Fishing Report

UPDATED: 4/22/24

Flow: 100 CFS River Graph

The "tailwater" section of Blue River through Silverthorne fishes fairly consistently year round. Water temps normally stay within the lower forties (fahrenheit), which doesn’t produce a large variety of hatches. For the most part, small midge larva, and Mysis Shrimp (small clear/white shrimp inhabiting Dillon Reservoir), are staples of the trouts diet. Things start to get more interesting if Dillon Reservoir reaches capacity and “spills” through the top release of the dam, instead of the bottom. This causes a larger variety of aquatic insects that live in the Blue River to become active, and therefore more available to trout.

The best technique is usually nymphing under a small, inconspicuous indicator. Adjust your weight and indicator depth depending on the depth of the piece of water you are working, and to the depth at which the fish are holding. Seeing rising fish is a possibility, as is seeing some action on streamers.

Current Conditions:

RIVER FLOW: 

The Blue is around 100 CFS coming out of the bottom of the reservoir.

WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F): 

39-41º

WATER CLARITY:

Clear 

CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:

 | Midges | Mysis Shrimp | Caddis | small mayflies(BWO and PMD)  | Yellow Sally nymphs | leeches, smaller fish, worms etc. 

Flies to Try

Guides Choice Dozen $24.99

NYMPHS:

| Epoxy mysis #18 | Natural Pheasant Tail #18-22 | Mayfly Nymph BWO size 18-20 | RS2 Dun 18-22 | Jujubee Midge #18-22 | Miracle Midge #20-22 | WD-40 Chocolate and Black #18-22|

DRIES:

| Elk Hair Caddis Yellow #18 | Peacock Caddis #18 |  Extended Body BWO size 18-22 | Extended Body BWO #18-22|  Matthew's Sparkle Dun BWO | Griffith’s Gnat size 18-24 | Umpqua Adult Midge Dark 20-22 | CDC Morgan's Midge size 20-22

STREAMERS:

| Thin Mint #6 | Near Nuff Sculpin olive size 04-06 | Super Bugger Tan size 6 | Pop’s Bugger pearl/grizzly size 8 | Pine Squirrel Leech in black size 12 | Slump Busters in olive and natural | Crystal Bugger white sizes 8-12 | Halebop Leech wine no bead size 8 

Guide Tip of the Week:

The Blue's flows are around 100 cfs - which is great for this time of year. We are back to our same ole’ blue river fishing. It’s a good time to tie on patterns you have built confidence with in the past on the Blue. One of the most beautiful things about the Blue is that it practically never changes at low flows. If something worked last time, there are good odds it works again (when seeing similar flows to last time).  A nymph rig with natural imitations of small Mysis Shrimp, mayfly emergers and midges have been working well for us recently. Sticking to natural sizes and color schemes while avoiding too much flash and heavy beads. My favorites as of lately have been mall bling midges and UV midges. There are no secrets on the upper middle blue… meet those previously stated parameters and throw something different than the angler in front of you. Expect to find fish in typical Blue River lies. Sight fishing is the name of the game here so if you don't see fish, keep moving. Streamers have also been a good choice if you cover a good amount of water. 

RIVER ACCESS

Also check out the Town of Silverthorne's Blue River Fishing Access Map

OTHER LOCATIONS

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