The three-week storm cycle that has inundated the Colorado High Country with feet of snow appears to have come to a close, with most mountain basins receiving another 12”+ of snow last week. As you can see from the below graphic, snowpack totals continue to improve across most of the state, with exceptions like the Gunnison basin that saw a modest reduction in their snowpack from last week's update.

Let’s be clear that this is phenomenal news and a far departure from where our snowpack was at at the beginning of December. But as we see year after year, storm cycles come in waves, as do drier spells, and extended forecasts seem to show a couple of weeks of moderate snow chances and generally mild temperatures. And while this isn’t exactly what the ski and snowboard communities want to hear, it does provide those anglers willing to fish through colder temperatures a prime opportunity to scratch that fishing itch to kick off the New Year. As a Colorado Native, I have always noted that the beauty of Winter is that when the skiing isn’t ideal, the fishing tends to be on fire, and I have no reason to suspect that this won’t be the case for the next couple of weeks.

With that said, those looking to hit the water need to be mindful that most freestone rivers will be mostly frozen and unfishable, at least at higher elevations. River’s like the Roaring Fork, Arkansas, Colorado, and Eagle will offer fishing at lower elevations, and all the states Tailwaters will be in great shape for the next couple of months. Be sure to check out the River Report section of our website for more detailed information on specific rivers, or you can always call or swing by one of our stores to have our professional sales staff help get you ready for your next day on the water.

I’ll be putting together another Snowpack Update in the coming weeks as conditions change and permit, so in the interim, I wish you all great days on the water.

Cheers,

Tucker Ladd

Owner, Trouts Fly Fishing