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Colorado's Fall Fishing Report
"Fall Fishing in the Rocky Mountain Region" Following a summer of drought conditions all over Colorado, we have finally gotten some moisture this fall and the fishing has been fantastic. Along with the much needed recent precipitation, the water that was used to water our lawns and operate our ranches is no longer being taken from the rivers, hence, our water is up. Although most of the hatches peaked early in the summer this year, we are currently getting strong midge hatches and some lingering baetis hatches on most of the freestone rivers in the state. The weather during this time of the year can be hit or miss. The best fishing is on overcast-to-crappy days. The hatches tend to be stronger and the streamer fishing really turns on. Typically, cold, high-pressure days are the toughest days on the river during these fall months. The water temperature on most of the large western rivers is in the mid-40’s right now but fluctuates throughout the day. Although this isn't the prime mid-50's water temperature that trout feed most voraciously in, they are still feeding. On most Western rivers, their main food source during this time of the year is a small insect known as the midge and a small mayfly known as "baetis" or the Blue Wing Olive. The midge happens to be the smallest insect fly fishermen imitate. They range in size, anywhere from a #18-24 and even smaller. Although they hatch throughout the entire year, it is only during the off-season that most fly fishermen try imitating them. Why fool around fishing such small flies during other times of the year when so much other, larger food is available? Because the water is still pretty cold in the early mornings during the late fall months, trout tend to pod up in the slow, deep runs that are common in Colorado’s large rivers. They tend to be a little sluggish and lethargic until the water warms a bit. Soon afterwards, they establish their normal feeding lanes and look for food to come to them. The best hatches typically don’t occur until the mid-afternoon during this time of the year. Midge typically start hatching a few hours before baetis. Since this is the time brown trout spawn, they tend to get extra territorial and aggressive as they bed up for their mating rituals. Streamer fishing can be explosive this time of the year; especially on overcast-to-cloudy days. Typically, bright streamers like the Autumn Splendor and Flash-a-Buggers work well on these kind of days while dark drabby colors work best on the bright, sunny days. Double streamer rigs can really get fish excited during this time of the year. Although midges and baetis are the predominant insect hatches during these late falls months, other nymphs such as stoneflies, caddis, scuds, and other mayfly patterns can also be effective. Egg patterns in chartreuse, fire orange, and peach can work great as the point fly in a two-fly rig during this time of the year.
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