From the Upper Colorado, to Dillon Reservoir and the South Platte River, Colorado’s fly-fishing stays open throughout the snowy months, and we’re ready to take you there. Check out some of our favorite winter fly-fishing destinations.
Where can I fish in the winter in Colorado?
- The South Platte River: Deckers, Elevenmile Canyon, and The Dream Stream.
- The Blue River below Dillon Reservoir.
- The Williams Fork and The Colorado River near Parshall.
- The Frying Pan below Reudi Reservoir.
- The Taylor River below Taylor Reservoir.
Can you fly fish in Colorado in January?
I often get asked by my clients when is the best time to come to Vail, Colorado to fly fish. The answer is, although some months are more consistent than others, trout can be caught every month of the year. Even in the cold of January, good fishing can be found on rivers in the mountains of the Centennial State.
What are the best months to fly fish in Colorado?
March, April, and May can offer incredible Colorado fly fishing opportunities. Almost all fly fishermen look forward to spring fly fishing. The ice, snow, and cold of winter are starting to disappear.
Can you trout fish in December in Colorado?
As long as the flows are good and the weather is not too cold for extended periods, the fly fishing remains very good. Several private ranches offer reduced winter rates and the fly fishing can be very productive for big trout, especially mid-day.
What is the best trout stream in Colorado?
- Gunnison River. The Gunnison River is special because it includes a section in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
- Upper Colorado River.
- Rio Grande River.
- Blue River.
How do you fly fish in the winter?
- Pick the right place.
- Slow and deep is best.
- Swing with a sinking-tip line.
- Look for rises.
- Stay in bed in the morning.
- Light tippets are usually more productive in winter.
- Know where the fish hold.
Where are the biggest trout in Colorado?
From the Dillon Dam in Silverthorne 34 miles north to the confluence of the Colorado River at Kremmling is where you’ll find the trout-rich Gold Medal waters of this river.
Can you catch trout in the winter?
Trout do feed in winter, especially if water temperatures climb above 40 degrees. If the law allows, try winter trout fishing in your area. Trout won’t be found everywhere, though, in fact they will probably be concentrated in just a few pools.
Is river fishing good in the winter?
But fishing in cold weather can be as great as it is in the summer, especially since the weather keeps most anglers cozied up next to their woodburning stoves. Winter is a particularly great time to fish because freshwater species group up, meaning more fish on your lure.
Can you fish year round in Colorado?
Waters of Colorado are open to taking fish, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans both day and night, year-round, except as otherwise provided in the Fishing Regulations Brochure.
What do trout eat winter?
- Insects. A good bait to entice both young and mature trout is often mealworms, which are the larvae of young beetles.
- Minnows. Trout will lash out at just about any small moving target in the water.
- Leeches and Night Crawlers.
- Power Bait.
- Cheese Bait.
How long is fly fishing season in Colorado?
The fishing season runs from April 1 to March 31 annually. Everyone over the age of fifteen needs to have a Colorado fishing license. You can buy them for a year or a day at most sporting goods stores and marinas, or some general stores.
What is the best time of year to fish in Colorado?
While all seasons can be productive in Colorado, spring continues to be the best time of year to land fish. Colorado winters can be harsh, and fish are subjected to cold water temperatures and less food. Once the weather warms and the runoff subsides, the fish enter a ferocious feeding phase and are most accessible.
What months are best for fly fishing?
Fly fishing season peaks between the months of April and October. Though, for fly fishermen willing to brave the cold weather, it is technically a year-round sport. Additionally, with an abundance of warm weather destinations, fly fishing can be enjoyed all year long.
What is too cold for fly fishing?
DON’T FISH when it’s below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, you find those special situations when you feel like you must be out there. But people layer up and duck hunt or deer hunt in cold, snowy windy weather, because that’s when those animals are on the move. There are short, defined seasons.
How cold is too cold for trout fishing?
Trout generally are more active when water temperatures are in their comfort range: 45 to 65 degrees. They can survive in water temperatures as low as 35, but rarely do mountain streams get that cold.
Is Colorado good for fly fishing?
Colorado is one of the best fly fishing destinations in the country. With the seemingly endless mountains of the Rocky’s that provide waterflow to the productive waters on either side of the continental divide, the fishing is both beautiful, and plentiful.
What is the limit on trout in Colorado?
2. The bag and possession limit and minimum size for trout is 2 fish, 16 inches in length.
What’s the biggest fish in Colorado?
The state’s heaviest fish ever reeled in and recorded is a 57-pound grass carp. The monster emerged in 2013 from Cottonwood Park Lake in Lakewood. It was 47 inches long. Weighing in second is the 50-pound lake trout battled in 2007 at Blue Mesa Reservoir in western Colorado.
Why is winter fly fishing so hard?
Trout tend to have a much lower metabolism in the winter months. They will lay low in the deep pockets moving very little to feed to conserve as much energy as possible. Therefore, fish the deep slow moving pockets of water and avoid the fast riffles.
What flies to use for trout in December?
- Zebra Midge, sizes 18-24.
- Jujube Midge, sizes 18-24.
- Egg Patterns, sizes 14-16.
- Pheasant Tail, sizes 18-22.
- Parachute Adams, sizes 20-24.
- Tungsten Head Rainbow Warrior, sizes 18-22.
- Brooks’ Sprout Midge Emerger, sizes 20-24.
- WD-40, sizes 20-24.
Is fly fishing good in the snow?
Fly fishing during a snowfall can be one the best times to be on the water. These days are generally warmer. Bright, clear sunny days after a storm tend to be wickedly cold and water temperatures plummet, shutting down feeding activity. Several warmer, sunny days in row can offer outstanding fishing.
How old is a 20 inch rainbow trout?
In less than two years, these farmed rainbow trout can reach a length of 20 or more inches and weigh around 6 to 8lb.
How old is a 20 inch brown trout?
Growth rates in lakes are typically faster, with three-year-old Brown Trout reaching 11-18 inches and four-year-olds averaging 13-21 inches in length. Relatively few Brown Trout older than four years have been collected in fishery surveys, but every year anglers catch some very large fish.