Thanks to Chris for the Colorado fishing report from the Frying Pan River:

Just came back from a week-long fly fishing trip to Colorado. Conditions were primo all week which allowed for many nice brown and rainbow trout to be taken on mostly dry flies. Fished both small streams at high altitude in Rocky Mountain National Park as well as the Frying Pan River in the town of Basalt. The Pan was on fire with it’s large selective trout feeding on dries each day of the trip. I spent 3 very successful days learning and fishing its public waters, catching fish up to 18″. Small midges in the morning, tiny baetis flies and BWOs as well as PMDs and emergers (Film Critics, etc) did their fair share of the work on most days. In the evenings until dark, the Pan had some epic rusty spinner falls which would bring many fish to the surface. As for nymphing, I didn’t need to do much of it, but when I did, such as early in the mornings, small Ju Ju Baetis and midges were effective. It was a fantastic trip and will most definitely be returning in the near future. It’s good to be home, however, and I ‘m looking forward to getting back to business on the Gunpowder.

Chris Karwacki

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 64 CFs, is 55 degrees and clear. Wild fish have been taking caddis during the trico hatches mid mornings. We’re still using reverse hackled patterns tied on 7X in the #20-22 range to imitate the Tricos in the flats. If you’re focusing on riffles try an x-caddis trailed by a caddis emerger pattern between Falls Rd and Bunkerhill Rd. York Rd downstream has been especially productive with unweighted wooly buggers and ants. Try fishing around any log jams along shaded undercut banks with these patterns and get some fishing in before summer wanes.

Thanks to Richard for the stream report and photo:

Dear Backwater Angler,

I tried fishing the Gunpowder river on August 10, 2011. Conditions were good at Falls road bridge where I caught one fish on a green wooly bugger. Prior to that I had a hit on a cinnamon ant. Bad news is that my camera went for a swim and it is still drying out but working. After my camera’s dip in the Gunpowder, I went down to big pool by the bridge close to Hereford High school and caught another little brownie on a cinnamon ant. It appears that streamers and ants are the way to go in the summer time. Tight lines and hold on to your camera,

Richard P. Gunion

And thanks to Seth for the following stream report that highlights a nice summer evening afield.

Theaux,

Thanks again for the flies. Fished for two gorgeous hours tonight. #18 caddis seemed to be the ticket. Not a lot of bugs in the air or on the water – so not a lot of rises. I did get to see two fish skyrocket out of the water though – seemed like heat-seeking missles. Major air. And had a beaver swim under my line two feet in front of me – crazy! Caught three lost two. I was suprised to see how the air temps dropped so dramatically as the sun was setting. I was actually shivering in the water. I guess Fall’s not too far away.

Note: As of 8/25 the Gunpowder was flowing at 116 Cfs.

Thanks to Brewer for the mid-June Colorado fishing report.

Dear Theaux,
This is Brewer Butler, a local fisherman and client of your store. I am vacationing in Colorado and have been doing some trout fishing. My father and I hired a guide out here and ended up having a great day on the south platte. This is a picture of me with a 20 inch Cut-Bow, my first, that I caught on a yellow-sally emerger. She gave a great fight along with several other nice browns. My dad caught one small rainbow.

Tight lines,

Brewer Butler