Pat Dorsey’s Stream Reports

Pat Dorsey’s Fly-Fishing Report

   Orvis-endorsed guide, Pat Dorsey, provides this valuable information on many of the central Rocky Mountain trout streams.  This up-to-date river report is generated from many of our veteran guides who frequently visit many of these streams on a daily basis guiding their clients.  This incredible network allows you to share their successful tips, and techniques as well as keeping you informed on effective fly patterns.  Our goal is to keep you apprised on several of your favorite trout streams as the conditions change on a weekly basis.  If we can be of any further assistance whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to contact us at our fly shop in Evergreen, Colorado (303) 674-4700, or Toll Free 800-435-5353.

 The Pro’s Picks

Spring Hatches:           Suggested Nymphs/Streamers/Egg Patterns   

Baetis:  #20-22 Flashback Mercury RS II, #20-22 Jujubaetis, #18-20 Mighty Mite Baetis, #18-24 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #18-22 Sparkle Wing RS II, #20-22 Stalcup’s Baetis, #20-22 Barr Emerger, #20-22 Mercury Baetis,  #20-22 Mercury RS II, and #18-22 Randy Smith’s Baetis

 Midges: #20-24 Medallion Midge, #20-22 Flashback Mercury Black Beauty, #20-22 Mercury Midge,  #22-26 Top Secret Midge, #18-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #20-22 Mercury Black Beauty, #20-22 Mercury Brassie, #22 Buckskin, #22 San Juan Emergers, and #24 RS II’s.

 Caddis: #14-18 Bead Head Breadcrust,  #16-18 Bead Head Buckskin, Oliver Edwards Hydropsyche,  Stalcup’s Caddis, #18 Buckskins, #16 La Fontaine’s Sparkle Pupa

 Forage Fish and Leeches:  #8-10 Electric Leech, #6-10 Rabbit Fur Leeches, #8-10 “Buggers” (both Conehead and Beadhead in olive and black),  #8-12 Horny Bugger,  #6 Grey and White Clouser Minnow,  #8Egg Sucking Leeches, and #10 Deer Hair Sculpins.

 Egg Patterns: #16 Orange, Hot Tail Flash Egg, #16 Apricot Egg, #16 Pink Egg, #16 Orange Egg, and #16 Nuclear Egg, #14-16 Orange Scuds

 

                                                            Suggested Dry Flies

   Midges:  #20-#22 Matt’s Midge, #18-24 Hi-Vis Griffith Gnat, #18-#24 Griffith Gnat, #22-26 Parachute Adams, #20-22 Cannon’s Bunny Suspender Midge, #22 Snow Shoe Cluster, #22 Trailing Shuck Midge, #24 No See’m Midge, and #22-24 Z-Lon Midge.

 Baetis: #20-22 Snow Shoe Dun, #18-22 Hi-Vis Baetis, #18-22 Parachute Adams, #18-22 Sparkle Dun, #18-22 Blue Dun, #18-22 Poly Wing Blue Wing Olive.

 

Caddis:   #14-18 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Puterbaugh Caddis, #14-18 Hi-Vis Caddis, #16 Goddard Caddis, and #18 Yellow Stimulator.

 Spinney Mountain Ranch

 The lush meandering, meadow portion of the South Platte between Spinney and Elevenmile Reservoirs is known as the “Dream Stream”, and rightly so: This beautiful 3-mile section of the Platte offers anglers the opportunity of a lifetime to catch large trout.  This fabulous tailwater fishery is located in the heart of South Park, tucked between 14,000 foot snow capped peaks on the west, rich ranchland to the north and south, and Pikes Peak on the east.  Spinney is a well-balanced fishery where anglers can catch trout on nymphs, dry flies and streamers.  The river is comprised of prime trout habitat, which includes, riffles, runs, gravel bars, shelves, and undercut banks.  Fly-fishers can expect to catch a mixed bag of rainbows, browns, and cutthroats in 16-20 inch range.  In addition spring (rainbows, and cutthroats) and fall (browns and kokanee salmon) spawning runs from Elevenmile Reservoir are quite impressive with fish up to 12 pounds landed during a key three-four week period.  Ideal flow conditions for “Dream Stream” are between 100 CFS and 250 CFS.  The regulations are flies and lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.

 Current Conditions

 Flow: 45 cfs

 Clarity:  Good

 Water Temperature: Low to mid 40’s

 Major Food Organisms: Midges, Baetis, and caddis larvae

 Hatches: Midges, blue-winged olives, caddis

 14 Day Forecast:  Look for low flows between 45 and 100 cfs.  Anglers can expect to see midges, blue-winged olives, and caddis in the weeks to come.

 Tips and Other Information: Flows are low and fishing is very technical.  Fish the deeper runs, pools, and oxbows with long leaders and fine tippets.  If you target the right water, you’ll catch some nice resident fish.  Effective patterns have been #18 Buckskins, #20 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tails, #20 Flashback RS II’s, and #20 Barr’s Emerger (BWO).  Look for good hatches of midges and sporadic hatches of blue-winged olives.  Overcast days will produce the optimum dry fly fishing.

 Effective Patterns: #18-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #20-22 Mercury Flashback RS II, #22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty,  #20-22 Medallion Midge, #18-22 Red Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #20 Buckskin, #20-22 Top Secret Midge, #20-22 Rojo Midge (red), #20-22 Mercury Baetis, #18-22 Bead Head Barr’s Emerger,  #20-22 Churchill’s Sparkle Wing RS II, #18-20 Jujubaetis, #20 olive Juju Midge, #20-22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail,  #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #16 Nuclear Egg, #20-26 Parachute Adams, and #24 Hi-Vis Baetis.

 Cheesman Canyon

 All fish must be returned to the water immediately.

 Current Conditions

 Flow:  200 cfs

 Clarity: Excellent

 Water Temperature: Low 40’s     

Major Food Organisms: Midges, Baetis nymphs, and caddis larva

Hatches: Midges, blue-winged olives, and caddis

14 Day Forecast: Look for flows to remain around 200-250 cfs.  Flows will increase as tributaries and the South Platte above the Cheesman Reservoir rises from spring run-off.

Tips and Other Information: Cheesman Reservoir starting spilling last week, (60 cfs over the spillway) which means good flows for the remainder of the spring and summer season.  With a full lake, Denver Water opted to flush the canyon with 500 cfs to remove harmful Hayman Fire sediments (decomposed granite).  With the surge of water, the reservoir dropped 3000 acre-feet, thus, it will take a while to refill, and spill.  If most of the water comes from the bottom of the reservoir, fishing will be very productive.  Denver Water is dropping the flow to 50 cfs (today or tomorrow) to evaluate the sediment problems. Fishing in the “canyon” has been good, considering the up-and-down flows.  The fish are eating Baetis nymphs, midges, and caddis larvae.  The fish look great, and the browns are putting back on some weight.  Flows should bounce back up by the week’s end.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Flashback RS II, #22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty,  #20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #20-22 Medallion Midge, #20-22 Top Secret Midge, #18-20 Rainbow Warrior, #20-22 Juju Baetis, #20 olive Jujubee Midge, #20-24 Mercury RS II’s, #20-22 WD 50, #20-22 Mercury Midges, #22-24 Mercury Baetis, #20-22 Churchill’s Sparkle Wing RS II’s, #22 Cannon’s Snowshoe Midge Cluster,  #20-22 Hi-Vis Baetis, and #20-26 Parachute Adams.

Deckers

1. The regulations are two trout over 16 inches in length and flies and lures only.

 Current Conditions

Flow: 252 cfs

Clarity:  Excellent

Water Temperature: Low 40’s

Major Food Organisms: Midges, Baetis nymphs, and caddis larvae

Hatches: Midges, blue winged olives, and caddis

14 Day Forecast: Look for releases in the 200-250 cfs range (once Denver Water evaluates sediment problems.  See Cheesman report for more information). Look for good midges, blue-winged olives, and caddis hatches.

Tips and Other Information: Fishing at Deckers remains productive. In addition to the releases from Cheesman Reservoir, the tributaries are dumping about 50 cfs of additional water.  Below Horse Creek, the water is stained, but the river is very fishable.  Above Horse Creek the river looks great.  Fish are eating a standard assortment of midge patterns, #20-22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tails and #20-22 Flashback Mercury RS II, and #16-18 caddis larvae.  Look for a blue-winged olive hatch between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.  Overcast conditions will produce the best hatches.

Effective Patterns: #20-24 Mercury Flashback RS II, #20-22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty, #18-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #20-24 Medallion Midge, #18 Mercury Cased Caddis, #20-22 Top Secret Midge, #16 Flash Tail Hot Egg, #16 Nuclear Egg, #20-22 Mercury Black Beauty, #18-22 Mercury Red Pheasant Tails, #18-20 Rainbow Warrior, #18-22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #22-24 Mercury Baetis, #20-22 Sparkle Dun, #20-26 Parachute Adams, #20-22 Cannon’s Midge Cluster,  #22 Snowshoe Duns, and #20-22 Griffith Gnats.

Elevenmile Canyon

1. Pinch down your barbs and protect this incredible resource.

Current Conditions:

Flow: 48 cfs

Clarity: Excellent

Water Temperature: Low to mid 40’s

Major Food Organisms: Midges, Baetis nymphs, and sporadic caddis

Hatches: Midges, blue winged olives, and sporadic caddis

14 Day Forecast: Look for low flows until the releases improve below Spinney Reservoir.  Currently, what is coming into Elevenmile  Reservoir, is flowing over the top of the spillway into the river below.

Tips and Other Information:  Fishing in Elevenmile Canyon has been good for those anglers that are willing to work hard.  Flows are low, but fishing remains good.  Effective flies have been #22 Mercury Black Beauties #22, #20-22 Mercury Midges, #22 Benton’s Shuck’n Midge, and #20 Flashback Mercury RS II, and #20 Sparkle Wing RS II’s. Expect good midge hatches both a.m. and p.m. with a good blue-winged olive hatch between 1:00  and 3:00 p.m.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Flashback RS II, #22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty, #20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #22-22 Medallion Midge, #20-22 Mercury Flashback RS II, #20-22 Barr Emerger, #22 Benton’s Shuckin Midge, #20-22 Mercury Red Pheasant Tails, #22-22 Mercury Baetis, #18-20 Jujubaetis, #20-22 Mercury Pheasant Tails, #22-24 Hi-Vis Baetis #20-26 Parachute Adams, and #22-24 Griffith Gnat.

North Fork of the South Platte River

1. Typically if it looks “fishy”, it generally is, and of course it’s always lucrative to find fish positioned where you think they should be.

Current Conditions for Boxwood Gulch, Long Meadow, Farmer’s Union, and North Fork Ranch.  These are the private leases we guide on.  The same conditions are present on all the public water, however, access is limited.

Flow: 55 cfs Grant.

Clarity:  Fair to good

Water Temperature: Low 40’s

Major Food Organisms: Midges and early winter stoneflies

Hatches: Midges, early winter stoneflies, and sporadic caddis

14 Day Forecast:  Look for releases to stay between 80-100 cfs.   Flows will bounce up and down based on current weather patterns.  If it gets warm, look for Geneva Creek to swell immensely.

Tips and Other Information: Fishing remains productive on the North Fork of the South Platte.  Effective patterns include:  #18-22 Mercury Blood Midges, #16 Hot tail flash eggs, Nuke Eggs (both orange and Chartreuse) #18-20 Mercury Red Pheasant Tails, #22-24 Flashback Mercury RS II’s, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS II’s, #20-22 Pearl Jams,  #20-22 Perry Winkles, #18 Red Copper Johns, #18 Mercury Caddis, and #20-22 Mercury Black Beauties, and #20-22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauties.  The main hatches have been midges, a sporadic caddis or two, and early winter stoneflies.  A thin and sparse black Pheasant Tail fished in the softer water along the rivers edge will be effective to imitate the early winter stoneflies

Effective Patterns: #16 Hot Tail Flash Eggs, #22 Mercury Flashback RS II, #22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty,  #22-24 Medallion Midge, #20-22 Flashback Mercury RS II, #22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty, #18 Gold Bead Flashback Pheasant Tails, #14 Pink San Juan Worm, #18-22 Red Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tails, #20-22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail,  #18 Mercury Caddis, and #16 Red Copper John.

William’s Fork River

1. The regulations are flies and lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.

Current Conditions

Flow: 88 cfs

Clarity:  Excellent

Water Temperature: Low 40’s

Major Food Organisms: Midges and Baetis

Hatches: Midges, blue-winged olives, and sporadic  caddis

14 Day Forecast: Look for consistent flows and classic spring fishing.  Look for normal historic winter flows that will range between 50 and 100 cfs.   William’s Fork Reservoir is filling fast, so look for higher flows soon.

Tips and Other Information: The William’s Fork River is fishing very well. Anglers can expect to see good hatches of midges and blue winged olives, with a sporadic caddis or two.  We have been catching numerous brown trout, on average 12 inches, with the occasionally rainbow.  Effective patterns have been #20 Buckskins, #18-20 Mercury Pheasant Tails, #20Mercury Midges, #20 Rainbow Warriors, #18 Mercury Flashback Black Beauties, and #22 Flashback Mercury RS II’s.  Look for several rising fish (to adult midges) in the slower pools and tailouts in the morning, and blue-winged olives in the afternoon.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Flashback RS II, #18-22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty,  #18-22 Medallion Midge, #18-20 Mercury Pheasant Tails, #18-20 Buckskins, #18-20 Rainbow Warrior, #16 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS II, #20-22 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun, #20-22 Hi Vis Baetis, #20 Matt’s Midge, and #24 Parachute Adams.

Colorado River

The Colorado River begins its journey in Rocky Mountain National Park and heads west offering anglers several opportunities to sample this great stream.  Near the small community of Granby is the confluence of the Fraser River.  At this point the river is a meandering, meadow stream flowing through lush ranchland and the river remains this way until it hit Byers Canyon.  Byers Canyon is only about one mile long and this section is pretty tough to negotiate, especially during higher flows.  Below Byers Canyon the river is “as good as it gets” with many access points including Paul Gilbert, Lone Buck, Kemp-Breeze, Sun Set Ranch, Reeder Creek and the Pump House to Radium stretch.  The Colorado is lined with cottonwood trees and willows and is a dry fly paradise.  Anglers can expect to catch mostly brown trout and a few large rainbows.  The regulations in this area are flies and lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.

Current Conditions

Flows:  934 Parshall

Clarity:  Will change with weather patterns

Water Temperature: Low 40’s

Major Food Organisms: Midges, Baetis nymphs, caddis, and stonefly nymphs

Hatches: Midges, blue-winged olives, and sporadic caddis

14 Day forecast: Look for flows to vary depending on weather patterns.   The initial phases of run-off are occurring.   The water is currently tea-colored.

Tips and Other Information: The Colorado River is fishing fair to good right now for 9-15 inch brown trout and the occasional 14-18 rainbow.  Pat’s Rubber Legs dropped with an assortment of flashy nymphs and small bead heads is your best bet right now.  Look for strong hatches of midges and blue-winged olives.  If the water gets stained from run-off try a Pink San Juan Worm,Chamois Leech, or flashy stonefly nymph dropped with a large bead head.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Flashback RS II, #18-22 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty,  #18-22 Medallion Midge, #18-20 Mercury Pheasant Tails, #18-20 Buckskins, #18-20 Rainbow Warrior, #16 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS II, #20-22 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun, #20-22 Hi Vis Baetis, #20 Matt’s Midge, and #24 Parachute Adams.

Blue River

1. The regulations are catch and release in Silverthorne and on the lower reaches the limit is two trout over 16 inches in length and is artificial flies and lures only.

Current Conditions

Flow: 144 cfs below Dillon Dam.  Tributaries will add considerable water on the lower river during warmer weather patterns.

Clarity:  Excellent between Dillon and Town Hall.  The lower river is currently good too.

Water Temperature: High 30’s to low 40’s

Major Food Organisms: Midges and Baetis

Hatches: Midges, blue-winged olives, and sporadic caddis

14 Day Forecast: Look for normal historic winter flows and fair-to-good fishing in the town of Silverthorne.  Anglers can expect sporadic midge hatches both a.m. and p.m., with decent dry fly fishing in the slow pools and tailouts.  Expect some sporadic blue-winged olives on overcast days.

Tips and Other Information: The Blue River continues to fish good below Dillon Reservoir.  Flows are perfect right now!  Anglers have been catching an assortment of browns and rainbow between 10 and 17 inches. Productive nymphs include: #18 Laney’s Mysis, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #22 Mercury Black Beauties, #20 Mercury Brassies, #22 Mercury Blood Midges, #22 Mercury Pheasant Tails,  #20 Pearl Jams, and #22 Perry Winkle.  Target the slow deep pools, deep slots, and transition areas.  If you really look for them, you’ll find a fair number of rising fish in the slow pools and tailouts.  A Cannon’s Suspendor Midge or Cannon’s Snowshoe Cluster continues to fool fish on the surface.  Fishing on the lower river is starting to pick up.  Mercury midges and Sparkle Wings RS II’s have been effective.

Effective Patterns: #20-22 Mercury Red Pheasant Tail, #8-10 Pat’s Rubber Legs, #22 WD 50, #20-22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #22-24 Medallion Midges, #22-24 Top Secret Midge, #18 Mysis Shrimp, #16 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #14 Pink San Juan Worm, #16-18 Mercury Caddis, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #20-22 Mercury Brassies, #22 Benton’s Shuckin Midge, #22 Jujubaetis, #20-22 Cannon’s Snowshoe Midge Cluster, and #20-24 Parachute Adams.

For more information give us a call at 800-435-5353 or visit www.bluequillangler.com