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Mid-August brings some changes to fishing across Colorado. Some are subtle; others unmistakable. They range from a slight cooling of water temperatures in rivers and lakes brought on by welcome rains, to the explosive action of wipers feeding near the surface on several eastern-Colorado reservoirs.
Rain has fallen across much of the state during the past week, keeping most trout streams at a good level for fishing and easing some concerns about excessively warm daytime water temperatures.
On the downside, rains can discolor the water on a given day, creating tough conditions for fishing. The high, roily water usually is of fairly short duration, but heavy rain can disrupt fishing for several days.
Whether on a river or lake, fishermen also should be aware of quickly developing thunderstorms and potentially dangerous lightning.
Slightly cooler temperatures also may improve fishing on many mountain lakes and reservoirs, though the early-morning, late-afternoon pattern for the best activity is likely to continue.
Kokanee salmon generally remain in relatively deep water. Successful trolling usually requires downriggers or lead-core line.
On the other extreme, wipers — white-bass/striped-bass hybrids — are feeding on young shad near the surface of several eastern-Colorado impoundments. Pueblo Reservoir has been a hot spot for wipers, but the activity occurs very early in the morning, often ending by 7 a.m.
Wipers are fast-growing, and fish in the 8- to 10-pound range have been fairly common. Crankbaits, plastic jigs, minnows and leeches all have been effective, and fly fishermen can enjoy some spectacular action on streamer flies. Clouser Minnows, Lefty’s Deceivers and white Zonkers all have taken their share of wipers.
Wipers are aggressive and very strong. Use appropriate tackle. Regardless of technique, broken lines or leaders are not unusual.
For the complete, statewide fishing report, visit
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Reports/StatewideConditions/.
Denver Metro
Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) — Fish near the edges of the stream for trout holding off the bank. Use a San Juan worm or a Prince nymph, and fish deep.
Clear Lake — The lake south of Georgetown off the Guanella Pass road has catchable-sized rainbow trout and also some brook trout and a few browns. Fishing can be fairly good on a variety of baits and lures, but success largely depends on periodic stocking. No boats are permitted on the lake. A campground is available one mile to the south.
South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) — The river has been discolored, making fishing difficult. The section from Strontia Springs Dam downstream to 300 yards above the Marston diversion structure is restricted to artificial flies and lures and offers the best fishing. The most effective lures for spin-fishermen are small Panther Martins, Mepps or Blue Fox spinners. Night crawlers are most effective in the unrestricted lower stretch.
Northwest
Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) — Flows below Green Mountain Dam have come up a little and on Monday were around 414 cfs. The water remains generally clear. The river holds its share of trout, but through much of this section courses through private property.
Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) — The flow from Dillon Reservoir is 172 cfs, a good flow for this time of year. It’s the dog days of summer, with no dominant hatches, but some caddis still are evident in the morning and blue wing olives come off in midafternoon on the overcast, rainy days. Mysis shrimp, midges and Barr’s BWO emergers have been working well in town. From Silverthorne to Green Mountain Reservoir, try caddis and blue wing olives on the surface or nymphing with Barr’s Graphic Caddis, Prince nymphs, Flash-back Hare’s Ears, etc.
Colorado River (below Parshall) — Early in the week, river flows were around 88 cfs below Windy Gap Dam and 994 at Kremmling. The water generally is clear, though rains can cause some discoloration. Fishing has been fair. With hot daytime temperatures, eary mornings have been the best time to fish. Afternoons have been slow; evenings somwehat better. Caddis and yellow Sally stoneflies are the main hatches.
Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) — The Colorado River on Monday was flowing about 2,580 cfs below Glenwood Springs. The water is somewhat off-color but still fishable. Recent cooler temperatures have impoved the fishing. Good hatches of PMDs, caddis, and yellow Sallies have been occuring. Late afternoons often are the best time to fish. The Colorado usually is less crowded than other area streams. Hot flies include: Clousers, Splendors, Ziwis, Slump Busters, Princes, Copper Johns, Biot Golden Stones, Stimulators, Rusty Spinners, BLMs, and Little Yellow Caddis. Streamer fishing has been superb lately.
Colorado River (near Granby) — Caddis, mosquito and blue dun dry fly patterns, and Gregg’s Emergers, RS-2s and black-midge wet patterns are still working. Hopper patterns have begun to be effective. Hotter weather has made early morning fishing best. The flow below Windy Gap is running around 105 cfs. The Williams Fork near Parshall is flowing around 38 cfs (below the dam, it is around 274cfs). In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the west end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept.
Fryingpan River — The Pan is flowing at 289 cfs and fishing has been red-hot. Green drakes are pouring off in heavy numbers along the upper river and have moved all the way to the dam. Mysis shrimp also have been coming through the dam. Overcast days have been the best times for both. Heavy hathces of PMDs, Rusty Spinners, and BWOs are taking place, as well. This is the best fishing of the entire year along the upper Frying Pan. Hot flies include: Sparkledun Drakes, Drake Cripples, Colorado Drakes, Thorax PMDs, Pink No Hackles, Perfect PMDs, BDE BWOs, Sparkledun BWOs, Rusty Spinners, P-Tails, Tung Baetis, Thread Emergers, RS-2s, Poxyback PMDs, Halfback PMDs, Epoxy Mysis, and Tim’s Mysis.
Grand Lake — Conditions remain unchanged. Trolling can be productive. A few kokanee were caught recently. Jigging can be productive. Kastmasters, Rapalas and worm harnesses are popular, as well as Power Bait and eggs. Fly fishing is also pop-ular. The east end is an area that fishes well from the bank.
Green Mountain Reservoir — Trolling for kokannee salmon using bright-colored lures has been fairly good. Wedding Rings, Arnies, and Blue Fox are working well. Trout fishing from shore is slow, but some are being caught using salmon eggs or night crawlers.
Rifle Gap Reservoir — The lake is 20 feet below full. The water temperature is 73 degrees. For bass, try bottom fishing in the shallow water east of the boat ramp with night crawlers or spinners. Brown trout are hitting near the East Rifle Creek inlet and the points off Cedar Campground. Try fishing with flies, Panther Martins or Rooster Tails in the early morning or around dusk. For walleyes, try fishing with night crawlers on the bottom. Lures resembling perch minnows are great for pike. The 2006 fishing regulations, fishing information and State Parks annual passes are available at the visitor center.
Rio Blanco Lake — Few fishermen have been on the water in recent days. Some crappie and bass stil may be taken on spinnerbaits but weed growth has become a problem.
Roaring Fork River — The flow on Tuesday was 912 cfs at Glenwood Springs. The Fork is fishing well along its entire 50-mile length. Green drakes and caddis are foud in good numbers from Snowmass to Aspen. From Basalt to Carbondale, the river has good hatches of Caddis and PMDs. Below Carbondale, in Glenwood Springs, good numbers of yellow Sallies also come into play. Below Carbondale, the river has beenday-to-day in terms of water visibility because of recent rains. Streamer fishinghas been superb. Dry fly fishing is good early and late in the day, with solid nymph fishing during the afternoons.
White River — The river remains low and clear despite some rain in its upper reaches. Fishing has been very good. Grasshoppers are abundant along much of the river. Hopper patterns and hopper-dropper rigs have been producing well for fly fishermen. Red Copper Johns and similar nymphs have worked well as the dropper fly behind a Dave’s Hopper, Parachute Hopper or Irresistible. Rainbows and cuttbows also have been taking black gnats, ants and beetles. Some caddis activity has been occurring in the afternoons. Conditions should be prime and fishing should remain good through the summer.
Williams Fork Reservoir — With lake trout in deep water and trout action having slowed, heavyweight northern pike are the main event this time of year. Look for pike in relatively shallow water near weed beds or other cover. Large streamer flies including Bunny, Clouser Minnow, Lefty’s Deceiver and Woolly Bugger patterns usually do well. Shallow-running Rapalas and similar crankbaits are good choices for spin-fishermen, along with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Midmorning through midafternoon tends to be the most productive time.
Williams Fork River — Flows below Williams Fork Dam early in the week were around 261 cfs. Anglers have reported fair to good activity for mostly small- to medium-sized brown trout and an occasional larger rainbow. With midges, Baetis mayflies, caddis and yellow Sallies the dominant hatches,most of the action has been on small flies. Effective patterns have includedFlashback Pheasant Tails, Mercury Baetis, Buckskins, RS-2s and Parachute Adams in sizes 18-22. San Juan worms may be effective in faster water. Days with subdued sunlight generally are best.
Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) — The river is generally clear and fishing well, especially in the mornings before the heat of the day. Caddis and grasshopper patterns provide much of the action. Trico mayflies also have been evident in slower sections of the river. With cooler weather, periodic rain and the irrigation season winding down, the river should have decent flows through the remainder of the summer.
Southeast
Arkansas River No.3 (Through Pueblo) — The tailwater flow is about 515 cfs and the water is muddy. Continued rains predicted throughout the week will keep the flows high and visibility poor. Some midge action should occur. Try a No.18-20 Griffith’s Gnat or No.18-20 Parachute Adams, and drop a No.20-24 bead-head Pheasant Tail or Copper John off the dry and fish the edges of the flow. Fishing remains very challenging below the dam. Habitat improvements have created deeper pools and structure for the fish to thrive in even when releases from Pueblo Dam are minimal. Standard fishing regulations and limits are in effect on this section of the river.
Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) — A phenomenal rain storm Friday caused flash flooding in Browns Canyon. From the upper end of the Canyon to Buena Vista, conditions have been stable and the fishing very good. From Hecla Junction downstream, the sediment was still clearing itself out of the river on Monday. This may take several more days to stabilize, but hopefully will be in good shape by the weekend.
Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) — As of Monday, flows were 137 cfs at Hayden Meadows and 395 at Granite. Clarity has been excellent and fishing good throughout this reach; the recent rains have not had much impact on the upper river. Look for flows at Granite to drop this week, as summer flow-augmentation releases from Twin Lakes come to an end. Hopper/dropper rigs have been the most prevalent technique in use at this time.
Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) — A flash flood Friday night brought a lot of debris and sediment into Bighorn Sheep Canyon. While flows were 800 at Wellsville and stable as of Monday, visibility remains compromised. It’s Better to fish farther upstream this week, while the river clears up.
Clear Creek Reservoir — The water level is high and shoreline fishing for rainbow trout has been good. Typically, the best actvity is in early morning and late afternoon. Night crawlers and salmon eggs have been productive baits, and Z-Rays and red-and-white Dardevles have been effective spinning lures. Boating fishermen have enjoyed fairly good action trolling along the dam and the south shore. Fly-bubble fishing with Renegade patterns has been fair, primarily around the inlet area in the late afternoon. The lake typically produces very good fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and a few large brown trout.
South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) — Flows from Spinney Mountain Dam have been increased and are averaging 210 cfs. The river has been fishing well, with many anglers having success landing trout of 12 inches and up. The river is open to catch-and-release fishing with artificial flies and lures. Micro caddis, regular caddis and Tricos have been the prevalent hatches. Effective flies have included No. 18-20 scuds, No. 20-22 Miracle Nymphs, No. 20-22 RS-2s, No. 20-22 Midge Pupae (Black, gray and red), No. 18-22 Copper Johns, No. 20-22 Parachute Adams, No. 20-24 Mercury Midges, Callibaetis, and Woolly Buggers.
Southwest
Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) — The flow has been stable at 1,280 cfs. Clarity is still being hurt by seasonal rains coming down the Cimarron. The color has been green tea with cream. Despite that, if you know the water and structure, fishing has been good. On top, try caddis, Stimulators and hoppers, and Tricos. If nymphing, Halfbacks, Befus Wired Stones, Scuds, Caddis Pupa, Caddis Larva and Elk-hair Caddis, PMDs, RS-2s, Flashback Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails, Flashback Pheasant Tails and an assortment of different-colored midges have been the go-to patterns.
Gunnison River (through the canyon) — The flow is around 1,280 cfs and the water is clear. Fishing has been very good the past week. Anglers have been using WD40s for nymphing and RS-2s. Beadhead Prince nymphs, size 12-14, have been the hot fly this week. Also good are Flash-back Hare’s Ears, size 18. San Juan worms, streamers and hopper/droppers are still working well. No motorized craft are allowed above the North Fork tributary. Other restrictions include: Gold Medal Water, catch-and-release, flies-and-lures only. No rainbow trout may be kept.
Rain has fallen across much of the state during the past week, keeping most trout streams at a good level for fishing and easing some concerns about excessively warm daytime water temperatures.
On the downside, rains can discolor the water on a given day, creating tough conditions for fishing. The high, roily water usually is of fairly short duration, but heavy rain can disrupt fishing for several days.
Whether on a river or lake, fishermen also should be aware of quickly developing thunderstorms and potentially dangerous lightning.
Slightly cooler temperatures also may improve fishing on many mountain lakes and reservoirs, though the early-morning, late-afternoon pattern for the best activity is likely to continue.
Kokanee salmon generally remain in relatively deep water. Successful trolling usually requires downriggers or lead-core line.
On the other extreme, wipers — white-bass/striped-bass hybrids — are feeding on young shad near the surface of several eastern-Colorado impoundments. Pueblo Reservoir has been a hot spot for wipers, but the activity occurs very early in the morning, often ending by 7 a.m.
Wipers are fast-growing, and fish in the 8- to 10-pound range have been fairly common. Crankbaits, plastic jigs, minnows and leeches all have been effective, and fly fishermen can enjoy some spectacular action on streamer flies. Clouser Minnows, Lefty’s Deceivers and white Zonkers all have taken their share of wipers.
Wipers are aggressive and very strong. Use appropriate tackle. Regardless of technique, broken lines or leaders are not unusual.
For the complete, statewide fishing report, visit
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Reports/StatewideConditions/.
Denver Metro
Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) — Fish near the edges of the stream for trout holding off the bank. Use a San Juan worm or a Prince nymph, and fish deep.
Clear Lake — The lake south of Georgetown off the Guanella Pass road has catchable-sized rainbow trout and also some brook trout and a few browns. Fishing can be fairly good on a variety of baits and lures, but success largely depends on periodic stocking. No boats are permitted on the lake. A campground is available one mile to the south.
South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) — The river has been discolored, making fishing difficult. The section from Strontia Springs Dam downstream to 300 yards above the Marston diversion structure is restricted to artificial flies and lures and offers the best fishing. The most effective lures for spin-fishermen are small Panther Martins, Mepps or Blue Fox spinners. Night crawlers are most effective in the unrestricted lower stretch.
Northwest
Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) — Flows below Green Mountain Dam have come up a little and on Monday were around 414 cfs. The water remains generally clear. The river holds its share of trout, but through much of this section courses through private property.
Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) — The flow from Dillon Reservoir is 172 cfs, a good flow for this time of year. It’s the dog days of summer, with no dominant hatches, but some caddis still are evident in the morning and blue wing olives come off in midafternoon on the overcast, rainy days. Mysis shrimp, midges and Barr’s BWO emergers have been working well in town. From Silverthorne to Green Mountain Reservoir, try caddis and blue wing olives on the surface or nymphing with Barr’s Graphic Caddis, Prince nymphs, Flash-back Hare’s Ears, etc.
Colorado River (below Parshall) — Early in the week, river flows were around 88 cfs below Windy Gap Dam and 994 at Kremmling. The water generally is clear, though rains can cause some discoloration. Fishing has been fair. With hot daytime temperatures, eary mornings have been the best time to fish. Afternoons have been slow; evenings somwehat better. Caddis and yellow Sally stoneflies are the main hatches.
Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) — The Colorado River on Monday was flowing about 2,580 cfs below Glenwood Springs. The water is somewhat off-color but still fishable. Recent cooler temperatures have impoved the fishing. Good hatches of PMDs, caddis, and yellow Sallies have been occuring. Late afternoons often are the best time to fish. The Colorado usually is less crowded than other area streams. Hot flies include: Clousers, Splendors, Ziwis, Slump Busters, Princes, Copper Johns, Biot Golden Stones, Stimulators, Rusty Spinners, BLMs, and Little Yellow Caddis. Streamer fishing has been superb lately.
Colorado River (near Granby) — Caddis, mosquito and blue dun dry fly patterns, and Gregg’s Emergers, RS-2s and black-midge wet patterns are still working. Hopper patterns have begun to be effective. Hotter weather has made early morning fishing best. The flow below Windy Gap is running around 105 cfs. The Williams Fork near Parshall is flowing around 38 cfs (below the dam, it is around 274cfs). In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the west end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept.
Fryingpan River — The Pan is flowing at 289 cfs and fishing has been red-hot. Green drakes are pouring off in heavy numbers along the upper river and have moved all the way to the dam. Mysis shrimp also have been coming through the dam. Overcast days have been the best times for both. Heavy hathces of PMDs, Rusty Spinners, and BWOs are taking place, as well. This is the best fishing of the entire year along the upper Frying Pan. Hot flies include: Sparkledun Drakes, Drake Cripples, Colorado Drakes, Thorax PMDs, Pink No Hackles, Perfect PMDs, BDE BWOs, Sparkledun BWOs, Rusty Spinners, P-Tails, Tung Baetis, Thread Emergers, RS-2s, Poxyback PMDs, Halfback PMDs, Epoxy Mysis, and Tim’s Mysis.
Grand Lake — Conditions remain unchanged. Trolling can be productive. A few kokanee were caught recently. Jigging can be productive. Kastmasters, Rapalas and worm harnesses are popular, as well as Power Bait and eggs. Fly fishing is also pop-ular. The east end is an area that fishes well from the bank.
Green Mountain Reservoir — Trolling for kokannee salmon using bright-colored lures has been fairly good. Wedding Rings, Arnies, and Blue Fox are working well. Trout fishing from shore is slow, but some are being caught using salmon eggs or night crawlers.
Rifle Gap Reservoir — The lake is 20 feet below full. The water temperature is 73 degrees. For bass, try bottom fishing in the shallow water east of the boat ramp with night crawlers or spinners. Brown trout are hitting near the East Rifle Creek inlet and the points off Cedar Campground. Try fishing with flies, Panther Martins or Rooster Tails in the early morning or around dusk. For walleyes, try fishing with night crawlers on the bottom. Lures resembling perch minnows are great for pike. The 2006 fishing regulations, fishing information and State Parks annual passes are available at the visitor center.
Rio Blanco Lake — Few fishermen have been on the water in recent days. Some crappie and bass stil may be taken on spinnerbaits but weed growth has become a problem.
Roaring Fork River — The flow on Tuesday was 912 cfs at Glenwood Springs. The Fork is fishing well along its entire 50-mile length. Green drakes and caddis are foud in good numbers from Snowmass to Aspen. From Basalt to Carbondale, the river has good hatches of Caddis and PMDs. Below Carbondale, in Glenwood Springs, good numbers of yellow Sallies also come into play. Below Carbondale, the river has beenday-to-day in terms of water visibility because of recent rains. Streamer fishinghas been superb. Dry fly fishing is good early and late in the day, with solid nymph fishing during the afternoons.
White River — The river remains low and clear despite some rain in its upper reaches. Fishing has been very good. Grasshoppers are abundant along much of the river. Hopper patterns and hopper-dropper rigs have been producing well for fly fishermen. Red Copper Johns and similar nymphs have worked well as the dropper fly behind a Dave’s Hopper, Parachute Hopper or Irresistible. Rainbows and cuttbows also have been taking black gnats, ants and beetles. Some caddis activity has been occurring in the afternoons. Conditions should be prime and fishing should remain good through the summer.
Williams Fork Reservoir — With lake trout in deep water and trout action having slowed, heavyweight northern pike are the main event this time of year. Look for pike in relatively shallow water near weed beds or other cover. Large streamer flies including Bunny, Clouser Minnow, Lefty’s Deceiver and Woolly Bugger patterns usually do well. Shallow-running Rapalas and similar crankbaits are good choices for spin-fishermen, along with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Midmorning through midafternoon tends to be the most productive time.
Williams Fork River — Flows below Williams Fork Dam early in the week were around 261 cfs. Anglers have reported fair to good activity for mostly small- to medium-sized brown trout and an occasional larger rainbow. With midges, Baetis mayflies, caddis and yellow Sallies the dominant hatches,most of the action has been on small flies. Effective patterns have includedFlashback Pheasant Tails, Mercury Baetis, Buckskins, RS-2s and Parachute Adams in sizes 18-22. San Juan worms may be effective in faster water. Days with subdued sunlight generally are best.
Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) — The river is generally clear and fishing well, especially in the mornings before the heat of the day. Caddis and grasshopper patterns provide much of the action. Trico mayflies also have been evident in slower sections of the river. With cooler weather, periodic rain and the irrigation season winding down, the river should have decent flows through the remainder of the summer.
Southeast
Arkansas River No.3 (Through Pueblo) — The tailwater flow is about 515 cfs and the water is muddy. Continued rains predicted throughout the week will keep the flows high and visibility poor. Some midge action should occur. Try a No.18-20 Griffith’s Gnat or No.18-20 Parachute Adams, and drop a No.20-24 bead-head Pheasant Tail or Copper John off the dry and fish the edges of the flow. Fishing remains very challenging below the dam. Habitat improvements have created deeper pools and structure for the fish to thrive in even when releases from Pueblo Dam are minimal. Standard fishing regulations and limits are in effect on this section of the river.
Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) — A phenomenal rain storm Friday caused flash flooding in Browns Canyon. From the upper end of the Canyon to Buena Vista, conditions have been stable and the fishing very good. From Hecla Junction downstream, the sediment was still clearing itself out of the river on Monday. This may take several more days to stabilize, but hopefully will be in good shape by the weekend.
Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) — As of Monday, flows were 137 cfs at Hayden Meadows and 395 at Granite. Clarity has been excellent and fishing good throughout this reach; the recent rains have not had much impact on the upper river. Look for flows at Granite to drop this week, as summer flow-augmentation releases from Twin Lakes come to an end. Hopper/dropper rigs have been the most prevalent technique in use at this time.
Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) — A flash flood Friday night brought a lot of debris and sediment into Bighorn Sheep Canyon. While flows were 800 at Wellsville and stable as of Monday, visibility remains compromised. It’s Better to fish farther upstream this week, while the river clears up.
Clear Creek Reservoir — The water level is high and shoreline fishing for rainbow trout has been good. Typically, the best actvity is in early morning and late afternoon. Night crawlers and salmon eggs have been productive baits, and Z-Rays and red-and-white Dardevles have been effective spinning lures. Boating fishermen have enjoyed fairly good action trolling along the dam and the south shore. Fly-bubble fishing with Renegade patterns has been fair, primarily around the inlet area in the late afternoon. The lake typically produces very good fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and a few large brown trout.
South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) — Flows from Spinney Mountain Dam have been increased and are averaging 210 cfs. The river has been fishing well, with many anglers having success landing trout of 12 inches and up. The river is open to catch-and-release fishing with artificial flies and lures. Micro caddis, regular caddis and Tricos have been the prevalent hatches. Effective flies have included No. 18-20 scuds, No. 20-22 Miracle Nymphs, No. 20-22 RS-2s, No. 20-22 Midge Pupae (Black, gray and red), No. 18-22 Copper Johns, No. 20-22 Parachute Adams, No. 20-24 Mercury Midges, Callibaetis, and Woolly Buggers.
Southwest
Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) — The flow has been stable at 1,280 cfs. Clarity is still being hurt by seasonal rains coming down the Cimarron. The color has been green tea with cream. Despite that, if you know the water and structure, fishing has been good. On top, try caddis, Stimulators and hoppers, and Tricos. If nymphing, Halfbacks, Befus Wired Stones, Scuds, Caddis Pupa, Caddis Larva and Elk-hair Caddis, PMDs, RS-2s, Flashback Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails, Flashback Pheasant Tails and an assortment of different-colored midges have been the go-to patterns.
Gunnison River (through the canyon) — The flow is around 1,280 cfs and the water is clear. Fishing has been very good the past week. Anglers have been using WD40s for nymphing and RS-2s. Beadhead Prince nymphs, size 12-14, have been the hot fly this week. Also good are Flash-back Hare’s Ears, size 18. San Juan worms, streamers and hopper/droppers are still working well. No motorized craft are allowed above the North Fork tributary. Other restrictions include: Gold Medal Water, catch-and-release, flies-and-lures only. No rainbow trout may be kept.
