, about 70 degrees Boating conditions: Open for boating Fishing conditions: Getting weedy and warm
Trout:Fair to Good Flies: Prince Nymphs, Pheasant tails,egg patterns, #16 or #18 red or black midges, olive or tan scuds, #12 Copper John, #16 Hares Ears, brown mini leech or burgundy leech, chironomids, damsel nymphs Lures: Spinners, Kastmasters, Tasmanian devils (pink, orange or raimbow), Swedish Pimples, gold or silver flat fish size 7, Daredevils Bait: Nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, power bait, atomic ants with wax worms Kokanee:Fair to Good Lures: Bronze lures with dots, Z-Ray with red dots Bait: Small jigs tipped with wax worms
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Colorado's largest body of water, it is 36 miles long with 96 miles of shore line between Montrose and Gunnison. Ice fishing is allowed.
Clarity: Lake Level: About 7 feet low, 69 degrees Boating conditions: Open for boating, ramps open 5:30 am to 9 pm. Fishing conditions: Good
Trout: Good for Browns - try rocky shorelines throughout the lake. Flies: Wolly Buggers, Prince nymphs, Pheasant Tails. Try marabou jigs for the browns. Lures:Rainbow Kastmasters, RatFinkees, Swedish Pimples (pink). Try marabou jigs or squirmin squirts for the browns. Bait: Power bait, waxworms
Mackinaw (Lake Trout): NR
Lures: Try big lures or 3" white tube jigs tipped with sucker meat.
Bait: Sucker meat Kokanee:Good, try west end of lake, Iola , Lake Fork, Elk Creek - 40' to 70' feet Lures: Red Arnies and red / pink jewel, or black & blue needle fish, pink and rainbow squids, Kokanee Killers, vertical jigging spoons or orange/pink jig heads w/ a white grub body, Pink Assassin Bait: Tip lures with shoepeg corn or worms Perch:NR Lures: Bait:
Ruedi Reservoir
A 997 acre reservoir, 14 miles east of Basalt in the Frying Pan Valley. Open to ice fishing.
Clarity: Lake Level: Boating conditions: Fishing conditions: NR
Trout:NR Flies: Wolly Buggers, Prince nymphs Lures: White or rainbow tube jigs, Silver or Gold spoons, Kastmasters, Panther Martins, Tazmanian Devils Bait: Power Bait, worms, salmon eggs
Mackinaw (Lake Trout):NR
Lures: Jigs with sucker meat, Rapalas, large silver Kastmaster
Bait: Sucker meat
Kokanee: NR
Lures:
Bait:
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
A 250 acre reservoir, located in southern South Park on the South Platte River. Lake is closed ice-on to ice off, no ice fishing allowed. Artificial flies and lures only.
Clarity: Algae in some areas of lake Lake Level: Full, 68 degrees Boating conditions: Open for boating, watch out for high winds. Fishing conditions: Good, slight wind is good for catching trout
Trout:Fair to Good, try north end or lower dam area. Fish deeper for bigger fish. Flies: Green or black Wolly Buggers, Hares Ears, Scuds, Pheasant Tails, Red Copper Johns, Chironomids, San Juan Worms, midges, egg patterns Lures: Kastmasters, Tasmanian Devils (pink or orange), Rapalas, spoons Pike: Fair, try 10 to 20 feet of water Flies: Various pike flies Lures: Taz lures, Rapalas, Dick Nites, Trout Traumas, Blue Fox Vibrax Spinners, tube jigs, swimbaits
Taylor Park Reservoir
A 2400 acre reservoir, 35 miles west of Gunnison. Ice fishing is allowed.
Clarity: Clear Lake Level: Full, 62 degrees Boating conditions: Goodtrolling Fishing conditions: Good, try middle of lake
Trout:Good Flies: Black, Olive or Gold Woolly Buggers, Crayfish patterns, egg patterns in orange, apricot or chartreuse, orange or olive scuds, Black Ants, Hoppers Lures: Jigs with sucker meat, Apex lures, Mepps, Panther Martins, Kastmasters Bait: Nightcrawlers, powerbait
Mackinaw (Lake Trout):Fair to Good - Try 50' to 75' feet of water
