Prime fishing days are finally upon us! September brings a welcomed
reprieve from the dog days of summer in Colorado. The weather
starts to cool, fish activity increases, the crowds will decrease
and the change from summer to autumn makes the scenery nothing
short of spectacular.
Fly fishing anglers can look forward to optimal flow rates and
clear waters. Occasional rain showers can make conditions murky
at times, but that shouldn’t be enough to deter an eager
angler. Trico mayflies, blue-wing-olive mayflies, caddis and
pale-morning-dun mayflies can still be found hatching on rivers
and streams, but with cooler evenings and mornings, hatches may
be less predictable. Grasshopper activity will soon decrease
as the month wears on.
Lake
anglers will find excellent conditions for fishing in September.
Trout activity should increase as water temperatures begin to
cool. Trout will make their way up from deeper parts of the lake
and begin feeding closer to shore. Some of these trout have grown
larger over the summer and are a lot of fun to catch. Some fish,
such as lake trout, can get so big that you’ll have another
story to tell about, “the one that got away”!
Along
with the trout and other cold water species, warm water fish
will become more active as well. Walleye and wiper can provide
some exciting late-season action, and anglers may want to try
their luck for both species at Pueblo Reservoir.
And
last, but certainly not least, the annual kokanee spawn will
take place at many lakes and reservoirs such as Blue Mesa, Shadow
Mountain, Granby, Williams Fork and Green Mountain Reservoirs.
(Check the Colorado Fishing Regulations Brochure, for dates and
restrictions)
Many
anglers consider September to be one of the best months for
fishing in Colorado. Do you count yourself among one of those
anglers? There’s only one way
to find out; so get out there and enjoy this wonderful time of
year!
Become
a Contributor
The DOW is constantly looking to improve the fishing report.
If you’re an angler or a business owner (bait shop, marina,
etc.) and would like to contribute to the fishing report, please
contact us at 303.297.1192 or by email: fish.reporter@state.co.us.
Fishing Tip of the Week
Browns after Dark
Fishing for big browns at night is a tradition, if not an addiction,
for many savvy anglers.
Brown trout are often referred to as nocturnal, but this is not the case;
rather, they are more of a nocturnal feeder. During the day, browns will stay
hidden under brush, along cutbacks and under logjams.
Brown
Trout will take a variety of flies, bait and lures during
the day, but the big boys, come out to play at night.
Traditional
fly fishing at night can be very productive for big browns, providing
you have a fairly good knowledge of fly casting techniques.
Fly fishing in near dark, or total darkness, can be an adventure,
complete with tangled line and potential traps, wherever
you step.
Some of the largest browns are caught during the summer, at night.
The dark of the moon is especially productive. During the dark
of the moon phase, you truly have trouble seeing your hand, in
front of your face. The use of a flashlight or headlamp with
a red lens is a necessity; avoid white light, as this will spook
the fish.
Short casts or roll casts will help to keep your line from ending
up tangled. Use a very slow retrieve (stripping in the line).
Many times, you will hear the fish, as it is engulfing your fly,
a split second before you feel the hit.
It is recommended
that you use a shorter, heavier weight leader, 5-7 feet in
length.
Wooly Buggers, Zonkers and Leeches are very productive
streamers; recommended sizes are #4’s in black, dark purple,
brown, and dark blue.
Quote of the Week
The
charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive
but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. ~John
Buchan
LIGHTNING
AWARENESS
Great spring and summer fishing is also the time for possible
severe thunderstorms, complete with lightning and heavy rain.
When thunderheads are building up:
- If your
skin tingles or your hair stands on the end, a lightning
strike may be about to happen. Crouch down on the balls of
your feet with your feet close together. Keep your hands
on your knees and lower your head. Get as low as possible
without touching your hands or knees to the ground. DO
NOT LIE DOWN!
- Avoid
proximity(minimum of 15 ft.) to other
people.
- Avoid
being the highest object in any area.
- If you
are swimming, fishing or boating and there are clouds,
dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of
lightning, get to land immediately and seek shelter.
- If you
are in a boat and cannot get to shore, crouch down in the
middle of the boat. Go below if possible.
- If you
are on land, find a low spot away from trees, metal fences,
pipes, tall or long objects.
- If you
are in the woods, look for an area of shorter trees. Crouch
down away from tree trunks.
Lightning poses some
special hazards to fishermen, especially if they are on or
near large bodies of water, on exposed hillsides. Don’t
carry graphite rods or aluminum rod cases; leave them on the
ground, find shelter and return for them later.
Colorado ranks number 11 for lightning deaths in the
United States.
Get the Latest DOW Information
Sign up for the DOW insider newsletter. The newsletter provides
the latest news on a number of hot topics. Sign up for the
DOW insider here: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/DOWInsider/
Don’t
Get Ticked Off
Ticks become active in March, and throughout the summer months,
into early fall. They are generally most active in May, and
go dormant as temperatures cool. Ticks are common at higher
elevations, where there is shade and undergrowth or overgrown
grassy areas. The Rocky Mountain Wood Tick is the most common.
Check for ticks on yourself and your children. Products containing
DEET are effective deterrents, however some of these products
are not recommended for children, or adults, who may have allergic
reactions.
Be Bear Aware
Fisherman and campers are reminded that many of their favorite
waters are in bear country. Taking simple precautions such
as not leaving food out where bears can find it and keeping
a clean camping site can avoid potential problems for bears
and people alike. The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers
brochures and other information for reducing the risk of bear
encounters. They are available At DOW offices statewide.
Recent
Stocking August 31, 2010
| Body
of Water |
Location |
| |
|
| Beaver
Lake |
East of
Marble |
| Crystal
River #1 |
South
of Carbondale |
| Crystal
River #2 |
South
of Carbondale |
| Georgetown
Lake |
Georgetown |
| Golden
Gate State Park lakes |
Northeast
of Blackhawk |
| Nichols
Reservoir |
Woodland
Park |
| Platoro
Reservoir |
Alamosa |
| Rampart
Reservoir |
Woodland
Park |
| South
Platte 3B |
Deckers |
| Vallecito
Reservoir |
North
West of Durango |
For
more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us