Northwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

Conditions for the week of June 16, 2015.

Information is provided by CPW employees and local fishing enthusiasts. Keep in mind that fishing conditions change on a constant basis. A lot can change in a week from the time this fishing conditions report is produced. If the water you are interested in knowing more about is not listed here or if you're looking for the most current information, we encourage anglers to explore some of the numerous private websites that offer fishing condition reports.

Elkhead Reservoir Fishing is picking up significantly with anglers reporting catching pike, crappie and bass. The water is still somewhat muddy but clearing up each day.

Highline Lake
The crappie and bass are starting to bite at Highline Lake using jigs and plastic worms. We have a huge new batch of power bait in all flavors and colors, some with sprinkles, and some that smell like garlic. Stop at the Visitor Center and choose your fish's favorites. Or try a bucket of 18 fat, feisty night crawlers. Purchase your 2015 fishing license and register your boat for 2015 in the Visitor Center! If you catch a fish and would like your photo with your catch posted on our Big Fish Board, just stop by the Visitor Center or track down a Ranger, and we'll take your photo and post it!

Lower Fryingpan
The water conditions are off color due to an influx of water flows. The food sources present are caddis, midges, baetis, and golden stones. The overall rating for this section of the river is a 4 out of 10. It's day to day as of right now due to recent rains. Look for this section to clear within the next week, and possibly sooner. In general, head on up higher along the river to find the best fishing (or fish the Fork/Collie). If you are planning on fishing through the lower river, stay above or below the Canyon stretch. Miles 3-4 have had plenty of risers in it lately. This is spring creek like flat water and probably one of the most difficult pieces of water to dry fly fish successfully. Then again, it's also one of the most rewarding pieces of water too! If you enjoy challenging dry fly fishing, you'll fall in love with the water here.

Lower Roaring Fork
The water flow is at 3,510 cubic feet per second in Glenwood Springs and the water conditions are changing daily, but not enough to slow down the caddis hatch. Currently the river is blown-out with runoff due to heavy recent rains. The overall rating for this section of the river is a 3 out of 10.  The food sources present are caddis, baetis, stoneflies, sculpins, and juvenile trout. Anglers on float tubes and waders have been doing quite well as of late, with the cooler temps and cloud cover we have been experiencing, the streamer bite has been good too. Nymphs, dries and streamers are all on the menu right now. Caddis are hatching heavily, to catch the caddis hatch, it pays to be on the water around midday and again at dusk. Most fish are posted up on the edges these days, spend some time looking for pods of risers. Bank to bank risers aren't uncommon, though, during heavy caddis hatches. As we always advise, skating your dry flies from landing all the way to recasting is the way to drive the fish crazy. Across and downstream presentations are practically a must to accomplish this effectively.

Middle Fryingpan
The water conditions are off color due to flow bump. The overall rating for this section for the river is a 4 out of 10 due to increased hatch activity, lack of crowds, and less picky fish. During cold mornings you'll still be best off to fish the first two miles below the dam. This is the current sweet-spot along the river in our opinion. Expect more opportunities at rising fish, increased streamer activity and much less in the way of fishing pressure. Like the upper river, the best fishing takes place during the afternoons into the evenings. Streamer diehards have actually had great success on the river as of late, due greatly to the abundance of overcast and warmth that we've had lately. Fishing a single streamer looped onto a 2x tippet is generally more than sufficient. Keep those streamers small (6-8), and focus on bland colors like tan and brown. Swinging or jigging your streamer is best; don't strip the fly. We like to swing when the fish are active and jig when the fish are more neutral.

Middle Roaring Fork (Basalt Downstream To Carbondale)
The water flow is sitting at 1560 cubic feet per second in Basalt and the water conditions are currently stained but with plenty of water visibility. The overall rating for this section of the river is too varied. It's either been great or horrible and not much in between depending on runoff and clarity. Sweet fishing opportunities abound. Caddis are thicker down valley, but they are already making a decent showing here in Basalt. BWOs are still hatching regularly as we have been experiencing far more cloudy, cool weather, which BWOs just love. Hot and dry days are on the horizon, so the caddis fishing will improve here significantly. As previously stated, cloudy days are producing the best baetis hatches and hot sunny days are encouraging caddis to come off in real numbers. Nymphing until dry fly activity is the program of late, utilizing stonefly, green drake, caddis and various baetis nymphs in addition to worms. Any time we see color in the water this time of year, the worm goes on the rig. Let the fish tell you where to nymph by watching where they hold in the water column. If you are seeing suspended fish just under the surface or fish holding down deep, adjust your nymph rig accordingly.

Upper Fryingpan
The water flow is at 327 cubic feet per second and rising, the water conditions are off color due to rise in flows. The overall rating for this section of the river is a 4 out of 10. Flows are fluctuating a lot right now, and should subside in a week or so. Don't be afraid of the mud, though.  Hatches are consisting of primarily midges with lighter numbers of small baetis. The best dry fly activity has been midday, anywhere from 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.; warmth and overcast offer the best conditions, otherwise seek out the shade. The streamer bite has been fairly decent (weather dependent) and obviously the nymph fishing is solid all day long. BWO and midge activity is certainly increasing weekly. With the low flows, it is time to think about stealth in your presentations; light leaders coupled with 6x and 7x fluorocarbon tippets are the name of the game. If you are getting refusals on your dry fly offerings, be sure you're using fluorocarbon, and most importantly, throw your dries in a downstream presentation.

Upper Roaring Fork (Aspen Downstream To Basalt)
The water flow is at 909 cubic feet per second below Maroon Creek (Woody Creek Canyon). The water can have a slight stain/tea colored hue as the "mud-season" continues, but is currently in good shape and very fishable. Typically this stretch of river is unaffected by runoff and blow-outs due to the higher elevation and limited tributary influences. This section is easily your go-to spot on the Roaring Fork. The overall rating for this section of the river is a 4 out of 10. It's a delight fishing the upper Roaring Fork lately, there are a few different sizes of caddis moving around, baetis and midge hatches too. Exercise caution in the upper river as resident rainbows are spawning in full force. The food sources present are midges, baetis, stoneflies, caddis, and sculpins-juvenile trout. Woody Creek, Dart, and Jaffe are all worth your while right now, and bring along some BWO and caddis dries in addition to stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae, baetis and midge nymphs. Streamers are producing well, but exercise caution as many spawners can't help themselves and chase them down, too.

Vega Reservoir
The Island and Early Settlers boat ramps are both open at this time.  Please remember to have your boat inspected before launching. Anglers are reporting catching rainbows and cutthroats in the 14-16 inch range near the dam and off the island. The Visitors Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Entrance Station and ANS Inspection station are open Monday and Thursday 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 7 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.