It’s January, nights are cold and additional winter weather could be on the way, but with open water available on rivers below a number of dams, fishermen still can find some interesting possibilities. They include:
South Platte River, Deckers area. Flows have been around 200 cubic feet per second, keeping the river free of ice to the North Fork confluence. Danny Brennan of Deckers’ Flies & Lies shop reports good fishing in Cheesman Canyon and the lower river. Midges and mall nymphs provide a lot of activity, but San Juan worms and egg patterns have taken fish. The best fishing usually is 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
South Platte River, Elevenmile Canyon. Flows have been around 75 cfs, and open water is available well downstream from the dam. Though fishing has been inconsistent, small nymphs and mid ges have produced periods of decent activity.
South Platte River, Dream Stream. Flows are at about 80 cfs after a period of fluctuation a week or two ago, and the river is largely free of ice. The Peak Fly Shop’s Dick Rock in Colorado Springs reports generally slow fishing.
Blue River below Dillon Dam. The Blue, flowing at 80 cfs, has been fishing quite well through the fall and winter, possibly because of a somewhat higher than average volume, according to Andrew Petersen of the Cutthroat Anglers shop in Silverthorne. Midges have been very active.
Frying Pan River. Will Sands of the Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt reports consistently good wintertime activity below Ruedi Dam on a variety of midge patterns. The flow has been around 70 cfs.
Big Thompson River.
The river below Lake Estes has been attracting large numbers of fishermen. Jin Choi of St. Peter’s Fly Shop in Fort Collins recommends San Juan worms, sow bugs and small, bright Pheasant Tail nymphs in addition to the usual midges.
Yampa River.
The river below Stagecoach Reservoir offers an alternative to skiing. With a seasonal (through April 1) road closure in Stagecoach State Park, a walk of about 45 minutes or a mountain-bike ride is required to access the river. Steve Henderson of Steamboat Fly Fishing reports decent fishing on small nymphs and midges.
Arkansas River below Pueblo Dam. Winter flows have been steady at about 65 cfs. Brief hatches of blue-wing-olive mayflies are possible on warm days, along with the usual midges. Alex Zipp of the ArkAnglers shop in Pueblo suggests fishing some of the lower portions of the river and offers maps of the tailwater.
