General Comments
Summertime fishing is here pretty much all around the state. The Big T below Lake Estes through the canyon is in great shape and fishing well. We've had good days this past week on Glacier and the upper Big T. RMNP lakes are fishing well. Waters across the state are in excellent shape. Tailwaters are still a good option. There are good caddis hatches, PMDs and Red Quills are popping, and Green Drakes ware just about done. Terrestrials are the meat and potatoes for trout this time of the year.
Tailwaters will continue to support hatches of BWOs, PMDs and midges. In general, a good exploratory setup is an attractor dry (Humpy, Stimulator, etc) trailing a small beadhead nymph, or an attractor nymph trailing a smaller bead head nymph or a San Juan Worm dropper. Match the length of the dropper to the water you are fishing- you still want your nymph or SJW on or near the bottom. If you're not having success with this rig, switch to a double nymph rig. 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. It's time to start watching out for typical summer thunderstorm activity, so be aware of what's happening in the skies above you.
Current streamflow conditions are available for these and other streams at the
Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
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Real time stream flows for waters below here.
Note: Fly patterns in red are Laughing Grizzly exclusives.
| River | Hatches/Activity | What's Working | Go To Flies |
| Big Thompson | |||
| 100 cfs below Lake Estes. Fishing well. | PMDs, caddis, stonefly nymphs, terrestrials | Dries/emergers to match the hatch of the moment, dry/dropper setups. Double nymph rigs productive (eg, Flashy, PT or CJ trailing a Zebra Midge, Deep Blue Poison Tung, Barr Emerger or pink SJW) as well. |
Dries: Para Adams, PMD dries/emergers, Barr Emerger PMD, Red Quill, Rusty Spinner, RS-2, WD-40, hoppers, beetles, ants. Nymphs: Purple or pink SJW, Prince Nymphs and other stonefly nymphs, Deep Blue Poison Tung, Ray Charles, red, black or olive midge larvae, PT, CJ, Hare's Ear, Frank's Flashy, Tarheel Caddis Larva. |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | |||
| 34 cfs in Moraine Park. High altitude lakes are fishing well. Try the N St Vrain in Wild Basin for a change of pace. | A few little green stones, caddis, PMDs and Red Quills. Terrestrial patterns ver effective. | Double nymph rigs (eg, Frank's Flashy, Prince Nymph, Copper John or Pheasant Tail trailing a pink or purple SJW or midge larva), attractor dries, BWO adults and emergers, midge dries. Focus on slower water. | Same as the the Big T above. |
| St Vrain | |||
| 73 cfs at Lyons. | PMDs, Red Quills and caddis. Terrestrials. | Dries/emergers to match the hatch of the moment, dry/dropper setups. Larger attractor patterns draw strikes from Hofers. Double nymph rigs productive (eg, PT, Prince or CJ trailing a Zebra Midge, Deep Blue Poison Tung or Barr Emerger. . | Same as the the Big T above. |
| Cache La Poudre | |||
| 52 cfs at canyon mouth. Best above the confluence with the North Fork. | Green Drakes, Grey Drakes, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, BWO's, PMD's, Golden Stones, some Salmonflies | Dries, dry/emerger or dry/nymph rigs during hatches. Try some big bugs. An effective strategy is a double nymph rig in deeper runs: Use an attractor nymph trailing a midge larva. | Dries: PMD adults and emergers (Barr Emerger or RS-2), Para Adams, terrestrials. Nymphs: Tak's Go2 Prince, PT, Jujubaetis, midge larvae/pupae patterns, Ray Charles, Poison Tung, large stone flies such as 20 inchers, Prince Nymph, Golden Stones. Pink or red SJW, Frank's Flashy, Tarheel Caddis Larva. Streamers: Buggers in black, olive or orange, leech patterns. |
| Blue River | |||
| 159 cfs below Dillon Res. | Caddis, PMDs and Green Drakes. | Dries to match the hatch, or dry/dropper rigs. Double caddis nymph rigs. Mysis patterns below the dam. | Dries: Adams/Parachute Adams #24-26, Brooks Sprout, Griffiths Gnat, Elk Hair and other caddis adults, stimulators. Try the Tabou Caddis Emerger. Nymphs: Barr's Pure Midge, RS2 #24, Miracle, JuJuBee, Black Beauty, Mercury Midge, PT, CJ. Hare's Ear, etc. |
| 648 cfs below Green Mtn Res. | Caddis, stonefly nymphs, Green Drakes | Dries to match the hatch, or dry/dropper rigs. Double nymph rigs: big beadhead stonefly nymph trailing a SJW or flashy nymph. | Nymphs: Golden Stones and Prince nymphs, Black Beauty, Johnny Flash, Disco Midge, Barr’s Emerger, JuJuBee Midge, |
| Eagle River | |||
| 340 cfs at Gypsum. Good level for floating or wading. | Midges, caddis. | Hopper/dropper rigs an excellent setup at this time. Nymphing can be a good producer, too. Big stones in darker colors trailed by an RS2 or Johnny Flash or similar. Midge dries and Caddis dries will produce, also. | Dries: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, RS-2, Royal Wulff, Humpy, foam ants, PMX, Stimulator, hopper patterns. Nymphs: PT, Micromay, Frank's Flashy, Tarheel Caddis Larva. |
| Fryingpan | |||
| 328 cfs below Reudi. Great level right now. Drakes are hatching on the Pan above Basalt, and will be moving up the river little by little. Don't miss this hatch! | Midges, PMDs, Green Drakes, caddis. Mysis just below the dam. | Nymphing morning and late afternoons, dries/emergers during afternoon hatches. Try streamers during lulls in other fishing methods. Hit the banks and other soft water. | Dries: PMD Sparkle Dun, PMD Comparadun, #22-26 Para Adams, Barr Emerger, RS-2, Green Drake, Rusty Spinner, Elk Hair Caddis. Nymphs:Green Drake (Olive PT or Hare's Ear size 10-12), PT, Midge pupae and larvae, eggs, Rainbow Warrior, Zebra/Black Beauty midges (black or red), Eggs, Mysis, pink San Juan Worm, Frank's Flashy. Streamers: Use smaller sizes: Black or olive Slumpbusters, black or olive Buggers, etc. |
| Roaring Fork | |||
| Basalt to Carbondale; 265 cfs at FP confluence near Basalt. |
PMDs, caddis, stonefly nymphs, green drakes (Aspen area down to Basalt), eggs, worms. Good dry fly action during afternoon hatches in the Basalt-Carbondale stretch. |
Heavier double nymph rigs fished in soft water. Dry, dry/dropper rigs during hatches. Good streamer fishing using flies in blacks, whites and tans. | Dries: Attractor patterns (humpy, wulff, etc), terrestrials, Midge and mayfly emergers such as the RS-2 and Barr Emerger. PMD dries- standard upwing ties, comparaduns and sparkle duns. and Midge adult patterns- Griffith's Gnat, small Para Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, etc. Nymphs: Frank's Flashy, Graphic Caddis, SJW, Prince, 20 Incher, PT, CJ, RS-2. Streamers: Autumn Splendor, Black Bugger, Northern Lights, White Clouser. |
| Carbondale to Glenwood 1030 cfs at Glenwood. | A few Green Drakes, caddis, stoneflies and stonefly nymphs, PMDs. eggs, worms. |
Heavier double nymph rigs fished in riffles and quieter water. Dry, dry/dropper rigs during hatches. Good streamer fishing using flies in blacks, whites and tans. | Same as above, plus Streamers: bunny patterns, buggers and the like. |
| Colorado | |||
| Parshall: 327 cfs- wadable Pumphouse:1140 cfs- great level for floating. |
Midges,PMDs and Caddis in the Parshall area. Yellow Sallies, Stonefly nymphs, caddis and Green Drakes active in the Pumphouse area, with a few hatching. | Parshall: Double nymph rigs. Use a larger stonefly nymph trailing a caddis or PMD larva. Dries during afternoon caddis hatches. Streamer fishing can be excellent at times. |
Dries: Barr Emerger PMD, PMD dries, PMD Sparkledun, Barr Emerger PMD or BWO, orange or yellow Stimi, Yellow Sally Elk Hair Caddis, Adams/Para Adams. Nymphs: Barr's Pure Midge Larva, Garcia's Rojo Midge, PT, Prince, Jujubaetis, RS-2, PT, CJ, Tungstone, 20 Incher, microstones. Streamers: Buggers, Slumpbuster, Double Bunny, Bunny Leech. |
| Yampa | |||
| Est 100 cfs below Stagecoach. Fishing has been very good. Also good through Steamboat Springs. | Midges, BWOs, scuds. | Nymphing deeper runs and holes. Dries may work during hatches, which are usually pretty sporadic. | Dries: Midge dries, Griffiths Gnat, Trico dries and spinners, Barr Emerger, RS-2. Nymphs: Tabou Caddis Emerger, Frank's Flashy, Rainbow Warrior, midge larvae/pupae in black or red, typical tailwater nymphs, scuds in olive, rust orange, cream or tan, red or pink SJWs, Hare's Ear and Chamois Leeches, Miracle Nymph. |
| Arkansas | |||
| Leadville to Buena Vista. 249 cfs at Granite. Getting into fishable condition. Fish the edges and soft water. | Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, caddis, PMDs, Red Quills. | Dry/dropper rigs (Stimi or Elk Hair Caddis with a PT, caddis larva, CJ or Prince). Double nymph rigs can be effective: a beadhead nymph (eg, PT, red, chartreuse or black CJ) or stonefly nymph with a black midge, RS-2 or BWO Barr Emerger trailed behind. Dries to match the midge hatch, attractor dries like Stimulators and PMXs. Focus on the edges along banks and softer current lanes mid-river. | Dries: Para Adams, BWO dries, Barr Emerger BWO, RS-2. Nymphs: Prince, Tung Teaser, 20 Incher, midge larvae and pupae, BH PT, Hare's Ear, chartreuse caddis larva, CJ- black, red, chart. Streamers: Autumn Splendor, buggers. |
| Buena Vista to Salida 474 cfs at Salida. Getting into fishable condition. Fish the edges and soft water. |
Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, caddis, PMDs, Red Quills, a few BWOs. | Dry/dropper rigs (Stimi or Elk Hair Caddis with a PT, caddis larva, CJ or Prince). Double nymph rigs can be effective: a beadhead nymph (eg, PT, red, chartreuse or black CJ) or stonefly nymph with a black midge, RS-2 or BWO Barr Emerger trailed behind. Dries to match the midge hatch, attractor dries like Stimulators and PMXs. Focus on the edges along banks and softer current lanes mid-river. | Dries: Para Adams, Stimulator, BWO dries, Barr Emerger BWO, RS-2, PMX, hoppers. Nymphs: Prince, Tung Teaser, 20 Incher, midge larvae and pupae, BH PT, Hare's Ear, chartreuse caddis larva, CJ- black, red, chart. Streamers: Autumn Splendor, buggers. |
| Salida to Canon City 533 cfs at Canon City. Getting into fishable condition. Fish the edges and soft water. |
Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, caddis. | Dry/dropper rigs (Stimi or Elk Hair Caddis with a PT, caddis larva, CJ or Prince). Good nymphing using stonefly nymphs and caddis larva. Double nymph rigs a good choice: a stonefly nymph with a black midge, RS-2, PT or BWO Barr Emerger trailed behind. Try Hopper/Copper/Dropper righs with a large attractor dry. | Dries: Griffith's Gnat and other midge adult/emergers, small Para Adams, BWO adults and emergers. Nymphs: Golden Stone, Prince, Tung Teaser, 20 Incher, BH PT, Hare's Ear, chartreuse caddis larva, CJ. Streamers: Autumn Splendor, buggers |
| 751 cfs below Pueblo Res. Fishing pretty well in the reservoir as well in the tailwater blow the dam. | Midges, BWOs in the river. Chironomids, terrestrials and streamers in the reservoir. |
Focus on quiet water and seams. Double or triple nymph rigs (eg, a PT or Copper John trailing a SJW and a midge larva) are the best bet early and late, but attractor dries, dry/dropper, dry, dry/emerger, dry/ dropper can work during hatches, typically 11:00-4:00. Another good combo is a wooly bugger trailing an egg pattern. | Dries: Parachute Adams, BWO dries/emergers, Barr Emerger BWO, RS-2, Griffith's Gnat. Nymphs: 20-Incher, Wired Stone, Prince, Copper John, Icebreaker, Pheasant Tail, Brassie, San Juan Worm (orange or red), typical tailwater midge patterns. |
| South Platte | |||
| 392 cfs at Deckers. Fishing well right now. | Some PMDs,a few BWOs and good caddis hatches. |
Single/double dry, dry/emerger, dry/dropper rigs during hatches. Double nymph rigs otherwise, with a large/bright attractor nymph followed by something flashy (eg, flashback PT) or SJW. | Dries/emergers: Barr Emergers, Sparkle Wing RS-2, Para Adams, PMD, PMX, hoppers, Chernobyl Ants. Nymphs: Mercury Midges, SJW, Stonefly, Mercury Black Beauty, Brassie, PT, Rainbow Warrior, Hot Tail Flash Egg, Mercury Flashback PT, Mercury Baetis, Buckskin, Graphic Caddis. |
| 300 cfs below Cheeseman | Midges, some BWOs, Yellow Sallies, golden stones and caddis. | Egg patterns, scuds, big caddis larvae, and SJWs followed by a #20 Mercury Flashback RS-2 or #20 Jujubaetis, or nymph rigs as at Deckers, above. | Same as Deckers plus Yellow Sallies and golden stones. |
| Elevenmile Canyon 108 cfs- Fishing good right now. |
Midges, BWOs, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, golden stones, tricos and caddis. | Dries, dry/dropper, double nymphing- a beadhead nymph with some flash and a SJW is a good combo. 6x-7x tippet. Nymphing your best bet. | Dries: RS-2, Barr Emerger (BWO and PMD), WD-40, Para Adams, midges, Griffith's Gnat, Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow Sallies, golden stones, dricos, drowned tricos. Nymphs: Red, pink or brown SJW, Chamois Leech, Rojo Midge, Mercury Black Beauty, Brassie, Red PT, Rainbow Warrior, Flashback PT, Mercury Baetis, midge larvae/pupae patterns, Pure Midge, olive scuds or egg patterns. |
| Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area (Dream Stream) 168 cfs. Fishing is slow. | Midges, PMDs,Tricos and caddis. | Dries, dry/droppes, double nymph rigs- a beadhead nymph with some flash and a SJW is a good combo. 6x-7x tippet. | Dries: RS-2, Barr Emerger, WD-40, Para Adams, midges, Griffith's Gnat, PMD, Elk Hair Caddis, trico spinner/drowned trico spinner. Nymphs: Red, pink or brown SJW, Chamois Leech, Rojo Midge, Mercury Black Beauty, Brassie, Red PT, Rainbow Warrior, Flashback PT, Mercury Baetis, midge larvae/pupae patterns, Pure Midge, olive scuds or egg patterns. |
| North Platte | |||
| Grey Reef: 3000 cfs. |
Midges, cranefly larva. orange scuds. We've had some reports of big fish being caught, and fishing is 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 |