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General Comments
Runoff has begun in earnest. While most streams and rivers are for the most part still fishable, the coming weeks will see continuing cold water temperatures and increasing flows. Other than tailwaters, hatches will be few and far between. With greater than average snowpack levels all over the state, expect higher flows well into July.
A note on bugs, hatches and fly selection:
While certain insects are actively hatching at certain times as we note below, the larval forms of all insects are always available in the stream. There may be several age classes of stoneflies, for example, at any given time; there are usually several types of caddis in most streams that hatch at different times, and trout will eat them any time they find them- same with mayflies; midges hatch almost every day, so you'll find a mix of larvae, pupae and adults almost all the time. The point we're making is that you don't always have to use a "match the hatch" approach. If bugs aren't hatching, or if your PMD imitation isn't working in July when the bugs are on the water, try a different pattern that imitates something else that lives in that stream or lake. The bugs are there, and the fish are eating them!
Give us a call before heading out as we may have some info based on what we have heard from customers and our own trips.
Current streamflow conditions are available for these and other streams at the
Colorado Division of Water Resources.
| River and Conditions | Hatches/Activity | Comments | Go To Flies |
| Big Thompson | |||
| 487 cfs below Lake Estes 482 cfs above Lake Estes |
Midges in the Olympus dam tailwater. BWO, caddis, stonefly and other mayfly nymphs in the canyon. |
Double nymph rigs will be most productive. Use a small matching dry when fish are rising. A dry/dropper rig may be effective at times. | Dries: Chubby Chernobyl #12-16, Parachute Ant #16, Amys Ant #12, Parachute Adams #16, Outrigger Caddis #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis #14-16, PMS #16-81. Nymphs: Pink San Juan Worm #16-18, Pheasant Tail Nymphs #18-24, Two-Bit Hookers #16-18, Poison Tung #18-20, Zebra Midge #18-20, Hot Wire Prince Nymph #14-16, 20 Incher Stone #8-12 Streamers: Thin Mint, Wooly Buggers, Platte River Special, Leech patterns. |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | |||
| 198 cfs in Moraine Park |
Midges, stonefly, caddis and mayfly nymphs. | Double nymph rigs will be most productive. Use a small matching dry when fish are rising. | Same as the the Big T |
| St Vrain | |||
| 360 cfs in Lyons 233 below Buttonrock Dam S St Vrain @ Lyons ~125 cfs |
Midges, BWOs, caddis, stonefly and mayfly nymphs in the canyon and Buttonrock tailwater. | Double nymph rigs will be most productive. Use a small matching dry when fish are rising. | Same as the the Big T |
| Cache La Poudre | |||
| 1380 cfs at canyon mouth. Flows are higher further up. | Midge, caddis, stonefly and mayfly nymphs. | Double nymph rigs will be most productive. Use a small matching dry when fish are rising. | Dries: Ext. Body BWO #18-22, Film Critic BWO #18-22, Para Adams #16-24, CDC Baetis Dun #18-22, Black Biot Midge #20-22, Sprout Midge #18-22 Nymphs:: Pheasant Tail #18-22, Copper John #18-22, Flashback Scud Olv. #18-20, Sparkle Wing Rs2 #18-22, Jig Baetis #18-20, Brassie #18-22, Bling Midge #20-24, WD-40 #18-22, Two Bit Hooker #16-#18, Copper Rib RS2 #18-22 Streamers:: Thin Mint #8-12, Buggers #8, Sparkle Minnow #8, Hot Head Leech #10, Black Wooly Bugger #10, Mini Peanut Envy #6. |
| Blue River | |||
| 75 cfs below Dillon Res. | Midges, BWOs, Mysis shrimp. | Mysis patterns are a good choice below just below the dam. Otherwise, typical tailwater midges and small mayfly nymph patterns. Streamers can also be effective at times. | Dries: Small dries like a Para Adams, Griffith's Gnat and midges. BWO dries. Nymphs: Barr's Pure Midge, black or gray RS2, Miracle, JuJuBee, Black Beauty, Rainbow Warrior, red midge patterns, Mercury Midge, PT, CJ. Hare's Ear, dark to flashy midge larvae and pupae patterns, Golden Stone nymphs, San Juan Worm, etc. Streamers: Thin Mints, buggers, Pat's Rubber Legs, etc., |
| 107 cfs below Green Mtn Res | Midges, BWO, stonefly, caddis and mayfly nymphs | Typical tailwater flies and rigs. Double nymph or dry/dropper rigs. Streamers. | Same as Silverthorne except Mysis. |
| Eagle River | |||
| 1450 cfs at Avon 2050 cfs at Gypsum. |
idges, BWO, stonefly, caddis and mayfly nymphs | Attractor nymphs trailed by an RS2, midge or BWO nymph/emerger are good combos. Streamers | Dries/Emergers: BWOs, Parachute Adams, RS-2, Griffith's Gnat, Matt's Midge. Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs, Eggs, PT, Micromay, Prince, CJ, San Juan Worms, Midge larvae (Zebra Midge and the like)etc. Streamers: Black or olive Slumpbusters, black or olive Buggers, Pine squirrel leeches, Mayer's Mini Leech etc. |
| Fryingpan | |||
| 178 cfs below Reudi Reservoir. | Midges, in the morning. BWOs hatch daily, usually in the early afternoon. Mysis shrimp are often available on the first half mile below Reudi Res. | Nymphing morning and late afternoons, dries/emergers during midday to afternoon hatches. | Dries: BWO adults and emergers, midge patterns, Stuck in the Shuck midge emergers, #20-24, #22-26 Para Adams, Barr Emerger, Jujubaetis, RS-2, grey or black midge dries down to size 30 or 32, Craven's Mole Fly Nymphs: Green Drake nymphs, olive Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, PT, Midge pupae and larvae, eggs, Rainbow Warrior, Zebra/Black Beauty midges (black or red), Brassies, Eggs, Mysis, pink San Juan Worm. Streamers: Use smaller sizes: Black or olive, Mayer's Mini Leech. |
| Roaring Fork | |||
| 1370 cfs above FP confluence near Basalt |
Midges, BWOs, a few caddis. Best fishing is at Jaffe Park and downstream from Basalt. | Double or/triple nymph rigs. Dries and dry/dropper rigs | Dries: BWO and midge dries: Griffith's Gnat, Sprout midge, EHC and other small caddis dries. Nymphs: Stonefly, caddis and mayfly nymphs, Pat's Rubber Legs, PT, Copper John, eggs, SJW. Streamers: Black Bugger, Northern Lights, White Clouser, Pat's Rubber Legs, Mayer's Mini Leech, Pine Squirrel Leech, Mayer's Mini Leaeh. |
| 3920 cfs at Glenwood Springs. | Midges, BWOs | Same as above. | Same as above |
| Colorado | |||
| Pumphouse: 2510 cfs Parshall: 1620 cgs Glenwood Spgs: 11400 cfs |
Stonefly, caddis and mayfly nymphs. No significant hatches. |
Nymphing and streamers. Focus on quiet water and along the banks. Flows are increasing, and wading may be difficult. |
Dries: Stoneflies, midge patterns, Stuck in the Shuck midge emergers, #20-24, #22-26 Para Adams, Barr Emerger, Jujubaetis, RS-2, grey or black midge dries down to size 30 or 32, Elk Hair and other Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Chernobyls/Chubbies. Nymphs: Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, PT, Midge pupae and larvae, eggs, Rainbow Warrior, Zebra/Black Beauty midges (black or red), 20 Incher and other stonefly nymphs, Brassies, Eggs, Mysis, pink San Juan Worm, Pat's Rubber lLgs. Streamers: Use smaller sizes: Black or olive Slumpbusters, black or olive Buggers, etc. |
| Yampa | |||
| 112 cfs below Stagecoach Res 3270 cfs in Steamboat Springs |
Midges, black caddis, BWOs. | Nymphing deeper runs and holes amd along the banks in town . Use typical tailwater patterns and rigs on the Stagecoach tailwater. |
Dries: Parachute Adams #16-24, midge dries 20-24, Griffiths Gnat #20-24, RS-2, Barr Emerger #18-22 and other emergers, Nymphs: Rainbow Warrior #20-22, midge larvae/pupae in black or red #20-26, 20 Incher Stone #10-14, Prince Nymph #12-16, SJWs, Hare's Ear #14-18, Pheasant Tail #14-20, Streamers: Thin Mint #8-12, Zonker #6-10, Slump Buster #6-10. |
| Arkansas | |||
| Leadville to Buena Vista: 726 cfs at Granite SWA. | Caddis, mayfly, midge and stonefly nymphs. | Nymphing morning and late aternoon; BWO or midge dries during hatches. | Dries: BWOs, Para Adams, Griffith Gnats and Sprout midges Nymphs: Golden stones, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares Ear or Copper John, Zebra Midge, Black Beauty, WD-40 or Top Secret Midge. |
| Buena Vista to Salida: 1180 cfs at Salida. |
Caddis, mayfly, midge and stonefly nymphs. | Nymphing morning and late aternoon; BWO or midge dries during hatches. BWO hatches have been strong, especially on overcast days. | Dries: BWOs, Para Adams, Griffith Gnats and Sporut midges Nymphs: Golden stones, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares Ear or Copper John, Zebra Midge, Black Beauty, WD-40 or Top Secret Midge. |
| Salida to Canon City: 1750 cfs at Canon City. | Caddis, mayfly, midge and stonefly nymphs. | Nymphing morning and late aternoon; BWO or midge dries during hatches. BWO hatches have been strong, especially on overcast days. | Dries: BWOs, Para Adams, Griffith Gnats and Sporut midges Nymphs: Golden stones, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares Ear or Copper John, Zebra Midge, Black Beauty, WD-40 or Top Secret Midge. |
| Pueblo Tailwater: 2150 cfs. |
Midges, BWOs. Caddis, mayfly, midge and stonefly nymphs. | Typical tailwater patterns | Dries: Parachute BWO #20 - 22, Parachute Adams #16-24, Griffiths Gnat #16 - 20, Nymphs: Mercury Midge #18 - 22, RS II #18 - 22, WD40 #18 - 22, Graphic Cadis #14 - 16, Tabou Caddis # 14 - 16, Hares Ear #8 - 16, San Juan Worm #12 - 16 Streamers: Buggers, Near Nuff Crayfish, Pat's Rubber Legs, Thin Mint |
| South Platte | |||
| 226 cfs at Deckers. | Midges, BWOs, | Typical tailwater rig and flies. Dries when fish are rising. | Dries: Parachute Adams, #22-26 Griffith Gnat #2-24, Matt’s Midge #20-24, Parachute Adams #22-24, Barr’s Visa Dun #22-24, Blue Dun #20-24, Sparkle Dun #20-24, and Hi Vis Baetis #20-24, Elk Hair Caddis #16-18, and #14-18 Goddard Caddis. Midges: #20-22 Mercury Midge, #22-26 Top Secret Midge, #20-24 Mercury Blood Midge, #20-22 Pearl Jam, #20-22 Brassie, Buckskin #20-22. Nymphs: Sparkle Wing RS 2 #20-22, Flashback Pheasant Tail #20-22, Chocolate Foam Wing Emergers #20-22, Jujubaetis #20-22, Buckskin #16-18, Graphic Caddis #18, Bead Head Breadcrust #14-18. Streamers: Olive Crystal Bugger #8-10, White Crystal Bugger #9-10, Pine Squirrel Leech #6-10 (olive, black, rust, and gray), #6-8, Meat Whistle, and Slumpbuster#6-8 (olive or rust). |
| 55 cfs below Cheesman Res. | Midges, BWOs, | Typical tailwater rig and flies. Dries when fish are rising. | Pretty much the same as Deckers. |
| 88 cfs in Elevenmile Canyon. | BWOs, midges | Typical tailwater rig and flies. Dries when fish are rising. | Pretty much the same as Deckers. |
| 55 cfs at Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area (Dream Stream). | Midges, BWOs | Typical tailwater rig and flies. Dries when fish are rising. | Pretty much the same as Deckers. |
| North Platte | |||
| Grey Reef: 1000 cfs. Miracle Mile: 2800 cfs |
Midges, cranefly larva. orange scuds, black Zebra Midge. | We've had some reports of big fish being caught, and fishing is very good. Nymphing almost exclusively. | Nymphs: Scuds, Red SJW, Chamois Leech, Hot Wire Prince, Cranefly Larvae. Midges: PAL, Bionic Black/Silver, Bionic Brown, Split Back Trico, Split Foam Back Baetis Red Rock Worm. Other: Vanilla Buggers, Primrose and Black, Blue Poison Tung, Gray RS2, Eggs |