Fishing report - Northwest
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 13 October 2010 15:31
- Written by Nathan
Colorado River (near Granby) -- The water flows below Windy Gap and below Parshall are 121cfs and 187cfs respectively. Copper Johns, RS-2s, Prince nymphs, chartreuse wooly buggers, and other emerger patterns, San Juan worms, and egg patterns are doing well. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the lower end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept. From the east side of the bridge abutments (the west end of Byers Canyon) down to Troublesome Creek, including the Williams Fork River from the reservoir, catch-and-release rules apply and fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. 10/04/2010
Delaney Buttes -- The fishing action on the Delaney's is really picking up. Anglers are having good, to excellent success for big trout, using a variety of dry flies and hardware
Dillon Reservoir -- The launch ramp at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm daily weather permitting. The only boat launching areas will be at the Dillon and Frisco marinas. All boats launched and retrieved at the Dillon Marina will require an Invasive Species Inspection. We recommend that you check ahead with the marinas staff for hours of operation before you launch or retrieve your vessel. Inspection station hours will vary during the year depending on weather and time of season. We recommend that you check ahead with the marinas staff for hours of operation. The launch ramp at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm daily weather permitting. The only boat launching areas will be at the Dillon and Frisco marinas. Phone (970) 468-5100 for information
Elkhead Reservoir -- The lake has started into fall fishing mode, slower but still fishing steady. The water is dropping daily as releases are used to supplement instream river flows. Large pike in the 13-15lb range, catfish in that same 15lb range and great smallmouth are being taken. Crappie fishing has really slowed, but they are still being caught on the north end. ANS inspections will continue through September and the boat ramp will remain open. We will close the ramp Oct. 1, but hand launch and shore fishing is still available.
Granby Reservoir -- Colder nights and brisk mornings are making fishing better. On October 1st, from Shadow Mountain Dam down to Twin Creeks has been closed to fishing; on January 1st, fishing will be allowed for 500 yards from the dam downstream until March 15th when fishing restrictions will end. Fly fishing the inlet streams at Still Water and Arapaho Creek is very good; streamers, wooly buggers, emergers egg patterns, and some dry flies are working well. Finding fish has been fairly easy and getting them to bite is improving. The lake trout have begun their spawning season and will be up around the dikes and other rocky areas. Browns and rainbows will be up the inlet streams and sandy areas. 10/04/2010
Grand Lake -- Fish activity is picking up. This lake is over 270' deep. It can be difficult, but very rewarding to learn to fish this lake. Very large lake trout, nice rainbows, browns, and kokanee salmon are available. Trolling, jigging, bait, lure, and fly fishing are all productive ways of catching these fish. Two prime bank fishing areas are the entrance to the channel and around the West Portal. From Oct. 1st-June30th, all lakers 26-36 inches long must be released immediately. Rapalas, Mepps, Panther Martins, and Blue Fox spinners are only some of the lures used. Jigging with sucker meat is common and productive. The channel between Grand Lake and Shadow Mtn. will be closed for the month of October. Of course, this will stop boating access between the lake and reservoir. 9/27/2010
Green Mountain Reservoir -- Fishing is starting to pick up, the reservoir is receding. Nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are being used. Snagging has started and some salmon are running.
Pearl Lake -- 9/24/10 Anglers are having some luck at Pearl. As usual though, it is a very picky lake to fish. All areas and campground are open and fishing is good. Remember all boats on trailers have to be inspected before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key words for a fast inspection. The dock at Pearl Lake has been removed for the season.
Rifle Gap Reservoir -- The water level is low, and has resulted in a very muddy shoreline. The best access to the lake is from the rocky points and outcroppings. Trout fishing is fair to slow, with the best action being on rainbow Power Bait, fished off the bottom. All other species are reported as slow.
Shadow Mountain Reservoir -- For the month of October the channel between Shadow Mtn. Reservoir and Grand Lake will be closed, stopping boat access between the two bodies of water. Fishing the pump canal and the area around the mouth of the canal can be highly rewarding using flies, slip bobber rigs, lures, and nightcrawlers on the bottom. The canal and the area where it enters the reservoir, are prime fishing sights: kokanee, rainbows, and browns are being caught. Small jigs tipped with wax worms, mealworms, power bait or eggs are commonly used. On October 1st, fishing from the dam down to Twin Creeks has been prohibited until January 1st when fishing will be allowed for 500 yards from the dam downstream; on March 15th the restrictions will be lifted. 10/04/2010
Stagecoach Reservoir -- Due to park construction, the reservoir level is 15 feet below full. The shore line is muddy yet still accessible for fishing. The reservoir is closed to trailered watercraft for the season, but hand launch vessels are permitted at visitors own risk until ice on. Rainbows and pike have been moving into shallow water to feed and recent fishing reports have been great. Pike have been hitting on tube jigs, spoons and Kastmasters. The tailwaters flow is at 42 cfs and dry flies like BWOs and grey, olive or black midges in size 20, and emerger patterns should produce well. Lures like wooley buggers, leeches, prince nymphs, and hares ears, or bait like nightcrawlers, or power bait should bring in a nice catch.
Steamboat Lake -- 9/24/10 Fishing is still good all around. With the water getting cooler the fish are biting well. One angler sent us an e-mail of a Cutthroat Trout - 24" length 13" girth 6.5lbs (approx) caught on a Kastmaster perch lure off Meadow As of last weekend, most anglers are using a variety of baits and doing well. Meadow Point and Rainbow ridge are very popular all day long. The dam has been producing well also. Remember all boats on trailers have to be inspected before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key words for a fast inspection. The boat ramp will close on Nov.1st for the season.
Vega Reservoir -- Vega is open for boating. Fishing is picking up and should continue to improve throughout the year
Williams Fork Reservoir -- Rainbow and brown trout, lake trout, northern pike and Kokanee are available. Boat inspections and ramp access are from 6:00AM to 8:00PM seven days a week; ramps are closed at night. Bank fishing is good by the east boat ramp and in the Fingers. Rainbows have been plentiful and large. Bait fishing using bottom rigs, jigs, trolling worm harnesses are productive methods of catching fish as well as lures and fly fishing. The kokanee are gathering for the spawning run. Fall fish activity is picking up and some fishermen are doing well. From the buoy line at Williams Fork River inlet upstream to first CR bridge: fishing and snagging prohibited Sept. 15-Nov. 30. 10/04/2010
Willow Creek Reservoir -- Rainbow, brown trout and Kokanee salmon are available. This is a beautiful area with easy fishing access around the boat ramp area and the next bay. If a person likes to hike, taking the trail to the inlet area can be rewarding. This reservoir is a good place to take kids, and gets less fishing pressure than other area lakes. Worms, Powerbait, salmon eggs and many different lures are commonly used. Trailered boats are still not allowed on the reservoir. Fly fishing is also very productive from shore and out of canoes kayaks and belly boats. Inquire in Granby for updates. Fishing is very good. 10/04/2010
Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) -- The Yampa has dropped fast. Fishing has been good all through the valley, but especially up stream. Fishing dry flies as well as nymphs is very effective right now. Rapalas and rooster tails are working like a charm. Fish early or late; mid day seems to be slow right now. Fish the seams and deeper pools. The floating season has come to an end until water levels increase, late October.
Weather
Current Contests
