Williams Fork
14 Day Forecast: Look for reliable hatches of midges and blue-winged olives.
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Jujubaetis, #20-22 Top Secret Baetis, #22 Black Beauty, #22 Mercury Pheasant Tail, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #20 Mercury Midge, #20 Buckskin, #20 Sparkle Dun, #22 RS 2 Sparkle Wing, #20-24 Parachute Adams, #20-22 Pat's Midge, and #22 Griffith Gnats.
Measurements
Fly Fishing Conditions & Tips from Pat Dorsey for the Williams Fork River
The Williams Fork River is a top-notch fishery of its own. This beautiful fishery is nestled between the Williams Peaks and Middle Park and is truly a fly-fishing paradise. The two-mile stretch between the upper boundary of the Kemp Unit and the confluence of the Colorado River is a mixture or riffles, runs, and pocket water with one of the best populations of brown trout in the “west”. A 30-minute hike to the river keeps the crowds to a minimum. Anglers can catch trout with a variety of methods including nymphs, streamers, and dry flies. The hatches include caddis, blue-winged olives, midges, Tricos, and red quills. Being a tributary of the Colorado River-spring and fall-spawn runs bring some “lunkers” into the stream. Ideal flows for the “Fork” are between 100 and 250 cfs. The regulations are flies and lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.
The Williams Fork is one of the prettiest places on the planet. This Williams Fork is proof that trout don't live in ugly places.
Tips & Other Information:
Outflows below Williams Fork Reservoir are low in an effort to fill Williams Fork Reservoir. The Lake is low right now, so look for lower flows until it fills. Anglers can expect to find hatches of midges throughout the day and a good “olive” hatch around noon. Small midge-nymphs fished mid column have been producing some fish. You’ll find some “midging fish” in the slow, deep pools and tailouts. A size 24 Parachute Adams or Matt’s Midge will fool this discerning risers. A size 20 Mathew’s Sparkle Dun or Parachute Adams is working well for the “olives”. Revised 4/24/25