06/28/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

06/28/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Another day with work in the mountains...I got up there early so I decided to get my fish on for a couple hours!

Even for a Thursday, the river was busy!  Lots of fisherman out, but at least they were moving up and down the river.  I suspect because the fishing has slowed somewhat and the spots like cable hole and rodeo hole have been pounded on for the last couple of months.

Still, with only 2 hours, I decided to start at cable hole and see how the fishing was.  I think the key here is to change up your offerings.  Most guys are fishing midges, but maybe changing to some small mayfly patterns and emergers might be the ticket.  I did see a couple fish slurping so I decided to try a foamback RS2.

At first, it was hard getting into the swing of things...I couldn't get my timing right and the fish weren't really actively feeding on the surface or subsurface.  But once I got a good drift in, I was able to hook up with some nice fish.

I managed another 2 on the foamback rs2 and even managed a few on a size 20 black mayfly and another on a mysis.

Overall, the fishing is good.  The fish are still there, but are very selective now.  Switch it up if you aren't having luck with the standard tailwater patterns.  Or fish early or later in the day. 

Is it still worth heading to the Blue in Silverthorne?  Not if you are making a special trip.  But if you are headed up there for work or are headed to another body of water, it's worth stopping to catch a few brooders.

06/08/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

06/08/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Flows:  75

A quick trip up to the mountains for some work and play!  My 1st stop was the Blue in Silverthorne, and it was a zoo!

I had planned on getting up there much earlier, but ended up getting on the water at 10:00.  There were already 5 cars in the little pull out at cable hole and 3 guys were already fishing.  I walked to the tail end of the cable hole and promptly proceeded to pick up a few nice fish!

Same old brooders, but they are starting to wise up a little to flies and presentations.  A fly that usually does very well here netted zero (zebra midge) and most fish are taking smaller and more "natural" looking flies.  Basic black midge larvae, cream midges, and emergers were consistently taking fish.

I even had quite a few take a size 20 stalcup's mysis and a size 18 craven's mysis.

I always run a 3 fly rig through here with a mayfly pattern, a midge, and then a mysis.

As cable hole got more and more crowded, I decided to head down river and explore a bit. 

My next stop was I-70 hole and you could easily see a few brooders hanging out in the tail out.

I pulled 2 fish out of here and kept moving downstream...

The hole just below wildernest rd. also had a few stacked in it as well and even a few were feeding in the riffles.

After working the riffles and catching 3 dinks, I moved down to the foot bridge and the 7-11 hole.  There were 3 guys down by 7-11 hole and another 2 above so I settled in below the footbridge. 

With a large crowd of people watching, I managed to hook into a nice fish and was playing it well, until it took a turn a jumped the waterfall and then spit the hook...a collective "awwww" from the crowd was my consolation prize!

Another great day on the Blue...the fishing might seem like it has slowed down, but the fish are just getting a little smarter and the fishing pressure is up.  I didn't see another person between cable hole and the footbridge so walk a little and find some solitude.  The brooders are all over this stretch and you won't need to fish shoulder to shoulder with some.

Hot flies for the day were mysis and midges.  Dorsey's Top Secret in a size 20, and a black thread midge with midge tubing were two flies that I didn't change and were consistently catching fish.  Use a 5x leader, and drop 6x after your 1st fly.  I still run fluro, but I don't think it's necessary...but with the low flows and clear water, fluro might help you catch a few more fish.

05/23/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

05/23/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Flows 77

Last day in the mountains so it's a quick stop on the Blue in Silverthorne.  Flows are still low, but there's rumors of a bump soon.  That will help get the fish dispersed and more food being flushed out of the reservoir and more bugs in the riffles.

All the brooders are still hanging out in cable hole with a few in the runs all the way up to rodeo hole.  The colder weather did put the fish off a little, but there were still plenty there willing to eat.

The resident fish were readily taking mysis while the brooders were keyed in on midges and nymphs.

I actually caught more resident fish than the brooders...a switch up from the norm, but I'd assume the colder temps turned them off while the resident fish are used to feeding year round and more keyed in on mysis.

Lots of fish to be had, but a tough day for some.  I saw quite a few people out not catching and even a guy bragging about all the 20 inchers he pulled out yesterday, only to catch the skunk today.  Again, the temps probably played heavily into it.  But if you drop down to 5x and 6x tippet and get a good drift, you'll get into some fish.  Also, consider using a heavier lead fly and running with no weight.  If you still aren't having much luck, take off the indicator and high stick nymph it.  Takes are super subtle and if you're running your indicator too long, you're going to miss takes all day long.

Hot flies were rainbow warriors, stalcup's mysis, craven's mysis, black midge larvae, miracle midges, tiny pheasant tails and rs2's.

Even with the crowds, fishing remains good.  Lots of fish, but they are getting weary of fisherman so change up your tactics and catch some fish!

05/06/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

05/06/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Flows 53
Temps in the low 40's with rain turning into snow

Work is really getting in the way of my fishing!

I can't really complain, my job is a good one with certain times of heavy travel that can be fun...but let's get to the fishing!

The Blue has been fishing very well since the DOW has stocked it, but the fishing is starting to get a little more technical.  Even from the last time I was up, I'm seeing more and more people not catching and I'm noticing that when I'm lazy with a cast, I'm not catching fish either.

These guys have definitely gotten smarter and without a good drift, you won't be catching fish.  A variety of flies will still work, but stick to 5x or 6x fluro tippet and size 16-22 flies.  Midges, mayflies, and mysis are the ticket here and even a mid day midge hatch happens when the sun is up.  Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for today.

I took the family up to the private stretch of the Blue below Green Mountain and we did some fishing and grilling.  This was the 1st time we took Kaycee out to the river and she had a ball.  She even fell asleep in her backpack while we fished for a little and wasn't fussy at all.  She really enjoys being out and taking everything in.  Temps in the morning were mid 60's and slightly overcast skies.  By the time we were done with lunch, the clouds were rolling in...

My wife dropped me off behind the outlets so that she could do a little shopping, and I could get more fishing in!

Lots of beautiful fish and even with the rain that was changing to snow, there were still at least 5 anglers that I could see working their way up and down the river.

Temps dropped fast and the rain continued...but the fishing was still go.  Zebra midges, UV emergers, Top Secret Midges were all readily taken, but only on a good drift.

Again, this river is just getting pounded by anglers so land your fish fast, snap that picture and get them back in the water.  Lots of fish that I caught also had additional "jewelery".  Please don't try to snag the fish...lots of fish with 3 fly rigs in their backs or on their bellies...These fish will eat...just don't try to use 3x tippet and huge flies.

Another great day on the river!  If you are headed to the Blue, the fishing is still good...don't get discouraged when the fishing slows...take time to consider what is going on and change up your flies, add or take away a little weight, and get a good drift and you'll start catching fish again!

Good luck out there!

05/03/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

05/03/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
Flows 70
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

It's been almost 3 weeks since I've been out fishing...The itch was getting too strong and I had to go get it scratched!

After an early morning flight in from Chicago, I decided to head up to the Blue to see what was shaking.  It's been over a month since they stocked it with the brooders and I wanted to see if they were still there in good numbers.

I was pleasantly surprised...

Lots of fish and they were all still eating.  Although they aren't readily eating everything you throw at them, they have acclimated nicely to "wild" life and are learning what is food and what isn't.  You can't just toss in a size 14 prince nymph anymore and expect a fish on every cast, but the fishing is still consistent if you have the right flies and can get a good drift.

I worked my way up from cable hole and sight fished to lots of fish.  Again, getting a good drift and presenting the right flies were key.  You could easily see fish moving out of the way of your rig or a nice flash of white as they inhaled your flies.

I caught a good mix of brooders and "resident" fish.  (fish without their adipose fins clipped)

Another thing to consider when fishing the Blue is to keep moving.  The fish are on the move so if you are staying at one hole throwing the same rig, the fish will wise up.  If you really want to catch lots of fish, move up and down the river and have fun sight fishing to the big fish!  Find new runs and tailouts!

Or, if you prefer not to move, at least change up your rig.  What's that saying by Einstein?  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

Hot flies for the day were top secret midges, uv emergers, miracle midges and rojo midges.  A few also came on a black rs2 fished in the film to rising fish.

If you haven't fished the Blue this spring yet, get up there!  Now is the time for redemption from a winter of poor fishing on the Blue!!!

Here's a little vid before the go pro died...I didn't edit it on purpose to leave out what fly it took...it took a miracle midge.

04/15/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

04/15/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Flows 75

The fishing is on fire!  DOW stocked the river with brooders about 10 days ago.  Lots of "dumb" fish eating everything drifting in front of them and lots of residents still around post spawn looking great!  Although local shop reports are saying that the fishing has slowed...the fishing is still excellent and now is your chance to get into some big fish without having to use 7x fluro and a perfect cast and drift.

Here are some hatchery tagged fish.

Pretty cool to see the tags that the DOW uses to mark them.

In addition to the tags, they also cut off the adipose fins on these brooders.

Fish were taking just about anything you had on.  I started my set up with a two bit hooker to bring the flies down and dropped a rs2 and a WD40 behind and caught fish on all flies.  I did start with 6x tippet, but after losing 2 flies to fish breaking me off, I switched to 5x and I didn't have any problem horsing in the fish after that.  Bead eggs also produced and fish really liked the smaller pink sparkle bead.

After breaking a few fish off and losing my flies, I switched up the droppers to some random midges in various colors that I tied up to give them a shot.  These "experimental" flies are crazy color combinations and styles that I like to try out on winter tailwaters to try to "bust the hatch".  Even though they caught lots of fish today, it's not a true test as to their effectiveness since these brooders are willing to eat just about anything.

But, I did have a resident fish take one of my multi-color midges so I'll be sure to tie up more of them for the Blue this winter!

 A great day on the Blue!  I was pretty excited to see that the DOW put some brooders in there.  The fishing this winter has been average to poor which could have been for lots of reasons.  (high fishing pressure, lower flows, weather conditions) But the fish survey that was done last year has shown a significant decline in fish population and size.  Hopefully these fish will add to the numbers there and help increase the quantity of resident fish in the river when they spawn next spring.

I wish I didn't have to leave since the fishing was so good, but 3 hours of fishing and over 20 fish to the net equals a good day.  I didn't want to end the day stuck in skier traffic so I left with a sore arm and memories of big fish peeling line off!