Colorado Fly Fishing Opportunities in the Spring - Big Fish-No Crowds
Posted by Steve Parrott on Sun, Apr 08, 2012 @ 10:31 PM
Spring in Colorado is one of the best times to fish as certain rivers are thawing out and others are increasing just enough in temperatures to get the aquatic life moving which gets the fish into a more active feeding mode.
One of the most overlooked fisheries in Colorado during the Spring months are our abundant lakes. Most are completely ice free by the first of April and the fish are hungry. Typically, most anglers are heading to the rivers after a long winter and do not give lakes a second thought which is great as the crowds are low and the fishing can be outstanding!!!.
Blue Quill Angler fly fishing guide, Joe Shafer knows all too well the benefits of hitting the lakes right after ice off which have really paid off with some incredible fishing as of late. Joe fished opening day at Spinney Reservoir in South Park on Monday, April 3. Air temperatures were in the 40's with water temps hovering around 37. You might say that this is still winter fishing but the slightest changes of water temps in the lake really get the fish into feeding mode.
According to Joe, “It didn't matter how cold it was, the fishing was simply unreal! The average fish was between 18-20 inches with a bunch of fish that where 20-24 and a few that didn't make it to the net that where bigger. Joe landed rainbows, cuttbows, a 23 inch brown, and a 19 inch pike that hit a size 18 midge. Tell me he was not hungry!!!
Joe's best producing patterns were small eggs, #10 and 12 Woolley Buggers, #14 and 16 Copper Johns, #14 and 16 Scuds, #14 San Juan Worms in brown and pink, Dark Chironomid patterns and Halfback Nymphs.
Joe targeted the south and east side of the resservoir which get the most warming degrees of the day fishing the flies static under an indictor with a slight twitch every now and then to give them some movement. Trout in lakes this time of year in Colorado are cruising but not readily willing to chase very far so a static nymph rig is the best choice. Most of the fish Joe hooked and landed were about 20 feet from shore, cruising the transitional zone where the shallow, warmer water meets up with the cooler, deeper water.
Since the ski season was pretty much a bust here in Colorado, anglers looking for a little solitude and great fishing shoud take a second look at the lakes. In Joe’s opinion, “fly fishermen are missing out if they don't try fishing a reservoir in the spring”. It’s not to late as many of the reservoirs are just opening up. If you would like more information on fishing lakes in Colorado or would like to book a trip with Joe, give us a call at 800-435-5353.