Fishing Reports Archives - The Blue Quill Angler

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

January 22, 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 sporadic hatches of midges.

Tips and Other Information:

Eleven Mile Canyon is fishing fair right now. Dead drifting tiny midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools is your best bet right for the next several weeks. Matt’s Midge, Parachute Adams, and Griffith Gnats are fooling a few fish on the surface during the height of the hatch. Plan on concentrating your efforts in the mile below the dam. Dress in layers, Eleven Mile Canyon is a frigid place this time of year!

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

January 22, 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 that time of year when you’ll earn every fish you catch on the Colorado River. 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.

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

January 22, 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 well below their normal historic values. Dillon Reservoir is low, so expect for Denver Water to keep flows low all winter. 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

January 22, 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. Matt’s Midge, Parachute Adams, and Griffith Gnats are fooling a few fish on the surface during the height of the hatch.

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

January 22, 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

January 22, 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

January 22, 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.

Tips and Other Information: Fishing in and around the Deckers area is currently tough with the low flows and cold water temperatures. Water temps have been 34 degrees in the morning, warming up to 38-39 degrees in the afternoon. Slush-ice has been a problem on the river, especially with clear, cold nights. Many sections of the lower river are now frozen, so plan your trip accordingly. There is no need to be on the river before 10 a.m. right now, its simply a waste of time. Dead drifting tiny midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools is your best bet right now. Sight fishing to pods of fish will increase your odds, as opposed to rolling the dice trying to get an individual fish to eat. Matt’s Midge, Parachute Adams, and Griffith Gnats are fooling a few fish on the surface during the height of the hatch.

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

January 22, 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, however; but you have to put in some effort to catch the bigger fish right now. As you might imagine, the best fishing is between the middle lot and the dam. There is no need to get to the river early, all you will do is get cold. Plan on showing up around 10 a.m. and leaving by 3 p.m.

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

January 22, 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 run the Roberts Tunnel throughout the winter.

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.

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

January 22, 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: Cheesman Canyon is fishing tough right now with the low flows. Plan on working hard for every fish you catch! Your best bet is dead drifting tiny midge larvae and pupae in the slow, deep pools right now where the fish are stacked up for the winter. Your greatest challenge is finding a feeding fish with the cold water temps. Dress in layers, Cheesman Canyon is a frigid place this time of year.

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.