Conditions have been excellent on the Pueblo Tailwater! The flows are holding around 100 cfs, which is pretty typical for this time of year. Water temps are still holding in the mid to upper 40’s, which can produce some great winter bug activity. The river has been super busy this year whether its a weekend or a weekday, so come prepared to share the water with other anglers. The fishing has been on the technical side compared to some of our freestones and other tailwater this time of year, making depth adjustment, weight, and fly changes important for this time of year. The fish are still pretty spread out right now, and have been pushing into the heads of runs and shallow riffles to feed during the peak of the BWO and midge hatches.
Nymphing has been the most productive method as of late, but we’ve also had some great dry fly action too. It’s hard to go wrong with a Chocolate Thunder, Zebra Midge, Black Beauty, RS-2, WD-40, or Top Secret Midge in a #18-24, especially when paired with an Egg pattern, Pine Squirrel Leech, or Scud in a #12-16. Target deep pools, runs, and rock gardens, and keep an eye out for suspended fish. Depth has been key as of late: try adjusting indicator depth and split spot before changing flies.
Dry fly fishing has also been great throughout this winter, with Griffith’s Gnats, Parachute Adams, Vis-a-duns, and Extended Body BWO’s producing well in a #18-22. Fish have started to rise around 10-11 AM, and have fed consistently on the surface throughout the afternoon. Target shallow riffles, the heads/tailouts of pools, and flats for good dry fly fishing. Its also important to note that there’s a lot of smaller fish (5-10 inches) in the river right now, and are particularly concentrated in the shallow water. You have to pick through them to find some of the larger fish, but are still a lot of fun and a bit more willing to rise to a dry fly.
The Pueblo Tailwater, although crowded, is fishing excellent right now! The dry fly and nymph action is very good at the moment, and will only get better as we push into spring. Smaller midge and BWO imitations are always going to be a solid bet here, but junk flies are worth a shot if natural patterns aren’t producing. As always, be sure to swing into the Lone Tree shop to pick up some flies and get some questions answered before your next outing! See y’all out on the water!
Tyler Banker