Northwest
Region
Report
provided with permission of the
Colorado
Division of Wildlife
August
31,
2010
Colorado
River (near Granby) --
The water flows below Windy gap and below Parshall are 145cfs
and 279cfs respectively. Copper Johns, RS-2s, Prince nymphs,
chartreuse wooly buggers, yellow colored flies, and other emerger
patterns, Joe's hoppers, grasshopper and egg patterns are doing
well. 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. Cooler
nights and mornings make better fishing conditions, keeping the water
cooler and the fish more active. 8/29/2010
Delaney
Buttes --
The fishing action on the Delaney's is really picking up. Anglers
are having good, to excellent success for big trout, using a variety
of dry flies and hardware
Dillon
Reservoir --
The launch ramp at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm
daily weather permitting. The only boat launching areas will
be at the Dillon and Frisco marinas. All boats launched and retrieved
at the Dillon Marina will require an Invasive Species Inspection.
We recommend that you check ahead with the marinas staff for
hours of operation before you launch or retrieve your vessel.
Inspection station hours will vary during the year depending
on weather and time of season. We recommend that you check ahead
with the marinas staff for hours of operation. The launch ramp
at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm daily weather
permitting. The only boat launching areas will be at the Dillon
and Frisco marinas. Phone (970) 468-5100 for information
Elkhead
Reservoir -- The water has improved
in clarity and the fish are on. This lake has really turned on.
We are seeing very nice fish being caught and a variety of species.
Large Pike in the 13-15lb range, Cat fish in that same 15lb range
and great Small Mouth are being taken. Crappie fishing has really
slowed, but they are still being caught on the north end. ANS inspections
will continue through September and the boat ramp will remain open.
We will close the ramp Oct. 1, but hand launch and shore fishing
is still available.
Frying Pan River --
Depending on the stretch of the river, flows have been around
13cfs to 164cfs. We're still seeing fish actively feeding on
shrimp. Sight fishing on the flats is just about as much fun
as you can have on the Upper Pan right now.
Granby Reservoir --
Fishing in the early morning and late evening are still the best
times. Colder nights and brisk mornings are making fishing better
and the fall spawning season is just around the corner. Trolling,
using deep diving lures, lead line, and downriggers can find
kokanee and lake trout. Jigging is very productive. Fly fishing
the inlet streams, the Colorado river below Shadow Mountain
and Arapaho Creek is very good; streamers, wooly buggers,
emergers egg patterns, and some dry flies are working well.
Rainbows can be found all around the reservoir. The water
level is still high. Arapaho Bay is also fishing well. 8/29/2010
Grand
Lake --
Nights are becoming colder and mornings are brisk. Fish activity
will be picking up. This lake is over 270' deep. It can be difficult,
but very rewarding to learn to fish this lake. Very large lake
trout, nice rainbows, browns, and kokanee salmon are available.
Trolling, jigging, bait, lure, and fly fishing are all productive
ways of catching these fish. Belly boats are useful. Two
prime bank fishing areas are the mouth of the channel and
around the West Portal. From Oct. 1st-June30th, all lakers
26-36 inches long must be released immediately. Rapalas,
Mepps, Panther Martins, and Blue Fox spinners are only some
of the lures used. Jigging with sucker meat is common and
productive. 8/29/2010
Green
Mountain Reservoir --
Fishing is slow due to the heat and activity on the lake. Trout are
being caught on nightcrawlers, power bait or salmon eggs.
Popular colors for lures are hot pink, orange, red and
green. Best fishing times are early morning and evening.
Pearl
Lake -- 7/15/10 Anglers are having
some luck at Pearl. As usual though, it is a very picky
lake to fish. All areas and campground are open and fishing
is good. Remember all boats on trailers have to be inspected
before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key words
for a fast inspection. Use this link to view our Hahn's
Peak web cam that we turned so you can see the cove behind
the Visitor Center http://165.127.23.131/view/index.shtml
Rifle Gap Reservoir --
The water level is low, and has resulted in a very muddy
shoreline. The best access to the lake is from
the rocky points and outcroppings. Trout fishing
is fair to slow, with the best action being on
rainbow Power Bait, fished off the bottom. All
other species are reported as slow.
Shadow Mountain Reservoir --
Most of this reservoir is shallow, but trolling
the channel, spin or bait fishing the east shoreline
north of the dam can be productive. Fishing the
pump canal, the area around the mouth of the
canal, and below the dam can be highly rewarding
using flies, slip bobber rigs, lures, and nightcrawlers
on the bottom. Early morning pumping makes the
canal and the area where it enters the reservoir,
prime fishing sights; kokanee, rainbows, and
browns are being caught. Small jigs tipped with
wax worms, mealworms, power bait or eggs are
commonly used. The flow rate below the dam is
low, but the spillway is fishing well. All species
of fish that reside in the reservoir are being
caught in the spillway area. Cooler weather is
coming and will increase fish activity. 8/29/2010
Stagecoach Reservoir --
Due to park construction and decreasing
water levels, the reservoir measured 7
feet below full on 8/28. The muddy shore
line is exposed and algae is highly visible. The reservoir
will close to trailered watercraft on September 7th
for the season. Hand launch vessels are permitted at
visitors own risk until ice on. With decreasing water
levels, the flow at the tailwaters is estimated to
stay at 142 cfs through September. Midges, San Juan
worms, emergers and RS2's have been working well for
fly fishing the tailwaters. Brightly colored PowerBait,
Kastmasters, and trolling with a crayfish lure have
yielded some larger sized trout in the reservoir. Pike
activity has increased due to cooling water temperature,
which is at 67 degrees.
Steamboat Lake --
7/15/10 Fishing is still good all around. As of last
weekend, most anglers are using a variety
of baits and doing well. Meadow Point and
Rainbow ridge are very popular all day long.
The coves won't hit hard until the weekend.
Remember all boats on trailers have to be
inspected before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key
words for a fast inspection. Use this link to view our Hahn's
Peak web cam that we turned so you can see the cove behind
the Visitor Center http://165.127.23.131/view/index.shtml
Trappers Lake --
No current fishing report is available at this time
Vega Reservoir --
Vega is open for boating. Fishing is picking up and should continue
to improve throughout the year
Williams
Fork Reservoir --
Rainbow and brown trout, lake trout, northern pike and Kokanee
are available. Boat inspections and ramp access are
from 6:00AM to 8:00PM seven days a week; ramps are
closed at night. Bank fishing is good at the inlet
and by the east boat ramp. Rainbows have been plentiful
and large. Bait fishing using bottom rigs, jigs,
trolling worm harnesses are productive methods of
catching fish as well as lures and fly fishing. Early
morning and late evening remain the best times to
fish. Some nice cloudy, rainy days can make fishing good
throughout the day. 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. 8/29/2010
Willow Creek Reservoir --
Rainbow, brown trout and Kokanee salmon are available. This is
a beautiful area with easy fishing access around the boat ramp
area and the next bay. If a person likes to hike, taking the
trail to the inlet area can be rewarding. 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. Trailered boats
are still not allowed on the reservoir. Fly fishing is
also very productive from shore and out of canoes kayaks
and belly boats. Inquire in Granby for updates. As the
weather cools down, fish activity is picking up. 8/29/2010
Wolford Reservoir --
No fishing report available.
Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) --
The Yampa is cleared and has dropped fast. Fishing
has been very good all through the valley. Fishing
dry flies as well as nymphs is very effective right
now. Rapalas and rooster tails are working like
a charm. Fish early or late; mid day seems to be
slow right now. Fish the seams and deeper pools.
As water temperatures increase, be very aware of
your landing techniques if you are going to release.
The floating season is coming to an end until water
levels increase. Hayden pump station is closed
so float fishermen will need to move down stream
or walk-wade. Double bridges west of Hayden will temporarily
close after Labor Day due to stream bank work. It will re-open
later this fall.