Weekly Report
The ice is slowly clearing up and there is more open water to fish by the day. The next day or so (3/30 to 3/31) will do little to help reduce bank ice, given sub-freezing temps. However, starting on Saturday things will begin to warm up again. Regardless, you’ll want to give most of your attention to the sections immediately below the confluence with the Williams Fork as this is where there is the most open and fishable water. Trout here are feeding fairly regularly and are not terribly selective. A heavy nymph rig fished through the soft water like the deep and slow runs, pools and pockets will produce the most consistent results. Midges are the primary food source, so start with a small and simple set up that is imitative in nature. Larval patterns will be the most effective during the coldest hours of the day while a larva to a pupa will be a good option in the afternoons when temps rise above 32 deg F. Otherwise, a searcher/attractor at the lead like a Perdimidge, Flashback PT, red Copper John or Hare’s Ear will be effective as well. Cycle through flies and adjust your depth before moving on. You’re going to need to hit them on the nose in order to see results.
Recommended Flies
Subsurface
- Pure Midge (#20-22)
- Zebra Midge (#18-22)
- Mercury Black Beauty (#18-22)
- Top Secret (#18-24)
- Chocolate Foam Back Emerger (#18-22)
- RS2 (#18-24)
- Stalcup's Baetis (#18-22)
- Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12)
- Pine Squirrel Leech (#10-12)
- Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear (#18-20)
- Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20)
- Flashback Pheasant Tail (#18-20)
- Perdigon (#16-18)
- Rainbow Warrior (#18-20)
- San Juan Worm
Surface
- Parachute Adams (#20-22)
- Matt's Midge (#20-22)
- Cluster Midge (#20-24)
- Griffith's Gnat (#20-22)
Streamers
- Slump Busters (#4-6)
- Sculpzilla (#4 or #8)
- Peanut Envy (#4)
- white Sparkle Minnow (#6)
- black Wooly Bugger (#4-6)
- Cheech Leech (#6)
- Barely Legal (#4)
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River Flow
Detailed River Info
Background
The Colorado River, which flows through seven US states and two Mexican states originates in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. There are three sections of river as it pertains to the state of Colorado, the Upper, Middle and Lower. The Upper Colorado is a comparatively large freestone river that originates at the confluence of the Frasier River west of Granby and stretches to the confluence with Troublesome Creek west of Parshall. This picturesque stretch of river, which is lined with cottonwoods and willows, earned its Gold Medal status for its plethora of medium to large sized brown and rainbow trout.
Angling
Fishing on this smooth and meandering section of the Colorado is great for anglers of all skill sets and can be fished most of the year. Feature wise, this section provides everything from shallow riffles and slow runs to deep pools. Nymphing and streamer fishing are both effective, but it is most known for its summer dry fly fishing. During this time, there is an abundance of PMD, Caddis and Stoneflies. However, the Salmon fly hatch is arguably what entices anglers the most.
River Access
There are a number of great public access points. The following access points reference Granby as the starting point.
#1: Roughly 4 miles northwest of Granby on US Hwy 40 is a roadside pull off on the left side of the road with access on either side of the river.
#2: 11 miles west on US Hwy 40 to the Town of Hot Sulphur Springs Pioneer Park. From Hwy 40, turn right on CO Rd 20 then left over the bridge. There is a camping a picnic area that provides over a mile of public water on either side of the river.
#3: 13.1 miles west on Hwy 40 into Byers Canyon there is a parking area on the right hand side of the road and a short trail to the water.
#4: 13.3 miles west on Hwy 40 to the Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area/Joe Gerrans Area. From Hwy 40 take a left at the east end of the bridge onto CO Rd 50. There is roughly 2,300 acres of water on either side of the river.
#5: 13.4 miles west on Hwy 40 to Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area/Paul Gilbert Day Area. From Hwy 40 turn left on CO Rd 362. On the right side of the bridge you will find the day use area and a short (1/4 mile) section of public water.
#6: 13.6 miles west on Hwy 40 to Hot Sulphur Springs State Wildlife Area/Lone Buck. From Hwy 40 take a left at the sign for Lone Buck to find camping and a day use area with 2,300 acres of water on either side of the river.
#7: 15. 5 miles west on Hwy 40 to Kemp/Breeze State Wildlife Area. From Hwy 40 take a left on CO Rd 3. The parking lot is 0.7 miles on CO Rd 3 on the right. From there you can take a trail to the Confluence of the Colorado and Williams Fork.