Fishing Conditions: POOR

Report Rating: POOR
Crowd Rating: Not Crowded
Not Crowded

Fly Fishing Report Date:

Saturday, May 4, 2019

Weather & Water Conditions

Weather Water
Temp: 56-59 Temp: 40-43
Sky: Partly Cloudy Flow: 95
Wind: None Clarity: Stained
Precip: None Runoff: No 

Colorado Stream Update: Fishing has been tough below Chatfield - Head further downtown for better fishing

Current Conditions at Below Chatfield:

The fishing below Chatfield has been tough. Constant construction, and dirty water makes finding fish difficult. We recommend heading further towards downtown for better fishing.

The winds have been manageable and during the calm days we have seen some prolific insect hatches. The fly fishing is on! Try smaller midge and mayfly patterns. For some good fishing close to town try checking out The South Platte, the water is a little high but we are still catching fish. Look for rising trout in the pools and eddies.  The fishing is slow.  Partly Cloudy skies and 56-59 degree weather. The water temperature was between 40-43 degrees and Stained.

Angling University: Up your game.
The Flyfisher Guide Service
The Colorado Trout Fisher Guide Service
Colorado Fly Fishing Trips with
Colorado Trout Fisher
Denver and Boulder Fly Fishing Guides
Colorado Trout Fisher logo

BOOK A TRIP

Trip Includes:
  • Flies and fishing tackle
  • Rods/reels
  • Waders
  • Lunch
  • Transportation
$225 for 1 or 2 people
$295 for 3 people
Angling University: Anyone can learn to fish.
The Flyfisher Guide Service: Get out and fish.

Likely Catch

Species: Carp
Weight: 3 lbs 0 oz
Length: 20 inches
Girth: 9 inches

Current Insect Hatches at Below Chatfield

Insect Type: Midge

Insect: Black Midge

Color: Black

Size: 22

Time: PM

Black Midge Larva Illustration
Black Midge Emerger Illustration
Black Midge Adult Illustration

Recommended Flies for Below Chatfield

Fly: San Juan Worm
Color: Pink
Size: 14
Time: All Day
San Juan Worm San Juan Worm
Fly: Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
Color: Brown
Size: 16
Time: All Day
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
Fly: Egg
Color: Orange
Size: 18
Time: All Day
Egg Egg

Colorado Hatch Conditions for Late May

Caddisflies
Insects: Little Sister Sedge
Color: Green to Greenish Brown
Dates: May 15 – Aug 30
Emergence: Afternoon & Evening
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Sister Sedge Larva illustration
Little Sister Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Sister Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Little Tan Short Horn Sedge
Color: Dark Brown to Yellow
Dates: Mar 1 – Aug 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Larva illustration
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Spotted Sedge
Color: Brownish Yellow
Dates: May 15 – Sep 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 10-12
Spinner Fall: NA
Spotted Sedge Larva illustration
Spotted Sedge Emerger illustration
Spotted Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Mayflies
Insects: Blue Winged Olive
Color: Light Olive Brown to Brown Olive
Dates: Mar 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: Clouds & warmest part of day
Size: 16-18
Spinner Fall: Evening
Blue Winged Olive Nymph illustration
Blue Winged Olive Emerger illustration
Blue Winged Olive Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Western Black Quill
Color: Purplish Black to Grayish Brown
Dates: Apr 1 – Jun 30
Emergence: Mid Morning
Size: 14-12
Spinner Fall: Evening
Western Black Quill Nymph illustration
Western Black Quill Emerger illustration
Western Black Quill Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Midges
Insects: Black Midge
Color: Blackish to Black
Dates: Apr 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 18-20
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Black Midge Larva illustration
Black Midge Emerger illustration
Black Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Chocolate Brown Midge
Color: Brown to Chocolate
Dates: Feb 15 – Dec 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 20-22
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Chocolate Brown Midge Larva illustration
Chocolate Brown Midge Emerger illustration
Chocolate Brown Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Micro Black Midge
Color: Blackish to Black
Dates: Mar 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: Morning
Size: 22-26
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Micro Black Midge Larva illustration
Micro Black Midge Emerger illustration
Micro Black Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Snow Midge
Color: Gray to Charcoal
Dates: Jan 1 – Dec 31
Emergence: Warmest part of day
Size: 24-28
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Snow Midge Larva illustration
Snow Midge Emerger illustration
Snow Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Stoneflies
Insects: Salmon Fly
Color: Black to Reddish Brown
Dates: May 15 – Jul 15
Emergence: 50-60° Water Late Morning on
Size: 4-8
Spinner Fall: NA
Salmon Fly Nymph illustration
Salmon Fly Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Small Western
Color: Brownish
Dates: May 15 – Jul 15
Emergence: 46-56° Water Temps
Size: 14-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Small Western Nymph illustration
Small Western Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Winter Black
Color: Black Brown to Reddish Olive, Mottled Brown
Dates: Apr 1 – Aug 15
Emergence: Cold Mountain Streams and Small Ponds
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Winter Black Nymph illustration
Winter Black Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Terrestrials
Insects: Beetle
Color: Brownish to Black
Dates: May 1 – Nov 30
Emergence: All Day
Size: 10-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Beetle illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Black Ant
Color: Black
Dates: May 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 20-24
Spinner Fall: NA
Black Ant illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Grasshopper
Color: Green to Brownish Tan
Dates: May 15 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 2-14
Spinner Fall: NA
Grasshopper illustration
Grasshopper illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Red Ant
Color: Red to Orangish
Dates: May 1 – Oct 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Red Ant illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 


Current Conditions

Rain
Currently: Light Rain
Temperature:  39 F
Temp Max:  43 F
Temp Min:  34 F
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 23 N mph
Pressure: 1001
Snow Tuesday 9:00PM — 26 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 21 and 26 ℉.
Wind: 4 WNW mph; Humidity: 96%;  Snow: 0.062 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Wednesday 6:00AM — 21 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 20 and 21 ℉.
Wind: 17 W mph; Humidity: 89%; 
Clear Wednesday 9:00AM — 36 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 36 and 36 ℉.
Wind: 3 SW mph; Humidity: 70%; 
Snow Wednesday 12:00PM — 38 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 38 and 38 ℉.
Wind: 8 SE mph; Humidity: 75%;  Snow: 1.625 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 3:00PM — 36 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 36 and 36 ℉.
Wind: 9 E mph; Humidity: 82%;  Snow: 3.75 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 6:00PM — 34 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 34 and 34 ℉.
Wind: 12 E mph; Humidity: 95%;  Snow: 2.938 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 9:00PM — 30 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 30 and 30 ℉.
Wind: 9 E mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 1.25 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 6:00AM — 28 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 28 and 28 ℉.
Wind: 11 ESE mph; Humidity: 98%;  Snow: 0.437 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 9:00AM — 29 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 29 and 29 ℉.
Wind: 14 ESE mph; Humidity: 97%;  Snow: 0.875 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 12:00PM — 33 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 33 and 33 ℉.
Wind: 20 ESE mph; Humidity: 96%;  Snow: 0.687 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 3:00PM — 35 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 35 and 35 ℉.
Wind: 15 SSE mph; Humidity: 95%;  Snow: 5.875 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 6:00PM — 36 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 36 and 36 ℉.
Wind: 20 S mph; Humidity: 94%;  Snow: 5.375 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Thursday 9:00PM — 29 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 29 and 29 ℉.
Wind: 23 WSW mph; Humidity: 78%; 
Clear Friday 6:00AM — 22 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 22 and 22 ℉.
Wind: 22 W mph; Humidity: 84%;