Finally!!! With the official arrival of spring we are getting boat ramps to open. YIPPIE!!! I’d try a backflip but know that would end up with x-rays and something in a cast. I made lots of calls and sent out a bunch of emails this week to get as much information on boat ramp schedules - this has all been compiled in a section below.
As for the current fishing conditions, water temps are still cold. This hasn’t stopped the bite. Fish are pushing shallow looking for warmer water and food. Most of the bass I’ve caught this past week have been in 4’ of water or less. The best presentations have been stick worms, paddle tails, spinnerbaits and rattling crankbaits. Many of the bluegills have been in the top 12” of water over deeper water. One thing I noticed with the bluegills is they are not wanting to feed down. So use something that staying high or falls really slow.
I stopped by Scheels in Johnstown Tuesday and they have made the switch from ice fishing to open water. While I was in there I found something the walleye anglers are going to LOVE, Scheels has 4 colors of jigging raps I’ve only seen offered in Europe before, they were in sizes 7 & 9.
Here is a picture and a link → Scheels New Color Jigging Raps
These colors are ones that will not be reordered, so if you like them swing by the store or you can order them from the link above - because once they are gone, they are gone. I bought a good number in all 4 colors and both sizes, my boat might run 2 mph slower when they find their home inside it. lol
This weeks dry weather in the mountains has the snow pack dropping, let’s hope this week brings more mountain snows. Snowpack in the South Platte Drainage is 103% of normal and 77% on peak. The Big Thompson is looking the best with 121% of normal and 95% of peak - lets hope this means they will be able to fill Boyd.
As for lakes that are getting water right now its Jackson, Sterling, and Jumbo out east. With Carter, Horsetooth, and Chatfield all filling along the front range. Currently there is a line about Orchard or so heading east where the lakes still have some ice cover. Talked to the ranger at Sterling and they are still 85% ice capped.
Streamflows:
South Platte: Waterton - 34.8 cfs; Below Chatfield 6.17 cfs
Big Thompson: Below Lake Estes 26.2 cfs; Above the Canyon 33.7 cfs
St. Vrain: At Lyons 12.1 cfs
Poudre: At Canyon Mouth 56.4 cos
CPW NEWS
The walleye spawning operation is going on at Pueblo and Cherry Creek. The report from Pueblo is they are collecting about 3 to 1 green females vs ripe females. This is a good sign that they are on the leading edge of the spawn and it should just keep getting better. Cherry Creek is reporting good numbers, water temp is still a little cold.
BOAT RAMP AND ANS SCHEDULES
Now the exciting news!! Boat ramps are starting to open.
This is the latest information I have on the main ramps in NoCo. This information can always change and I will do my best to update changes and fill in the gaps.
Barr: Opens April 1. ANS hours 8a-4p in April
Boyd: Opens Mar. 22 at 8 am. ANS hours will be 8a-6p in March, 7a-7p in April. WARNING - Boyd is extremely low (17-19’) take extra caution when exiting the marina cove, middle section of the lake. Numerous boats were running aground on the points in this area last fall and not all hazards are marked with buoys.
Carter: Opens April 1, North Pines ramp. ANS hours 7a-7p.
Chatfield: Opens Saturday, March 25 at 6 am - North ramp. ANS hours 6a-8p.
Cherry Creek: Opens April 1.
Horsetooth: Opens April 1, South Bay ramp. ANS hours 7a-7p. (currently there is still ice on portions of the lake, if this remains it could delay ramp opening)
Jackson: Opens April 1. ANS hours 8a-4p. Jackson currently still has ice on the lake that could delay ramp opening.
Jumbo: Opens April 15, tentative the lake is still over 90% ice covered
Lon Hagler: Open. No ANS station
North Sterling: TBD the lake is still 85% ice covered
Prewitt: Will open once all the ice is off the lake, it’s getting close. No ANS station
St. Vrain - Blue Heron: Open. No ANS station
Boedecker and Douglas should both be open, but I have not confirmed either. No ANS stations
FLP FISHING TIP: Presentation - some spring tips
Here are a few tips for those heading out to chase walleye with leadcore or pitching for bass.
Leadcore:
18 lb leadcore is the standard size for walleye fishing.
The new thinner diameter leadcore acts differently then traditional leadcore. Traditional leadcore follows the track of the boat better. The ball park figure from drop rate of traditional leadcore is 5’ per color for the first 3 colors, 4’ per color for the next 3 colors, and 3’ per color for the next 3 colors. This will change some based on speed. Thinner diameter leadcore drops faster, but doesn’t track the boat as well. Think cutting the corners for the lure tracks. The drops rate is closer to 7’ per colors for the first 3 colors with thinner leadcore, then reducing 1’ per 3 colors.
Traditional leadcore shines for contour trolling. Thinner leadcore shines when running suspended fish, fishing flats, or needing the extra depth.
Large line counter reels can reel help dial-in specific depths. The 30 size reels will hold 10 colors of lead.
When attaching a leader to leadcore, remove about 12-18” of lead from the inside of woven outer sheath. Then connect the leader line to the area the lead has been removed using a knot or tying on a small swivel. With the swivel you can attach
the leader to other end of the swivel. I was taught to use the small swivel by the “godfather of leadcore” walleye fishing Ron Seelhoff. One big advantage is if your lure fouled and it starts to roll it doesn’t twist up the main leadcore line.
Bass Fishing Tip:
RED, RED, RED - there is something about the color red for spring bass. Red rattle baits, red on bladed jigs, and red small kicker blade on spinnerbaits.
Watch the water temp, just a couple degree is a huge difference in the spring.
FISHING FUNNIES