Blue River Gold Medal Water

Effective Patterns: Griffith’s Knat, #16-20 Blue Winged Olive (BWO), #10-12 Green Drakes, #18-24 Parachute Adams, #16-20 Mysis Shrimp, #16-20 Epoxy Mysis, #18-24 Black Beauty, #18-24 Miracle Nymph, #16-18 Egg Pattern, #18-24 WD-40, #18-24 RS2, #18-22 Zebra Midge

Who would have thought that you could catch trophy size trout beneath a major highway.  The water below I-70 is some of the best on the Blue, and holds quality fish.  The well known section of the Blue River is the tailwater that flows out of Lake Dillon, and down through Silverthorne.  Known by skiers as "the river with the crazy fisherman in it", the Blue River is a great year round fishery. 

While the Blue River is a bit more technical than most rivers, many anglers are up for the challenge knowing what lurks in those waters.  Primarily a nymphing river, even the best anglers will test their skills against these picky trout.  Those who are successful will be pleasantly surprised with beautiful large rainbows, some of which topping 24" and more than 6 pounds. 

The Blue River has much to offer, as different sections, have different feels.  The Blue River begins above Lake Dillon near Breckenridge, and has lots of easy public access.  This is the first fishable section of the river is fished less than the lower sections.  It is a much smaller river above Lake Dillon than it is below.  Where the Blue flows into Lake Dillon is a popular spot, and can produce big trout that move up the river to spawn in the spring and fall. The Blue River fills Lake Dillon, and is controlled through the dam. Below the dam is prime fishing and is accessible from the old bridge down.

The tailwater stretch below Lake Dillon is legendary for one reason, "big fish".  This is where you will find a healthy population of rainbow trout stacked up in feeding lanes.  They are feeding on mysis shrimp that are being pumped out of the bottom of Lake Dillon and into the river.  The mysis shrimp are high in protein which helps these fish grow to enormous sizes.  The shrimp also give the fish deep and brilliant colors.   The stretch below Lake Dillon that flows through Silverthorne is all public, and classified as Gold Medal Waters.  This section is best fished with a tiny nymph and 6X tippets, although there are times a dry fly will work well.  Starting in April you will see healthy hatches of Blue Wing Olive's, and come summertime fish will be stuffing themselves with large Green Drakes. 

Below Silverthorne the Blue has lots of public river access and parking.  The fishing is good, and you will find rainbows and browns all the way down to Green Mountain Reservoir.   This lower section has plenty of fish, but the concentration of larger fish is much lower.  Kokanee Salmon are found in the river during the fall as they swim up out of Green Mountain Reservoir.  This is one of a few places in Colorado that you have the opportunity to catch Kokanee. 

The Blue River continues on below Green Mountain.  It flows through a canyon that is public access.  This water is not for the faint of heart.  The trail in is rough, and the fishing is tough.  As the river comes out of the canyon it is pristine water.  Unfortunately for us from there on down is private access.  For those lucky enough to fish this section, the fishing is great.  There is an area in this section known as "Jurassic Park", and it is well deserved.  Fish well over 30" and 15 pounds have been landed there.  Eventually the Blue connects with the Colorado River near Kremmling.