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Blue River

Latest Guide Report

06-02-2023

Report by: FRAadam

With flows being up and down on most of the water in the state, the Blue is still holding steady at 103 CFS, and fishing has been good and predictable as a result.

For dries, use Parachute or Hi-Vis BWOs, Griffith’s Gnat, Cluster Midge, or Chubby Chernobyl.

For Nymphs, use Spanish Perdigons, BTS Mayflies, Pandemic Mayflies, ID Theft Mayflies (BWO Pattern has been best), Zebra Midges, and RS-2s.

Guide Rating
5/5
Weather Experienced

Overcast
Temperature: Mid 40s
Wind Conditions: Light-Breeze
Precipitation: Rain
Water Observations

Clear
Water Temperature: 38
Flow Level: 103 CFS
Runoff? Clear

Blue River Water Flow Graphs

About Blue River Fly Fishing

For Denver area flyfishers, the Blue River, which rests just an hour-and-a-half west of the city off I-70, is an excellent after-work and short weekend option. However, due to its location, it can suffer from crowding.

Despite its location and a good population of trout, not many people consider the Blue their favorite river. However, for those who know the Blue, “Big trout,” “Broken tippet” and “the one that came off,” are all phrases that are commonly heard as those anglers head home from the river.

It hasn’t always been that way; improvements on the Blue over the last four or five years have benefited the fishery. New catch-and-release regulations to strengthen the population of larger fish and the fact that the rainbows, browns, and brookies in this river have bellied up to a diet of seafood – a white shrimp called Mysis – have played a big part in these improvements.

The Blue below Dillon Reservoir is not a typical Colorado tailwater. In fact, fishing the Blue below Dillon is a somewhat urban experience – it flows through Silverthorne, and those fast food joints, gas stations, and factory outlet stores make a strange setting for a blue ribbon trout stream.