Rivers in the area came up with rising temperatures in June, and we experienced some interesting and challenging fishing in June! However, snow melt is rapidly coming down off of the mountains, and we are expecting more normalized flows shortly.
The Big Thompson and North Fork have been running high but are now dropping, as the streams in RMNP have started to warm and fish well in our recently escalated daytime highs. Good reports are coming out of our high lakes as well, with Ice-out earlier this month providing exciting action for the stillwater aficionado.
Hatches can be fished with dry flies in calmer side pockets and seams where fish can be seen breaking the surface while feeding on Adult insects. Long, fine leaders of 6x are usually standard in the Big Thompson, though fishing Hoppers and Stimulators in bigger water can necessitate dropping to 5x. 9 foot tapered mono leaders are the order of the day. Dry flies in smaller streams are best fished with 7 1/2' leaders for fast turnover -- and to help keep out of the trees!
Triple fly, subsurface nymphing rigs have been very productive on the Big Thompson below the Olympus Dam, with small (#18-#22) mayfly and midge patterns working well on point. Tungsten headed flies are a good choice, especially in the higher, faster flows we've been experiencing. 6x fluorocarbon tippets for droppers are a must, especially in heavily fished areas like the quality water immediately below the dam. However, there is something to be said for beefing things up to 5x for your larger (#14-#16) upper point flies -- some bigger patterns like Prince nymphs have been producing lately, and a heavy fish in big current can strip your entire rig with a hard downstream strike! 7 1/2 foot tapered leaders give good turnover and drift control.
In big water, especially in the evenings, don't hesitate to try a weightier streamer pattern like a Conehead Wooley Bugger fished down and cross current. This technique can produce some exiting action -- but heavy leaders area must, as the strikes can be ferocious!
Suggested Patterns Month: July
NYMPHS/STREAMERS
Tungsten WD-40 (#18- #20)
Sowbugs (#18-#20)
RS-2 (#18-#22)
Foamback Copper Midge (#18-#22)
Prince (#12-#16)
Copper John (#12-16)
Beldar Bugger (#8-#10)
DRIES
Parachute Adams (#14-#18)
Extended body BWO (#18-#20)
Elk Hair Caddis (#14-#18)
Yellow Sally Hi-Viz (#16-#18)
Stimulator (#10-#12)
Foam body Hopper (#8-#10)
LAKE PATTERNS
Parachute Adams (#18-#22)
Extended body BWO (#20-#22)
Griffith's Gnat (#18-#20)
Orange Asher (#16-#20)
Foam High-Viz Ant (#16-#18)
Come in to the shop to book a guided day out with one of our experienced guides -- they will enthusiastically show you how to fish the Estes Valley the way the locals do!
