Colorado Hunting News

DOW REPORT FOR AUGUST 1, 2007

Welcome rain fell on many parts of Colorado last week but its bounties were not spread equally. While some regions experienced downpours, complete with mud slides, others largely were bypassed.

The rains periodically discolored many free-flowing rivers, but with a few exceptions, they cleared fairly quickly. As always, calling ahead for current conditions before driving to a particularly river is a good idea. Most local fishing shops cheerfully provide such information.

When clear, the rivers offer some potentially good fishing.
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The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is hosting an Angler Roundtable in Meeker on Thursday, Aug. 2. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Mountain Valley Bank Building (400 Main Street).

Angler Roundtables are public meetings designed to provide people who fish with the opportunity to hear about DOW management and to ask questions and provide suggestions.
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Hot and dry, cool and rainy - fishing across Colorado is just about as variable as the weather. Hot daytime temperatures across much of the state were mixed with periods of sometimes heavy, localized rain and pleasantly cool evenings. Such trends are reflected in the fishing.

While major lakes, reservoir and streams are in a summer-fishing pattern, with the best activity likely early and late in the day, weather changes can temporarily change conditions.
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Welcome to the dog days of summer. Temperatures have been rising across the state, rain has become a precious commodity and fish and fishermen alike are seeking some relief from the heat.

For fishermen, that might mean a trip to the high country. While the lowlands are sweltering, high-lakes fishermen still might shiver a bit when the sun dips below the peaks. Cutthroat trout are the main attraction in most Alpine lakes. Though the fishing may run hot-or-cold, the setting in itself, complete with nature’s version of air conditioning, makes the trek worthwhile.
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The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is asking for anglers to abide to a voluntary fishing closure on the Yampa River through the town of Steamboat Springs. The voluntary closure has been initiated in order to protect trout populations from high water temperature conditions and low stream flows.

The closure is in effect for the section of river between the upstream boundary of the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the west city limit boundary for the town of Steamboat Springs. The DOW will continue to monitor the river conditions and will inform the public as soon as conditions return to the point where a lifting of the closure is warranted.
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Water temperatures are warming on many lakes and reservoirs, sending trout and kokanee salmon into deeper water for longer periods of time. Consequently, fishing for trout has become more of a morning-and-evening routine on many popular lakes.

The same pattern also applies to warm-water fishing. While walleyes, white bass, wipers and other species remain active, many fish have distinct feeding times, with notable lulls between peak periods. Early mornings and late afternoons also are the best times for fishing on warm-water lakes, and wipers and catfish often are most active after dark.
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The Fourth of July is at hand, and fishermen celebrating the holiday with a trip to their favorite lake or stream are finding generally good conditions.

The annual spring runoff is but a memory on most of the state’s rivers. Though a few remain a bit high, and rain showers may temporarily discolor the water on some days, they generally are clear, wading is possible and midsummer insect hatches are abundant.

Fly fishermen can hardly go wrong. Streams of the Roaring Fork valley and the upper and lower portions of the Gunnison, including the East and Taylor rivers, are in prime condition. Potentially good fishing also can be found in southern portions of the state, including the Rio Grande, Conejos, Dolores and Animas drainages, which tend to be less crowded, and in northern Colorado along the Yampa and White rivers.
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