Southwest Colorado Fishing Report

Article Last Updated; Friday, November 21, 2008

- Animas River - As the weather cools, trout tend to concentrate in the deeper holes. Though some midge hatches are possible, nymphing is the most effective technique into the winter. The best patterns are small, such as size 16-18 bead-heads and Pheasant Tails.

- Big Meadows Reservoir - Anglers report good action for rainbow trout using the typical baits and lures from shore. The lake should ice over in December, and good ice fishing is expected throughout the winter. Access to the lake is restricted to snowshoes, skis and snowmobiles once the road is closed for the winter.

- Conejos River - Fall fishing has been good for brown and rainbow trout. Angling techniques include nymphing and dry-droppers (e.g. attractor patterns in combination with a stonefly or other nymph), spinner fishing and bait.

- Dolores River (lower) - Fishing in the Dolores River below the dam is looking better than it has in years. Flows have been reduced to 40 cfs for the remainder of the fall and winter.

- Dolores River (upper) - Fish the river high in the drainage, above and below Rico, where public access is available and the fish habitat is good. Because the lower section of the river has been channelized over the years, habitat is poor and the river holds few fish.

- Echo Canyon Reservoir - Conditions have improved with cooler weather. While most fishermen are after trout, the lake also has largemouth bass and panfish.

- Gunnison River - Fishing conditions on the river remain good from Chukar Trail downstream to the North Fork of the Gunnison. The North Fork is low enough to wade. Fishing for trout slows down in the late season and winter conditions can be marginal. Upstream, the annual spawning run of salmon from Blue Mesa Reservoir is well under way. Snagging is legal from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.

- Jackson Gulch Reservoir - Fishing has been excellent for 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout. Try the dam, the coves along the northwest side and the inlet. Orange Power Bait has been a consistent producer. Larger trout often show up this time of year. Use small jigs tipped with a piece of worm under a slip bobber for good perch action. The concrete boat ramp is out of water, but small boats still can launch.

- La Jara Reservoir - The reservoir is open and accessible, and water conditions are good.

- Los Pinos River - The river above Vallecito Reservoir is running clear, and fishing is good on spinners and flies. Fishing is good in this section of river, but it is accessible only on foot.

- McPhee Reservoir - Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass is fair from the bank. Please remember that all smallmouth and largemouth bass 10-15 inches long must be returned to the lake immediately.

- Narraguinnep Reservoir - Fishing for pan-sized trout has been fair to good.

- Navajo Reservoir - Late-season fishing for bass has been quite good, while fishing for crappie remains fair near the breakwater tires. Expect activity to taper off with cooler water temperatures and gradually pick up in the spring.

- Piedra River - Fishing is slow. The best fishing along the Piedra is found by hiking away from the road to tributary streams.

- Rio Grande River - The river is low and clear and will be icing over in December. Brown trout are busy spawning and preparing for the winter ahead. Fall fly anglers have reported good success using streamers such as Woolly Buggers and stonefly nymphs drifted in runs and riffles.

- Road Canyon Reservoir - Fall fly fishing has been good this year, with quality size rainbow trout and splake taken on a variety of streamers and nymphs from float tubes. The lake will be iced over by December, and ice fishing should provide good action for rainbow trout, brook trout and splake throughout the winter.

- San Juan high-country lakes, streams - Fishing in the high lakes and streams is starting to slow a bit, as air and water temperatures drop. Ice will appear soon.

- San Juan River - Fishing has slowed down significantly as the weather continues to cool. Some fish are still being caught by those willing to work at it. Small nymph patterns such as green caddis larvae, and purple Woolly Buggers are the best patterns to try at this time of year.

- Trujillo Meadows Reservoir - Trujillo Meadows Reservoir has been fishing well for rainbow and brown trout. Anglers have been catching both in the 14- to 16-inch range. The reservoir has been busy during the weekends, with light pressure during the week.

- Vallecito Reservoir - Fall fishing can be surprisingly good at Vallecito. Troll with big Rapalas for northern pike and brown trout. Kokanee are running up the creeks at the upper end of the reservoir, and the snagging season started Nov. 15. A mercury advisory has been issued for consumption of northern pike from the lake.

- Williams Creek Reservoir - With brook and brown trout gathering toward the inlet, fishing has improved. Try spinners and bait near the inlet.

Telluride and Fat Tire?

New Belgium Brewing Announces Partnership With Telluride Ski Resort

Written by the Ouray County Watch

Posted by:

Erin Eddy

www.ourayland.com
www.ridgwayland.com

FT. COLLINS, Colo. – The makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale, New Belgium Brewing Company, announced a sole partnership with the Telluride Ski Resort this week. Eight of the resort’s mountain bars and restaurants will feature New Belgium’s full portfolio of seven year round beers in Telluride. New Belgium will also serve more esoteric beers including the hand-bottled La Folie, a wood-aged beer, and selections from New Belgium’s Lips of Faith program, which enables New Belgium employees to creatively brew their own specialty beers for distribution.

“We are looking forward to partnering with Telluride Ski Resort, as both our companies focus on providing a great product while practicing sustainable business solutions,” said Colorado Beer Ranger Edward Hines. “We’re also very excited to offer some of our harder-to-find beers like Lips of Faith selections, Trippel, Abbey and La Folie to an audience from around the world.”

New Belgium Brewing is nationally recognized for its progressive environmental activities. From its inception, New Belgium has made every effort to minimize resource consumption, maximize energy efficiency and recycle at every opportunity. In fact, New Belgium became the country’s first brewery to subscribe to wind energy after employee owners voted to help finance the transition with a portion of their bonuses in 1999.

“The Telluride Ski Resort is committed to offering exceptional products at our resort, and New Belgium Brewing Company is the perfect fit,” said Matt Skinner, vice president of sales and marketing for the resort. “We are excited to present New Belgium as our partner to our national and international winter enthusiasts and beer connoisseurs.”