Can you fish during run-off/ high water? YES. YES. YES! Here is some fishing theory and wisdom from Katie Fiedler Anderson, a veteran fly fishing guide in the Vail Valley.
Where do the fish go during run-off? The answer is: not far! The fish remain true to their instincts, and there is a basic principal that you need to know to understand their behavior. Fish are looking for the least amount of work for the most amount of food, always. This video shows how that translates to fish hang-outs during high water. I hope this video is helpful!
Of course, we recommend snagging a guide to show you the spots we have hunted down over the years that allow you to cast, and catch, and stand with success! Guides do a lot more than just tie your flies on, trust me. We are carefully thinking about everything. From where you stand (less tangles, more bites) , to how you will land a fish (how can we avoid obstacles) , to where you will move if a pool or pocket slows down. We have put the time and effort into maximizing your trip experience! We want to show you those bites and keep the fun parts of fly fishing on the forefront of your trip. Book a trip today (970)376-0002.
What a journey to this day! Nixy has grown so much since last summer when we shot this film, but the story is ours forever. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you to the Braker Brothers for doing such a phenomenal job producing this film. Please leave comments and let me know what you think of our hard work!
If you are just getting started in the world of fly fishing, this is a great place to start. Knowing you have the correct equipment builds confidence for all of the steps to follow. Here’s a short video on how to tell what you are looking at!
You can narrow down what you need by waterway , and then by the size of fish you are trying to catch. The heavier the rod, the bigger fish it can handle. I fish a 12 wt when targeting 120lb tarpon and a 5wt when targeting 12-20 inch trout in my back yard river.
There has been an explosion of “Voluntary Water Closures ” this year. What does that mean? Why is this happening? Can you and I fish? What should you do if you see anglers fishing? Will all of the fish die? Let’s discuss!
What is a voluntary water closure?
A volunatry water closure comes from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife ( CPW). It is a request for anglers to stop fishing a certain stretch of water.
What is the REASON for a water closure?
The reason CPW closes a section of water to fishing is to protect the resource ( The Fish!) . When the water temperatures rise, it starts to put stress on the fish by depleting the amount of oxygen available in the water. Catching a fish in hot water is a lot like me asking you to sprint around a track while holding your breath. It leads to high mortality rates and hurts the fishery.
Why does this seem to happen every year?
The bulk of our water comes from snowmelt and rain. Low snow accumulation from the winter and/or a hot spring means that our snowpack melted early, leaving us with lower/warmer water conditions. As we continue into the heat of the summer, the water warms up to a temperature not ideal for cold-water fish like trout. The only things left to cool the rivers is rain and/or colder weather patterns.
What are the magic temperatures?
The rule of thumb is to stop fishing when the water hits 68 degrees. This is debatable by a degree here or there, depending on who is talking. But knowing the WHY helps make informed decisions.
Can I still fish?
YES! The closure are there to help educate and advocate for the fishery. We suggest following the closure rules, but don’t be afraid to fish during open times. We still have plenty of open water. Elevation gains yield cooler temperatures. Use that information to your advantage. Take a thermometer with you and test the water before and during your outing to be sure! See this video below for tips on how to properly handle and release fish.
Will anyone currently get arrested or get a ticket for fishing the voluntary closure? No. We can do our part by educating ourselves and to sharing information with one another. Reading up on this topic is a great start and a friendly conversation goes a long way!
Will all of the fish die?
Let’s hope not! We know fish change feeding patterns in hot water and eat less. Algae can bloom. Immune functions can become depressed. These rainy afternoons and cooler evening are certainly making an impact and let’s hope they stay consistent.
One of the most overlooked times of year to fish that actually crushes… SPRING!
The fish are starting to snap out of their winter hibernation mode and we get some great eats in the spring. Try to get out on the sunny warm days before run off hits. So when there is still snow on the mountain and the skiing is a slushy mess… those are the epic days to get out and fish.
Trout can be found feeding on the midge hatches. ( See photo) and also some nice fat stoneflies. When the fish are eating midges, like they have been recently, you will see them rise with very little splash as they eat the tiny meals just before they break the surface. The bites on your hook can be just as subtle, so set the hook on everything!
Have fun and good luck. If you would like to learn more, book a guided fly fishing trip with Anderson’s Fish Camp. We will customize each outing based on what you want to learn or if you just want to catch a bunch of fish and have fun, it’s all up to you! We still recommend a half-day wade trip, which is 4 hours. You can ski in the morning and fish in the afternoon when it’s warmest. We’d love to get you out on the water.
(970) 376-0002 or AndersonsFishCamp.Com for more information.
We are proud to announce that our short film, Phoenix, is currently playing as part of the Fly Fishing Film Tour!
Katie Fiedler Anderson has been a fly fishing guide in Vail, Colorado for over a decade, but things started to change when she became pregnant with her daughter. The short film, “Phoenix”, tells a story of passion, as Katie and her husband take a leap of faith in order to inspire their 4-year-old daughter to chase her dreams no matter what the obstacle.
The film was produced by the Braker Brothers. The Braker Brothers are on a mission to use the power of outdoor storytelling to create sustainable change. Eric (22) and Andrew (27) are Maryland-based filmmakers who are just getting warmed up… With one award-winning credit under their belt, “A Journey Upstream,” they don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Trout will spawn in shallow water with smaller rocks. They clear the moss of the rocks with their bodies in an exhausting effort to make a clean bed (or “redd” if you want to use technical terms. ) You can see these clean spots fairly easily on the Eagle River as we have a solid covering of moss on our rocks, so the clean spots will really stick out.
A cleared-off trout redd.
When do rainbow trout spawn?
The Rainbows spawn in the springtime!
Is it ok to fish right now?
Yes! Just be mindful and leave those spawning fish sitting on the redds alone! They are in a delicate process and using A LOT of energy. Definitely don’t step on their redds. You can absolutely fish in deeper runs and riffles. As with all fish, handle them with a quick and gentle touch!
How do trout spawn, exactly?
The female trout deposits eggs onto the redd and then leaves the male to fertilize the redd. This redd is then fiercely guarded by the male trout. It is not uncommon to see other fish fighting over a spot on the redd. Trout will eat each other’s eggs and can become quite aggressive for the easy meal. Other fish often sit downstream the redd waiting for easy eggs to wash down.
What other fish spawn in the fall?
Rocky Mountain Whitefish! You can catch some big ones this time of year, although it is a little less common as the whitefish feed off of the bottom. Whitefish are a native Colorado fish and they definitely put a bend on a fly rod!
Massive Rocky Mountain Whitefish
Do trout move upstream when they spawn?
Yes! Most of the summer fish are spread out along the healthy parts of the river and “holed up” in their areas. They are trying to get fat and not spending many calories on swimming or moving. In contrast to summer behavior; in the fall, the browns and whitefish are definitely moving upstream with a spawning mission in mind. That’s why we see some bigger fish this time of year come up from the lower Eagle. And the shallow water makes it easier to hook into the bigger ones too.
Guide Cooper Anderson with a monster brown caught on the Eagle River.
Fall is a fantastic time to get out and enjoy the river! It’s quiet on the river, the fish are happy with the colder temperatures, mayflies and midges are all over the place, and there are certainly some big fish being caught right now. Let us show you the best pools and pockets, tie your flies, and keep the fun moving while you’re out fly fishing. Call Anderson’s Fish Camp at (970) 376-0002 to book a guided trip and make some fall memories! Andersonsfishcamp.com for more information.
This is one reason out of millions to get outside and explore. It was super cool to see the rainbow trout on the Yampa River protecting their beds. The trout spawn in the spring and will protect their beds/redds while the eggs develop. I didn’t fish for this particular group. They have a delicate process happening, and it’s best to not disturb.
I am sure you want to be careful to never step on the bed either! The beds will be a patch of clean rocks that is a little lighter than the rest of the surrounding river bottom. Just make sure you walk around these sensitive habitats and the fish protecting them.
Part of being a guide is knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Right now we have wild strawberries flowering like crazy! It’s going to be a good year for on-the-river snacks. Did we mention they are free range, wild, organic and ALLLLL natural! Get ready!
