This Spring has been the polar opposite of last years'. We are cooler and wetter than average, holding onto and accumulating more and more of the white stuff, taking our snowpack to almost 95% of the average peak across the state. And next week looks like a little more of the same, but perhaps just single day, or overnight events, instead of a three day blast. I love it!! Lets stack it up for the next few weeks, and have killer fishing all summer long!

Although the spring precipitation is awesome for the rivers and reservoirs as a whole, it has delayed some of the anticipated hatches, and frustrated some anglers trying to duplicate last year's early spring fishing. Cooler temps and snowy days have delayed the hatches in some areas, while other lower flowing tail waters have seen epic olives on the warmer, overcast and unsettled days this spring. The Big Thompson in particular has seen good olives, especially down in the canyon, and awesome midge hatches closer to the top by the dam.

Some bigger bugs are starting to move on the Colorado, and we have been hearing excellent reports from the canyon stretches of the Raddy. Parshall has been good too, and farther down, the floating below Glenwood has been excellent with smaller baetis patterns, and streamers on the more frequent overcast days. Nymphs in the morning, and dries in the afternoon. Look for the window to stay open as long as the Eagle is clear. As soon as we start to see the Eagle kick up around Gypsum, is when the river gets too muddy. Smaller baetis, and bigger stones are the ticket for now, and flash and size matter more as the flows rise. TWSS. Remember last year's low flows, and warm temperatures, had the Salmonflies coming off around Pumphouse on May 12. This year it should fall sometime after Mothers day, and before the Memorial Day weekend.

April has been weird in a sense that the weather and moisture has pushed back some conditions, almost creating a situation where things are literally ready to pop! No doubt, the first set of above average, sunny days will start the system, and will see the conditions fall in place for the start of run off. It's still a ways off, but no doubt it will be more of what a normal year brings, than the low flows of 2012. Local fishing has been excellent on both Boulder Creek and South Boulder Creek. On warmer days, Boulder Creek fishes great, but it is slow on the cooler days for sure. Try dry dropper set ups using midges, mayflies and stones, or a shallow two-fly nymph rig in deeper water. Should fish good all the way through May for sure.