A Short Window To Fish?

 

To All,

Its been a bumpy ride this spring watching the Lower Upper Colorado rise and fall like a rollercoaster.  There have been some days when its been fishable, but they've been far and few between. After running at 400 cfs for awhile, (which is too low for me to get through Pinball cleanly), its inched back up to 500cfs. Living here beside the river for over twenty years, I thought I had a good feel for what the river would be doing next, but this spring has left me scratching my head. Its been more of a river to wade than float this year. 

However there is relief in sight. More water is scheduled to start being released later this week, just in time for Memorial Day weekend. I think that we may be entering a short window when the Colorado River might actually be worth fishing. That window may not stay open for long though.  We won't be seeing much of a runoff if any this year, and if things stay as warm as they have been, it won't take long for the water to warm up.  If that happens, we may be looking at voluntary fishing restrictions, and that could potentially last through summer. 

Even if that does happen, things should be sorted out by the fall, when the flows and fishing usually peak. But if you want to fish the Lower Upper Colorado River sooner than September, the next few weeks might be the best time to do it. Get out there while the getting is good!