Eleven Angling’s Monthly Fishing Report for Colorado

We’re back with our monthly fishing reports for Colorado, with good news all around! As always, we hope this quick read helps inform your day out on the water, whether you join us at Taylor River Lodge or set out on your own around Gunnison and Crested Butte to enjoy some of the best fly fishing in Colorado.

A July Marked by Mayflies

July produced some fantastic fishing for our guests here at Taylor River Lodge. We saw clouds of mayflies throughout the midday hatches that gave dry fly anglers some epic memories to take home. We haven’t had ideal July conditions like this for a few years, so we’re excited to be set up for a really good August.

A Snapshot of August’s Weather and Hatches

With that said, here’s more on this month’s fishing report for Colorado. August is going to continue producing quality days on the water. The mayflies will taper out, followed by a lull in the action, then move towards some cooler temperatures when the fish will begin their fall feeding behaviors. Our guests are still getting some good drake, red quill and PMD hatches midday, with caddis also in the mix. Rain and cloud cover are crucial this time of year in order to cool temperatures, which can induce midday hatches and feeding fish. We’ll start to notice trico clusters on the water surface, so be prepared with small split tail adults and nymphs.

Best Patterns to Throw Now

Try throwing these patterns to take advantage of some of the best fly fishing in Colorado this August.

• RS2 16-20
• Micro & psycho mayfly 14-18
• Copper John 16-18
• Pheasant tail 14-18
• Two bit hooker 14-18
• JuJu baetis 16-20
• Elk hair caddis 14-18
• Missing link 12-16
• Parachute adams 16-20
• Poly wing emerger 18-20

Keeping Our Fisheries Healthy in August

Our guides are determined to take you where and when the fishing is at its best during this period of transition. The rivers will continue to drop and water temperatures will continue to warm. As a result, our guides will carry thermometers to gauge water temperatures throughout the day in order to steward our resources well. It’s important to note that when the gauge reaches the upper 60’s, it’ll be time to reel it up for the day and focus on other activities. We’ll need to take extra care of our fish amidst the August heat by minimizing the time fish are handled, keeping them wet at all times, and making sure they get released and revived properly.

Early Bird Gets the Worm

Getting out on the water early is the name of the game right now. Plus, it’s the right thing to do. As part of our contribution to the health and sustainability of the local fishery, Eleven Angling will be shifting start and end times earlier in the day for fishing itineraries. This will allow our anglers to take advantage of the best time to be on the water. For the adventure seekers, high alpine lakes are a great alternative to spend time on the water chasing fish and potentially seeing a variety of species that you wouldn’t be able to find in the rivers.

Looking Forward to Fall

As September nears, the conditions will progressively improve! The temperatures will cool, the salmon run will begin, brown trout behavior will turn aggressive, and the rainbows will work their way up the Gunnison River from Blue Mesa Reservoir. Oh, and don’t forget the sheer beauty of what fall brings to the landscape! We still have some fall availability here at Taylor River Lodge, which is arguably the most magical season here in Colorado, when the leaves change from green to yellow to orange to red. For those needing an escape from the heat, or perhaps a fall fly fishing retreat, our doors are open!

We hope to see you soon, and in the meantime, stay tuned for next month’s fishing report for Colorado.

By: Elliot Manning
Colorado Angling Manager