Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir)
river in Colorado
The Blue River below Dillon offers consistent year-round fly fishing, easily accessible from Silverthorne, and is famous for its prolific hatches and challenging, rewarding fishing.
River flow last 30 days
Blue River flowing at a very low 18
- 01Blue River flowing at a very low 18.9 cfs, making fish spooky and concentrated.
- 02Consistent midge activity and prime Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches expected.
- 03Top nymphing patterns: Midge (20-24), Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph (16-18), Mysis Shrimp (Nymph) (16-18), and Blood Dot Egg (14-16).
- 04Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (20-22) for rising fish during BWO hatches.
- 05Focus on deeper pools, slower runs, and areas with cover like undercut banks and large rocks.
- 06Stealth, long leaders (9-12 ft), and light tippets (5x-6x) are crucial for success in clear, low water.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Zebra Midge
A consistent and highly effective midge pattern in tailwaters year-round, particularly in the fall as water temperatures drop. It imitates the abundant midge pupae.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are a classic fall hatch in Colorado tailwaters. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults, especially on overcast days common in fall.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph that remains effective in the fall. It mimics various active mayfly nymphs and scuds, which are consistent food sources in the Blue River.
Blood Dot Egg
With Brown Trout preparing for their annual spawn in the fall, egg patterns become highly effective. This pattern targets opportunistic trout that feed on loose eggs in the drift.
Buy at AmazonMysis Shrimp (Nymph)
The Blue River flows out of Dillon Reservoir, a large Mysis shrimp producing lake. Mysis are a consistent and vital food source for trout in this tailwater year-round, making this pattern highly effective when dead-drifted near the bottom.
WD-40
A consistent subsurface producer for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout feeding on emerging midges and mayflies in a tailwater setting, particularly effective with the temperature fluctuations common in fall.
Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, and the Blue River is a classic tailwater fishery. Their larvae and pupae are particularly vital when other hatches are minimal.
Black Woolly Bugger
A highly versatile streamer pattern, the black Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish. It's effective for enticing aggressive strikes from Brown and Rainbow Trout in the colder water of fall.
Where to fish and who to ask
Green Mountain Reservoir Confluence
Lower sections of the Blue River as it approaches Green Mountain Reservoir, often holding migratory fish.
Silverthorne Outlets Section
Accessible sections directly behind the Silverthorne Outlets, offering good wade fishing for large trout.
Fly shops within 40 miles
The Colorado Angler
Breckenridge Outfitters
Colorado Fly Fishing Guides
North Fork Ranch Guide Service
Get Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir) reports by email
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Colorado season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir).
What flies work best on Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir) right now are Parachute BWO (95% confidence), Zebra Midge (95% confidence), San Juan Worm (95% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir)?
Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir) holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Blue River (below Dillon Reservoir) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.