Blue River
Below Dillon Dam
Recent Guide Reports
Forecast
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- RS-2
- Mysis Shrimp
- San Juan Worm
- Mercury Midge
- Juju Baetis
- Parachute Adams
- Baetis Nymph
- Black Beauty
- Zebra Midge
- WD-40
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Oct 13
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 3/5
Fishing on the Blue continues to be a challenge but can be very rewarding given enough patience. The crowds are starting to die down, but dont expect to find yourself alone on the water. The closer you get to the dam the bigger the fish, but keep in mind this is no secret and the trout are more selective and conscious of angler pressure. The double/triple nymph rig continues to be the most effective. Lead with slightly bigger searcher patterns, leeches or worms followed by one or more smaller imitative midge or baetis flies. If you are not seeing results on your point flies, downsize and go with strictly small patterns. As far as flies go, trout are really starting to key in on midge patterns. The Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Money Midge, and Zebra Midge are all effective patterns. Youll want to use some baetis flies as well. The Stalcups Baetis, bead head Baetis Emerger and Flashback Baetis Emerger are all good options. In the early hours, target the slack water near the banks and as the day progresses hit the deeper runs, pools and pockets. Surface action has been decent, but dont expect a lights out day on dries. If you see trout actively rising rig up a double dry fly set-up with midge, BWO or PMDs and hit the banks and areas with cover.
Ideal Days: Monday, Wednesday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).
Fishing on the Blue continues to be a challenge but can be very rewarding given enough patience. The crowds are starting to die down, but dont expect to find yourself alone on the water. The closer you get to the dam the bigger the fish, but keep in mind this is no secret and the trout are more selective and conscious of angler pressure. The double/triple nymph rig continues to be the most effective. Lead with slightly bigger searcher patterns, leeches or worms followed by one or more smaller imitative midge or baetis flies. If you are not seeing results on your point flies, downsize and go with strictly small patterns. As far as flies go, trout are really starting to key in on midge patterns. The Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Money Midge, and Zebra Midge are all effective patterns. Youll want to use some baetis flies as well. The Stalcups Baetis, bead head Baetis Emerger and Flashback Baetis Emerger are all good options. In the early hours, target the slack water near the banks and as the day progresses hit the deeper runs, pools and pockets. Surface action has been decent, but dont expect a lights out day on dries. If you see trout actively rising rig up a double dry fly set-up with midge, BWO or PMDs and hit the banks and areas with cover.
Ideal Days: Monday, Wednesday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).
Oct 08
The Blue Quill Angler
Clarity: Excellent
14 Day Forecast: Flows are perfect throughout the Blue River corridor. Anglers should prepare for hatches of midges and blue-winged olives
Tips and Other Information: Flows are perfect from Silverthorn to Green Mountain Reservoir. In town, a Mysis pattern, red larva, dropped with and assortment of mayfly nymphs are your best bet. The lower river looks great, but fishing is difficult at best. Plan on working hard for a few fish, but the scenery and fishing is not shabby. As they say, its fishing not catching, so a day in Summit County is never a bad thing to beat the crowds. Make no mistake about it though fishing on the Blue River has been a bit of a disappointment as of late
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Juju Baetis, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #22 Stalcups Baetis, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #18 Barr Emerger, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #14 San Juan Worm, #20 Sparkle Dun, and #20 Parachute Adams.
14 Day Forecast: Flows are perfect throughout the Blue River corridor. Anglers should prepare for hatches of midges and blue-winged olives
Tips and Other Information: Flows are perfect from Silverthorn to Green Mountain Reservoir. In town, a Mysis pattern, red larva, dropped with and assortment of mayfly nymphs are your best bet. The lower river looks great, but fishing is difficult at best. Plan on working hard for a few fish, but the scenery and fishing is not shabby. As they say, its fishing not catching, so a day in Summit County is never a bad thing to beat the crowds. Make no mistake about it though fishing on the Blue River has been a bit of a disappointment as of late
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Juju Baetis, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #22 Stalcups Baetis, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #18 Barr Emerger, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #14 San Juan Worm, #20 Sparkle Dun, and #20 Parachute Adams.
Oct 07
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 3/5
This week is forecast to be a slight downgrade from the last as volatile air pressure and mostly sunny skies leave these already finicky trout even more skittish and selective. This is not to say youre in for a bad week, but rather it will be more of a challenge. Flows have held steady and trout are really settling in to fall mode with lower temps. That said, with cooler overnight temps comes fewer hatches. As such, dry fly action is starting to slow down. Were still seeing some midge, Trico and sporadic PMDs so if you see trout actively rising look to fish these patterns. Otherwise, the double/triple nymph rig with small and simple patterns will produce the most consistent results. Start by fishing the slack water near the banks and outer seams in the morning and as the day progresses, look for trout to spread out and move into the faster riffles and runs. As far as flies go, early in the week you are going to want to stick with small neutral colored patterns like a Black Beauty, Zebra Midge, black/olive RS2 or Mercury midge. Come Thursday, when air pressure swings upwards, stick to small attractor patterns like a Rainbow Warrior, red Tube Midge, or red/purple/orange Jujubaetis.
Ideal Days: Monday, Saturday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).
This week is forecast to be a slight downgrade from the last as volatile air pressure and mostly sunny skies leave these already finicky trout even more skittish and selective. This is not to say youre in for a bad week, but rather it will be more of a challenge. Flows have held steady and trout are really settling in to fall mode with lower temps. That said, with cooler overnight temps comes fewer hatches. As such, dry fly action is starting to slow down. Were still seeing some midge, Trico and sporadic PMDs so if you see trout actively rising look to fish these patterns. Otherwise, the double/triple nymph rig with small and simple patterns will produce the most consistent results. Start by fishing the slack water near the banks and outer seams in the morning and as the day progresses, look for trout to spread out and move into the faster riffles and runs. As far as flies go, early in the week you are going to want to stick with small neutral colored patterns like a Black Beauty, Zebra Midge, black/olive RS2 or Mercury midge. Come Thursday, when air pressure swings upwards, stick to small attractor patterns like a Rainbow Warrior, red Tube Midge, or red/purple/orange Jujubaetis.
Ideal Days: Monday, Saturday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).
Sep 29
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 3/5
Fishing on the Blue is consistent with the previous two weeks. Flows have been stable for the last few weeks and trout are settling into fall mode. The trout here are especially selective and finicky so you are going to need to do your best to sight fish and hit them on the nose with your flies. Small and simple is the name of the game. As we enter fall, it is time to put away the searcher patterns and focus on more imitative flies. When nymphing, go with an RS2, Black Beauty, Tube Midge, or Jujubaetis. Start by focusing on the banks and outer seams and as the day progresses, target areas with structure like the riffles and pocket water. The dry dropper will be a viable option early in the week, but freezing overnight temps starting Wednesday will reduce the amount of terrestrials you see buzzing around. Hatch activity will be stronger on the early end of the week with a variety of bugs. Red quills, Tricos, PMDs, Midge, BWO and caddis will all be on the menu. However, come Thursday, you will see fewer hatches and will want to focus on midges for the most part.
Ideal Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).
Fishing on the Blue is consistent with the previous two weeks. Flows have been stable for the last few weeks and trout are settling into fall mode. The trout here are especially selective and finicky so you are going to need to do your best to sight fish and hit them on the nose with your flies. Small and simple is the name of the game. As we enter fall, it is time to put away the searcher patterns and focus on more imitative flies. When nymphing, go with an RS2, Black Beauty, Tube Midge, or Jujubaetis. Start by focusing on the banks and outer seams and as the day progresses, target areas with structure like the riffles and pocket water. The dry dropper will be a viable option early in the week, but freezing overnight temps starting Wednesday will reduce the amount of terrestrials you see buzzing around. Hatch activity will be stronger on the early end of the week with a variety of bugs. Red quills, Tricos, PMDs, Midge, BWO and caddis will all be on the menu. However, come Thursday, you will see fewer hatches and will want to focus on midges for the most part.
Ideal Days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).
Sep 26
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 3/5
Fishing at the Troutlets (aka Blue river near the Silverthorne outlets) is nothing short of predictable. Flows have held steady and trout are feeding selectively on smaller imitative flies. Water clarity is great! As such, sight fishing is a must. That said, clarity goes both ways so do your best to approach your holes with caution so as to not spook them. This week will start off at a fairly productive rate as stable air pressure and cloud cover work in your favor. However, once Thursday rolls along, air pressure will drop making for an increasingly selective trout. Regardless, the heavy nymph rig with small and simple flies will be your best bet. Start by focusing on the banks and slack water and as the day progresses move on the faster riffles and runs. When nymphing, lead with a slightly bigger attractor pattern like a Flashback Pheasant Tail, mysis shrimp or red Copper John followed by one or more smaller imitative midge or baetis flies like a Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Tube Midge or RS2.
Ideal Days: Monday Through Wednesday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).
Fishing at the Troutlets (aka Blue river near the Silverthorne outlets) is nothing short of predictable. Flows have held steady and trout are feeding selectively on smaller imitative flies. Water clarity is great! As such, sight fishing is a must. That said, clarity goes both ways so do your best to approach your holes with caution so as to not spook them. This week will start off at a fairly productive rate as stable air pressure and cloud cover work in your favor. However, once Thursday rolls along, air pressure will drop making for an increasingly selective trout. Regardless, the heavy nymph rig with small and simple flies will be your best bet. Start by focusing on the banks and slack water and as the day progresses move on the faster riffles and runs. When nymphing, lead with a slightly bigger attractor pattern like a Flashback Pheasant Tail, mysis shrimp or red Copper John followed by one or more smaller imitative midge or baetis flies like a Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Tube Midge or RS2.
Ideal Days: Monday Through Wednesday
Go to flies:
Sub-Surface Flies: Pats Rubber Legs (#12), Zebra Midges (#22-24), Black Beauties (#22-24), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), WD 40's (#20-22), Sparkle Wing RS2's (#20-22), olive RS2s (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Sparkle Pupa (#16-18), Mysis Shrimp, SJ Worms.
Surface Flies: Parachute Adams (#20-22), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Amy's Ant (#12-14).