Site search
sponsored by
Home
News
ENLARGE
Englewood resident Jim Roy has his hands full Saturday morning as he has two lines out on Clinton Reservoir while in his fishing tube.
Even if the fish aren't biting, mountain-ringed Trappers Lake on the northwest side of the Flattops Wilderness Area is worth the trip for scenery alone. But the fish are biting, with native cutthroat trout of up to 17 inches providing great action for spincasters and fly fishermen alike. They're being caught from shore, boat (only rowboats and canoes are allowed, no motors) and float tubes, tubing being a great way to fish this 200-acre lake.
Flyfishers do best with Renegades, Parachute Adams and Irresistibles, though Woolly Buggers always work and midges, both emergers and adults, attract phenomenal evening rises. At dusk, you can't go wrong with a Griffith's Gnat or CDC Biot Midge. The most effective lures lately have been yellow spinners with a silver blade or gold spinners with a touch of red in the blade. Small Marabou Jigs with a chartreuse body and black tail also work when the fish are hanging lower in the water column.
Trappers is located at the end of County Road 250, which branches off County Road 8 about 50 miles east of Meeker. For much of the drive, Road 8 parallels the White River, which has several public access points and offers superb fishing of its own. Caddis, grasshoppers and mosquitoes provide most of the fly action at this time of year Š use No. 10-12 hoppers in yellow and green colors, No. 14-16 Caddis, Parachute Adams and just about any beadhead.
For the complete fishing report, visit http://wildlife.state.co.us/dowfish/index.asp
Denver Metro
Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) - Rain has turned the creek to a muddy latte. Fishing won't be much good until it clears. When it does, stay away from the road near the tunnels using hoppers, Caddis flies and Renegades.
Clear Lake - Some fat stocked rainbows are being caught here on Power Bait and red salmon eggs. This is a beautiful lake above Georgetown, best fished in the morning.
Flyfishers do best with Renegades, Parachute Adams and Irresistibles, though Woolly Buggers always work and midges, both emergers and adults, attract phenomenal evening rises. At dusk, you can't go wrong with a Griffith's Gnat or CDC Biot Midge. The most effective lures lately have been yellow spinners with a silver blade or gold spinners with a touch of red in the blade. Small Marabou Jigs with a chartreuse body and black tail also work when the fish are hanging lower in the water column.
Trappers is located at the end of County Road 250, which branches off County Road 8 about 50 miles east of Meeker. For much of the drive, Road 8 parallels the White River, which has several public access points and offers superb fishing of its own. Caddis, grasshoppers and mosquitoes provide most of the fly action at this time of year Š use No. 10-12 hoppers in yellow and green colors, No. 14-16 Caddis, Parachute Adams and just about any beadhead.
For the complete fishing report, visit http://wildlife.state.co.us/dowfish/index.asp
Denver Metro
Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) - Rain has turned the creek to a muddy latte. Fishing won't be much good until it clears. When it does, stay away from the road near the tunnels using hoppers, Caddis flies and Renegades.
Clear Lake - Some fat stocked rainbows are being caught here on Power Bait and red salmon eggs. This is a beautiful lake above Georgetown, best fished in the morning.
South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) - Fishing is good for trout both in the flies and lures section and the bait section downstream. Start with beadhead nymphs and streamers in the mornings switch to Mayfly patterns in the afternoon. Small Tormentor and Rapala lures also work well for spincasters.
Northwest
Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) - Recent dam releases have raised flows to 276 cfs and made the water off-color, though it should clear soon. Trout fishing has slowed as the water warms so fish early in the morning for best results. Green Drakes are hatching along with some evening Caddis. Use No. 12-14 Drake patterns and No. 14-16 Caddis. Hoppers and San Juan Worms work well when nothing is hatching. The tailwater beneath the dam is subject to periodic security closures and is currently only open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are three other public accesses on BLM land downriver to the confluence with the Colorado, but they are narrow and anglers are warned to stay off adjoining private property.
Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) - Fishing is excellent with Green Drakes, PMDs and Caddis all coming off downriver towards Green Mountain Reservoir. If water starts to get off-color in the afternoons, throw bigger beadheads and San Juan Worms. In Silverthorne, many fish are still being hooked on small flies in the No. 18-22 range such as cream WD-40s, Miracle Nymphs, Disco Midges, Candy Canes and Mysis shrimp. Fishing between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. is best, with dries after noon. Many larger fish have been spotted in the higher reaches below the dam. Be persistent as these fish are notoriously picky.
Colorado River (below Parshall) - Rains raised the flow to 775 cfs near Kremmling and the water is off-color. Water temperatures have been in the high 60s and trout fishing is slow. Anglers are having better results at Pumphouse and Radium with frequent Caddis hatches and a lot of hoppers. Use No. 14-16 Tan Caddis, RS2s, Prince Nymphs and No. 10-12 Joe's Hoppers. Also try No. 18 baetis nymphs.
Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) - Muddied by recent rain, the river was flowing at 2,710 Monday near Glenwood Springs. When clear, it has been fishing well, especially from a drift boat. Dry/dropper rigs work best but some large fish are also being caught on Caddis dries and Stonefly nymphs, red Copper Johns and Autumn Splendors, fished deep. Best time to catch the Caddis hatch is late afternoon into dusk. Other good flies include Royal Wulffs, Yellow Humpies, Hoppers and TC Yellow Sallies.
Colorado River (near Granby) - Rain showers have helped cool the water but flows are low, 196 cfs near Granby, and water temperatures have been rising. Please fish responsibly and try not to stress trout until increased flows cool things down. The Colorado has been enjoying a profusion of overlapping hatches by Drakes, PMDs, Caddis, Yellow Sallies and hoppers. Recommended flies include Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, Woolly Buggers, Irresistibles and terrestrials. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the west end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is also permitted and two fish may be kept.
Elkhead Reservoir - Fishing is very good for crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, especially around the inlet. The smallmouth bass population has been augmented by 1,300 fish removed from the Yampa River to safeguard native and endangered fish species such as the Colorado pikeminnow. The bass are hitting on tube baits, Marabou jigs and jigheads with Twister tails. Crappie here run big, up to 14 inches, and are being caught on one-inch tubes and small jigs. Pike fishing has slowed but a few are still being caught at the inlet where they are feeding on crappie. Some nice catfish of up to 12 pounds have also been caught at the inlet and by the dam. The limit for smallmouth and largemouth bass is two fish at least 15 inches long.
Fryingpan River - Anglers are enjoying superb dry fly fishing here. The 'Pan is clear and running at 112 cfs below Ruedi Reservoir. Green Drakes are out on the middle and lower river, especially between mile posts 2-8. Hatch is from noon until 4 p.m. Good Drake patterns include Sparkledun Drakes, BDE Drakes, Winged Green Drakes, 20-Inchers, Poxyback Drakes and Winged Drake Emergers. Pink and yellow PMDs are also hatching in profusion on the entire river. Use No. 16-18 Sparkleduns, CDC Biot Duns, Cripples, Halfback Emergers, Hunchback PMDs and Pheasant Tails. BWOs are still out in the first mile or two below the dam, and Caddis on the lower river.
Northwest
Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) - Recent dam releases have raised flows to 276 cfs and made the water off-color, though it should clear soon. Trout fishing has slowed as the water warms so fish early in the morning for best results. Green Drakes are hatching along with some evening Caddis. Use No. 12-14 Drake patterns and No. 14-16 Caddis. Hoppers and San Juan Worms work well when nothing is hatching. The tailwater beneath the dam is subject to periodic security closures and is currently only open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are three other public accesses on BLM land downriver to the confluence with the Colorado, but they are narrow and anglers are warned to stay off adjoining private property.
Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) - Fishing is excellent with Green Drakes, PMDs and Caddis all coming off downriver towards Green Mountain Reservoir. If water starts to get off-color in the afternoons, throw bigger beadheads and San Juan Worms. In Silverthorne, many fish are still being hooked on small flies in the No. 18-22 range such as cream WD-40s, Miracle Nymphs, Disco Midges, Candy Canes and Mysis shrimp. Fishing between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. is best, with dries after noon. Many larger fish have been spotted in the higher reaches below the dam. Be persistent as these fish are notoriously picky.
Colorado River (below Parshall) - Rains raised the flow to 775 cfs near Kremmling and the water is off-color. Water temperatures have been in the high 60s and trout fishing is slow. Anglers are having better results at Pumphouse and Radium with frequent Caddis hatches and a lot of hoppers. Use No. 14-16 Tan Caddis, RS2s, Prince Nymphs and No. 10-12 Joe's Hoppers. Also try No. 18 baetis nymphs.
Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) - Muddied by recent rain, the river was flowing at 2,710 Monday near Glenwood Springs. When clear, it has been fishing well, especially from a drift boat. Dry/dropper rigs work best but some large fish are also being caught on Caddis dries and Stonefly nymphs, red Copper Johns and Autumn Splendors, fished deep. Best time to catch the Caddis hatch is late afternoon into dusk. Other good flies include Royal Wulffs, Yellow Humpies, Hoppers and TC Yellow Sallies.
Colorado River (near Granby) - Rain showers have helped cool the water but flows are low, 196 cfs near Granby, and water temperatures have been rising. Please fish responsibly and try not to stress trout until increased flows cool things down. The Colorado has been enjoying a profusion of overlapping hatches by Drakes, PMDs, Caddis, Yellow Sallies and hoppers. Recommended flies include Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulators, Woolly Buggers, Irresistibles and terrestrials. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the west end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is also permitted and two fish may be kept.
Elkhead Reservoir - Fishing is very good for crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, especially around the inlet. The smallmouth bass population has been augmented by 1,300 fish removed from the Yampa River to safeguard native and endangered fish species such as the Colorado pikeminnow. The bass are hitting on tube baits, Marabou jigs and jigheads with Twister tails. Crappie here run big, up to 14 inches, and are being caught on one-inch tubes and small jigs. Pike fishing has slowed but a few are still being caught at the inlet where they are feeding on crappie. Some nice catfish of up to 12 pounds have also been caught at the inlet and by the dam. The limit for smallmouth and largemouth bass is two fish at least 15 inches long.
Fryingpan River - Anglers are enjoying superb dry fly fishing here. The 'Pan is clear and running at 112 cfs below Ruedi Reservoir. Green Drakes are out on the middle and lower river, especially between mile posts 2-8. Hatch is from noon until 4 p.m. Good Drake patterns include Sparkledun Drakes, BDE Drakes, Winged Green Drakes, 20-Inchers, Poxyback Drakes and Winged Drake Emergers. Pink and yellow PMDs are also hatching in profusion on the entire river. Use No. 16-18 Sparkleduns, CDC Biot Duns, Cripples, Halfback Emergers, Hunchback PMDs and Pheasant Tails. BWOs are still out in the first mile or two below the dam, and Caddis on the lower river.
Green Mountain Reservoir - The summer doldrums have set in and fishing is very slow. Anglers are catching a few trout early in the morning and late evening but none during the heat of the day.
Rifle Gap Reservoir - Lake level is 52 feet below capacity but there is still enough boat ramp for a 16-foot craft. Perch fishing remains excellent with worms all around the lake. Trout fishing is good in the evening along the west end by the Cedar campground. Worms, Power Bait and Kastmasters work best.
Rio Blanco Lake - Pike fishing has slowed some but crappie, bluegill and catfish are all biting well. Cut bait and stinkbaits work best for catfish and the best fishing times, if you can stand the mosquitoes, are morning and late evening. Crappie and bluegill are hitting on white and chartreuse crappie jigs; some of the bluegills are bigger than the crappie.
Roaring Fork River - Heavy rain muddied the water over the weekend but it is clearing and current flows are 590 cfs in Basalt and 1,050 in Glenwood Springs. Green Drakes are hatching daily along with PMDs, Caddis and Blue Wing Olives. Best fishing is on cloudy days. Use No. 10-12 Drake patterns, No. 16-20 Caddis and PMDs, No. 22-24 BWOs and don't forget the evening spinner fall. Recommended flies include Royal Wulffs, Green Drake Sparkle Duns, H&L Variants, BDE Drakes, Pink PMD Sparkleduns, BH Princes, 20-Inchers, Lite Brite Caddis and BH Pheasant Tails.
White River - Rain roils the water some but the river clears quickly, currently flowing at 417 cfs near Buford and 373 cfs at Meeker. Fishing is excellent with regular Caddis hatches and good hopper action. The Sleepy Cat access has provided consistently good action even during the heat of the day. Use No. 10-12 hoppers in yellow and green colors, No. 14-16 Caddis, Parachute Adams and just about any beadhead pattern.
Williams Fork Reservoir - Reservoir is nearly full and trout fishing remains good near the inlet but pike has fishing has slowed. Small Rapalas in rainbow trout colors and silver and blue Kastmasters work best for trout. Kokanee are hitting well on red Arnies, Tasmanian Devils, Needlefish and Wedding Rings in 20-22 feet of water. Lake trout have moved into much deeper water and few have been caught lately.
Williams Fork River - Running very low and water temperatures are rising. Fishing is slow despite regular Caddis hatches. Trico spinners work best early morning and mosquitoes in the evening. Also try No. 16-18 Caddis dries.
Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) - Fishing is good in the tailwater below Stagecoach Reservoir with midges, PMDs and evening Caddis. Nymphs: No. 20 Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Copper Johns, black RS-2 or Barr's emergers. Dries: Parachutes, Sparkle Duns and PMD Emergers. Flow in downtown Steamboat Springs is 108 cfs with Caddis, hoppers and PMDs providing good surface action mid-morning and evening. For dry/dropper rigs, try a Hare's Ear and Prince Nymph, Timmy's Nymphanator, Green Caddis pupa below a big Hopper or Cricket pattern. Several river sections are restricted to flies and lures only and/or catch-and-release. Call the Steamboat Fishing Company at 970-879-6552 for the latest conditions.
Southeast
Rifle Gap Reservoir - Lake level is 52 feet below capacity but there is still enough boat ramp for a 16-foot craft. Perch fishing remains excellent with worms all around the lake. Trout fishing is good in the evening along the west end by the Cedar campground. Worms, Power Bait and Kastmasters work best.
Rio Blanco Lake - Pike fishing has slowed some but crappie, bluegill and catfish are all biting well. Cut bait and stinkbaits work best for catfish and the best fishing times, if you can stand the mosquitoes, are morning and late evening. Crappie and bluegill are hitting on white and chartreuse crappie jigs; some of the bluegills are bigger than the crappie.
Roaring Fork River - Heavy rain muddied the water over the weekend but it is clearing and current flows are 590 cfs in Basalt and 1,050 in Glenwood Springs. Green Drakes are hatching daily along with PMDs, Caddis and Blue Wing Olives. Best fishing is on cloudy days. Use No. 10-12 Drake patterns, No. 16-20 Caddis and PMDs, No. 22-24 BWOs and don't forget the evening spinner fall. Recommended flies include Royal Wulffs, Green Drake Sparkle Duns, H&L Variants, BDE Drakes, Pink PMD Sparkleduns, BH Princes, 20-Inchers, Lite Brite Caddis and BH Pheasant Tails.
White River - Rain roils the water some but the river clears quickly, currently flowing at 417 cfs near Buford and 373 cfs at Meeker. Fishing is excellent with regular Caddis hatches and good hopper action. The Sleepy Cat access has provided consistently good action even during the heat of the day. Use No. 10-12 hoppers in yellow and green colors, No. 14-16 Caddis, Parachute Adams and just about any beadhead pattern.
Williams Fork Reservoir - Reservoir is nearly full and trout fishing remains good near the inlet but pike has fishing has slowed. Small Rapalas in rainbow trout colors and silver and blue Kastmasters work best for trout. Kokanee are hitting well on red Arnies, Tasmanian Devils, Needlefish and Wedding Rings in 20-22 feet of water. Lake trout have moved into much deeper water and few have been caught lately.
Williams Fork River - Running very low and water temperatures are rising. Fishing is slow despite regular Caddis hatches. Trico spinners work best early morning and mosquitoes in the evening. Also try No. 16-18 Caddis dries.
Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) - Fishing is good in the tailwater below Stagecoach Reservoir with midges, PMDs and evening Caddis. Nymphs: No. 20 Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Copper Johns, black RS-2 or Barr's emergers. Dries: Parachutes, Sparkle Duns and PMD Emergers. Flow in downtown Steamboat Springs is 108 cfs with Caddis, hoppers and PMDs providing good surface action mid-morning and evening. For dry/dropper rigs, try a Hare's Ear and Prince Nymph, Timmy's Nymphanator, Green Caddis pupa below a big Hopper or Cricket pattern. Several river sections are restricted to flies and lures only and/or catch-and-release. Call the Steamboat Fishing Company at 970-879-6552 for the latest conditions.
Southeast
Arkansas River No. 3 (Through Pueblo) - Fishing is slow for all species.
Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) - Flows are in the 800 cfs range and clear to Big Bend. Below Big Bend clarity has been variable due to rains. Fish are hitting on attractor dries, Beadhead Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns and Pale Morning Duns. Caddis are hatching in the evening.
Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) - Flows are 250 cfs at Hayden Meadows and 500 cfs at Granite Gorge. Clear water, good Mayfly hatches and abundant evening caddis make this a good place to be right now.
Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) - Some significant rains have contributed a fair bit of sediment to the lower river. In Salida, the river is clearing along the edges and definitely fishable. Look for continued clearing and improvement through the week.
Clear Creek Reservoir - Fishing has improved markedly over the past week. Boaters have the most success trolling Needlefish tipped with nightcrawlers. Shorecasters do best with salmon eggs fished on the bottom from the boat ramp to the dam and along the south shore. Flycasters say gold-ribbed Hare's Ears are most effective in the evening.
Elevenmile Reservoir - Fishing for trout on the south side remains good and the north side has seen some improvement over the past week. Boaters are having the best action on the east end of the lake using Power Bait, marshmallows, salmon eggs, Tasmanian Devils, Rapalas, Kastmasters, and Arnies tipped with nightcrawlers trailing rainbow Cowbells. Shorecasters do well at Lazy Boy, Witchers Cove, Howbert Point and the North Shore using white, green, orange or rainbow Power Bait and marshmallows. Salmon are hitting on Needlefish, Arnies, Panther Martins, Dick Nites, Tasmanian Devils and Kastmasters in the middle of the lake between Duck and Goose islands. Pike fishing has been slow, but some are being caught in weedy coves on sucker meat, Black Bunnies and black and silver Rapalas.
South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) - Rain muddied the water some but it should clear quickly and fishing remains very good with hatches of Callibaetis and Damselflies. Trout are hitting on AP Muskrats, RS2s, San Juan Worms, UFOs, No. 18-22 Chironimids, Brassies, No. 16 Red Copper Johns, Black Beauties, Griffith's Gnats, Trico Duns, No. 16 Light Tan Hare's Ear or Tube Callibaetis, No. 14 Callibaetis, Pheasant Tails and Red Midge Larva.
Southwest
Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) - Flow is stable this week at 746 cfs. For surface action early in the morning and later in the afternoon try Midges, PMDs and Caddis. During non-hatch periods, use a hopper/dropper or double-nymph rig. "Dredge the lead" in deep fast holes and consider a midge pupa or larva if things really slow down. Dries: No. 14 Stimulator and Elk Hair Caddis, Caddis, PMD Adams and Hoppers. Nymphs: No. 10 Halfback, Befus Wired Stone, 20-Incher; No. 20-26 midges (larva, pupa and emerger phases), Pheasant Tails, Flashback PTs and beadhead versions, Copper Johns and Woolly Buggers. Call the Cimarron Creek Fly Shop at 970-249-0408 for updates.
Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) - Flows are in the 800 cfs range and clear to Big Bend. Below Big Bend clarity has been variable due to rains. Fish are hitting on attractor dries, Beadhead Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns and Pale Morning Duns. Caddis are hatching in the evening.
Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) - Flows are 250 cfs at Hayden Meadows and 500 cfs at Granite Gorge. Clear water, good Mayfly hatches and abundant evening caddis make this a good place to be right now.
Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) - Some significant rains have contributed a fair bit of sediment to the lower river. In Salida, the river is clearing along the edges and definitely fishable. Look for continued clearing and improvement through the week.
Clear Creek Reservoir - Fishing has improved markedly over the past week. Boaters have the most success trolling Needlefish tipped with nightcrawlers. Shorecasters do best with salmon eggs fished on the bottom from the boat ramp to the dam and along the south shore. Flycasters say gold-ribbed Hare's Ears are most effective in the evening.
Elevenmile Reservoir - Fishing for trout on the south side remains good and the north side has seen some improvement over the past week. Boaters are having the best action on the east end of the lake using Power Bait, marshmallows, salmon eggs, Tasmanian Devils, Rapalas, Kastmasters, and Arnies tipped with nightcrawlers trailing rainbow Cowbells. Shorecasters do well at Lazy Boy, Witchers Cove, Howbert Point and the North Shore using white, green, orange or rainbow Power Bait and marshmallows. Salmon are hitting on Needlefish, Arnies, Panther Martins, Dick Nites, Tasmanian Devils and Kastmasters in the middle of the lake between Duck and Goose islands. Pike fishing has been slow, but some are being caught in weedy coves on sucker meat, Black Bunnies and black and silver Rapalas.
South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) - Rain muddied the water some but it should clear quickly and fishing remains very good with hatches of Callibaetis and Damselflies. Trout are hitting on AP Muskrats, RS2s, San Juan Worms, UFOs, No. 18-22 Chironimids, Brassies, No. 16 Red Copper Johns, Black Beauties, Griffith's Gnats, Trico Duns, No. 16 Light Tan Hare's Ear or Tube Callibaetis, No. 14 Callibaetis, Pheasant Tails and Red Midge Larva.
Southwest
Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) - Flow is stable this week at 746 cfs. For surface action early in the morning and later in the afternoon try Midges, PMDs and Caddis. During non-hatch periods, use a hopper/dropper or double-nymph rig. "Dredge the lead" in deep fast holes and consider a midge pupa or larva if things really slow down. Dries: No. 14 Stimulator and Elk Hair Caddis, Caddis, PMD Adams and Hoppers. Nymphs: No. 10 Halfback, Befus Wired Stone, 20-Incher; No. 20-26 midges (larva, pupa and emerger phases), Pheasant Tails, Flashback PTs and beadhead versions, Copper Johns and Woolly Buggers. Call the Cimarron Creek Fly Shop at 970-249-0408 for updates.
