March Madness Colorado Style
Springtime in the Colorado Rockies is considered to be a magical time in a majestic location. As nature begins its new growth for the season; the plants, trees and animals come alive from a dormant winter. The rivers begin their change from freezing temperatures and come alive as well. Fly fishing in and around Glenwood Springs, and the Roaring Fork Valley during this time of year is epic. From the end of February into March until mid April is the time to be here. The tiny Midge hatch that occurred during the colder months are now relinquishing themselves to a new hatch. This type of hatch is the Blue Winged Olive (BWO) of the Baetis family. The trout move from their winter depths of the river to more shallow water for an easy feeding session on the succulent morsel of Baetis . The BWO hatch is the first major hatch of the year thus bringing the trout to the surface keeping them within eye shot. If you see a foam line or a foam pocket, just watch it for a while and you will see noses of trout gently rising, slightly breaking the surface as they sip on the tender little Baetis. It is fun to head hunt or sight fish, for the bigger fish that you see rising. From experience it is noted, the hatch comes off strongest between 1 pm to 3 pm, but can come off earlier in the day depending upon temperatures. The size of this BWO hatch varies from river to river. Typically, an angler may use sizes #16 – #22. It is helpful if you have different sizes in your fly box. Here are some examples of flies that an angler may use, which cover the nymph stage to adult stage of the BWO: Pheasant Tail, Copper John, RS2, RS3, Roy Palm Emerger, Barrs Emerger, CDC Loopwings, Stalcup’s Extenda-body BWO, Parachute Adams, and much more. Those are the basics. When using these flies I prefer to do a dry dropper set up or a light nymph rig as the trout are suspended and looking up. The trout will also eat other flies in this time period, but you might have to nymph fish to them.
If you have been here then you will know what I’m talking about and if you haven’t then check it out!!!