Williams Fork
14 Day Forecast: Look for sporadic hatches of midges.
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, #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 great for this time of year, especially since the reservoir is a 69 % capacity. Anglers can expect to find sporadic hatches of midges throughout the day. 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. Look for some blue-wingeed olives any day now. Revised 4/11/25