Colorado Fishing Reports

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.

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.

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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.

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