“In the next two to three weeks, as water levels fall and clarity begins to improve, fishing can be the best of the year…”
That’s what we heard when we recently asked Anglers All shop owner Chris Keeley for his thoughts on the current runoff conditions in Colorado.
Water levels remain high in some parts of the state. But that is changing rapidly. As runoff subsides, trout will be spreading out into new parts of the river that weren’t available to them during peak runoff. As these hungry trout are on the move, mid-summer dry fly hatches are arriving at the perfect time.
When you add a subsiding runoff and prolific insect hatches, the outcome is something special. As trout migrate into their summer patterns, and that’s timed with a hatch of green drakes or caddis, you can expect some of the best dry fly fishing of the year.
Check out the runoff report with Chris, and a few great tips to take with you:
As you prepare for a memorable day of dry fly fishing here in Colorado, don’t forget a few essential items.
First is the dry fly floatant. Shop manager Greg Garcia tells us that when he’s running low on Umpqua Dry Shake, he begins to twitch. Seriously though, your dry flies need to be riding high on the water. We go through dry shake powder and liquid dry shake products like they’re going out of style. Check out our lineup of floatant products here. If you have questions about them, don’t hesitate to stop by the fly shop or call us at 303-794-1104.
Next, you’ll need good leaders and tippet. These are both essential for effective dry fly presentation. However, there isn’t just one “right” dry fly leader. Each situation might look a little different. If you find yourself throwing big hoppers against the bank in water that’s still high and off-color, your ideal leader is different than if you were throwing size 20 Parachute Adams in a crystal-clear stream. Have a look at our selection of leaders and tippet here. And be sure to visit us at the shop or call us at 303-794-1104 with any questions.
Finally, you can’t catch a fish without a fly in the water. From green drakes, to caddis, to yellow sallies, we can help you find the right flies for the time and location. You can shop our dry flies here. Or, visit us at the fly shop and we’d love to help you with a custom fly selection. If you’re not local, give us a call at 303-794-1104 and we’ll help you get it done over the phone, and with free shipping.
Be safe out there, and have fun fishing this summer!