Middle Fork Above Montgomery Reservoir

Middle Fork Above Montgomery — Fishing Report for April 26, 2026

Quick Stats

Flow: 3 CFS | Trend: Falling (-10% in 24h) | Fishability: Unfishable | Weather: Snow showers, high 33°F

The Bite

Winter still has a firm grip on the upper Middle Fork. With snow showers falling today and overnight lows dropping to the low-to-mid 20s through Tuesday, this high-altitude stream is firmly in dormant mode — and the gauge confirms it. At 3 CFS and falling, flows are well below even the low end of what April typically produces here, a reflection of a dramatically dry water year across the South Platte basin. Snowpack is sitting at just 16% of normal, meaning the usual April snowmelt pulse that begins to stir these headwaters simply hasn't materialized. There's almost nothing moving in the creek right now.

Water temperatures aren't available from this gauge, but given the persistent sub-freezing overnight lows and daytime highs barely reaching 33°F, expect the stream to be at or near 32°F — functionally icebound in the upper reaches. Trout metabolism shuts down in these conditions, and even if you could get a fly in front of a brook trout, the fish aren't feeding. The three-day forecast offers no relief: snow showers are likely through at least Tuesday, with overnight lows in the low 20s.

The honest call here is to wait. The light snowpack year actually suggests runoff could arrive earlier and peak lower than normal — which may open the upper Middle Fork sooner than a typical season. But that window is still weeks away. Point your truck toward a lower-elevation tailwater this weekend.

What to Fish

• Nothing recommended for today — conditions are not fishable
• For future reference when the creek opens (late May–June):
• Parachute Adams, #14–16 — general attractor dry for pocket water
• Elk Hair Caddis, #14–16 — versatile surface fly for fast runs
• Hare's Ear Nymph, #14–16 — weighted, fished tight to structure in plunge pools
• Copper John, #16–18 — anchor nymph for a dry-dropper rig in deeper pockets
• Royal Wulff, #14 — high-visibility attractor for broken water

Tactics & Rigging

There's no productive rig to recommend today — the water is too cold and too low to support active fish. When this creek does come into shape, typically late May into June depending on snowmelt timing, the approach is short-line nymphing and dry-dropper work in the pocket water. A buoyant dry like a Parachute Adams or Royal Wulff with a size 16 Copper John dropped 14–18" below is a reliable starting setup. Keep your leader short (7.5 feet), your tippet stout enough for the brushy conditions (4X to 5X), and your casts precise — this is intimate water where a sloppy presentation spooks fish before you see them.

Access & Logistics

The road to Montgomery Reservoir may be passable to the trailhead in dry conditions, but with active snow showers today and overnight freezing temperatures, expect icy or snow-covered surfaces on the upper portions. Do not attempt this drive without appropriate tires and clearance. The creek itself is not worth the trip under current conditions. Several sections of the Middle Fork cross private land near the lower valley — stay within the high-water mark and respect property boundaries when the season does open. Always verify current access and regulations with CPW before making the trip.

Stop by Spinney Mountain Ranch Outfitters or local South Platte area shops for current flies, road conditions, and to support the shops that keep these fisheries healthy.

Looking Ahead

With snow in the forecast through at least Tuesday and a severely depleted snowpack basin-wide, don't expect meaningful runoff to reach the upper Middle Fork until late May at the earliest — though the light snow year could compress the runoff window and bring fishable conditions sooner than normal. Check back in mid-May for an updated outlook.