March 2024 Weather was ~45 degrees and sunny but slightly windy at times. The water is easily accessible at the main entry points but access along the banks was challenging. There's still a lot of snow and with the flows it's difficult to move up and down the property side of the river. If you can get to the middle, it's easier but slick so take a wading staff. You can't wade on the other side of the river due to the property lines. Unfortunately, the day started slow and continued that way for the ~2.5 - 3 hours I spent on the river. I tried about 12 different fly combinations including small #22 black and red midges along with #14 and #16 nymphs as my lead fly. I also tried different tippet depths, especially around the "honey hole" to make sure I was getting into the "strike zone." I didn't see any fish or surface action throughout the day. Just one of those days I guess.
March 2024 Weather was ~45 degrees and sunny but slightly windy at times. The water is easily accessible at the main entry points but access along the banks was challenging. There's still a lot of snow and with the flows it's difficult to move up and down the property side of the river. If you can get to the middle, it's easier but slick so take a wading staff. You can't wade on the other side of the river due to the property lines. Unfortunately, the day started slow and continued that way for the ~2.5 - 3 hours I spent on the river. I tried about 12 different fly combinations including small #22 black and red midges along with #14 and #16 nymphs as my lead fly. I also tried different tippet depths, especially around the "honey hole" to make sure I was getting into the "strike zone." I didn't see any fish or surface action throughout the day. Just one of those days I guess.
SCR is a magical pocket of accessible quality fly fishing in close proximity to Carbondale. We spent one day fishing, post a heavy spring snowstorm and variable weather conditions all day, and it fished really good! The amount of water to fish at SCR is wonderful! Take care and go slow to enjoy all three environments, (still water, small creeks, and the Roaring Fork). Multiple large fish were landed on Baetis, midges, and streamers. Definitely bring a long handled net, and have a plan for landing large trout in the Spring Creeks area. Great care and attention have been instilled into this fishery, so be a steward of the experience, and enjoy!
I fished this property on 3/22/24. I had awesome spring weather and very little wind. I fished from 10:30 to 2:30 and caught 9 brown trout ranging from 6 to 12 inches. The fishing definitely picked up after noon. The majority of the fish were about 9 inches. Most of the fish were caught on a pheasant tail with some also coming on a black and white emerger. This property is very easy access and if you have a Labrador like I do or other water loving dog, this is a great property to take your best friend along with you. I did take a fair bit of trash and tippet out with me I found along the banks which is the only reason I left a 3 star on cleanliness. This is not remotely a negative comment on the property, more of a nod for us all to be more careful. This is my second time on the property and I will definitely be back. Taylor at Royal Gorge Anglers outside Canyon City is a super helpful guy and I’d encourage a stop at his shop for the latest info and flies.
This is a great property as it contains at least two deeper sections of river to hold fish which is a challenge on the Blue in general. Needing to stay on the west bank b/c of property lines will limit some of the water, however there are significant sized fish that are accessible. Weight and depth are key. Currently fish are still focused on small midges, but I did catch a couple on slightly larger emerger patterns.
With snowbanks still being high and very slippery algae covered rocks, I would suggest using a wading staff when moving up and down river.
Animals are on the move, so it was great to see a bull moose moving up river, as well as a small group of whitetail deer. Be Aware.
March 2024 Weather was ~45 degrees and sunny but slightly windy at times. The water is easily accessible at the main entry points but access along the banks was challenging. There's still a lot of snow and with the flows it's difficult to move up and down the property side of the river. If you can get to the middle, it's easier but slick so take a wading staff. You can't wade on the other side of the river due to the property lines. Unfortunately, the day started slow and continued that way for the ~2.5 - 3 hours I spent on the river. I tried about 12 different fly combinations including small #22 black and red midges along with #14 and #16 nymphs as my lead fly. I also tried different tippet depths, especially around the "honey hole" to make sure I was getting into the "strike zone." I didn't see any fish or surface action throughout the day. Just one of those days I guess.
March 2024 Weather was ~45 degrees and sunny but slightly windy at times. The water is easily accessible at the main entry points but access along the banks was challenging. There's still a lot of snow and with the flows it's difficult to move up and down the property side of the river. If you can get to the middle, it's easier but slick so take a wading staff. You can't wade on the other side of the river due to the property lines. Unfortunately, the day started slow and continued that way for the ~2.5 - 3 hours I spent on the river. I tried about 12 different fly combinations including small #22 black and red midges along with #14 and #16 nymphs as my lead fly. I also tried different tippet depths, especially around the "honey hole" to make sure I was getting into the "strike zone." I didn't see any fish or surface action throughout the day. Just one of those days I guess.
SCR is a magical pocket of accessible quality fly fishing in close proximity to Carbondale. We spent one day fishing, post a heavy spring snowstorm and variable weather conditions all day, and it fished really good! The amount of water to fish at SCR is wonderful! Take care and go slow to enjoy all three environments, (still water, small creeks, and the Roaring Fork). Multiple large fish were landed on Baetis, midges, and streamers. Definitely bring a long handled net, and have a plan for landing large trout in the Spring Creeks area. Great care and attention have been instilled into this fishery, so be a steward of the experience, and enjoy!
I fished this property on 3/22/24. I had awesome spring weather and very little wind. I fished from 10:30 to 2:30 and caught 9 brown trout ranging from 6 to 12 inches. The fishing definitely picked up after noon. The majority of the fish were about 9 inches. Most of the fish were caught on a pheasant tail with some also coming on a black and white emerger. This property is very easy access and if you have a Labrador like I do or other water loving dog, this is a great property to take your best friend along with you. I did take a fair bit of trash and tippet out with me I found along the banks which is the only reason I left a 3 star on cleanliness. This is not remotely a negative comment on the property, more of a nod for us all to be more careful. This is my second time on the property and I will definitely be back. Taylor at Royal Gorge Anglers outside Canyon City is a super helpful guy and I’d encourage a stop at his shop for the latest info and flies.
This is a great property as it contains at least two deeper sections of river to hold fish which is a challenge on the Blue in general. Needing to stay on the west bank b/c of property lines will limit some of the water, however there are significant sized fish that are accessible. Weight and depth are key. Currently fish are still focused on small midges, but I did catch a couple on slightly larger emerger patterns.
With snowbanks still being high and very slippery algae covered rocks, I would suggest using a wading staff when moving up and down river.
Animals are on the move, so it was great to see a bull moose moving up river, as well as a small group of whitetail deer. Be Aware.