Alma State Wildlife Area along County Road 4 below Montgomery Reservoir Division of Wildlife fishing easement from Alma south to Alma Junction along Colorado 9 Fairplay Beach Recreation Area along Platte Drive south of Fairplay Tomahawk Ranch State Wildlife Area along Colorado 9, at and below Garo Badger Basin State Wildlife Area along County Road 439 and U.S. 24 near Hartsel 2. After remaining torpid for several months under the ice, fish activity levels increase dramatically at breakup. This annual event is somewhat akin to bears coming out of hibernation. However, air temperatures are still cold so there is limited surface feeding, except during midge or tiny mayfly hatches. Fish tend to be congregated in the deepest pools and under overhanging ice shelves, with virtually no fish in runs or riffles.
Patterns resembling small mayfly larvae often work effectively.
Brown stonefly nymphs and small Gammarus scuds can also attract hungry fish. It's not unusual to observe a variety of midge and tiny mayfly hatches throughout the day and after sunset. Further, large, showy patterns may produce an occasional spawner if presented directly to the fish. Once fish are aware of your presence, it's generally a waste of time to continue at that location. Based on years of observation, most fishermen don't realize how obvious they are to the fish or how easily the fish are disturbed.