Warming Weather
Recent warming trends have accelerated early
spring fishing. I recently noticed that Clear
Creek only has a small amount of shelf ice on the sides. Midges this time of year are the
“go to” flies. I like #22 brassies,
black beauties, and an rs-2. Fish behind the
library in Golden for some great early season hatches.
The “Arky” is clear from Salida
all the way to Pueblo. Dual nymph rigs, a golden stone on top, and a black midge larva on
the bottom will work until about the middle of March. Baetis nymphs will start to move
around the 15th with a few hatches on the lower end of the river near Parkdale
and Spikebuck. Olive and purple woollies size #6 can be fished when the water temperature
hits 45 degrees.
The Blue River always fishes well with rainbow
warriors and pt’s being my favorite flies for this river. You have to fish behind the
retail outlets until the end of March and then the river will gradually give way to
spring.
The other tailwaters will start to warm up, but I
prefer to fish them when the water temperatures reach 40 or more degrees. Trout don’t
seem to move to the fly in the lower temperature range, 35 to 40 degrees.
What a turnout for the West Denver Trout Unlimited
Tying Clinic! 65 tiers showing all their
great techniques. Too much of a good thing can be overwhelming; I talked to a lot of
people who said they couldn’t get around to all the tiers.
A way to save money is to skip those exotic
vacations this year. Fish the water we have here. Remember,
Colorado has over 8,000 miles of public
water.
