With an above average snow pack this year, we are looking at a flushing of our rivers that we have been missing the past couple of years. The fishing has been good the past weeks and should remain good in the short term as temperatures remain cool. We are expecting a pre runoff when temperatures jump back above 50 degrees and that may make fishing tough for a while until the lower valley snow is gone. We aren't expecting the main runoff until the temperatures stay above freezing overnight which will probably occur in later May if the current weather trend continues. Regardless, of when runoff occurs we are expecting an incredible summer of fishing after the high water that is sure to come has flushed our rivers. Blue Wing Olives are starting to show on the Colorado, Fraser and Williams Fork Rivers. Right now, most fish are feeding subsurface. Look for rising fish in the tails of pools and in eddies. As the temps rise this week we expect to see more dry fly fishing become available.
Drayton floated with me on Tuesday and let me tell you that this young man can cast a fly rod, oh and he's pretty good at landing big fish too. Drayton was fishing a simple hopper/dropper rig most of the day, but then switched to a single amber ant to catch the brown in the upper picture.
The Salmonfly hatch is just a few short weeks away, but the fishing has already picked up by fishing the stonefly nymphs along the banks. The trout are taking advantage of the migration of stoneflies towards the shore in preparation of the hatch. Pat's Rubber Leg nymphs, Buggy stones, Twenty Inchers and any other patterns that represent these giant nymphs should keep your rod bent from now until the adults emerge.
Get out there! Jeff Winter has returned in waves, but the fish are looking forward to spring as we are. Often, the most productive fishing of the year occurs before run-off with the added benefit of no crowds to deal with. Midges, stoneflies and san juan worms are all producing.
Spring fishing is nearly here, but there are still a lot of days when the white stuff will be covering the banks. The fish don't mind, they're already wet and they are looking to feed. Everyone that we talk to has been enjoying success down near Parshall on the Colorado River. Some of the best flies right now are RS-2's, Buckskins, Midge larvae, WD-50's and don't be afraid to tie on a Pat's Rubber Legs. We will be tying flies this Sunday from 6:30 until 8:30 at the Winter Park Flyfisher so that our boxes are ready for the coming season. Feel free to swing by. Keep that rod bent this spring! Thank you everyone for another successful year. The snow continues to fall as we approach 2016 which should mean another great summer of fishing in Grand County. We are in our new shop and it is starting to feel like home. Please come in and check it out. We are carrying more Patagonia clothing than ever, so whether you are going skiing or on a winter fly fishing trip we have the gear to keep you warm and dry. We can't wait to see all of our old friends in the new year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. The Winter Park Flyfisher staff With the arrival of winter we enter into my sanctuary. The river seems so pure shrouded in snow and ice and there is a peaceful quietness to the surroundings. No shrieks of "fish on", no curses at fish lost, nothing to distract you from the absolute beauty of being out there in it. Only the occasional elk, eagle, owl, duck, or deer emerge, puzzled, not used to human visitors this time of year. Winter fishing takes me back, makes me feel as if I'm discovering new water that has never been fished before. The fish glow in the monochromatic landscape. The water droplets hanging, shimmering in the sun. And to top it all off, the fish are eager to take a fly... With the Fraser river mostly froze, the Colorado is your best bet from Parshall downstream or any of the tailwaters in the state. San Juan worms and small hare's ears have been getting it done, but look for some midges to start popping. Dry fly fishing can be outstanding when midges are hatching. Keep an eye out for fish rising, but if midges are around and there aren't any risers look to throw midge emergers (midge winker, vc midge, tubing midges etc..). Other good patterns to try would be a wd40 or wd50, and rainbow warriors, eggs, juju midge, and small pheasant tails. Get out there and see what winter fishing is all about! The weather has been wonderful this spring and although we would like more snow, the lack of it should make for incredible fishing before, during and after the Salmon fly hatch. The fishing on the Fraser and Colorado Rivers has been excellent with the best yet to come.
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AuthorJeff Ehlert: Owner of Winter Park Flyfisher. Archives
April 2023
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