The Blue River below Lake Dillon is probably one of the only tailwaters in the U.S. where the wife and kids can go shopping just feet away from where you can fish for trophy sized trout. The trout in the couple miles below Lake Dillon grow fat and hearty on a steady diet of mysis shrimp and tiny midges. The section of the Blue River that is directly below Lake Dillon Dam stays ice free year round, and can provide some incredible winter fishing. During the spring, summer, and fall this river can get extremely overcrowded but the further down stream you go the crowds tend to dissipate a little more. There are several public access points along CO 9 which provide some very decent fishing. During the fall there is a decent run of Kokanee salmon that come up from Green Mountain Reservoir making for a nice poor mans Alaska. The trout in this river can be fickle and test even the most cunning of anglers. As long as you are both patient and observant you will have no problem getting into the fish.
Fishing has been heating up on the Blue as it runs through Silverthorne. With the lower flows expect wary trout and technical fishing to keep the stick to the fish..
Current recommended flies #20-#24 mercury midges, #22-#24 Dorsey's mysis, #22-#26 blood midges, #22-#24 black beauty, #22-#24 mercury flashback black beauty, #20-#24 mercury pheasant tail, #22-#26 red and black mike's midge, #22-#24 red and black mighty mike midge, #20-#22 RSII's, #22-#24 Craven's jujubee midge, #14-#16 red and tan micro san juan worms, #20-#22 Tung Poison Midge, #20-#22 griffiths gnat, #18-#24 adams and para adams, #18-#22 WD-40.
Mike Miller with a wild lower Blue River slab. Photo A. Sivess
Some anglers consider this stretch of the Blue River to be one of the most incredible in all the state of Colorado. With regular flows from Green Mountain Reservoir and little public fishing, you definitely have a shot at legitimately getting into the fish of a lifetime on this stretch of river. Public access is limited and will be changing in the future, so make sure you know where the public land is and respect private property. The best way to access this water is by floating it in an inflatable raft or personal pontoon, however it can only be floated when running above 575 cfs (cubic feet per second), at lower flows this river is non-navigable so don't even try. The put in for this section is just below Green Mountain Reservoir and is one hairy hike to the river (especially with a boat), the take out is just before the confluence with the Colorado River.
Fishing has been outstanding on the ice free sections of the lower Blue as of late, unfortunately due to the low flows the only reliable fishing is directly below Green Mountain Reservoir. This is a great time of year to hit this stretch of river. With the lower flows this stretch of river is very easy to wade, but don't get too confident, there are some holes deep enough to wet your hat.
Current recommended flies: #22-#26 black beauties, #22-#24 mercury midge, #22-#24 Craven's Jujubee Midge black and green, #14-#18 tungstones, #16-#22 red tungsten copper john, #16 red san juan worm, #20-#24 blood midge, #14-#16 hares ear.
When taking a trip to fish a river like the Blue, it always helps to get as much information about the river and what the fish are doing as possible. With fickle trout and a lot of pressure, the Blue can be a frustrating river to fish so, even out your odds and visit one of the local shops to get the low down on what is happening on the water. Breckenridge area shops Breckenridge Outfitters 100 N. Main St. Ste. 206 Breckenridge, CO 970.453.4135
Mountain Angler 311 South Main Street Breckenridge, CO 970.453.HOOK (4665)
Frisco area shops Blue River Anglers 281 Main St. Frisco, CO 888.453.9171
Silverthorne area shops Cutthroat Anglers 400 Blue River Pkwy (Silverthorne Pavilions) SIlverthorne, CO 970.262.2878
guides that service the blue river
Looking to figure out this enigma of a river? Why not set out with a guide to help you have the day of your life on one of Colorado's most popular tailwater fisheries. Check out these links for guides that service the Blue River.
Blue Quill Angler 1532 Bergen Pkwy. Evergreen 303.674.4700 or toll free 800.435.5353.
Breckenridge Outfitters 100 N. Main St. #206 Town Square Breckenridge 970.453.4135 or toll free 877.898.6104.
Cutthroat Anglers 400 Blue River Pkwy. Silverthorne Town Pavilions Silverthorne 970.262.2878 or toll free 888.876.8818.
Mountain Angler 311 S. Main St. Breckenridge 970.453.4665 or toll free 800.453.4669.
local accomodations
Many anglers don't live in the general vicinity of the Blue River and want to spend more than one day fishing this outstanding fishery. Here is a list of local digs that can keep you dry and well rested so yohu only have to worry about the fishing.
