You don’t always have to go out at dawn for the best bite. The best time of day to fish for trout in streams and rivers is early morning followed closely by late afternoon. for the kokanee that extends from August 1st to October 31st. Generally December and January are the two coldest months and fishing opportunities are usually limited to warmest hours of late morning and afternoon. There is, however, times when the fishing is consistently  more productive. Nymphing is the method of choice. May is often hit or miss in this part of the country. I use it the first time today. When it comes to fly fishing, Colorado is in a league of its own, offering some pristine opportunities to wet a line in a river or reservoir. Insect hatches are strong throughout the month and trout eat continually most days with Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones and Pale Morning Duns supplementing the ever present caddis flies. Tailwaters remain fishable throughout the month. Colorado is one of the world’s most legendary fly fishing destinations, with hundreds of miles of pristine waterways, spectacular scenery, species that are native only to Colorado, and secluded waters that are reachable only by boat. Winter fishing means low and clear water and the majority of the fishing is deep nymphing in slow deep holes where trout congregate to spend the winter. This is enough to kick start trout activity as feeding periods become longer. It’s best to stand in the middle of the river and directly upstream of the hole you are going to fish and let the streamer sink down into the hole as you work this maneuver. Enjoyable weather, no crowds and willing trout are all a part of fall fly fishing in the Vail area. Guides are experienced and specialize in the water they fish. As a year-round fly fishing guide, my clients often ask me what are the best months or times of year to come to Vail to fly fish. There is also Cherry Creek State Park, Chatfield State Park and Standley Lake. If you are into fishing, you'll have plenty of locations to choose from and beautiful views as a bonus. One of the best times to fish the Eagle valley as well as float the Roaring Fork and the Colorado rivers. But especially here in the big C fall is the most beautiful time of year and the best fly fishing that is if you like to catch the big’uns. We love fall fishing and in mid September, as the Aspen leaves turn gold, autumn conditions begin to take hold. You’re better off fishing for trout either before dusk or after sunset, even during the full moon when trout are out. The Denver area also offers great fishing at Charlie Meyers State Wildlife on the South Platte River between Spinney Mountain State Park and Eleven Mile State Park. Because of this section’s easy access, the trout see a lot of pressure, but you can still expect to enjoy a productive day with the potential for a 20” fish on any drift. Feeding windows are shorter and half day wade trips are the norm. Find deep water and fish i… The fly fishing in April is usually very good with many opportunities available. Midge and BWO hatches are strong and sometimes early caddis will appear. Warmer daytime temps make a full day trip very comfortable and the fish are very active. In Colorado, you'll need a fishing license. Call us here at Vail Valley Anglers and we’ll help you book your trip or help you pick out a spot to fish and what flies to use for any time of the year. Both air and water temperatures begin to drop and flows are generally low and very clear. The Best Fly Fishing Trips In Colorado with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides . Usually there is no need for an early start and the type of trip you book is entirely up to you as either half or full day floats or wade trips can be recommended. North Delaney Butte Lake One of Colorado’s gold medal stillwater fisheries, North Delaney is known for producing huge rainbow, brown, and cutthroat/rainbow hybrid trout. Midges in the winter, Caddis in the spring, BWOs and Stoneflies in the summer, is a good guiding principle, but checking local conditions at a reputable fly shop for the section you want to fish is best upon … It flows through several lakes and reservoirs presenting all types of fishing challenges from streams to still waters. Fish Early, Fish Late: I mean that in 2 ways. Look for the fish you want to catch, and ignore the little guys. Generally December and January are the two coldest months and fishing opportunities are usually limited to warmest hours of late morning and afternoon. The fly fishing begins to pick up sometime in February, as the days get longer, temperatures begin to slowly climb and ice shelves begin to melt and break up. In July and August go ahead and fish early morning and dusk. Fly Fishing in the Morning In the spring, fish during the warmer parts of the day because the flies will be hatching. Midge hatches intensify and Blue-winged olive mayflies also emerge. PMDs make an appearance in late July, and the blue-winged olives come off in September and October. Also in late July and early August, anglers may begin to find better fishing earlier in the morning and again in the evening. Best Time to Fish the San Juan in Colorado The upper San Juan fishes best after spring runoff which typically occurs in late May / early June. A not to be missed time of year even after the mountain closes. This is probably the most efficient way to fish on your first trip to Colorado or if you are new to fly-fishing. Whether you fish on ice, with a rod and reel, or with a fly-fishing rod, Colorado is one of the top places in the country for anglers. Rocky Mountain National Park also offers unbelievably good trout fishing, amazing walleye and smallmouth bass fishing at Horsetooth Reservoir, Boyd Lake State Park and Carter Lake. Full day float and wade float trips are great options now and more water and rivers are accessible. Traditionally the best time of year to fish in Colorado is after the Fourth of July through September. May-June If you want to learn more about fishing for trout in Colorado, check out this helpful video: Below you’ll find a quick seasonal breakdown of the year-round fly fishing opportunities in Vail, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Regarded as a tough time for fly fishing by some, it is possible to have some incredible days on the river in January. Good Fishing is the minor periods of activity and will generally be a little slower but still better than the rest of the day. Monsoonal summer thunderstorms may begin to appear in the afternoons in late July. Hiking is great way to escape busier rivers and find solitude and willing trout in a stunning alpine mountain environment. The Gunnison River is one of Colorado's best trout streams, and that's saying a lot. Best Times to Fish. This pattern can continue into August. Today, anglers can access an array of resources to help pinpoint the best fishing days, best times for freshwater fishing, and best saltwater fishing times locally. During the “morning rise” (after sunup for a spell) and the “evening rise” (just before sundown and the hour or so after). They are available on April 1st each year and are good through March 31 of the following year. Great fly fishing can be had any day, month or season throughout the year. July may be the most consistent good to excellent fly fishing of the year. This is when there will likely be the most activity with fish and game. The rainbows, especially, become more aggressive as they prepare to spawn. If one dresses well and prepares for the elements, a great day of fishing can be had anytime throughout the winter months. Since weather, tide, and other conditions affect species behavior, knowing the best times to fish is essential. Cold snaps can shut things down for a few days. The best time to fish is during cloudy days while the water temperature stays optimum. Brody Henderson, Senior Guide and Web Content Writer, Should I set it? During the rise and set of the Moon. Nighttime trout fishing is generally pretty poor in streams and rivers. Both rainbow trout and brown trout are found in the South Platte River in large numbers. There are also 1-day and 5-day passes sold by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. This type of steady dry fly fishing continues well into July. For the most comfortable weather opt for the period between May and October. On the other hand, if the barometer is steady or rising, fishing will likely be better. [Fly fishing rod on the Northern Saint Vrain River. Yes, the best time of day to fly fish depends on time of year, weather, water conditions, and the unique characteristics of each local stream or river. Spread throughout the Rocky Mountains and the front range is a wealth of land that plays host to some of the best fly fishing waters around, and often looks unexpectedly calm for the large fish that lurk beneath the surface. In early June, flows are often still very high but float fishing during the fabled salmonfly hatch can be incredible. July is a busy month with a lot of happy anglers. Floats and wades, either full or half days are all good options for a guided trip. 10 of the best spots to fish in Colorado Tip up, rod bent and lines tight. July through September is prime time with consistent caddis hatches. Time & Conditions Considerations for Fly Fishing. 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