Blue River
How does site fishing for 5+ lb rainbows sound? You
might even have an audience! The Blue below Dillon Reservoir may have the
largest trout of any river talked about on this site. And guess
what? It is also the closest to Denver. Head west up I-70 and you'll
be flyfishing the Blue in about an hour and fifteen minutes, but don't expect to
be the only one there.
Below the reservoir, the Blue becomes a fabulous freestone tailwater. It flows past retail shopping centers, under I-70, past more shops, and then thru town. When fishing is best, the river is low and extremely clear. Unfortunately, the color of the rocks here seem to make it difficult to spot fish. Look for the dark red strips and tail fins. As with the South Platte river, high-stick nymphing is the way to go to catch fish on the Blue. Long leaders down to microscopic 7X tippets are the best bet. Use the smallest strike indicator that you can see and the proper weight is important. If there is one thing I have learned flyfishing in Colorado, it is using the right amount of weight. I have fished the same run at the same time as another angler and been outfished because of a single, tiny split shot. It is critical that subsurface patterns get deep into the feeding lanes of trout.
The Blue seems to be most productive in late winter and early spring. If you're going to fish it during this time, leave the dries at home. Bring midge and mysis shrimp patterns. The mysis appears to be the most consistent pattern for large fish. Don't be afraid to experiment with your shrimp patterns. I never realized how many different mysis patterns there were until visiting a few of the fly shops in Silverthorne. Some are as simple as white thread and matching marabou, yet others have incredible detail, right down to the extended monofilament eyes. Midge patterns size 20 and above should include biot (black and olive), brassies, disco (pink and pearl), palomino (black, brown, grey), chocolate, and black beauty. Don't be too proud to double up on your flies either, it can save time in finding a good pattern.
The first real chance to fish dries on the Blue comes in July, after runoff. In my experiences, the most predictable insect hatches are the Colorado River's stonefly and the green drakes on the Blue. I can never seem to plan two trips during this hatch, but I always try to hit it once. It gives the chance to throw big drakes, sizes 10 and 12. Don't think that your green drake pattern is too large until you've let it have a few long, undisturbed drifts. Caddis can be fished thru the end of August and it is worthwhile to try rusty spinners in the afternoon's as well. Due to increased brush and trees along the bank, fishing with terrestrials improves as you move farther down the river towards Green Mountain Reservoir. If you talk to the locals, most all of the large bo's are taken on midges and nymphs, so fish the premature patterns of the above insects as well. If the your in the area during fall, and don't feel like driving to the Colorado, try fishing small blue-winged olives and parachute adams along the banks and in the slower moving water.
After moving to Colorado 15 years ago, I was introduced to several quality waters, but never considered the Blue a viable destination. Maybe it was because of the location, I'm not sure. But, while the girlfriend (who's now my wife) was shopping at the outlet malls, I would watch flyfishermen land fat rainbows right by the pedestrian bridge. That was all I needed to see. After fishing the Blue a few times, I started thinking that watching those guys land those beauties was the worst thing that could have happened to me. I have been blanked more than a few times on the Blue. It is as technical a fish as they come. However, just about the time you start cursing and swear to never return, you'll hook into a monster. Actually landing the fish is different story though.. A smooth disc drag and sensitive rod tip are needed for the runs that these fish take. This is the place for quality if not quantity. Smaller browns and a few brook trout can be found below the dam as well.
There is also an opportunity to fish the Blue above Dillon Reservoir below the town of Breckenridge. I never had a chance to fish this stretch until September 2000. There is a stretch that gets heavy traffic due to a bike path and several parking lots. It has a terriffic set up, deep pools connected by swift riffles, but due to the water clarity it is nearly impossible to land a fish without putting down every other fish in the hole. And because it is not very wide, you are fishing directly down stream which makes a stealthy approach difficult. If you follow the river further towards Breckenridge, you'll a see a pull off on the right side of the road. Here, the river meanders thru brush and has been dammed to form several small brookie ponds where cutthroat are also available. The brush offers a little more cover but does limit casting distance on these little gems. Fishing small dries, p-chute adams #20-22, took several of the hard fighters. If the topwater action is slow, tie on a size 20 flashback pheasant tail or loop-wing pattern as there is just enough of a current that drifting these with no strike indicator can be deadly. These aren't large fish, but they are hard-fighters. A 3-weight rod and 6X tippet should provide a fun day.
Directions
Take I-70 West thru Eisenhower Tunnel. Head downhill to exit 205 the Hiway 9/Silverthorne exit. Parking is plentiful for the most part, just watch the signs.
travel time approx 75 minutes
