News
Don't trust the calendar, because, even though today is technically Sept. 1 and still summer, the signs of fall are everywhere for anglers.
“We have colder nights, shorter days and colder water temperatures,” said Adam Nabors, a guide for Mountain Angler in Breckenridge. “And we're seeing everything that comes with fall (fishing): low flows and calm, clean water.”
And that's a good thing for all anglers in the area. While the low waters mean more technical fishing, the chances of catching bigger fish are better.
“It can be a little tougher — more technical — but the reward can be much greater,” Nabors added.
With the fall and late-summer period comes the spawning of brown trout, meaning that the fish will be very active in the rivers.
On the South Platte River, Nabors said anglers should start seeing some big browns moving around. The shallower waters and cooler temps are something all the fish in the area will be responding to.
Nabors said to look to the deep, slow turns that the Platte is known for and to use a hopper-dropper rig to troll the different levels of the water.
“We've been seeing quite a few natural grasshoppers in the area,” he said. “So, the fish are looking for them.”
Tying a large foam hopper above a bead-head pattern should work well.
“The primary rig of choice for the area is definitely the hopper-dropper right now,” Nabors said.
On the Colorado River, the float fishing continues to produce and the fish have been feeding well.
In the mornings, the trico hatches have been large, and Nabors suggested a hopper-dropper rig with a large hopper on top trailing a trico spinner or a brown trico.
And while Nabors said the Arkansas River is still fishing well, he said to look to the Blue River for the most unique fall fishing this season.
“The big news coming up will be the Kokanee salmon coming out of Green Mountain Reservoir,” he said.
The rare mountain fish migrates upstream from the reservoir every fall, and anglers lucky enough to net one will get an experience unlike most they'll find with a fly rod.
“They can be a lot of fun,” Nabors said. “If you catch them early enough in their run, they'll eat a lot of flies. It can be a really fun change from the normal fishing season.”
Nabors said to stay in touch with any of the local fly shops to find out when the salmon start moving.
“We have colder nights, shorter days and colder water temperatures,” said Adam Nabors, a guide for Mountain Angler in Breckenridge. “And we're seeing everything that comes with fall (fishing): low flows and calm, clean water.”
And that's a good thing for all anglers in the area. While the low waters mean more technical fishing, the chances of catching bigger fish are better.
“It can be a little tougher — more technical — but the reward can be much greater,” Nabors added.
With the fall and late-summer period comes the spawning of brown trout, meaning that the fish will be very active in the rivers.
On the South Platte River, Nabors said anglers should start seeing some big browns moving around. The shallower waters and cooler temps are something all the fish in the area will be responding to.
Nabors said to look to the deep, slow turns that the Platte is known for and to use a hopper-dropper rig to troll the different levels of the water.
“We've been seeing quite a few natural grasshoppers in the area,” he said. “So, the fish are looking for them.”
Tying a large foam hopper above a bead-head pattern should work well.
“The primary rig of choice for the area is definitely the hopper-dropper right now,” Nabors said.
On the Colorado River, the float fishing continues to produce and the fish have been feeding well.
In the mornings, the trico hatches have been large, and Nabors suggested a hopper-dropper rig with a large hopper on top trailing a trico spinner or a brown trico.
And while Nabors said the Arkansas River is still fishing well, he said to look to the Blue River for the most unique fall fishing this season.
“The big news coming up will be the Kokanee salmon coming out of Green Mountain Reservoir,” he said.
The rare mountain fish migrates upstream from the reservoir every fall, and anglers lucky enough to net one will get an experience unlike most they'll find with a fly rod.
“They can be a lot of fun,” Nabors said. “If you catch them early enough in their run, they'll eat a lot of flies. It can be a really fun change from the normal fishing season.”
Nabors said to stay in touch with any of the local fly shops to find out when the salmon start moving.
