Fall is in the air, and the salmon spawn song is under way

Click to Enlarge Browse and Buy Summit Daily Photos Holding the whopping 22-inch rainbow trout he landed on the Blue River recently, Frisco resident Douglass Hall doesn't try to fight the grin. Hall landed this on a 4 weight fly rod 6x tippet and a dry 14 hopper, fighting the fish for 20 minutes. It wasn't the only big catch of the day, either; his partner and fellow Summit Guides guide DJ Mooney landed a 19-inch rainbow that took him 100 yards down the river. Special to the Daily

DAILY NEWS STAFF REPORT
September 18, 2007

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Fall is in the air, and the spawn song for kokanee salmon is under way.

Kokanee, a landlocked strain of Pacific sockeye salmon, are an important component of the fishery in about a dozen reservoirs across Colorado. Feeding primarily on zooplankton, the salmon grow to size in the reservoirs, where they are a favorite of boating fishermen in summer and ice fishermen in winter.

When mature, usually in the fall of their fourth year, the salmon are ready to spawn. Like other Pacific salmon, the kokanee will die soon afterward.

Kokanee do not reproduce well in Colorado under natural conditions and their population must be replenished through the Colorado Division of Wildlife's hatchery system. Spawn is gathered at several locations in the fall, millions of fertilized eggs are hatched and the young kokanee are stocked the following spring, to grow up in the reservoir.

Four years later, the mature salmon return to where they were stocked, either in the reservoir itself or to some point in a stream that flows into the lake. Notable examples include the Gunnison/East River system above Blue Mesa Reservoir and the South Platte River above Elevenmile Reservoir.

Blue Mesa salmon run all the way up to the Roaring Judy hatchery above Almont, a distance of about 23 miles, where DOW personnel and volunteers will collect their spawn. Elevenmile kokanee run a mile or so to a spawn-taking station on the river.

Though spawning-run salmon are not actively feeding, they nevertheless take a variety of flies and lures. Fishing for them has become very popular, especially in the system above Blue Mesa Reservoir. Bright streamers flies and bead-head nymphs are among the standard patterns.

Catch-and-release provisions and flies-and-lures restrictions generally apply to salmon-run fishing. Anglers should carefully check the 2007 Colorado Fishing Regulations and Property Directory before fishing.

Because the salmon soon will die, snagging is permitted in designated waters during certain times of the year. Once again, checking the regulations booklet for waters, season dates and limits is required.

Spawn-taking points usually give spawned-out salmon to licensed anglers. The Roaring Judy hatchery will give away the salmon on the final three Fridays of October, beginning at 9 a.m. Giveaways at other locations may be announced as the season progresses.


Denver Metro

Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) - Fish the edges next to main currents with San Juan worms, Prince Nymphs or black Woolly Buggers. Respect private property along the creek.

South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) - The river has been unusually high and discolored. 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 often are small Panther Martins, Mepps or Blue Fox spinners. Night crawlers usually are the most effective bait in the unrestricted lower stretch.



Northwest

Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) - Flows below Green Mountain Dam on Tuesday morning were 944 cfs. Catch-and-release provisions went into effect May 1 for the river from Green Mountain Dam to the Colorado River. The river holds its share of trout, some of which are quite large, but through much of this section courses through private property.

Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) - Tuesday morning's flow was 151 cfs. Fishing through Silverthorne continues to be most productive using small midge and mysis patterns. In town, fish Randy's or Solitude Mysis along, with Tony Danzas, Miracles, JuJuBees, Randy's Baetis, Brook's Sprouts, No. 24 Adams, UV Emergers or Black Beauties. North of town, clarity has been an issue because of construction around the elementary school. Baetis, Hoppers, Stimis, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs, King Princes and other standard nymph patterns seem to be producing. Salmon from Green Mountain Reservoir have begun their spawning run.

Colorado River (below Parshall) - The flow at Parshall, below the Williams Fork tributary, on Tuesday was 283 cfs. Near Kremmling, below the Blue River confluence, the volume was 1,430 cfs. Though the flow and clarity can vary depending on rain and tributary flows, conditions generally have been good and the river has been fishing well downstream as far as State Bridge. Caddis remain the primary hatch, though some BWO activity is possible on overcast days. Grasshoppers and other terrestrials also have been on the water. Muddler Minnows have been effective in some of the faster water, and spin fishermen report results on silver-bladed Mepps spinners.

Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) - The Colorado River has been flowing at 2,210 cfs in Glenwood Springs and lately has been a perfect green/clear color. The streamer and nymph fishing has been nothing short of spectacular. The best fishing has been taking place from New Castle downstream to Silt. Hot flies include: Stingin' Sculpins, Autumn Splendors, Stingin' Clousers, Ziwis, Red Copper Johns, Princes, STDs, Sparklewing RS-2s, Biot Emergers, Electric Caddis, San Juan Worms and Flashtail Eggs.

Colorado River (near Granby) - Flows on Tuesday were 105 cfs below Windy Gap, 283 cfs below the Williams Fork confluence near Parshall and 1,430 cfs near Kremmling. Several very nice rainbows have been caught and released on the stretch by the DOW offices. Caddis, blue duns and many other dry fly patterns have been working, as have the usual wet flies such as Prince Nymphs, RS-2s and Copper Johns. Hopper action has been reported. Also, San Juan worms have been getting some action. In some areas, the fish have been gorging on small caterpillars. 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. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

Crystal River - The Crystal River is flowing at 70 cfs in Carbondale and is clear throughout. Some good hatches of green drakes are being seen from Marble up to Crystal during afternoons and evenings. Caddis are the dominant hatch from Carbondale up to Redstone. Dry/dropper/dropper setups are best. Hot flies include: Marshmallow Hoppers, Head Turning Hoppers, BDE Drakes, Hairwing Drakes, Princes, PTs, Copper Johns, BLMs and STDs.

Fryingpan River - The Frying Pan is clear along its length, with river flows hovering around 246 cfs. Green drakes have been heavy near the dam, along with good hatches of PMDs and BWOs. The dry fly fishing has been superb during the afternoons, with good nymph fishing prior to and after the hatches. Hot flies include: Drake Sparkleduns, Drake Cripples, BDE Drakes, Melon PMD Sparkleduns and No Hackles, PTs, STDs, BLMs, RS-2s and Johnny Flashes.

Grand Lake - Consistent fishing on this deep, natural lake requires some learning and experience, but can be highly rewarding. As the weather cools and water temperatures drop, fishing will improve. Spinners, Rapalas, vertical jigging, fly fishing, trolling and bait fishing all can produce brown and rainbow trout, large lake trout and kokanee. Boat access between Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir is possible. The water level of this lake remains constant. Fishing off the public dock area and in the channel between the lakes remains good. Trolling also is productive. Inquire in Granby for updates.

Green Mountain Reservoir - The lake is down about 15 feet and the fishing is improving. Snagging season has started and the salmon are stacked up in the inlet. Some still are being caught on lures, but the run has begun.

Roaring Fork River - The Roaring Fork is clear and fishing well from Aspen all the way down to Glenwood Springs. Recent river flows have been at 70 cfs in Aspen, 424 cfs in Basalt and 736 cfs in Glenwood Springs. Nymphing has been exceptional all day, though solid streamer fishing is also occurring in the mornings. Fall is in the air, as the large flies of summer are giving way to smaller attractor patterns and BWO nymphs and emergers. The float fishing below Carbondale has been top-notch the past week. Above Basalt, the fishing has been equally good, but focus on tiny (No. 18-22) flies such as RS-2s, Johnny Flashes, Engle's Baetis Emergers and STDs.

Williams Fork Reservoir - The lake remains full. Fishing for kokanee salmon and a few rainbow trout has been fair, but with hot daytime temperatures has been slowing down. A few mackinaw have been taken from deep water. The reservoir also has some large northern pike that prowl shallow areas of the lake into early August. Large streamer flies, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are suggested.

Williams Fork River - The flow below Williams Fork Reservoir has been steady, and on Tuesday was 130 cfs. Look for mixed hatches of midges, caddis, and blue-wing-olive, pale-morning-dun and red quill mayflies. Effective fly patterns generally are small, size 18-22.

Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) - Flows remain satisfactory and clarity generally is good, though tributaries might carry in some turbidity. Blue-wing-olive mayflies are the primary hatch, though plenty of grasshoppers still are around, and terrestrial patterns should remain effective until a major frost. A handful of mahoganies - large brown mayflies - have been observed and should become more evident in the next week or two.



Southeast

Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) - Weekend flows were 189 cfs above Buena Vista and 308 in Browns Canyon. That is a great level for wading in the canyon. Nymph the deep holding water in the mornings and then work the edges with hopper/caddis combos or Stimulators on top, or dry-nymph combos.

Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) - The upper river is low and clear - 134 cfs at Granite - and fish are feeding hard in preparation for the spawn and winter. Blue-wing-olive mayflies are active on cloudy days. When the sun is out, hoppers and other terrestrials are a good choice for Hayden Meadows. Try dry-dropper combos having some red down in the Granite Gorge. Construction work at Clear Creek Reservoir might cause some discoloration of the river.

Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) - Weekend flows were 408 cfs at Wellsville, with 419 cfs at Parkdale. Water clarity is excellent and conditions are prime for both wade and float fishing. Blue-wing-olive mayflies are hatching on cloudy days, and active nymphs and emergers can be found on many days. Fishing with hopper/dropper combos in the morning and Stimulator/caddis combos in the late afternoon seems to be productive. Streamer fishing also is excellent now.

Elevenmile Reservoir - Overall trout-fishing success is good. With recent stocking, fishermen are doing well along the coves near the marina. The best reports are coming from shoreline fishermen along the south side of the reservoir. Worms combined with marshmallows, various Power Baits and assorted spinners seem to be working the best. Trout that have been caught recently are ranging from 12- to 22-plus inches. Water temperatures are beginning to decline. Kokanee fishing has picked up for boaters. Northern pike fishing is great. The bag and possession limit is 10 kokanee salmon and four trout, of which only two can be 16 inches or longer. No limit applies to northern pike. Boating is permitted daily from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) - Flows have come down a little, and on Tuesday morning were 93.2 cfs. Trico hatches still are evident, but the fishing has been tough. Look for kokanee salmon and brown trout from Elevenmile Reservoir to be entering the river soon. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures on the stream, and catch-and-release rules apply for all species of fish. As usual, this area attracts large crowds.

Spinney Mountain Reservoir - Spinney fishing is good. Fishing at Spinney is by artificial flies and lures only, with a bag and possession limit of one trout at least 20 inches long. Midges, Callibaetis mayflies and damselflies have been evident on the water. The surface water temperature is in the mid-60s. Both boat ramps are open. Fishing has been good throughout the day, with average trout catches in the 16- to 22-inch range. The most successful flies have been various nymphs, midges, scud patterns and streamers. As usual, tube jigs and lures also are productive. This is a day use park, opening 1/2 hour before sunrise and closing one hour after sunset. Boating is permitted daily from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.



Southwest

Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) - Flows are stable around 1,080 cfs. Browns are getting more aggressive downstream. Some epic midge days have been reported. Try midge emergers, Griffiths Gnats, Wd 40s, Halfbacks, Pheasant Tails, Hare's Ears and other traditional patterns. A nice sulfur dun hatch has been coming off early to mid afternoon. Try a pink Cahill. Use a Stimulator as a strike indicator in the hopper-dropper combination. Midges, especially a red midge, are doing well in the afternoon into the evening. Scuds in olive and orange, Copper Johns and GB Prince Nymphs are some other patterns to have with you.