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Overall Report
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Updated: 09/06/08
Oh, Sweet September! The cool mornings and evenings remind us that fall and winter are just around the corner. But fortunately, the nice days keep me amped up for fishing. Or maybe its the 1/2 Liter of Monster. Remember the runoff extravaganza we had in May and June? Consider September to be the payoff. The flows are as healthy as ever and the fish are extremely active. The tourist droves have settled down and we're finding a bit more solitude at our favorite spots. Oh yeah, September was made for trout fishermen.
Water We Guide On
The flows continue to drop again coming out of Dillon, keeping the water temps at their normal frigid state. Fishing through Silverthorne has moved back to the midges and mysis, with caddis drys taking a few fish in the afternoons. Even with the absence of bugs, many fish are looking up-- I've seen a number of fish rise to a cottonwood cluster and even a suspect piece of foamy water. So don't be afraid to try throwing a stimulator or a terrestrial out there.
Fishing from Silverthorne down to Green Mountain has remained consistent. As always, nymphing has proven more effective, in the morning and waiting for risers before putting on dry flys. Watch for a hard hitting caddis hatch just before dark. Hopper-dropper rigs are still effective, especially with attractor nymph beads. You could even see some BWOs.
Recommended Flies through Silverthorne: Sands Epoxy Mysis, Randy's Mysis, Solitude Mysis, Mercury Baetis, JuJuBees, WD-40's, Johnny Flashes, RS-2's, Gulper Special, Sparkle Baetis, UV Emergers, Black Beauties, Cheeseman Emergers, Adams, Desert Storms, Disco Midges, Crown Jewel, Tung Studs, CDC Prince, Flash Prince, Pink San Juan worms, Foam Body Caddis, Peacock caddis, Goddard Caddis, Yellow and Orange Stimis, Rainy's Foam Body Ant
Recommended Flies between Silverthorne and Green Mountain: Pearl and Elk Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Wilcox Special, Crystal Stimulators, Tung Prince, Crystal Stimulator, Tungsten Pheasant Tails, Red Copper Johns, Green Hornets, Tungsten Hare's Ears, Adams, Para Adams, Mercury Baetis, Sparkle Baetis, RS-2s.
Below Green Mountain, the predominant hatch has been Caddis and Baetis. Caddis are still coming off in the evening with a few Yellow Sallies thrown in as well. The window for wade fishing the canyon is diminishing, as long as the flows stay where they're at. If you do decide to wade, please be careful and use prudence: wear a PFD. No kidding. The float fishing has been great, especially nymphing attractors and throwing dries when the opportunity arises. Change it up a bit in Jurassic Park. Try a big streamer. The Autumn Splendor has been very effective. Don't forget, its not too late for hoppers.
Recommended Flies: Foamulators, B/C Hoppers, Tung Teasers, 20 inchers, Barr's stonefly, Wire stone, hotwire caddis, graphic caddis, buckskin caddis, San Juan worms, swing caddis, Goddard's Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Tungsten Hare's Ear Olive, Mighty Mite, PT Cruzers, Wilcox Caddis, Rip Cord Caddis, Tungsten Z wing Caddis, Hot wing caddis, Adams, Para Adams, Gulper Special, Sparkle Baetis, RS-2, WD-50s, Beldars, Autumn Splendors.
A NOTE ABOUT FLOATING JURASSIC PARK: We have been fielding quite a few calls about floating Jurassic Park. We are strong advocates of boaters rights and want you all to have a good time down there. We are also happy to provide FISHING information, flies and other tackle for this area. We do not however, float this section of river commercially nor do we run shuttles for private floaters; therefore, we do not feel comfortable providing information about boating it. The only boating advice we do feel comfortable giving is that there are several obstacles in the river that require strong oarsmanship, and that safe flows vary from boater to boater.
The Parshall area has remained consistently good for us. Tricos are out early daily and fish are eating. A variety of bugs are still hatching, so fish can be selective. Tricos, Caddis, Midges, BWOs, and some lazy Yellow Sallies are hanging around, so be prepared to change your flies often. The water temps have stayed low and flows consistent, so we expect this area to remain productive through the fall. Hopper-Dropper combinations can still be very effective at Parshall as well.
Recommended Flies: Crystal Hunchback, Gidget, Military Mayfly, Mercury Baetis, WD-40/50, RS-2s, Elk Hair Caddis, Buckskin, Roxy's Caddis Emerger, TUng CDC Prince, Zebra Midges, Black Beauty, Roy Palm Special Trico, Morris May Trico, B/C Hopper, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Moe Joe Hopper, Chernobyl, Foamulators.
Float fishing from Pumphouse all the way down to Dotsero has been phenomenal this year. Tricos are out in force down here, so enjoy the mayhem. Fish are taking a variety of hoppers off the top, especially smaller ones. In addition to fishing tricos and hoppers, try different combinations of beadheads. There are still lots of Caddis and BWOs coming off, especially in the afternoon. The Baetis fishing has been extremely productive on overcast days. Wadefishing up into Gore Canyon has been very good as well using dry/dropper combos. Don't be afraid to nymph out some of the deeper holes either.
Recommended Flies: 20 inchers, Tung teasers, San Juan Worms, Miltary mayfly, Sparkle Baetis, Mercury Baetis, Silhouette dun, Gidgits, Big Bear Beatis, JuJu Beatis, Hotwire prince, Copper John Chartreuse, Sparkle Dun, Gulper Special, Adams, Snowshoe Dun, Graphic Caddis, Yuba Pupae, Rip Cord Caddis, Hopicators, Dave's Hoppers, B/C Hopper, Charlie's Hopper, Roy Palm Special Trico Emerger, Morris May Trico.
Caddis, PMDs, Stoneflys, and a few BWOs are still hatching. The hopper action through Haden Meadows has been good as well. Look for sippers in the foam lines for the best dry fly action. Dry/Dropper set ups have been producing well.
Recommended Flies: Rainy's Foam Body Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, Peacock caddis, Pearl and Elk caddis, Hi-Vis Caddis, Barrs Web-Wing Caddis, Stimis, Renegades, Hot wire princes, tung studs, chartreuse copper johns, Graphic Caddis, Hotwire caddis, Super Pupae, Morris May, Squirrel Nymphs, Green Hornets, Crystal Stimis
It has been great dry/dropper water. Some PMDs in the afternoon, with caddis sprinkled in as well. Smallish hopper patterns have been taking fish as well.
Recommended Flies: Charlie's Hopper, BC hopper, HiVis Hopper, Foamulators, Crystal Stimis, PMX, Streambank hopper, Silhouette PMD, PT Cruzers, Tungsten Pheasant Tails, Chartreuse Copper Johns, Green Hornets, Tung Studs, Tungsten Hare's Ears
With the monsoon weather pattern, the Fork has been off and on in terms of water clarity. Sallys, Caddis, and PMDs also are getting good action. BWOs have started coming off in the afternoons with good action reported on nymphs still. Streamers have been taking lots of fish on cloudy days. The Fork seems to be slowing down quite a bit.
Recommended Flies: 20 inchers, Tung teasers, San Juan Worms, Miltary mayfly, hunchback PMD, Silhouette dun, Gidgits, Big Bear Beatis, JuJu Beatis, Hotwire prince, Tyler's Fakey Nymph, Sparkle Dun, Brooks Sprout PMD, PMD pullovers, Snowshoe Dun, Graphic Caddis, Yuba Pupae, Rip Cord Caddis, Hopicators, Dave's Hoppers, B/C Hopper, Gulper Special, HiVis BWO, Big Bear Baetis, Mercury Baetis, Butt Monkey, Sculpzilla, Super Buggers, Slump Busters
The flows on the Dream Stream are still fluctuating quite a bit. From what we've heard, mornings continue to be the best time, with some people reporting success very late in the evenings. PMDs, Tricos, Caddis, and BWOs have been the predominant hatches. For the Tricos, go early and leave early. Terrestrials have been working through the afternoon as well. San Juan Worms have been a productive fly as well.
Recommended Flies: Silhouette Dun PMD, Goddard Caddis, JC Wilcox Caddis, Ripcord Caddis, Trico Spinners, Randy's Trico, Barr's Trico, Zebra Midges, Black RS2, Gulper Special, HiVis BWO, Mercury Baetis, Big Bear Baetis, Amy's Ant, Charlie Boy Hopper, Red Leg Hopper, Streambank hopper, HiVis Beatle, San Juan Worms.
Hopper/Dropper action should be good right now. Any hopper with a medium beadhead fly down to a smaller beadhead fly should be productive. Bring your Bug Spray.
Recommended Flies: Charlie's Hopper, Streambank Hopper, B/C hopper, Hopicator, Red Leg Hopper, Tungsten Prince, Tungsten Hare's Ear, Tungsten Hotwire prince, Military Mayfly, Mercury Baetis
Lots of good reports from Spinney. Calibaetis have been hatching, with the Damsels also coming off. Some small pike have been caught as well.
Choice Hare’s Ear, Squirrel Nymph, Rojo Midge, Tung Teaser, Tungsten Prince, Olive Scuds, any calibaetis nymph, Twenty Inchers, Psycho Princes, Chironicones, Calibaetis spinners, Calibaetis Dun, Calibaetis cripples, Blue Damsels, Damsel nymphs.
BWOs, Caddis, PMDs, tricos, and Midges. See Colorado at Parshall Report.
Recommended Flies: San Juan Worms, Miltary mayfly, hunchback PMD, Silhouette dun, Gidgits, Big Bear Beatis, JuJu Beatis, Hotwire prince, Tyler's Fakey Nymph, Sparkle Dun, Brooks Sprout PMD, PMD pullovers, Snowshoe Dun, Graphic Caddis, Yuba Pupae, Rip Cord Caddis, Tung Stud, Hotwire Caddis,
This creek is always flowing cold and foamy. Try using limes and salt if needed. Longnecks are the preferred choice, but almost any variety will catch a buzz.
Other Local Water
Becuase we do not guide on the following rivers, we cannot give the same detailed information that you find for the Water We Guide On. However, the streamflows are continuously updated, and we've done our best to give you a general idea of what to expect on these waters for this time of year.
I have heard tons of good reports from Delaney Buttes Lakes lately. Suspend your nymphs and be ready for some serious action.
Wolly Buggers, Conehead Streamers, Guides Choice Hare’s Ear, Squirrel Nymph, Tung Teaser, Tungsten Prince, Twenty Incher Olive Scuds, Psycho Princes, and Chironicones.
Flows have dropped, but the Eagle is notorious for blowing out with a good rain storm. Watch the graph for clarity. When it is clear the fishing has been good. Caddis, PMDs, Stoneflys, and BWOs have all been hatching. Matty B was around Avon the other day and was doing great on Caddis drys.
Recommended Flies: Anything Caddis, Silhouette Dunn PMD, Military Mayfly, PMD emergers, Stimis, Tungsten Hare's Ears, Gulper Specials
Can't tell you much about Gore Creek right now, but we hear the fishing is good. Caddis dry flies, Attractor dry flies, bead heads.
Tenmile has been fishing fair of late. Attractor dry flies, and bead head nymphs have been working well. The water up by Copper Mountain is a little easier to fish, with the run from Copper to Frisco is mostly pocket water.
Recommended Flies: JC Wilcox, Crystal Stimis, Olive Stimis, Goddard Caddis, Tung Stud, Tyler's Fakey Nymph, Hotwire princes, Green Hornets, Tungsten Prince Nymphs, Tungsten Hare's Ears
Don't know anything about Clear Creek. See Tenmile Creek for flies.
The Snake has been getting good reports lately. Attractor dry flies, and bead head nymphs have been working well. Streamers have been taking fish through Keystone on cloudy days
Recommended Flies: JC Wilcox, Crystal Stimis, Olive Stimis, Goddard Caddis, Tung Stud, Tyler's Fakey Nymph, Hotwire princes, Green Hornets, Tungsten Prince Nymphs, Tungsten Hare's Ears, Slump Busters, Black Wooly Buggers, Christmas Island Specials
....Check out Taylor Creeks Report. Been Very good.
View Archived Fishing Reports
Disclaimer: Fishing reports are only as good as yesterday's information. Please
understand that while we strive to provide you with the most accurate information
available we can only relay yesterday's news. We also can't control the weather,
which plays a major role in hatches and trout activity. So, if we report a great
hatch, and you arrive at the river the next day to find no bugs we're terribly
sorry but that's why its called fishing - Enjoy the ride!
