August 28, 2008

Please call 970-586-2110 for daily conditions

Big Thompson - Canyon

Running at 285 CFS below the dam and 112 above. Flows are affected by Water Calls but typically are in decent shape on the weekends. Caddis and Terrestrials will offer the best action through August-September. For Caddis, try an Elk Hair Caddis or Silvey’s Visible for adults and Last Calls for the Emergers, all in size 14-16. For Caddis Nymphs try Z-wings, Glo-bubbles or Super Pupas in size 16-18. Terrestrial fishing with Ants, Beetles and Hoppers can be very effective. Try Hoppers in 10-14, Beetles size 14-16, or Ants (any size) and you may be surprised. Rusty Spinner Falls have also been good and a size 16-18 Rusty Spinner can make for some exciting dry fly fishing. On sunny days when there is no hatch, try using a dry and dropper rig. A Stimulator/Hopper with any of the above nymphs makes a great searching rig.

Big Thompson - RMNP

Fishing well. Flowing at 38 CFS. Sallies and Caddis are available on all Park waters. Try Stimulators size 16, Yellow Sallies size 16, Elk Hair Caddis 16-18, Visible Caddis 16-18, Z-wing Caddis 16-18 or Hotwire Caddis in 16-18. Terrestrial fishing has been good. Hoppers, Ants and Beetles are good choices on any Park Water. For Hoppers try size 10-12, Beetles 12-16 and Ants (any size). In the heat of the day a dropper rig with a large Hopper and a beadhead nymph is the way to go.

Colorado River

Running at 26 CFS in the Park. Terrestrial fishing is a good choice for the Colorado in the Park, Hoppers, Ants and Beetles being the best choices. Stoneflies and Caddis are also available so try a size 16 Elk Hair or Stimulator. Nymphs will work the best so Hotwires, Pickpockets, Z-wing Caddis and Attractor nymphs like Spitfires or Lightning bugs are a good choice in 16-18.

St. Vrain Drainage

Running at 87.4 CFS at Lyons, and 46.1 CFS at Allenspark. Caddis and Stoneflies will work great as point flies on dropper rigs on the Vrain. Try using 12-16 Stimulators, Sallies and Elk Hairs (size 14-18) for the adults and Anato Mays, Z-wings or Glo-Bubble Pupa for nymphs. Terrestrials are the best bet for consistent fishing. Hoppers 10-12, Beetles 12-16 and Ants 12-18 make a good choice for a searching pattern. Nymphs may be more effective in the heat of the day. Towards late afternoon or evening Caddis and Rusty Spinners are making an appearance.

Fall River

Sallies, Caddis and Terrestrials are your best bet on the Fall. Use patterns similar to those listed above. Technical at the best of times the Fall has some larger than average fish, but long lines and light tippets are the way to go. Use flies similar to the Big T in the Park.

Glacier Creek

Fishing very well. Little Yellow Stoneflies are active and smaller Stimulators in sizes 14-16 are a good choice for the Yellow Sallies. Caddis are active as well, so try size 16-18 Elk Hairs, Last Calls, or Visible Caddis for Dries, and Z-wing, BH Caddis Pupa or Hotwire Caddis for the nymphs. Terrestrial fishing is a good bet and Hoppers, Beetles and Ants are very effective in the Pocket Water. For Nymphs, Copper Johns, Z-wings, Super Pupa and Anato Mays can provide good fishing if top water action is slow. Look for Caddis and Spinner Falls in the afternoons and evenings.

Roaring River

Hoppers, Beetles and Ants are the best way to fish the Roaring at this time. Size 10-12 Hoppers, 12-16 Beetles and 12-18 Ants are a safe bet. Attractors will work well too so Royal Wulffs 14-16, Royal Trudes 12-16, H&L Variants 14-16 will take their fair share of fish. Remember, barbless flies only and catch and release on the Roaring.

High Mountain Lakes

Lakes are fishing very well. Terrestrials and Midges are the best bet. Hoppers Ants, Beetles and small Parachute Adams will work for dries; Midge patterns, like Adults and Stuck in the Shucks, are also a good choice. But Terrestrials will outfish them ten to one. Sprague Lake and Lily Lake offer easy access. Lakes that require a hike are the best bets.

For additional streamflows across Colorado visit www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/