Northwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

October 20, 2009

Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) -- Fishing has been as good as it ever gets along the river especially as the weather has begun to cool down. The float fishing is nothing short of exceptional and the walk/wade is equally as good as the water flows continue to drop. Deeper water that has some current and structure to it are holding the majority of the fish. Smaller Baetis, Midge, and Egg patterns are the hot flies. The Streamer fishing is on, especially during periods of overcast or when shade is present. It won't matter what streamer you are fishing as long as it’s a Sacrilege, though Splendors and Stingin' Sculpins are great as well. Crowds are nonexistent with only the masses of fish being caught interrupting the silence. Enjoy the rest of your fall!

Colorado River (near Granby) -- Fall fishing is great and the river below Parshall remains open most of the winter. Copper Johns, RS-2s, Prince nymphs and other emerger patterns are doing well. San Juan worms and egg patterns are increasingly effective. Lure fishing is good. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the lower end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept. From the east side of the bridge abutments (the west end of Byers Canyon) down to Troublesome Creek, including the Williams Fork River from the reservoir, catch-and-release rules apply and fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

Crystal River -- The Crystal River has been flowing at 45 cfs in Carbondale. Fishing has picked back up again as the entire river has been fishing well due to the cooler weather. The aspens and surrounding foliage are in peak colors and makes for drop dead gorgeous scenery. The whitefish and brown trout are beginning their spawning rituals thus the fish are feeding extremely hard. Top flies include Tungsten Princes, Tungsten PT's, STD's, BLM's, Tungsten Bead Baetis, Zebra Midges and Flashtail Hot Eggs. The cutthroat and brookie fishing is exceptional above the town of Marble, while rainbows, browns and whitefish inhabit the river below Redstone. Fishing pressure is virtually nonexistent as an added bonus!

Dillon Reservoir -- The reservoir is at low pool and the water is clear. Shore fishing at the inlets and Giberson Bay has been productive for rainbows using salmon eggs, Power Bait & worms. For those anglers who are looking for bait fish for Lake Trout during ice fishing season, suckers are also being caught with salmon eggs & worms. Shore fishing starts to pick up around mid-morning. Boat fishing has been slow and boaters need to be aware of low water obstacles. The boat ramps at Frisco and Dillon are still open. Frisco Marina will close October 15th and Dillon Marina closes October 18th, depending on water levels and weather. Fishing the inlets has been successful using nymph flies in the early morning and evening.

Elkhead Reservoir -- Elkhead is open to fishing daily and boating weekends 8am to 5pm. We have seen the Crappie and Small Mouth activity pick up as water temps drop. More trout are also being caught. There are still a lot of pike being caught, so don't hesitate to take a few home and try some of those recipes you read about. Good luck, and watch for those nasty afternoon storms. Please do your part to help this lake build a sustainable Crappie population, turn a few back for another day.

Frying Pan River -- Fall fishing is on fire! Current river flows have dropped to an easily wadeable and fishable flow of 111 cfs. The fishing is almost too easy out there! Quit your job, call in sick, but just make sure you go fish the Frying Pan right now. Thick hatches of BWO are being seen daily along with lesser hatches of PMD's, Drakes and Caddis. The heaviest hatches are being seen from noon to 4pm between mile markers 6-12. Light fluorocarbon tippets of 6x and 7x and mandatory given the gin clear water and smaller flies being fished. Hot fly patterns include BWO Sparkle Stackers, CDC Wing Baetis, Melon Quills, BDE Drakes, Poxyback Baetis, Sparklewing RS2's, Barr Emerger BWO's, Johnny Flashes, Epoxy Mysis, and Tim's Mysis.

Granby Reservoir -- Worms, Power Bait, eggs, lures and frozen baits are being used. Lake trout are being caught in shallower water; all the dike areas and A Bay are prime locations. Fall is one of the best times to fish this reservoir. From Twin Creeks up to Shadow Mountain Dam is closed to fishing until January 1st when fishing will be allowed from the dam downstream for 500 yards; the rest of this area will reopen on March 15th. We are looking forward to a great ice fishing season. On January 29th, 30th, and 31st, the Three Lakes ice fishing contest will be held. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

Grand Lake -- Fall fishing is good and we are looking forward to a great ice fishing season. Rainbows, browns, kokanee salmon, and lake trout are available. The water level of this lake remains constant. Trolling, jigging, bait, lure and fly fishing all are productive methods of catching fish on Grand Lake. Since pumping through the canal continues, fish activity in the channel and around the West Portal is good; these areas remain open most of the winter season. On January 29th, 30th, and 31st, the Three Lakes ice fishing contest will be held. Inquire in Granby for updates.

North Delaney Lake -- Fishing after sundown with a crayfish imitation streamer fly on a 10 ft-dropper- bubble rig has proven good results when wading out to waist deep water and slowly retrieving the fly. Rainbows up to 22 inches have been striping line. All the Delaney Buttes Lakes have reduced limits, flies-and-lures restrictions and other special regulations. Check the Colorado Division of Wildlife's regulations booklet before fishing.

Pearl Lake -- 10/8/09- The water level has dropped as far as it's going to be dropped; they are still working on the headgate, so the trail across the dam is still closed. The boat dock is now out of the water; Fishing has been reported to be very good with the low water level. For current conditions, call the visitors center at (970) 879-3922.

Ranger Lakes -- Fishing pressure at Ranger Lakes has been moderate with fishermen having good success. Worms have been most successful, with other successful bait including Power Bait and salmon eggs. Successful flies have included wooly buggers and fly ticks as well as beaded and colored flies. Float tubes only are permitted on the water. Ranger has been recently stocked. (Bag limit 4; possession, 8.)

Roaring Fork River -- The Roaring Fork River has been flowing at 37 cfs in Aspen, 354 cfs in Basalt and 6768 cfs in Glenwood Springs. Without a doubt, the Roaring Fork is the most consistent freestone fishery in the entire state with autumn offering some of the best fishing of the year. The brown trout and whitefish are spawning now thus plenty of big fish (20+ inches) are being caught. Egg, baetis and midge patterns are best. The float fishing has been dynamite with streamers from Carbondale down to Glenwood Springs. The whole river has been fishing well, but is highlighted with spectacular fishing from Basalt to Glenwood. Hot flies include Flashtail Hot Eggs, STD's, BLM's, PT's, CJ's, RS2's, Freestone Emergers, Princes, Autumn Splendors, Stingin' Sculpins, Sacrileges, and Ziwi's.

Shadow Mountain Reservoir -- The canal pumps are being run (the canal and an area out into the reservoir remain open most of the winter season) and fish activity is very good. Browns, Kokanee and rainbows are being caught. Various fly patterns (sow bugs, RS-2s, Mysis shrimp) lures and baits are productive. Slip-bobber fishing with small jigs is very effective. From October 1st through December 31st, the river below the dam and the section of Granby Reservoir above Twin Creeks is closed to fishing. On January 1st, fishing from below the dam downstream for 500 yards, will be permitted; the rest will reopen to fishing on March 15th. As we look forward to a great ice fishing season, the dates of the Three Lakes ice fishing contest are January 29th, 30th, and 31st. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

Stagecoach Reservoir -- Fishing has been good around Stagecoach Reservoir. Both boat and shore anglers have been catching several 4-6 lb Rainbows using worms and fishing off the bottom. Tailwaters fishing has been good using small RS-2s scuds, or egg pattern flies. Anglers have also been reporting catches of large Brown or Brooke trout that have come up to spawn in the Tailwaters. Please check the Stagecoach State Park boating conditions for updates on aquatic nuisance species prevention. Have a great season, fish responsibly and have fun.

Steamboat Lake -- 10/8/09 Fishing has been getting better the last couple of weeks. Most of the action has been around the dam area and Meadow Point towards Mill Creek on eggs and power bait. Boaters have been doing well on the south shore this weekend. Many 19 to 23 inchers have been reported. The marina is closed for the season so come stocked up. For current conditions, please call the visitors center at 970-879-3922.

Vega Reservoir -- The fishing at Vega is still good. Rainbows are being caught on worms and Power Bait. The reservoir is no longer being drawn down for irrigation. Please continue to be cautious of sand bars throughout the lake. The Island Area boat ramp is open for access to the lake and will close at 5 p.m. on November 1st for the season. Early Settlers boat ramp and Oak Point boat ramps are closed for the season. Before launching boats on the reservoir, please come to the visitor's center for a mandatory boat inspection. The visitor's center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Williams Fork Reservoir -- Fall fishing is very good. Rainbow and brown trout, lake trout, northern pike and Kokanee are available. Kokanee are being caught around the east boat ramp. We are looking forward to a great ice fishing season. Kokanee are especially fun to catch through the ice. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions. From buoy line at Williams Fork River inlet upstream to first CR bridge. Fishing and snagging prohibited Sept. 15-Nov. 30.

Willow Creek Reservoir -- Fall fishing is good. Rainbow, brown trout and Kokanee salmon are available. We look forward to a great ice fishing season. Many people like to chase kokanee through the ice. This is a beautiful area with easy fishing access around the boat ramp area and the next bay. This reservoir is a good place to take kids, and gets less fishing pressure than other area lakes. Worms, Powerbait, salmon eggs and many different lures are commonly used. Inquire in Granby for updates.

Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) -- The Yampa has dropped as flows reach fall levels which are too low to float. The walk/wade fishing should be very productive. Fishing is good on the upper stretches of the Yampa. Small hatches in the afternoon like nymphs, stone flies and small beads are getting good action. Out west, you will find some fair to good Small Mouth activity in the deeper pools below riffles. Working spinner baits and minnow imitations has been effective. Access and egress only from public areas and remember you cannot get out of your boat on private property. We should start to see good Brown trout activity as Fall sets in.

Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) -- In the tailwaters below the Dam try olive RS2, mercury midge, tailwater tinys and dry flypool on BWO size 16s. Sarvis Creek is fishing much like in the town. Yampa thru the town in Steamboat Springs, the Tricos are done, the morning is a BWO on cool days, large pheasant tails and hairsears are producing the best results in the afternoon. Steamers are coming on and the results are big fish. The first snow of the year fell on Monday 9/21, as the weather warms this week the dry fly should be good.