Williams Fork River
Recent Guide Reports
Forecast
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- RS-2
- Black Beauty
- San Juan Worm
- Prince Nymph
- Mercury Midge
- Juju Baetis
- Foam Back Emerger
- Parachute Adams
- Baetis Nymph
- Pheasant Tail
Current Conditions
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Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Oct 07
The Blue Quill Angler
Clarity: Excellent
14 Day Forecast: Look for hatches of blue-winged olives, Tricos, and blue-winged olives.
Tips and Other Information:
Fishing has been good on the Williams Fork. Anglers can expect to see hatches of midges, Tricos, and blue-winged olives. Nymphing has been good with an assortment of mayfly and caddis nymphs, and dry fly fishing has been good with Parachute Adams and Sparkle Duns.
Note: Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Denver Water are conducting a stream restoration project on the Williams Fork River (below the reservoir to the confluence of the Colorado) that will begin on October 1, 2019 and last 4 to 6 weeks. Expect heavy equipment in the river, low flows, and muddy water for several weeks. I am told they will begin working at 7:00 a.m. each morning and continue working throughout the day, so plan accordingly. I would highly recommend another location, as the fishing will be poor with the muddy water. This will also affect the clarity on the Colorado River for miles. Your best bet is to fish Pumphouse or above the confluence of the Williams Fork in Lone Buck, Paul Gilbert, etc.
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #20 Mercury Midge, #22 Black Beauty, #20 Red Larva, #20 Manhattan Midge, #22 Stalcups Baetis, #14-16 San Juan Worm, #20-22 Juju Baetis, #20-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #18-20 Mercury Pheasant Tail, #20-24 RS 2, #18-20 Buckskin, #18-20 Sparkle Dun, and #22-26 Parachute Adams.
14 Day Forecast: Look for hatches of blue-winged olives, Tricos, and blue-winged olives.
Tips and Other Information:
Fishing has been good on the Williams Fork. Anglers can expect to see hatches of midges, Tricos, and blue-winged olives. Nymphing has been good with an assortment of mayfly and caddis nymphs, and dry fly fishing has been good with Parachute Adams and Sparkle Duns.
Note: Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Denver Water are conducting a stream restoration project on the Williams Fork River (below the reservoir to the confluence of the Colorado) that will begin on October 1, 2019 and last 4 to 6 weeks. Expect heavy equipment in the river, low flows, and muddy water for several weeks. I am told they will begin working at 7:00 a.m. each morning and continue working throughout the day, so plan accordingly. I would highly recommend another location, as the fishing will be poor with the muddy water. This will also affect the clarity on the Colorado River for miles. Your best bet is to fish Pumphouse or above the confluence of the Williams Fork in Lone Buck, Paul Gilbert, etc.
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #20 Mercury Midge, #22 Black Beauty, #20 Red Larva, #20 Manhattan Midge, #22 Stalcups Baetis, #14-16 San Juan Worm, #20-22 Juju Baetis, #20-24 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #18-20 Mercury Pheasant Tail, #20-24 RS 2, #18-20 Buckskin, #18-20 Sparkle Dun, and #22-26 Parachute Adams.
Oct 07
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
The Williams Fork Stream Restoration Project starts tomorrow (October 1, 2019)! The CPW and Denver Water will be performing stream restoration below the reservoir to the confluence of the Colorado. The project is expected to take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, you can expect low flows, heavy machinery and muddy water. This will take a toll on the Colorado Confluence as well. As such, you're better off fishing elsewhere until the project concludes. Until we've confirmed the project has begun, it is business as usual. Stay tuned for updates and as always feel free to reach out with further questions.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies
The Williams Fork Stream Restoration Project starts tomorrow (October 1, 2019)! The CPW and Denver Water will be performing stream restoration below the reservoir to the confluence of the Colorado. The project is expected to take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, you can expect low flows, heavy machinery and muddy water. This will take a toll on the Colorado Confluence as well. As such, you're better off fishing elsewhere until the project concludes. Until we've confirmed the project has begun, it is business as usual. Stay tuned for updates and as always feel free to reach out with further questions.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies
Sep 30
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
The Williams Fork Stream Restoration Project starts tomorrow (October 1, 2019)! The CPW and Denver Water will be performing stream restoration below the reservoir to the confluence of the Colorado. The project is expected to take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, you can expect low flows, heavy machinery and muddy water. This will take a toll on the Colorado Confluence as well. As such, you're better off fishing elsewhere until the project concludes. Until we've confirmed the project has begun, it is business as usual. Stay tuned for updates and as always feel free to reach out with further questions.
Trout here are growing increasingly selective with cooler temps and fewer food sources. Overnight air temps have managed to hold above freezing leaving terrestrials on the menu for now. As such, the dry dropper is still a viable option, but for a limited time. Starting on Thursday, overnight air temps will flirt with freezing levels making the use of terrestrials questionable going forward. If you go this route, stick with smaller stimulator flies like a Hippie Stomper, Chubby Chernobyl or Amys Ant followed by one or more imitative midge or baetis patterns. Focus on the banks and undercuts for the best results. Otherwise, the double/triple nymph rig will produce the most consistent results. We like to lead with slightly bigger attractor patterns like a size #18 Rainbow Warrior followed by a Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Darth Baetis, or RS2. That said, depending on conditions, you will likely be cycling through a number of different flies. When nymphing, start by hitting the slack water near the banks and make your way out to the deeper runs and riffles. Depth will be imperative to success. In the morning you are going to want to go deep and as the day progresses and air temps rise, lighten the load and fish emerger patterns.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies
The Williams Fork Stream Restoration Project starts tomorrow (October 1, 2019)! The CPW and Denver Water will be performing stream restoration below the reservoir to the confluence of the Colorado. The project is expected to take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, you can expect low flows, heavy machinery and muddy water. This will take a toll on the Colorado Confluence as well. As such, you're better off fishing elsewhere until the project concludes. Until we've confirmed the project has begun, it is business as usual. Stay tuned for updates and as always feel free to reach out with further questions.
Trout here are growing increasingly selective with cooler temps and fewer food sources. Overnight air temps have managed to hold above freezing leaving terrestrials on the menu for now. As such, the dry dropper is still a viable option, but for a limited time. Starting on Thursday, overnight air temps will flirt with freezing levels making the use of terrestrials questionable going forward. If you go this route, stick with smaller stimulator flies like a Hippie Stomper, Chubby Chernobyl or Amys Ant followed by one or more imitative midge or baetis patterns. Focus on the banks and undercuts for the best results. Otherwise, the double/triple nymph rig will produce the most consistent results. We like to lead with slightly bigger attractor patterns like a size #18 Rainbow Warrior followed by a Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Darth Baetis, or RS2. That said, depending on conditions, you will likely be cycling through a number of different flies. When nymphing, start by hitting the slack water near the banks and make your way out to the deeper runs and riffles. Depth will be imperative to success. In the morning you are going to want to go deep and as the day progresses and air temps rise, lighten the load and fish emerger patterns.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies
Sep 29
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
Trout here are growing increasingly selective with cooler temps and fewer food sources. Overnight air temps have managed to hold above freezing leaving terrestrials on the menu for now. As such, the dry dropper is still a viable option, but for a limited time. Starting on Thursday, overnight air temps will flirt with freezing levels making the use of terrestrials questionable going forward. If you go this route, stick with smaller stimulator flies like a Hippie Stomper, Chubby Chernobyl or Amys Ant followed by one or more imitative midge or baetis patterns. Focus on the banks and undercuts for the best results. Otherwise, the double/triple nymph rig will produce the most consistent results. We like to lead with slightly bigger attractor patterns like a size #18 Rainbow Warrior followed by a Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Darth Baetis, or RS2. That said, depending on conditions, you will likely be cycling through a number of different flies. When nymphing, start by hitting the slack water near the banks and make your way out to the deeper runs and riffles. Depth will be imperative to success. In the morning you are going to want to go deep and as the day progresses and air temps rise, lighten the load and fish emerger patterns.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies
Trout here are growing increasingly selective with cooler temps and fewer food sources. Overnight air temps have managed to hold above freezing leaving terrestrials on the menu for now. As such, the dry dropper is still a viable option, but for a limited time. Starting on Thursday, overnight air temps will flirt with freezing levels making the use of terrestrials questionable going forward. If you go this route, stick with smaller stimulator flies like a Hippie Stomper, Chubby Chernobyl or Amys Ant followed by one or more imitative midge or baetis patterns. Focus on the banks and undercuts for the best results. Otherwise, the double/triple nymph rig will produce the most consistent results. We like to lead with slightly bigger attractor patterns like a size #18 Rainbow Warrior followed by a Mercury Midge, Black Beauty, Darth Baetis, or RS2. That said, depending on conditions, you will likely be cycling through a number of different flies. When nymphing, start by hitting the slack water near the banks and make your way out to the deeper runs and riffles. Depth will be imperative to success. In the morning you are going to want to go deep and as the day progresses and air temps rise, lighten the load and fish emerger patterns.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies
Sep 26
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
Flows continue to drop compared to the previous two weeks. At this flow, fishing is good as there is plenty of water for trout to move about, but it is not moving so fast that they are limited to the banks. If flows continue to drop trout will be limited to fewer holding places so it will be important to monitor in the coming days.Trout here are generally very selective so presentation and approach will be imperative to success. Weve found that, absent of hatch activity, trout are keen to the double/triple nymph rig. Small and simple is the name of the game, but dont be afraid to lead with a slightly bigger attractor pattern. Our go-to set up right now is to lead with a smaller (#8-12) tan Pats Rubber Legs or Champagne San Juan Worm followed by one or more smaller imitative patterns like an RS2, Chocolate Foamback Emerger, Mercury Midge or Black Beauty. Keep those Rainbow Warriors handy as they are our favorite slump buster. The hopper dropper is still fair game as well. Take advantage of them while you can as freezing overnight temps to come will eliminate terrestrials from the trouts diet. In the meantime, lead with a Hippie Stomper or Amys Ant followed by one or more of the aforementioned nymphs and hit the banks and outer seams. Hatch activity is forecast to be consistent with previous weeks and you are going to want to give most of your attention to midges and BWOs. That said, dont be surprised to see some lingering yellow stoneflies and caddis on the water.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday through Wednesday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies
Flows continue to drop compared to the previous two weeks. At this flow, fishing is good as there is plenty of water for trout to move about, but it is not moving so fast that they are limited to the banks. If flows continue to drop trout will be limited to fewer holding places so it will be important to monitor in the coming days.Trout here are generally very selective so presentation and approach will be imperative to success. Weve found that, absent of hatch activity, trout are keen to the double/triple nymph rig. Small and simple is the name of the game, but dont be afraid to lead with a slightly bigger attractor pattern. Our go-to set up right now is to lead with a smaller (#8-12) tan Pats Rubber Legs or Champagne San Juan Worm followed by one or more smaller imitative patterns like an RS2, Chocolate Foamback Emerger, Mercury Midge or Black Beauty. Keep those Rainbow Warriors handy as they are our favorite slump buster. The hopper dropper is still fair game as well. Take advantage of them while you can as freezing overnight temps to come will eliminate terrestrials from the trouts diet. In the meantime, lead with a Hippie Stomper or Amys Ant followed by one or more of the aforementioned nymphs and hit the banks and outer seams. Hatch activity is forecast to be consistent with previous weeks and you are going to want to give most of your attention to midges and BWOs. That said, dont be surprised to see some lingering yellow stoneflies and caddis on the water.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday through Wednesday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie Stomper and Amy's Ant (#10).
Subsurface - Frenchie (#16-20), Guide's Choice Hare's Ear (#16-20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18-20), Pheasant Tails (#18-20), Copper John (#16-18), RS2's (#20-22), JuJu baetis (#20-22), WD 40 (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Top Secret Midges (#22-24), Mercury Midge (#22-24), Foam Wing Emerger (#20-22), Pat's Rubber Legs (#12-14), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Flossies