Spring Trout on the Rise – March/April Fishing Forecast

Spring Trout on the Rise – March/April Fishing Forecast

What is happening this March and April?  Lots!  Plan out that spring road trip and don’t forget our upcoming Fly Fly Fishing Fest!

You can also check out our frequently updated river reports page for the most up to date information.

We do have some guide availability this spring before the madness of summer.  Give us a call, we would love to get you out on the water

River Reports:

San Juan River Quality Waters – Early Spring on the Quality Waters is a good time to be on the water.  Not winter, but not quite summer either; this time of year will see smaller crowds (crowds being the operative word).  Pack your boxes with BWOs and midge nymphs and dries.  Streamers are also a

Animas – Don’t fish the Animas right now, it sucks super hard.  None of us are fishing it regularly these days with consistent BWO hatches popping in the afternoons.  There are no big fish hammering surface dries and emergers on an almost clockwork basis.  Nor are there any fish chasing down the occasional streamer.  Yeah, none of us are fishing it right now so don’t bother getting out on the Animas…

San Juan River In Colorado – Just like the Animas, don’t bother…

…Hopefully, you realized that was a joke.  The Animas is fishing really good, and so is the Upper San Juan.  BWOs and Midges will be popping so be prepared with dries and nymphs.  Stonefly nymphs are always in abundance, so don’t discount those either.  A good nymph right is a stonefly with a mayfly nymph dropped below.

Rio Grande – Still fairly cold and low, but deep-running nymph rigs with stones, caddis, and mayfly nymph patterns may yield some fish.  As it begins to warm in the next month, BWOs and streamers can produce lights out spring days before runoff.  This is actually a great time to take a float trip with us.  While it isn’t the summer height of dry fly fishing, BWOs and streamers produce plenty of fish with far less people on the river.

Piedra – The Piedra will start to fish better by the day as temps warm up.  Hatches of BWOs and midges may be found, but if nothing else, a double stonefly right always produces in the early spring months.

Upper Dolores – Mostly covered in ice as of now, but the Upper D will begin to thaw and open up.  Deep running nymph rights are typically the only option until May and June.

Lower Dolores – While the Lower D is somewhat inaccessible due to the forest service gate being closed about 4 miles below the dam, that does not mean you shouldn’t get out the hiking shoes.  With flows recently bumped up to 66 cfs, it could prove to be a good early spring adventure.  BWOs, midges, and the occasional streamer will be the ticket.  Look for risers.

Los Pinos – Below Vallecito:  The lower Pine is wayyy too low to fish right now, Flowing at 5 cfs, you should not be fishing here until they bump up the flows.  Any caught fish should be assumed that it will die.

Above Vallecito: Snow and ice will make this trek very difficult.  Most of the river will be frozen over, but as the temps warm a snowshoe trek may not be a bad idea.

Creeks and the High Country – Covered in snow and ice with a little open water.  You may want to wait…but if you can an attractor nymph rig is your best bet to catch a creek fish…but why would you want to catch creek fish with a nymph rig?  Summer is right around the corner and dry fly annihilation is on the way.

Local Lakes – Now we are talking!  Pike are on the hunt!  Trout are on the move!  Bass are starting to awaken.  A lot of our local lakes are starting to ice off and fishing is getting good.  6-9 weights are a good bet as it is a fairly common to be throwing biggers streamers for bigger fish.