Another Step Forward

On The Monday Morning Sidewalk

One thing I never wanted to get caught up in was in depth LOOKING BACK at my fishing past. There are a lot of reasons, but the main thing is to move forward and find the fish that are still out there and waiting for us, for me too of course!

But there are times, I am just saying THERE ARE TIMES, when a backward glance, in this case at the lights we used on the Arroyo Colorado pier, fishing at night under the lights, there are times when a very specific memory just can not be left out of my Monday morning mix tape. Perhaps it is all the mechanical work, “wrenching” as I call it, that I am doing right NOW to regain MY, YOUR and OUR forward momentum (see 300K Toyota 4Runner Video) – down the road and going to somewhere, and away from here.

A Lot of Fly Fishing Texans

A lot, a measurably large number, of Texas fly fishers are not in Texas right now, in the hot box that is July in Texas. Can anyone blame them? The gates open with certainty in July, and the hell dogs of heat are cut loose in Texas. If I poke and chide those who abandon me, to places like Colorado, it is done with no shortage of envy. Although, Colorado, the vast majority of fly fishing water in Colorado, is not on any future list of mine. There is that one place though … Unless the environment is destroyed in the interim, my list lies in the EAST not the WEST. But, for those fly fishing Texans headed for good old Colorado, there is a bit at the end of this podcast for you to hear, as well as the bottom of THIS story! LET ME KNOW how accurate Chet’s Colorado fly fishing outlook is … when you get back SOON! If I were planning to fly fish Colorado? September and October would be my time.

The big story is the new moon arriving in the middle of the week. That’s going to give us stronger tides on the coast and generally better feeding activity statewide. Combine that with early mornings before the summer heat really settles in, and we’ve got some excellent opportunities.

Let’s start in North Texas.

Lake Texoma continues to be the top destination for striped bass. Guides are finding schools early over deeper structure, and fly anglers throwing white Clousers and Deceivers have a real chance before the sun gets high. Ray Roberts and Lake Fork remain good bass lakes, but you’ll need to fish before about nine o’clock. After that, bass slide deeper and become much tougher.

If you’re looking for something different, don’t overlook carp on the Trinity River. July is one of the best months of the year for fly fishing carp, especially early in the morning when they’re tailing on shallow flats.

Moving into the Hill Country, this is classic Guadalupe bass season. Wade fishing is still one of my favorite ways to spend a summer morning. Concentrate on riffles, shaded banks, and any oxygen-rich water. Foam hoppers, beetles, and small crayfish patterns should all produce fish.

East Texas lakes are following the typical summer pattern. Bass are relating to grass lines and deeper structure early, while crappie are suspended over brush piles. Bluegill fishing remains outstanding, and if you’re introducing kids to fishing, it’s hard to beat a popping bug on a fly rod.

Down in South Texas, the mornings are everything. Water temperatures climb quickly, so get on the water early. Rio Grande cichlids continue to be one of the most overlooked fly rod species in the state, and they’re aggressive around current and structure.

Now let’s head to the Texas coast.

From Sabine through Galveston, trout and redfish continue to feed best on moving water during the incoming tide. Look for bait along shorelines and don’t be afraid to get out and wade. White shrimp patterns, Spoon Flies, and EP Minnows are all excellent choices.

Around Matagorda and Port O’Connor, back lakes continue producing good redfish. Windward shorelines have been especially productive once the sun gets up just a bit. Crab patterns and tan shrimp flies should stay in your box all week.

Rockport and Port Aransas continue offering some of the best sight-fishing opportunities anywhere in Texas. Calm mornings are your friend. Get on the flats early, keep your casts short and accurate, and you’ll have legitimate shots at cruising redfish before the wind begins to build.

And then there’s the Lower Laguna Madre. If someone asked me where I’d spend one day fishing this week, this would probably be my answer. The combination of stronger new-moon tides, shallow grass flats, and active redfish makes it one of the premier destinations in the state. Trout, redfish, and even an occasional snook or tarpon can all be in play this time of year.

The fly of the week is easy: the White and Chartreuse Clouser Minnow. It catches stripers, bass, redfish, trout, and even carp. If you only carried one fly around Texas this week, that’s the one I’d tie on first.

Weather-wise, expect another hot week with temperatures pushing well into the nineties and even triple digits inland. Afternoon thunderstorms remain possible across much of the state, and those short periods just before a storm often produce some surprisingly aggressive feeding. On the coast, the developing new moon means stronger tidal movement, so plan your day around moving water rather than simply the clock.

So, if I had five trips to make this week, here’s my list:

• Lake Texoma for stripers.
• The Guadalupe River for Guadalupe bass.
• Rockport for sight-casting redfish.
• The Lower Laguna Madre for an unforgettable saltwater fly-fishing day.
• And the Trinity River if I wanted to chase big carp on the fly.

That’s your Texas Fly Caster Fishing Report for July 13th through the 20th.

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLY FISHING HIGH?

Colorado Fly Fishing This Week? The Bottom Line

Colorado is fishing better than many anglers expected, but this is not a banner water year. The state experienced one of its lowest snowpacks on record, runoff ended weeks earlier than normal, and many freestone rivers are already running below average for mid-July. That means anglers need to think like it’s late summer—not mid-summer. (Coyote Gulch)

The good news?

Most rivers are now clear, wadable, and very fishable. The challenge will be warm afternoon water temperatures on lower-elevation streams. Expect the best fishing from daylight until about noon, especially on freestone rivers. Tailwaters remain excellent all day. (ArkAnglers)

Colorado Fly Fishing Best Bets This Week

1. Fryingpan River ★★★★★

Current Status: Excellent

If you’re making only one stop in Colorado this month, the Fryingpan deserves serious consideration.

Cold releases from Ruedi Reservoir continue to keep water temperatures ideal while PMDs, caddis, midges and mysis shrimp keep trout feeding consistently. Flow conditions remain excellent for wading. (RiverReports.com)

Fish

• Rainbow Trout
• Brown Trout

Flies

• Mysis Shrimp
• PMD Emergers
• RS2
• Zebra Midge
• Parachute Adams

2. Arkansas River (Salida – Buena Vista) ★★★★★

Current Status: Very Good

One of Colorado’s best July fisheries.

Runoff is finished.

Water is clear.

Flows are low enough for comfortable wading but still healthy enough to keep trout feeding aggressively.

Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes and Caddis remain the primary hatch. (ArkAnglers)

Fish

• Brown Trout
• Rainbow Trout

Flies

Dry

• Chubby Chernobyl
• Elk Hair Caddis
• PMD

Dropper

• Pheasant Tail
• Copper John
• Frenchie

3. South Platte

(Cheesman Canyon / Deckers)

Current Status: Good—but technical

The South Platte is fishing, but anglers should not expect easy days.

Fish are selective, water is extremely clear, and presentations must be precise.

Small flies win. (Dave Weller’s Fly Fishing Blog)

Flies

• RS2
• Mercury Midge
• Zebra Midge
• Tiny PMDs

4. Eagle River

Current Status: Fair to Good

Fishing improves every morning.

The low snowpack means lower flows than normal, and afternoon water temperatures are becoming a concern.

Fish early and quit early. (Minturn Anglers)

5. Roaring Fork River

Current Status: Good

Morning fishing continues to improve.

Look for:

• Caddis
• PMDs
• Yellow Sallies

Streamer bite remains decent during cloudy periods.

Rivers to Watch Carefully

Colorado River

Good fishing early.

Expect warmer water by afternoon in lower reaches.

Gunnison

Generally good.

Fish early.

Yampa

Beginning to warm significantly during afternoons.

Blue River

Still fishing well below Dillon Reservoir.

Tailwater sections remain dependable.

Best Flies This Week

Dry Flies

• Chubby Chernobyl
• Elk Hair Caddis
• PMD Sparkle Dun
• Yellow Sally
• Parachute Adams

Nymphs

• RS2
• Pheasant Tail
• Frenchie
• Zebra Midge
• Copper John

Streamers

• Mini Dungeon
• Sparkle Minnow
• Thin Mint
• Olive Woolly Bugger

Water Conditions

Water Levels

Below average statewide

The low-snow winter produced an early runoff.

Most rivers are already at late-July or even August-type flows. (Coyote Gulch)

Water Clarity

Excellent.

Most rivers have completely cleared from runoff.

Best Time to Fish

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

6:00 AM – 11:00 AM

After lunch, many lower rivers become warm enough that trout become less active, and anglers should consider stopping if water temperatures climb into the upper 60s°F. Tailwaters such as the Fryingpan remain the most reliable afternoon option. (Minturn Anglers)

Where Would I Fly Fish This Week?

1. Fryingpan River
2. Arkansas River (Salida)
3. Roaring Fork River
4. Cheesman Canyon
5. Blue River below Dillon Reservoir

Colorado Outlook for Texas Anglers

If you’re driving up from Texas this month, go.

Just adjust your expectations. This is not a high-water, runoff year. Instead, you’ll find clear rivers, excellent wading conditions, and technical trout fishing. Plan on early starts, protect the resource by avoiding the warmest afternoon hours on freestone rivers, and you’ll still find some outstanding fly fishing across central Colorado. Tailwaters are the most dependable destination for all-day action. (Coyote Gulch)