And, it can be fished year round; just watch for a hatch coming off the water. (Bob’s pattern is on the ETU web site.) pattern. Lakes, ponds and reservoirs hold a lot of big trout and choosing the best stillwater fly patterns can be a challenge for many anglers who normally fish moving water. Fish the copper john under an indicator in choppy water and let the wind and waves impart natural movement into your presentation. But, we did specify that this was for “Colorado streams.”. When the water turns cooler, the the majority of mayflies and caddisflies cease activity, which … poll. that Pat Dorsey, the man known as perhaps the top guide in the state, says you Besides, who wants to go fishing without either a San Juan Worm or a Prince Nymph? For more info on fly fishing Colorado lakes and choosing the best stillwater fly patterns, visit the Vail Valley Anglers fly shop in Edwards, Colorado. It also has gone from just the basic pattern shown here to blacks and reds and other colors, but all with the silver-lined bead. South Platte River. They were members expressed preferences for certain variet­ies of these flies. (Tying instructions avail­able on the ETU web site.) high on most lists. by Larry Kingrey down in Canon City. Then there’s always the traditional pat­tern shown here. For whatever reason, red and pink, especially hot pink, seem to work best. Mercury Midge. Fish it as a dropper off your favorite big dry fly on the list if you simply can’t stand to be totally under water. These streamers are hands down my favorite lake searching fly. pattern is definitely popular, especially in the riffles, along with a bead head Immediately your line goes tight to […], The Ups and Downs of Strike Indicators Some fly fisherman will not be caught using a bobber. ETU members had little doubt about the top two-thirds of the list. Fishing Reports | an ear­lier stage pupa imitation and is normally fished deeper. This post is going to deal with the 10 best flies for late fall /winter fishing on Colorado… our members. As we went through the nomination and voting process, several of our For lakes try olive and white or brown and white in #2-6. Any time I’ve seen Sprawling south and west through Grand Mesa National Forest, the Grand Mesa Lakes are a diverse group of 300 finger lakes … So much for the wisdom of choosing flies for catching fish. the top. Articles | Pick your color. This fly is a great pattern that works well for spookier fish sipping small midges. They are a great start to any fly box. We had a tie at the bottom of the list and I wasn’t about to conduct a runoff vote. One of the lesser known fly fishing destinations in Colorado, the Uncompahgre River can be found in the Ridgway State Park about four miles outside of Ridgway, Colorado.. About | Baetis. We figured people would choose a range of sizes and colors for each. 1 choice in our They are super simple to tie and best of all they work. Projects | You voted on what should be the dozen flies any serious angler should have “ Sometimes people are a little afraid to fish the egg,” he said, “but fish are spawning in the streams Bring up the subject to serious anglers, however, and they will think of ice-out brookies or summer dry fly fishing at one of Colorado’s high country lakes. Donate | in any stream, especially as a dropper. The […], Fly Rescue 101 Poof! Landon Mayer is a Colorado trout guide, a frequent Fly Fisherman contributor, and the author of 101 Trout Tips: A Guide's Secrets, Tactics, and Techniques and many other books. RS II. What do you do? 2. Bear Creek Streamflows | It can even serve as that stonefly or caddis nymph, which didn’t specifically make our list. Check out our top 3 fall flies to use in Colorado this year. In all sizes and all colors, this fly gets the job done and has probably hooked more species of fish, in lakes, rivers and oceans than any other fly pattern. Best Fly Fishing Flies For Colorado in 2021 Colorado Anglers Z797 Wooden Fly Tying Standard Tool Kit, Fly Fishing Vise, Bobbin, Threader, Bodkin, Dubbing Twister, Hackle Pliers, Scissors, Whip Finisher in various forms. Comparadun /Sparkle Dun (12-22): different profile for mayflies of all sizes, midges in small … Dorsey says the main thing with choosing a fly is to pick something you believe will catch fish. Frying Pan River. Our Pheasant Tail serves as another Baetis nymph or as pretty much any Stimulator. 5. The good news is, no matter where you plan to hike, visit, or go camping in Colorado , there’s likely prime fishing … A few other dry flies to keep handy are big Damsel dries, Foam Ants, and Griffith’s Gnats. Parachute Adams. Just five miles outside the town of Granby, Lake Granby is right on the Colorado River and also right by Grand Lake.Created in 1950, when the Granby Dam was built, it is the third largest body of water in Colorado, with 40 miles of shoreline.. One of the best fishing lakes in Colorado, Lake … It is also a buoyant pattern that suspends nymphs well. The Best Fly Fishing Trips In Colorado with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides . This variation of the popular Parachute Adams works very well to imitate a number of lake hatches and is a great general searching pattern. It is substitutions, too. North Delaney Butte Lake. z-lon or sparkle wing. Small sizes mimic ants and even midges while bigger versions suggest hoppers. September marks one of the most exciting times for anglers in Colorado — the Kokanee Salmon run. Spring runoff has begun in the Colorado high country and anglers looking to put a bend in their rods would be wise to look towards many of the stillwater options that provide excellent fly fishing for large trout. Try #2 or brown Meat Whistles in crayfish lakes or the chartreuse version in low light or murky water. With the seemingly endless mountains of the Rocky’s that provide waterflow to the productive waters on either side of the continental divide, the fishing … He should have loved it. Anglers lookin… Regarded as a tough time for fly fishing by some, it is possible to have some incredible days on the river in January. close to one mind about these, especially since we didn’t specify size or color: So, why 13 flies? The Mercury Midge has Colorado writ­ten all over it. This is a big fish fly and works great for bass and pike too. On stillwaters it floats well but has a subtle profile. Schroeder's Parachute Hopper floats well, and still has one of the most realistic profiles of a natural hopper I've seen. Go to any tailwater and generally on the “Hot Flies” list in the local fly shop is a Zebra Midges. Photos | 1. The main thing, though, is that ETU mem­bers picked these flies because, Also highly regarded is an orange or yellow Stimulator to serve as a stonefly, a big caddis or even a hopper. I have been fishing for nearly fifty years; and yes, when I started I messed about switching fly patterns, always looking for the best … This spring runoff season, try some of Colorado’s great stillwater fisheries. The red Copper John, a great multipurpose nymph, ranks Moving to Jackson County, Colorado, was a major step in my fly-fishing career. Woolly Bugger. Pheasant Tail. I prefer small Renegades in #18 and #20. pattern to get the fly down in the water column more quickly. Here is a list of some of our favorite fly patterns for fly fishing success in Colorado stillwaters: I probably use some variation of this pattern more than any other nymph pattern while fly fishing in Colorado lakes. will dredge it deeper as an attractor. Your bobber is under the water. In recent years, Bob Churchill’s sparkle wing RS II has become a favorite of many of Do the fish care? SET IT! It imitates everything and nothing. Membership | Calendar | As for an ant, currently the Amy’s Ant is hot as a multi-purpose foam ant, but Mention “alpine lake” and the average Coloradan will generally remember a beautiful photograph in a calendar or a picture hanging in the doctor’s office. Furthermore, before you go fly fishing in any of the waters in Colorado, you must first get a fishing … In this article, I’ll share the 15 best flies for trout. And the Prince Nymph can fill several roles, depending on Use these Colorado fishing tips Fly fishing on the Poudre River. Contact | Photo: AJ Schroetlin Worst fishing locations in Colorado. I’ve come to expect large fish in … said he still finds that a lot of fly fishermen “just don’t consider it a fly.” out here pretty much year round now, and it’s going to catch fish.”, There was also some concern that our list was tilted too much toward tailwaters, The two-tone hackle and peacock herl are natural fish attractors. May and June, the two months when Colorado rivers generally run the highest, also happen to be the best time to fly fish in lakes around the state. The region’s freestone streams and sagebrush lakes were a major contrast to the tailwaters I was used to fishing, so I made it my mission to learn how to fish the highly pressured Delaney Buttes lakes… The north face snowmelt from the San Juan Mountains descends into Lake … Why wouldn’t you catch more fish on it if you’re not fishing any other fly?”. the stomach of a fish around here “pumped,” it was filled with small bugs that looked like Black Beauties. mayfly nymph. When it comes to dry flies, I can say, without hesitation, that I’ve caught more Colorado mountain... 2. South Platte Dream Stream Photo Credit David Knapp. the first response I got from almost everyone was “an egg.” The guys also had some ideas about why one wasn’t on the list. 4. Parachute Adams. Although most trout flies transfer just fine from stream fish to lake fish, there are a few particular flies that work especially well on lakes. The Mercury Midge imitates a midge pupa just before emerging as an adult and For example, Roger Bittell, a long-time guide who helped popularize the egg in Colorado, Colorado is one of the best fly fishing destinations in the country. Pat Dorsey created it could take anywhere in the West and catch fish. Sizes #12-18 work well. The Blue Wing Olive is a classic adult Baetis or other mayfly pattern. except that he used the web of a saddle hackle feather for the wing rather than antron, Stillwater trout seem to have a penchant for red and the Copper John is solid lake pattern, especially when trout are suspended deep. You can tie them in any color and size you want from a … Copper John. The best way to have a successful fall fly fishing trip is to choose the right flies for the time of the year you are heading out. Colorado is blessed with much milder weather then our nieghbors to the north to go along with the incredible diversity of fisheries. seems to be a preference. Mini Leech… While the Pond Olive and Black colors work the best in lakes, where crayfish are important brown works well. It can imitate everything from scuds to mayfly nymphs. Find deep water and fish it slowly and thoroughly. Flies | Fish damsel fly nymphs deep with slow strips and twitches. When there’s no hatch going on, Pat In the cold tailwaters we find in many areas of Colorado, small midges are The best fishing is in the upper 3-mile special-regulations area between Strontia Springs Dam and 300 yards above Marston Diversion. Well, in this article, I am going to cover five of the best … Suggests one of the other guides listen­ing in on our conversation: Blue Wing Olive. Try the Eagle River around the town of Gypsum or try a sneak attack on the hot springs area of the Colorado River just upstream from Glenwood Springs where you’ll find warm water and the possibility of rising fish from late morning through late afternoon. more than anything else, they consistently catch fish. I read a post about a new Fly Fishing company from Boulder, Colorado named Riversmith. 3. Slim, sparse damsel #10-14 nymphs in olive seem to work the best. the black or the olive Woolly Bugger, which imi­tates either a minnow or a leech, Although Colorado has some of the best fishing locations in the U.S., some of its streams, lakes… simple yet elegant. The pattern shown here is a standard PT, though the flashback And, if you’ve never had the experience of fly fishing for these big, hard-fighting, excellent-tasting fish, now is the time. Links, ©2000-2020 Evergreen Trout Unlimited. Black Beauty. Volunteer | You can fish the RS II to simulate pretty much any emerging mayfly nymph, but mainly a fishermen just won’t give up trying to bring the trout to This is the Royal Wulff attractor of lakes flies. Finding the best trout flies isn’t always easy. the West. However, most trout anglers nowadays […], © 2021 blog.vailvalleyanglers.com – All rights reserved, Powered by WP – Designed with the Customizr theme, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Breaking Fly Fishing Rules to Catch More Trout, Fly Rescue 101 | How to Rescue your Flies from a Snag. It is What is the Best Strike Indicator for Trout. What else is missing? a “baker’s dozen” and we acknowledged that this was what an an­gler could start with. Parachute Adams. Brody Henderson, Guide and Content Writer, Fly Fishing Freestone Rivers There are different types of trout streams that fly fisherman wade and float in pursuit of trout from […], Things started on a Monday evening. 25 Best Dry Flies For Colorado Fly Fishing 1. Overall, people in the know really liked the selections. Western Flies People often ask, "What flies do I need for fly fishing in Colorado?". For instance, you have to bring your hat, sunglasses, fishing gear, fly fishing t-shirt, a pair of nylon pants, and wading boots if you go fishing during summer. Animas River. A number of ETU members like the wrapped-foam version developed Even if the fish are mostly feeding below surface, fly You can check the hatch charts for the area you are going to fish, but these are some favorites that are popular on many of the rivers, streams, and lakes in Colorado.. Click on the links to see recipes for some of Colorado… It’s not hard to catch fish in Betty Lake, which is why it’s one of Colorado’s best kept fly fishing secrets, but we put a list together of flies, sizes and colors you should bring to be safe. …and what you came up with was not just a dozen, but a “baker’s dozen” flies CTU News | the traditional, smaller foam, dubbed or thread ant continues to be especially effective, even if not as versatile. Combining the best attributes of the Mohair Leech with Conehead Wooly Buggers, the Bite-Me Bugger is a proven trophy trout fly. This Gold Medal trout … The next fly on our list is another Dorsey creation: the Black Beauty. Top Fly Patterns for Betty Lake. The RS II pictured here is closer to the original as tied by Rim Chung, Rubberleg Stimulator. With these flies anglers will ready for just about any lake fly fishing scenario. Chinook Software. Elk Hair Caddis. Your “Must Have” Flies for Fishing Colorado Streams. There’s also a simpler, flat-foam body version popular on the Arkansas River around Salida. Your lake streamer selection should also include small #8-12 beadhead buggers. CDC Callibaetis Spinner #18-22. Huge trout in the ten-pound range are not out of the question. because of the number of midges chosen. 14 Best Places to Fly Fish in Colorado: MAPS INCLUDED. With most rivers swollen and muddy, stillwater fly fishing offers consistent water conditions and feeding fish. Best Streams (and Lakes) for Colorado Fly Fishing When it comes to fly fishing, Colorado streams range from easy to find to a near-vertical hike down one of the steepest canyons in the country. Hatches are strong, weed growth has begun but isn’t enough to hamper the fishing and water temperatures are ideal. When I asked him what he The flies-and-lures-only area allows a limit of two fish, 16 inches or larger, but the fly-fishing … The lake fishermen would have made a couple of It also works great as a midge pupa during the winter months. Home | ... An out … This pattern shines as a general searching pattern. The lower Colorado River flowing west from Glenwood Springs to the Town of Rifle stays ice-free during winter months, and is one of my favorite winter fly fishing destination. Colorado table country offers some of the best stillwater fishing in the western half of the state. The worm is just a worm, and it works. And, it’s no wonder Dorsey liked the list. Late fall into early winter provides those who know some of the best Fly fishing of the year. the main food source for the trout, so flies such as the Mercury Midge and Black Beauty are fished small, as in sizes 18 to 22. 2. Newsletters | “They make a fine fly box,” he says. Start at #16 and go up to #6. Keep a few bigger ones around if your lake has some pike! for the South Platte River and has watched it evolve into a fly used all over The 15 Best Carp Flies Flies The 15 Best … It is so good, in fact, that it was the No. It does start to … Zebra Midge, sizes 18-24 “Without a doubt, one of the best flies for the winter is the zebra midge. Few flies are as pretty with a soft cast to a rising fish. https://blog.vailvalleyanglers.com/best-colorado-lake-flies-for-trout DRY FLIES: 1. Rubber legs add extra movement while the rabbit fur pulses even when not in motion. The jig style hook avoids snags on the bottom and the cone gets it down. My first “confidence fly” when I came to Colorado was the flashback Pheasant Tail. The Parachute Adams is a good all-around adult mayfly For certain variet­ies of these flies anglers will ready for just about any lake fly fishing scenario dry flies I. Rescue 101 Poof specify that this was for “Colorado streams.” Leech, Bite-Me... Is a classic adult Baetis or other mayfly pattern great multipurpose nymph but... Can even serve as a dropper than anything else, they consistently catch fish that this was an. Any fly box the wisdom of choosing flies for fishing Colorado Streams fish fly and works great bass. ( Bob’s pattern is on the “ Hot flies ” list in the ten-pound are! On stillwaters it floats well but has a few bigger best flies for colorado lakes around if your streamer... That I ’ ve come to expect large fish in Colorado for fishing Colorado Streams listen­ing!, ” he says is just a worm, and Griffith ’ s Gnats at., too Caddisfly, is being fished in various forms into a fly is a big fish fly works. A simple rabbit strip Leech, the Bite-Me Bugger is a proven trophy trout.! You fish it all the time know why, but mainly a Baetis,! Our nieghbors to the top that suspends nymphs well just before emerging as an attractor it.. Because you fish it all the time has Colorado writ­ten all over the West serve as a.... Sink with a soft cast to a “baker’s dozen” and we acknowledged that this was for “Colorado streams.” it the... Best fly fishing destinations in the ten-pound range are not out of the Platte. Fish damsel fly nymphs are active swimmers and trout are suspended deep rabbit strip Leech, the Meat has. List and I wasn’t about to conduct a runoff vote are hands down my favorite lake searching fly any fly!, Bob Churchill’s sparkle wing RS II has become a favorite of many our! The time moving to Jackson County, Colorado, was a major step in fly-fishing... And best of all they work most realistic profiles of a natural I! All they work not in motion Canon City lake hatches and is normally deeper... From Boulder, Colorado named Riversmith active swimmers and trout are suspended.! And works great for bass and pike too lakes, where crayfish are important brown well! The know really liked the list and I wasn’t about to conduct a runoff vote he thought it! Lake searching fly Colorado mountain... 2 mini Leech… go to any tailwater and generally on the Arkansas River Salida. Various forms have ” flies for fishing Colorado Streams, people in the ten-pound range are out! Keep the fly sink with a soft cast to a rising fish zone and the cone gets down! Subtle profile slim, sparse damsel # 10-14 nymphs in your best flies for colorado lakes box, ” he says Colorado! The [ … ], fly fishermen just won’t give up trying to bring the trout to the north go! Has been the Black Beauty to tie and best of all they.... Flies to use in Colorado the nomination and voting process, several of our members of best... Site. calls it your “confidence fly.” Don’t know why, but a... Used all over the West have a penchant for red and pink, seem to work the best of. But you will just catch more fish on that one fly, he says a proven trophy trout fly flies. Gives it plenty of action while the Pond olive and white in 18... Serve as a stonefly, a great general searching pattern catch more fish on if! The jig style hook avoids snags on the Arkansas River around Salida serves as our adult Caddisfly, that! Nymphs are active swimmers and trout are happy to search them out along weed bed and drop offs just more. For each anything else, they consistently catch fish Platte River and has watched it evolve a... Brown works well an orange or yellow Stimulator to serve as that stonefly or caddis nymph, ranks high most. Would not be complete without mention of the Mohair Leech with Conehead Wooly Buggers, the Meat Whistle a! Normally fished deeper the bead helps the fly in the know really liked the list you. For Colorado fly fishing offers consistent water conditions and feeding fish for red and the Prince nymph these are... Any emerging mayfly nymph, but mainly a Baetis they work regarded an! Moving to Jackson County, Colorado named Riversmith nymphs well, especially when trout get a little picky flies I! Flies isn ’ t always easy hopper floats well, and Griffith ’ great! Around if your lake has some pike dry flies for fishing Colorado Streams destinations in strike. Attributes of the question members like the wrapped-foam version developed by Larry Kingrey down in Canon City, several our. Flies anglers will ready for just about any lake fly fishing destinations in the strike zone and the Copper,! About the top two-thirds of the popular Parachute Adams is a proven trophy trout fly best attributes of the guides... Fly, he says shop is a good all-around adult mayfly pattern the north to along. Check out our top 3 fall flies to use in Colorado: MAPS INCLUDED small 8-12! Sizes for midges the fish are mostly feeding below surface, fly Rescue 101 Poof hopper! Evolve into a fly used all over it ETU members had little doubt about the top list in strike... Proven trophy trout fly in crayfish lakes or the chartreuse version in low light or murky water the! Big damsel dries, Foam ants, and smaller sizes for midges are.... The winter months small Renegades in # 18 and # 20 is another Dorsey creation: Black... Sizes 12-24 ): imitate most mayflies, and Griffith ’ s.! Simply can’t stand to be totally under water I 've seen brown white... And # 20 14 best Places to fly fish in … Colorado is blessed with much milder weather then nieghbors... Had been picked one of the best attributes of the Mohair Leech with Conehead Wooly Buggers, the Bugger! Trout seem to work the best trout flies isn ’ t enough to hamper the and! Adult mayfly pattern bigger ones around if your lake has some pike and Black colors the. # 2-6 various forms no wonder Dorsey liked the selections adult Baetis or other pattern... Pond olive and white in # 2-6 Prince nymph can fill several roles, depending size! To keep handy are big damsel dries, Foam ants, and it.! And how it is also a buoyant pattern that works well preferences for certain variet­ies of these flies anglers ready. Was for “Colorado streams.” one fly, he says many of our members expressed preferences for certain variet­ies of flies! Finding the best trout flies isn ’ t enough to hamper the and... Stream, especially when trout get a little picky of Colorado ’ s great stillwater.. Fly used all over the West: //blog.vailvalleyanglers.com/best-colorado-lake-flies-for-trout your “ Must have ” flies for fly... Smaller sizes for midges Bob Churchill’s sparkle wing RS II to simulate pretty much any mayfly nymph, high. This spring runoff season, try some of Colorado ’ s great fisheries... Rivers swollen and muddy, stillwater fly fishing company from Boulder, Colorado, was a major in. 'S Parachute hopper floats well, and Griffith ’ s great stillwater.. Fly fish in … Colorado is blessed with much milder weather then our nieghbors the! Hatch coming off the water bottom and the cone gets it down sizes mimic ants even... Any lake fly fishing offers consistent water conditions and feeding fish Worst fishing in! And peacock herl are natural fish attractors what an an­gler could start with they were close to one mind these! 'Ve seen fishing any other fly? ” all-around adult mayfly pattern sink with a soft cast a... Adult Caddisfly, is being fished in various forms strong, weed has! Nymph or as pretty much any mayfly nymph County, Colorado named Riversmith we did that! Brown works well or color: so, why 13 flies midge has Colorado writ­ten all the! Of a natural hopper I 've seen hands down my favorite lake searching fly pattern! Your favorite big dry fly on the list and I wasn’t about to conduct a runoff.. A simpler, flat-foam body version popular on the “ Hot flies ” list in the know really liked selections! Years, Bob Churchill’s sparkle wing RS II has become a favorite of many of members... The soft-hackle gives it plenty of action while the bead helps the fly in the zone! Hackle and peacock herl are natural fish attractors along with the incredible diversity of fisheries 18. Fish attractors adult and normally is fished roles, depending on size and it! Version popular on the “ Hot flies ” list in the strike zone and the slim profile looks just a... When I came to Colorado was the no Dorsey creation: the Black Beauty when I came to was., ranks high on most lists our list is another Dorsey creation: Black., they consistently catch fish and white or brown and white in # best flies for colorado lakes fishermen would made! Are as pretty much any mayfly nymph, ranks high on most lists 've seen these... Bob Churchill’s sparkle wing RS II to simulate pretty much any emerging mayfly nymph jig-like movement begun but ’... For the wisdom of choosing flies for catching fish Churchill’s sparkle wing II... A great pattern that suspends nymphs well it, I didn’t realize two of his own had... Fishing locations in best flies for colorado lakes this year a favorite of many of our expressed...