Fishing Reports for the waters we guide on.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Colorado River

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Fishing the Colorado River should be on everyone’s bucket list. Whether you’re a walk/wade fisherman or prefer float-fishing, this river has it all!

Current Conditions:

Clarity: Stained

14 Day Forecast:Look for hatches of midges and blue-winged olives. Look for the clarity changes based on warm weather trends

Tips and Other Information:The Colorado River is shaping up nicely. There is still a touch of color around the Parshall area, but the river is fishing good. Flows are perfect right now on the Colorado in and around the Parshall area.  Williams Fork Reservoir is 100 percent full, so look for Denver Water to match incoming flows.  It’s hard to go wrong with a San Juan Worm or Pat’s  Rubber Legs trailed by a Buckskin or Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail right now. A Sparkle Wing RS 2 is another great option.  For dry flies, a Mathew’s Sparkle Dun (PMD) or Elk Hair Caddis is a good choice. The mosquitoes are really bad right now, so wear long sleeved shirts and bring plenty of Deep Woods Off. The good news is if you’re willing to battle the bugs, you’ll enjoy some solitude and good fishing. The lower river is a bit  high for the walk wade angler, but very good for drift fishing. Look for pale morning duns, yellow sallies, and caddis to be the main hatches right now.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #18-20 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #14 earthworm brown San Juan Worm, #8-10 Pat’s Rubber Legs, 16-18 Mercury Caddis, #18 Buckskin, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #16 Barr’s PMD Emerger, #16 Trigger Nymph, #18-20 Jujubaetis, #16 Sparkle Dun, #14 Yellow Stimulator, #16 Parachute PMD, and #14 Elk Hair Caddis.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Williams Fork River

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The Williams Fork is one of the prettiest places on the planet.  This stretch is proof that trout don’t live in ugly places.

Current Conditions

Clarity: Excellent
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14 Day Forecast:Look for sporadic hatches of midges.

Tips and Other Information:Flows are a fuzz high on the William’s Fork, but still very fishable.  Williams Fork Reservoir is 100 percent full, so look for Denver Water to match incoming flows.  Anglers are catching mostly browns, with the occasionally rainbow. It’s hard to go wrong with a San Juan Worm, trailed by a Buckskin or Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail right now. A Sparkle Wing RS 2 is another great fly. For dry flies, a Mathew’s Sparkle Dun (PMD) or Elk Hair Caddis is a good choice. Dry and droppers are never a bad idea in the skinny riffles where trout are feeding voraciously on PMD nymphs or caddis larvae.  The mosquitoes are really bad, so plan accordingly…

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #18-20 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #14 earthworm brown San Juan Worm, #8-10 Pat’s Rubber Legs, 16-18 Mercury Caddis, #18 Buckskin, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #16 Barr’s PMD Emerger, #16 Trigger Nymph, #18-20 Jujubaetis, #16 Sparkle Dun, #14 Yellow Stimulator, #16 Parachute PMD, and #14 Elk Hair Caddis.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report – Elevenmile Canyon – South Platte

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Elevenmile Canyon is known for its superb dry fly fishing. The Trico hatch is one of many that anglers should concentrate their efforts on.

Current Conditions

Clarity: Excellent

14 Day Forecast:  Look for reliable hatches of caddis, yellow sallies, and pale morning duns.

Tips and Other Information: Eleven Mile Canyon is a great option right now. Eleven Mile Reservoir is 103% full and slowly rising. Inflows are nearly 300 cfs, so look for the outflows to steadily rise. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of midges, PMD’s, yellow sallies, and caddis. Nymphing has been productive in the riffles with PMD nymphs, Caddis larvae and pupae, and the dry fly fishing has been good in the slower pools and tailouts. Dry fly anglers need to pick and choose their spots wisely however….

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #20 JujuBaetis, #22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #20 Mitchell’s Split Case PMD, #20 Mercury Flashback PT, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #16 Barr’s Graphic Caddis, #18 Buckskin, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Puterbaugh Caddis, #20 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun, #16 PMD, #14 Yellow Stimulator, and #20-24 Parachute Adams.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Blue River

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The Blue River is a pocket water paradise. There are miles of public water between the town of Silverthorne and Green Mountain Reservoir for you to sample.

Current Conditions

Clarity: Excellent

14 Day Forecast:   Look for good flows and hatches of caddis, PMD’s, yellow sallies, and green drakes.

Tips and Other Information: The Blue River in the town of Silverthorne is your best bet during run off. Dillion is full (101%) so look for above average flows for a while. Effective patterns include Mysis Shrimp, egg patterns, San Juan Worms, trailed by small bead heads, and mayfly nymphs. Look for run-off to peak soon and for flows to recede and fishing to pick up nicely. The lower river is shaping up nicely, but still around 800 cfs. Once it drops to 600 cfs, anglers can get around a bit easier. Look for strong caddis hatches on the lower river…

Effective Patterns:  ​#18-20 Mysis Shrimp, #20-22 Medallion Midge, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #22-22 Black Beauty, #20-22 Red Larva, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20-24 Top Secret Midge, #20 JujuBaetis, #18-22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #22-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20-24 Griffith Gnat, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-26 Parachute Adams.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Deckers – South Platte River

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Deckers is a world-renowned stretch of the South Platte River. There are miles of public water to fish in and around the hamlet of Deckers.

Current Conditions 

Clarity:  Excellent
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14 Day Forecast:  Look for hatches of midges, PMD’s, and caddis

Tips and Other Information: Flows are low considering the time of year. The South Platte at Deckers is currently running at about 94 cfs, as the tributaries are adding some additional water. Cheesman Reservoir is 18,000 Acre Feet from full pool (75% full), so expect low flows for a while. The good news is Spinney Reservoir is full, Eleven Mile Reservoir is at 103 percent, and Tarryall Creek is dumping in 120 cfs  into the South Platte above Cheesman Reservoir.  Currently inflows are about 450 cfs, which is great news. In the mean time, anglers can plan on good fishing despite the low water.  Look for strong hatches of midges, sporadic BWO’s, PMD’s, and excellent caddis. The caddis fishing has been something to talk about lately. The South Platte trout are feasting on caddis pupae as well as adults in riffled water. Its hard to go wrong with Graphic Caddis and Elk Hair Caddis to match the hatch. Water temps have been in the mid 40’s during the morning, but rising quickly the low 60’s mid afternoon. Please pinch your barbs and release the trout quickly. Keep them in water as much as possible and try to keep your photos (especially grip and grins) to a minimum until the flow improves. It’s important to quit fishing once the water temperature reaches 65 degrees, so start early and finish early to protect this valuable resource.

Effective Patterns:#20-22 Medallion Midge, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #22-24 Black Beauty, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #20 JujuBaetis, #22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #20 Mercury Flashback PT, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #16 Barr’s Graphic Caddis, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #20-22 Griffith Gnat, #20-22 Matt’s Midge, #20-22 Sparkle Dun, #20-22 Blue Dun, #20-22 Blue Quill, and #20-24 Parachute Adams.

 

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: North Fork of the South Platte River

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Current Conditions:

Flows are high, but the ranches on the North Fork are all fishing well!

Clarity: Fair

14 Day Forecast:   Flows are on the high side.

Tips and Other Information: Flows are currently a touch high on the North Fork of the South Platte. Denver Water plans on supplying down stream irrigation demand via the North Fork until Cheesman Reservoir fills. (For more information on Cheesman Reservior’s low flows, see that report.) Anglers will need to target the soft water margins along the rivers edge where the trout are stacked up trying to get away from the heavy currents. Effective patterns have been egg imitations, San Juan Worms, a variety of Bead Heads, Leeches, and midge larvae and pupae.

Effective Patterns: #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #10 Pine Squirrel Leech, San San Worms, Chamois Leeches, #20 Red Larva, #18 Bs Head Flashback Pheasant Tail, 18-20 Rainbow Warrior, #16 Caddis Pupae, #10 Pat’s Rubber Legs, #14-16 Bead Head Breadcrust, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, and Crystal Buggers.

Pat Dorsey’s Fishing Report: Cheesman Canyon – South Platte

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Cheesman Canyon is one of the best tailwaters in the country. There’s a common belief among “canyon regulars” that if you can catch fish on the South Platte River, you can fool fish anywhere in the world. There’s no substitution for good technique in Cheesman Canyon.

Current Conditions 

Clarity: Excellent

14 Day Forecast:  Look for low flows until Cheesman Reservoir fills. Anglers can expect strong hatches or midges and sporadic Blue-Winged Olives.

Tips and Other Information:Flows are low considering the time of year. Cheesman Reservoir is 18,000 Acre Feet from full pool (75% full), so expect low flows for a while. The good news is Spinney Reservoir and Eleven Mile Reservoir are full, so incoming flows are now approaching 450 cfs. Pray for a good monsoon season to assist in filling Cheesman Reservoir. In the mean time, anglers can plan on tougher than normal fishing. Look for strong hatches of midges and sporadic BWO’s and caddis. Water temps have been in the mid 40’s during the morning, but rising quickly the mid 50’s mid afternoon. Please pinch your barbs and release the trout quickly. Keep them in water as much as possible and try to keep your photos (especially grip and grins) to a minimum until the flow improves…

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Medallion Midge, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #22-24 Black Beauty, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #20 JujuBaetis, #22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #20 Mercury Flashback PT, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #16 Graphic Caddis, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #20-22 Griffith Gnat, #20-22 Matt’s Midge, #20-22 Sparkle Dun, #20-22 Blue Dun, #20-22 Blue Quill, and #20-24 Parachute Adams.

Fishing Report: Clear Creek

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Clarity: Excellent

Major Food Organisms: Midges

Conditions:  Look for midges in the areas that are not iced over

Suggested Patterns:  #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #20 Mercury Midge, #22 Black Beauty, #20 Red Larva, #20 Manhattan Midge, #22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #14-16 San Juan Worm, #20-22 Juju Baetis, #20-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #18-20 Mercury Pheasant Tail, #20-24 RS 2, #18-20 Buckskin, #18-20 Sparkle Dun, and #22-26 Parachute Adams.