Fishing Reports Archives - The Blue Quill Angler

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

April 16, 2019/in Elevenmile Canyon, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

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 midges. Anglers should come prepared to imitate the larger spring midge (size 18), as well as, the smaller varieties (size 22-26).

Tips and Other Information:

Eleven Mile Canyon is fishing fair to good right, now considering the low flows. Dead drifting midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools is your best bet right now for the next couple of weeks. Matt’s Midge, Parachute Adams, and Griffith Gnats are fooling a few fish on the surface during the height of the hatch, especially in the shady areas. If you really look for them, you’ll find a few rising fish. Look for sporadic Baetis in the days to come, with consistent hatches by the first week of April.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20 Red Larva, #18 Micro Egg, #22-22 Mayer’s Tube Midge, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Bling Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Minute Midge, #22-24 Jujubee Midge, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #24-26 Parachute Adams.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Colorado River

April 16, 2019/in Colorado River, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

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: Excellent

14 Day Forecast: Look for intermittent hatches of midges.

Tips and Other Information: It’s still winter in Grand Country, so don’t be fooled by spring-like conditions on the Front Range. Your best option is to target the Parshall area to the confluence of the Williams Fork. Dead drifting tiny midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools is your best bet right now. Matt’s Midge, Parachute Adams, and Griffith Gnats are fooling a few fish on the surface during the height of the hatch. The Parshall Hole is a good place to find midging fish for the next several weeks. The Williams Fork is a good option right now as well.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-22 Pearl Jam, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Bling Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Minute Midge, #22-24 Jujubee Midge, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #24-26 Parachute Adams.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Blue River

April 16, 2019/in Blue River, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

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 in Silverthorne

14 Day Forecast: Look for intermittent hatches of midges.

Tips and Other Information: Flows are at their normal historic levels for this time of year. I suspect, with above average snowpack, Denver Water will begin to ramp up outflows to prepare for a huge run off. In town, a Mysis pattern, red larva, dropped with and assortment of mayfly nymphs are your best bet right now. Fishing overall on the Blue River has been a disappointment as of late, as the number of trout are way down. Your best bet is to fish in town and sight fish to increase your odds of hooking fish. Anglers who are blind fishing are not enjoying much success…

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Bling Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Minute Midge, #22-24 Jujubee Midge, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #24-26 Parachute Adams.

Pat Dorsey’s Stream Report: Williams Fork River

April 16, 2019/in Fishing Reports, Williams Fork /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

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

14 Day Forecast: Look for intermittent hatches of midges.

Tips and Other Information: Flows are excellent considering the time of year. Anglers should prepare themselves for intermittent hatches of midges. Dead drifting tiny midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools is your best bet right now. Egg-midge combos are one of the most effective strategies. Matt’s Midge, Parachute Adams, and Griffith Gnats are fooling a few fish on the surface during the height of the hatch. If you look for them, you’ll find a few rising fish in the slower pools and tailouts.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Bling Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Minute Midge, #22-24 Jujubee Midge, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #24-26 Parachute Adams.

Fishing Report: Clear Creek

April 16, 2019/in Clear Creek, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

Clarity: Excellent

Hatches: Midges

Major Food Organisms: Midges

Conditions: Fish are feeding on midges under the surface in any open water you can find. Most of the river is frozen.

Suggested Patterns: #20-22 Tungsten Flashback Black Beauty, #20-22 Minute Midge, #20-22 Periwinkle, #20-22 Pearl Jam, #20-22 Brassie, #18-22 Buckskin, and #20-22 Chironoflash

Fishing Report: Bear Creek

April 16, 2019/in Bear Creek, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

Clarity: Excellent

Hatches: Midges

Major Food Organisms: Midges

Conditions: Fish are feeding on midges under the surface in any open water you can find. Most of the river is frozen.

Suggested Patterns: #20-22 Tungsten Flashback Black Beauty, #20-22 Minute Midge, #20-22 Periwinkle, #20-22 Pearl Jam, #20-22 Brassie, #18-22 Buckskin, and #20-22 Chironoflash

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

April 16, 2019/in Deckers, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

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

14 Day Forecast: Look for intermittent hatches of midges. We should begin to see some sporadic blue winged olives in the next two weeks.

Tips and Other Information: Fishing in and around the Deckers area is fair with the low flows and ice cold water. Your best bet is dead drifting midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools where the fish are stacked up. There are a few risers in the slow pools and tailouts that are “midging”. These surface feeders can be fooled with a Matt’s Midges or a Parachute Adams in sizes 18-24. Were starting to see plenty of spring midges, so you’ll need to upsize your pupae and adults to accommodate this important food source. Try and determine if the trout are keying on the BIG spring midge or the smaller varieties, then plan your attack accordingly. Look for a few sporadic blue winged olives in the days to come, with hatches intensifying by the end of the month.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Bling Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Minute Midge, #22-24 Jujubee Midge, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #24-26 Parachute Adams.

Pat Dorsey’s Fishing Report: Spinney Mountain – Charlie Meyers SWA

April 16, 2019/in Fishing Reports, Spinney Mountain Ranch /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

The Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area (commonly called the Spinney Mountain Ranch or Dream Stream) is a classic meandering, meadow stream. Anglers have the opportunity to catch rainbows, cut-bows, cutthroats, and brown trout when they fish this fabled stretch of water.

Current Conditions

Clarity: Good

14 Day Forecast: Look for sporadic hatches of midges.

Tips and Other Information:

The stretch below Spinney Mountain Reservoir is fishing fair right now. Flows are low and clear, setting the stage for some technical fishing. Anglers should prepare themselves for intermittent hatches of midges. Anglers willing to work hard, cover lots of water, and sight fish, are catching a handful of quality trout, but you have to put in some effort to catch the bigger fish right now. There are a lot of little fish to be had right now, as they are eager and opportunistic to take your fly. The river is currently ice free from the dam to the reaches above Eleven Mile Reservoir. Crowds are extremely heavy, as anglers are still in pursuit of migratory trout moving upstream from Eleven Mile Reservoir.

Effective Patterns: #10 Pine Squirrel Leech, #10 Mayer’s Mini Leech, #20-22 Red Larva, #22-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #18 Mico Egg, #20 Mayer’s Tube Midge, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Bling Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Minute Midge, #22-24 Jujubee Midge, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #24-26 Parachute Adams.

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

April 16, 2019/in Boxwood Gulch, Fishing Reports, Long Meadow Ranch, North Fork Guest Ranch, North Fork Meadows /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

Trophy trout await you on many of our leases on the North Fork of the South Platte. To book a day on Boxwood, Long Meadow, North Fork Ranch, or the Meadows, call the Blue Quill Angler (303-674-4700) and we’ll gladly assist you.

Current Conditions:

Clarity: Good

14 Day Forecast: Look for intermittent hatches of midge. Denver Water plans to shut the water off later this week due to excess snow pack in the South Platte watershed. It will be turned off until after run off subsides, which could be the latter part of June.

Tips and Other Information: Fishing has been fair to good on the North Fork of the South Platte River. Small midges, mayfly nymphs and a variety of bead heads have been effective as of late. Flows are low, so ice and slush are factors in the mornings. But, Denver Water plans to shut the water off later this week due to excess snow pack in the South Platte watershed. It will be turned off until after run off subsides, which could be the latter part of June.

Effective Patterns: #18 Hot Tail Flash Eggs, #18-20 Rainbow Warrior, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #18-20 Red Larva, #18 Red and Pink Flossy Worms, #20-22 Mercury Black Beauty, #10 White Crystal Bugger, #10 Pine Squirrel Leech, #16-20 red Copper John, #18-20 Flashback PT, #16-18 Mercer’s Psycho Prince, and #16-18 Bead Head Breadcrust.

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

April 16, 2019/in Cheesman Canyon, Fishing Reports /by 8twhb6fNxqt7w9M

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 intermittent hatches of midges.

Tips and Other Information: Fishing remains tough with the low flows. Your best bet is dead drifting midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools where the fish are stacked up. There are a few risers in the slow pools and tailouts that are “midging”. These surface feeders can be fooled with a Matt’s Midges or a Parachute Adams in sizes 18-24. Were starting to see plenty of spring midges, so you’ll need to upsize your pupae and adults to accommodate this important food source. Try and determine if the trout are keying on the BIG spring midge or the smaller varieties, then plan your attack accordingly….

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-22 Manhattan Midge, #20 Pale Olive Midge Larva, #22-24 Black Beauty, #22-24 Bling Midge, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #22-24 Minute Midge, #22-24 Jujubee Midge, #22-24 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnat, and #24-26 Parachute Adams.