Fishing Conditions: GOOD

Report Rating: GOOD
Crowd Rating: Somewhat Crowded
Somewhat Crowded

Fly Fishing Report Date:

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Weather & Water Conditions

Weather Water
Temp: 48-51 Temp: 40-43
Sky: Overcast Flow: 150
Wind: None Clarity: Slightly Off
Precip: None Runoff: Yes 
(All Day)

Colorado Stream Update: Water is rising, get out before run-off sets in!

Current Conditions at Saint Vrain:

Flows have climbed lately, to around the 150 CFS mark. Fishing has been decent and most eats remain below the surface. Expect water clarity to be touch and go from now until true run-off sets in. Patterns like PT's, hares ears and RS2s are a fine place to start. When water beceoms stained, try running an attractor nymph like a worm or a leech. Streamer fishing has been spotty. Keep it small and black, woolybuggers and slumpbusters. Hopper-dropper rigs have been producing a few fish on warmer afternoons.

Our local streams close to Denver and Boulder are producing great fly fishing days. The fly fishing has been fantastic after ice out. Spring is here and it’s time to grab the rod and head for the mountains and foothills!  The fishing is good.  Overcast skies and 48-51 degree weather. The water temperature was between 40-43 degrees and Slightly Off.

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

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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: Brown
Weight: 1 lbs 8 oz
Length: 15 inches
Girth: 8 inches
Brown Trout Female Brown Trout Female
Brown Trout Male Brown Trout Male

Current Insect Hatches at Saint Vrain

Insect Type: Caddisfly

Insect: Little Plain Brown Sedge

Color: Brown

Size: 18

Time: PM

Little Plain Brown Sedge Larva Illustration
Little Plain Brown Sedge Emerger Illustration
Little Plain Brown Sedge Adult Illustration

Recommended Flies for Saint Vrain

Fly: Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
Color: Brown
Size: 18
Time: All Day
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
Fly: Caddis Emerger
Color: Green
Size: 16
Time: All Day
Caddis Emerger Caddis Emerger
Fly: San Juan Worm
Color: Pink
Size: 16
Time: All Day
San Juan Worm San Juan Worm

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

Clouds
Currently: Overcast Clouds
Temperature:  41 F
Temp Max:  45 F
Temp Min:  31 F
Humidity: 97%
Wind: 23 NNE mph
Pressure: 1003
Snow Tuesday 9:00PM — 36 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 27 and 36 ℉.
Wind: 0 SE mph; Humidity: 98%;  Snow: 3.125 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 6:00AM — 25 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 23 and 25 ℉.
Wind: 8 W mph; Humidity: 93%;  Snow: 0.187 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 9:00AM — 32 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 32 and 32 ℉.
Wind: 3 SSE mph; Humidity: 93%;  Snow: 0.25 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 12:00PM — 32 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 32 and 32 ℉.
Wind: 7 ESE mph; Humidity: 97%;  Snow: 2.75 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 3:00PM — 33 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 33 and 33 ℉.
Wind: 10 ESE mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 5.312 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 6:00PM — 32 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 32 and 32 ℉.
Wind: 10 E mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 5.563 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 9:00PM — 31 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 31 and 31 ℉.
Wind: 8 ESE mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 1.562 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 6:00AM — 27 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 27 and 27 ℉.
Wind: 19 SE mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 0.312 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 9:00AM — 29 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 29 and 29 ℉.
Wind: 20 SE mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 0.25 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 12:00PM — 31 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 31 and 31 ℉.
Wind: 21 SE mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 0.375 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 3:00PM — 33 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 33 and 33 ℉.
Wind: 21 SE mph; Humidity: 99%;  Snow: 0.875 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 6:00PM — 32 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 32 and 32 ℉.
Wind: 11 SSW mph; Humidity: 98%;  Snow: 4.437 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 9:00PM — 32 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 32 and 32 ℉.
Wind: 13 W mph; Humidity: 92%;  Snow: 1.812 for next 3 hours.
Clear Friday 6:00AM — 27 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 27 and 27 ℉.
Wind: 28 WSW mph; Humidity: 83%;