GUIDE REPORT: Late November Tips & Tactics

LATE NOVEMBER TRIP REPORT

Fishing has been productive during our recent late fall trips to the Arkansas River below Pueblo Reservoir as well as along the Williams Fork/Upper Colorado.  Stream flows are healthy for this time of year, and the weather has been tolerable or better for fish and anglers alike. With the quality flows and warm enough temps, we have avoided any sort of trouble with ice. One thing to keep in mind: The colder the day, the fewer other anglers will be on the river. See my previous blog focused on HOW TO STAY WARM WHILE FISHING LATE SEASON to help you prepare for winter fun on the water.

THE ARKANSAS RIVER NEAR PUEBLO

We have found success at the Pueblo tailwater nymphing with attractors such as eggs, worms, and leeches, followed by the ‘match the hatch’ nymphs and emergers. In the morning there are small midges (sz 22/24) hatching. Once the water warms up a bit, blue wing olive mayflies become active late-morning through mid-afternoon. For BWOs, start with nymphs (sz 20/22), and as the bugs progress through their hatch cycle, follow with emergers (e.g. rs2, chocolate thunders, or your preferred emerger pattern). If you are lucky enough to see fish rising to adults, switch to dry flies (parachute adams, comparaduns). Even with the recent cold weather, fish are still moving into shallower somewhat faster water to feed during hatches as well as up the water column to follow emergers and adults.

WILLIAMS FORK & UPPER COLORADO

The Williams Fork/ Upper Colorado tailwater is also a great option for those willing to walk a bit to get to the confluence and up the Williams Fork. The water temps have still been conducive to BWO hatches (usually early afternoon) as well as midges throughout the day.  Nymphing eggs and worm attractors followed by small (20/22) midge and BWO (20/22) imitations have been successful.  Similar to Pueblo use emergers when the fish get more active and dries when they are taking adults. The BWOs will be over soon as the water continues to get colder but the midges will hatch all winter.

COLD WEATHER HOOKSETS

If you are nymphing be sure to set the hook on every pause or hesitation or the indicator.  While you should be doing this in general, all year long, the strikes are especially light when the water is colder.  Fish can take and reject your flies without the motion registering much movement from the indicator. So, remember to set the hook on even the slightest hesitation. Besides, “Hook sets are free.”

GREAT CHANCE FOR SOLITUDE

Cold weather and frigid water keep most folks off the river this time of year, but that means they can miss some great days of fishing.  There is a saying ‘there is no bad weather, just bad gear.” If you PLAN ACCORDINGLY, you can take full advantage of the solitude, beauty, and success that winter fly fishing has to offer.

BOOK YOUR WINTER SPECIAL TODAY!