The White River provides some of the best trout fishing in northwest Colorado and while other more famous streams are prone to overcrowding, this one definitely is not. Resort towns are sparse in that part of the state, fishing pressure is low, theres plenty of public access and a slew of campgrounds between Meeker and Trappers Lake.Brown trout, rainbows and whitefish inhabit the lower river from Meeker roughly to the boundary of the White River National Forest, where cutthroats join the mix. The river is still running a little high at the tail-end of runoff but the water is clear and the trout are hungry. They average 10 to 14 inches but 16-inchers are not uncommon and some big browns exceed 22 inches. Right now theyre feeding on Caddis and stoneflies. Soon Green Drakes will put in an appearance.Stan Wyatt of Wyatts Sporting Goods reports that one group of lure casters using Panther Martin spinners caught big brown trout of 7-8 pounds in City Park in downtown Meeker. Best colors were black and yellow, red and yellow and rainbow trout. Further upstream, at the Sleepy Cat and Bel-Aire public fishing accesses, flyfishers are enjoying fast and furious action on rainbows. One group caught 12 fish with four over 20 inches.During the day, says Wyatt, nymphing is the way to go. Use black or olive Woolly Buggers, Beadhead Prince Nymphs and red-bodied Copper Johns or a dry/dropper rig featuring an Orange Stimulator ahead of one of the forementioned nymphs. At 4 p.m. switch to dries: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams and black or brown stonefly patterns, sizes 12-14.The White has nine public access points between Meeker and Trappers Lake, starting with a downtown stretch of riverfront from City Park to the 10th Street Bridge. Moving upriver along County Road 8, other accesses by name and mile marker are Nelson Prather (2.2), Wakara Ranches (4.6), Sleepy Cat (17), Lake Avery Unit (19), Bel-Aire Unit (21) and three in the White River Forest at mile markers 30.5, 36.3 and 43.If you fish the Avery access, you might as well try Lake Avery, a 264-acre impoundment just north of the confluence of the North and South Forks of the White River in the Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area. Besides stocker-sized trout, the lake has been yielding lots of 15, 16 and 17-inch fish to both lures and flies. Float-tubers have been doing particularly well with beadheads.For the complete, statewide fishing report, visit http://wildlife.state.co.us/dowfish/index.aspAs always, Holger Jensen, DOW fishing report coordinator, welcomes field reports from individual anglers and pictures of fish caught. He can be reached by e-mail at holger.jensen@state.co.us or by phone at 303-291-7304.Denver MetroClear Creek (above Hwy. 119) Water is still high and somewhat off-color but clearing rapidly and very fishable. Flyfishers do best with Hares Ears, Pheasant Tails or RS2 nymphs. Lure casters should use small Mepps or Panther Martin spinners. Clear Lake This lake harbors large numbers of small rainbows and brookies which can be caught on night crawlers or salmon eggs. The north shore seems to be most productive. South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) Caddis, Pale Morning Duns and a variety of terrestrials provide good dry fly action but fishing pressure is heavy here. Use No. 18 Caddis imitations, Blue Duns, ant patterns and hoppers. The unrestricted lower stretch fishes well with small Mepps spinners or night crawlers. NorthwestBlue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) Flows below Green Mountain Reservoir are 486 cfs and dropping. An excellent Green Drake hatch mandates starting off the day with a Green Drake Nymph in the morning, then switching to a No. 14-16 Drake dry when the hatch begins. Also try Blue Wing Olive patterns in the morning and Caddis from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tailwater is subject to periodic security closures. 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. For current conditions call the Fishin Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.

Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) Flow has dropped to 84 cfs below Dillon Reservoir and there are good hatches of Green Drakes and Pale Morning Duns further downriver. Fishing in the Town of Silverthorne is very good with No. 14-16 Mysis Shrimp patterns, Drake nymphs in the morning and Drake dries and PMD imitations in the afternoon. Some evening Caddis add to the options. Colorado River (below Parshall) Flow at Kremmling is 1,200 cfs and fishing is great with Caddis, Pale Morning Duns and a few Yellow Sallies. Use No. 14-18 Tan Caddis, No. 16-18 Tan Buckskins, No. 18-20 PMDs, No. 14-16 Golden Stones and No. 16 Yellow Sallies. There are also plenty of Baetis nymphs so go wet if dries fail. At Pumphouse use No. 10-12 hoppers. Fish the edges of eddies, slack water behind boulders and backwaters close to the banks. For current conditions call the Fishin Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407. Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) The river is flowing at 5,170 cfs in Glenwood Springs but dropping and clearing daily. It has just become fishable in the past two weeks as long as you fish slower water along the edges and banks. Caddis are the main hatch right now, especially from 7 p.m. to dark. Many rising fish can be encountered during this period in any slower water. Green Drakes are out in decent but declining numbers at dusk from New Castle up to Glenwood Canyon. Hot flies include Beadhead Prince Nymphs, Red Copper Johns, 20-Inchers, Halfbacks, E/C Caddis, X-Caddis, PMD Parachutes, Rusty Spinners, Green Drake Sparkleduns, Hi Vis Green Drakes, Royal Wulff, H & L Variants, Yellow Humpies and Stimulators. Colorado River (near Granby) Fishing continues to be good in the upper river below Shadow Mountain Reservoir. Anglers have been scoring with Rapalas, Kastmasters and Blue Foxes fished in the eddies. Caddis hatches are also being observed. Greggs Emergers and chartreuse Copper Johns are catching fish. Kokanee are very much in evidence. A very healthy 17-inch brown was caught last week. Flow below Windy Gap has started to drop, now 380 cfs, and fishing is good downriver. 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. For current conditions call Budget Tackle in Granby at (970) 887-9344. Fryingpan River The Pan is clear with an ideal flow of 142 cfs. Dry fly fishing has been nothing short of spectacular with good hatches of Blue Wing Olives from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pale Morning Duns from 2-4 p.m., Caddis from 4 p.m. until dark and Rusty Spinners from 7 p.m. until dark. When fishing dries, a 7x Fluorocarbon leader is mandatory.Nymphing is good before the hatches come off. Green Drakes are being seen in sporadic numbers on the lower river. The best Green Drake fishing should start at the end of July and continue well into August. Hot flies: PMD Sparkleduns, PMD No Hackles, PMD Cripples, CDC Rusty Spinners, E/C Caddis, P-Tails, Poxyback PMD/BWO, 20-Inchers, Electric Caddis, Graphic Caddis, Tims Mysis and Sands Mysis. Grand Lake Trolling Kastmasters or jigging tubes with shiners and suckers is still the most effective method of catching lake trout here. Early birds do best fishing the dropoffs before sunrise. Brown trout frequent the mouth of the channel on the north side and the eastern ledge structure. Fly fishing is best early morning and late evening when fish are hitting the surface. For current conditions or to report first hand fishing success, call Budget Tackle in Granby at (970) 887-9344. Green Mountain Reservoir Fishing has slowed as the water warms, sending trout deeper. Some rainbows are still being caught from shore on nightcrawlers and kokanee salmon on Arnies, Needlefish and Pop Geer. The south end of the lake is most productive, but action is slow. Rifle Gap Reservoir Water temperature is 67 degrees and lake is 18 feet below full pool. Several walleyes of 6-10 pounds have been caught in recent weeks, mostly on worm harnesses or crankbaits fished near the dam. Trout fishing remains excellent using a variety of methods. Boaters do well trolling Rapalas and Roostertails, shorecasters with worms, salmon eggs and Power Bait fished on the bottom in 15-30 feet of water. Pike fishing has been very good. The bag and possession limit for walleyes is three fish, only one longer than 18 inches. Rio Blanco Lake Anglers are catching mainly crappie and bluegill, with an occasional largemouth bass hitting their minnows and crappie jigs. Many bass have been below the 15-inch size limit but some run up to 4 pounds. Pike fishing has been slow but should improve as summer progresses because northerns removed from the Yampa River are being planted here. For current conditions, call Wyatts Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428. Roaring Fork River Flows are 102 cfs in Aspen, 1,490 cfs in Basalt, and 2,600 cfs in Glenwood Springs. Water is clear and fishing very well from Aspen all the way downriver to Glenwood Springs. Green Drakes are out in heavy numbers from Carbondale to Glenwood and other hatches include Caddis in the evenings, Pale Morning Duns from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Rusty Spinners at dusk. Nymphing is super consistent using Green Drake nymphs, Princes, Copper Johns, Caddis Pupa, San Juan Worms and Halfbacks. For dries, use Drakes, PMDs, and Caddis. For current conditions call the Taylor Creek Flyshop at 970-927-4374. White River River is dropping and clearing with flows of 1,060 cfs at Buford and 770 cfs at Meeker. Flyfishers are enjoying great action on rainbows at the Sleepy Cat and Bel-Aire public waters while lure casters are catching big browns on Panther Martin spinners in Meeker City Park. In the daytime use black or olive Woolly Buggers Beadhead Prince Nymphs and red-bodied Copper Johns, or an Orange Stimulator with one of the aforementioned nymphs as a dropper. From 4 p.m. to dusk switch to dries: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams and black or brown stonefly patterns, sizes 12-14. For current conditions, call Wyatts Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428. Williams Fork Reservoir The lake is full and spilling over. Pike fishing has slowed during their spawn but lake trout are hitting well on sucker meat at 30-40 foot depths. Best fishing spots are the inlet and off the rocks toward the dam. Trolling a J-13 Rapala in rainbow or silver and black colors is most effective. Smaller Rapalas and Super Vibrax spinners also catch brown trout in the 3 to 5-pound range. These fish tend to hang around the inlet and north of the east boat ramp. For current conditions call the Fishin Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407. Williams Fork River Flow is down to 15 cfs and clear with good hatches of Blue Wing Olives, midges and small olive Caddis. Hoppers and black ants add to the options. Use No. 18 Elkhair Caddis, BWOs, Blue Duns, Zebra Midges, Serendipity nymphs and Joes Hoppers. For current conditions call the Fishin Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407. Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) Flow has dropped to 259 cfs and the water is crystal clear. Fishing conditions are ideal with overlapping hatches of Yellow Sallies, Pale Morning Duns, Caddis, midges and Green Drakes all the way from the tailwater below Stagecoach Reservoir through the town of Steamboat Springs. When Drakes are hatching use No. 12 Colorado Green Drakes, Lawsons Green Drakes, Spot Light Emergers and Cripples. For Caddis use No. 16 olive or tan Elk Hair patterns. Other dries: No. 14-16 PMD Emergers, Parachutes, Sparkle Duns, No. 16 Pablos PMD Cripple, Chucks Trude and yellow Stimulators. Several river sections are restricted to flies and lures only and/or catch-and-release. SoutheastArkansas River No. 3 (Through Pueblo) Frequent stocking of this stretch of river (again last week) makes for excellent fishing. Between 30,000 and 40,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout are stocked here annually along with some larger brood fish of 3-5 pounds. Also, major habitat improvements have created deeper pools and structure for the fish to thrive in even when releases from Pueblo Dam are minimal.Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) Flows are 750-800 cfs through this reach, clear, with Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and Pale Morning Duns all very active. There are also evening Caddis and plenty of hoppers and other terrestrials. Stonefly imitations work best in the morning, PMDs in the afternoons and Caddis in the evening. There is good wading access and river level should remain ideal for float fishing for the next 4-5 weeks. Call ArkAnglers at 719-539-4223 for current conditions. Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) Flows are below 200 cfs near Leadville, 535 cfs at Granite, 720 cfs below the Clear Creek confluence. Water is clear with Caddis hatching in large numbers most afternoons on the upper river along with Yellow Sally stoneflies.Use No. 16 Black Foam or Elk Hair Caddis and Yellow Sally or Yellow Stimulator to cover these hatches. Below Granite, Yellow Sallies are joined by the early stage of a Pale Morning Dun hatch late morning into early afternoon. Use a No. 16 Yellow Stimulator behind a No. 12-14 Parachute Madam X and a No. 16 Parachute Adams or PMD imitation. Plenty of hoppers and other terrestrials add to the options. Call ArkAnglers at 719-539-4223 for current conditions. Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) Flows are 700-800 cfs with Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Pale Morning Duns, Caddis and hoppers providing great dry fly fishing. Water below Coaldale is starting to warm so the most productive fishing time there is morning and evening; go further upriver in the afternoons. Eschew nymphs for a high-visibility buoyant dry like a PMX as an indicator followed by a No. 16 dry that imitates the hatch of the moment: Yellow Sally, PMD or Caddis. Call ArkAnglers at 719-539-4223 for current conditions. Clear Creek Reservoir Most trout here are being caught on worms and Power Bait, but lure casters and flyfishers also do well with artificials early in the morning. Elevenmile Reservoir Trollers are catching trout and kokanee salmon on Needlefish, Tasmanian Devils, Kastmasters, Arnies, Super Dupers and Rapalas. Downriggers and lead-core line help get the lures down to the most productive depths. Best hours are early morning and evening; best fishing location is straight out from north boat ramp and all areas west. Shorecasters do best on trout with night crawlers or Power Bait floated just above the weeds. A Rooster Tail also works. Pike fishing is beginning to pick up with a few showing up in weedy, shallow coves. South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) Flows are improving on the Dream Stream and fishing is fair to good. The dragonfly hatch is under way. Fish the deeper pools early to mid-morning and late evening using No. 22 Adams, Callibaetis, midges and nymphs. The South Platte is running about 87 cfs above Elevenmile. SouthwestGunnison River (below Crystal Dam) Flow in the Black Canyon is 680 cfs, water temperature is 51 degrees and clarity is good. Anglers fishing dries do best with Yellow Sallies, Caddis and smallish Stimulators. For nymphs use No. 12-16 Midges, Halfbacks, Copper Johns, Scuds or GB Princes and larger size GB Poxyback Stones. For current conditions call the Cimarron Creek Flyshop at 970-249-0408. Gunnison River (through the canyon) Flow is 643 cfs and water is clear from Chukar Trail downstream. Salmonflies are gone, replaced by prolific hatches of Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Mayflies and Pale Morning Duns. Anglers are scoring with No. 8-10 Sofa Pillows, No. 14 Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and red Copper Johns, and No. 18 Caddis. Best dry/dropper rig features one of the above with a No. 18 chartreuse Copper John trailer. No motorized craft are allowed above the North Fork. Other restrictions: Gold Medal Water, catch-and-release, flies and lures only. No rainbows may be kept and the bag limit on brown trout is one over 16 inches and three under 12 inches. The Gunnison River Pleasure Park is offering ferry service to help anglers access the upper river. Call 970-872-2525 for current conditions.