Fishing report - Southwest (8/9)
- Details
- Created on Wednesday, 10 August 2011 02:23
- Written by Nathan
Regions: Denver Metro ... Southeast ... Southwest ... Northeast ... Northwest
Animas River -- Though the flow can fluctuate from day to day, the river recently dropped to its long-term average for the season and has become fishable. Recent fish surveys done by Colorado Parks and Wildlife show the highest population of trout in the Gold Medal reach downstream of the Lightner Creek confluence.
Beaver Creek Reservoir -- The water level is 20-25 feet below the high-water mark. It will be maintained at or below that level the entire summer. Anglers are advised to be cautious on the steep-sided slopes and when launching their boats. The water level currently is below the concrete boat ramp. Consequently, larger boats will have a difficult time launching.
Big Meadows Reservoir -- Anglers have reported fair to good fishing from boats and from the shore. Fish are ranging in size from 10 to 15 inches.
Blue Mesa Reservoir -- The lake is full. Mature salmon are beginning to move toward the east end of the lake. Fishing is best from just west of the Elk Creek marina eastward through Iola Basin and up to the Gunnison River inlet. Standard baits still produce fish by trolling from 15 to 50 feet. Perch are being found along the brush-covered shore lines.
Crawford Reservoir -- Crappie of 7-10 inches have been caught on jigs. Catfish have been biting on chicken livers and hot dogs. Pike, trout and a few bass also were reported in the past week.
Dolores River (lower) -- The river below McPhee Reservoir has been running at 75 cfs. Conditions are good, and fly fishermen have been doing fairly well with hellgrammite, gnat and ant patterns.
Dolores River (upper) -- The river above McPhee Reservoir has dropped and cleared. Fishermen have been doing well with stonefly nymphs (hellgrammites), mosquito and mayfly patterns, spinners and other small lures. Fish the river high in the drainage, above and below Rico, where public access is available and the fish habitat is good. Much of the lower part of the river is private.
East River -- The flow continues to come down and on Tuesday was 379 cfs at Almont. Though still higher than average, the river generally is clear and fishable.
Groundhog Reservoir -- Trout up to 24 inches are being caught on flies and a variety of lures. Fish also are being taken by trolling with Pop Geer, and on PowerBait and Nitro Dough.
Gunnison River (Upper from Almont to Blue Mesa) -- The flow has steadily been coming down and on Tuesday morning was at 1,050 cubic feet per second. That's still above average, but the water is clear - "Gunnison green" - and fishable. Fish are feeding along the edges of primary currents. Large Prince Nymphs, stoneflies, Western Coachmen and similar patterns, with plenty of weight on the leader, have been among the most productive. Mepps-type spinners also work well.
Jackson Gulch Reservoir -- Fishing has been very good for 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout (limit 4) and 4- to 6-inch yellow perch (no limit). Trollers are still having the most success with in-line spinners and 1/4-ounce jigs. Shore anglers are catching trout on PowerBait, salmon eggs and night crawlers. Fly fishing is getting very good, especially on calm evenings and early mornings. Yellow perch love those worms. Be sure to bring plenty of bait as there is no place to buy it nearby. Rainbow trout will be stocked monthly through the summer. Jackson Gulch requires an ANS inspection before launching boats. Regular inspection hours at the lake are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. A daily pass is required for day use of the park. For more information: www.parks.state.co.us or call 970-533-7065.
McPhee Reservoir -- Fishing for warm-water species, as well as trout, has been good. Smallmouth bass have been taking plastic worms, crayfish imitators and buzz baits. Largemouths still are on spawning beds, but a few have been taken on soft plastics and spinner baits. Trout fishing is best by trolling with cow bells or deep-running lures. Trout also are being taken off the bottom on Nitro Dough and Yum baits. Numerous trout have been 18-19 inches. Walleyes have been hitting jigs and silver crank baits. Fishing for catfish has been good on dough baits. A 28-pound catfish was taken last week. Fishing for crappie remains OK with small Twister Tails and crayfish imitations.
Mountain Home Reservoir -- Although the water level is considerably low, fishing for rainbows has been fair, with reports of fish up to 16 inches in length.
Navajo Reservoir -- The water temp is 71 degrees. Catfish fishing is very good on rod-and-reels and trotlines with cut baits, chicken livers and shrimp. Fish of 15 and 12 pounds were brought into the marina. A bass tournament last weekend landed a lot of small, smallmouth bass, with no larger bass reported. Pike fishing is good with Rapalas. For the latest updates on fishing call the marina at (970) 883-BOAT.
Ridgway Fishing Ponds -- The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk ponds of Ridgway State Park are excellent for children because they are the only water below the dam not restricted to artificial flies and lures or catch-and-release fishing. A limit of four trout per person may be kept there, by children and licensed adults, 16 years and older. The ponds are stocked monthly throughout the summer. Fishing continues to be good. Try worms, grasshoppers and red salmon eggs. Fly fishermen might try a black Woolly Bugger or a gold-ribbed Hare's Ear, size 14.
Ridgway Reservoir -- The lake is full, but it is starting to slowly drop. Fishing has been good for rainbows from shore and by trolling. Try using a black-and-red Rooster Tail or a silver or gold Kastmaster for rainbows. The smallmouth bass have been biting along the dam and the points of the west shore. PowerBait and worms work great from the shore. The water is clearing up, so the fishing is turning on. Some 16-inch rainbows are being caught. Watch for late afternoon thunderstorms!! We have had a couple of strong ones in the past week
Rio Grande River -- Water flows have dropped to around 400 cfs at Del Norte and 300 at Wagon Wheel Gap, both below the long-term average. The water generally is clear, except after rain. Anglers have reported good success by floating the river and on the Coller State Wildlife Area.
Road Canyon Reservoir -- Fishing has been good, with a number of individuals catching their limits in a few hours. Fish have ranged in size from 12 to 14 inches. The algae has remained relatively low this year compared to years past, allowing good fishing from shore.
San Luis Lake -- Due to low snowpack, the reservoir will not be filled this season. The boat ramp has been closed to motorboats for the season and only hand-launched boats are permitted.
Sanchez Reservoir -- Due to low water levels, the concrete boat ramp is closed and likely will remain that way for the remainder of the year. However, boats are allowed to launch from the shore, but there is some risk of getting stuck. Mandatory boat inspections are still in place and all boats must be inspected prior to launching. The inspection station will be open from approximately 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Please make sure your boat is clean, drained and dry. Due to the discovery of rusty crayfish, an invasive species, all crayfish must either be returned to the water alive or killed by removing the head from the body or thorax before they can be removed from the reservoir. Anglers have reported fair to good fishing for northern pike and walleyes.
Smith Reservoir (San Luis Valley) -- Fishing has been fair to good for rainbow trout. Some anglers have reported fish up to 22 inches and 4.5 pounds. The water level is currently below the bottom of the concrete boat ramp.
Summit Reservoir -- Fishermen have been taking rainbow trout on Nitro Dough. Crappie have been hitting 1- and 2-inch Twister Tails and tubes.
Taylor Reservoir -- Lake trout are deep, at 80-plus feet. Fishing off the bottom with night crawlers is working very well. Trolling with a downrigger works great, pulling Dodger and Apex lures. Always tip the lure with a worm. Rainbows are all over the lake and mostly at about 25-30 feet. Trolling with Pop Geer (cow bells) and night crawlers, or adding a small lure on a long leader is working. Pike are starting to wake up. Some have been caught by trolling in the shallow water along the east bank. A few kokanee have been caught, but mostly by chance. Nights already have been freezing, but the last couple of days have had lots of sunshine and no rain.
Taylor River -- The river on Tuesday was flowing at 444 cfs below Taylor Dam and 582 cfs at Almont. The river still is high but fishable. Be cautious when trying to wade, but look for trout in pockets of relatively quiet water behind rocks and along the edges. Large, weighted nymphs and streamers have been the most consistent.
Totten Reservoir -- Top-water action for bass has been improving. Anglers also have been catching northern pike and a few crappie.
Tucker Ponds -- The ponds were stocked through July.
Uncompahgre River in Ridgway Park -- The water temperature on the river at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is about 48 degrees and it is starting to clear up since the lake stopped spilling. Fishing has been good. Fishermen have been picking up rainbow and cutthroat trout. Soft-hackles, #14 Yellow Sally, and #20 Callibaetis are working. Flows are around 600 cfs. With flows being high, watch for drop-offs when wading. Remember that the river is catch-and-release fishing only, with artificial flies and lures only.
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