Be Not Afraid
As we move later into spring, the most significant change we will begin to see is the changing of water clarity, especially on the Roaring Fork. While water clarity certainly affects fishing conditions, it sometimes is to the angler’s advantage. While we are blessed with our local rivers running clear most of the year, the first signs of discolored water often scares anglers from getting out to wet a line. However, as our local water conditions change from gin clear to slightly off color this change can make for exceptional fishing with some slight adjustments.
As we move later into spring, the most significant change we will begin to see is the changing of water clarity, especially on the Roaring Fork. While water clarity certainly affects fishing conditions, it sometimes is to the angler’s advantage. While we are blessed with our local rivers running clear most of the year, the first signs of discolored water often scares anglers from getting out to wet a line. However, as our local water conditions change from gin clear to slightly off color this change can make for exceptional fishing with some slight adjustments.
The first adjustment anglers need to make when they approach
off colored water is to distinguish between just off-colored or is it truly
blown-out and unfishable? A general rule
of thumb is green in good, brown is bad. This guide metaphor simply means if
the river has taken on a green color,than that it is more than fishable. But if it
is chocolate brown then it is probably time to head elsewhere.
Before you perceive the river as being blown
out, you need to determine if there is any visibility at all? This can quite simply be determined by
actually wading out a foot or two feet into the water and looking down at your
boots. If you can see down a foot, it's fishable. If you can see two feet of water or more, hell, that's game time .
Also take note to the fact that the clearest water will be along the banks and
fish will move tighter to these banks.
The next step to taking on off colored water is increasing
the size and brightness of your flies.
Larger and brighter (and darker) flies will be noticed more readily in the off-colored water. Generally speaking, fly
patterns such as San Juan Worms, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Red Copper Johns, large
Prince nymphs and stonefly patterns will produce well in off-colored
water.
Just because things are changing a bit does not mean it’s
time to give up. Always remember that the Fryingpan will run clear
from the base of the dam downstream for three miles or so at the very least when everything else gets too muddy.
Words by Kirk Webb
Photographs courtesy of Susan Seifert, Kirk Webb, John Hansen, Nick Williams
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