Fly Fishing the Blue River in Silverthorne: PMD Hatches, Low Flows & Urban Giants Near Dillon Dam (June 2025 Report)

In this episode of Rise Beyond, we dive into the heart of downtown Silverthorne—home to some of the most technical trout in Colorado. The Blue River, flowing cold and clear out of Dillon Dam, is in prime form this June with flows holding steady around 105 CFS and visibility as good as it gets.

Whether you're a dry fly purist or a tactical nympher, the Blue demands your best game. This episode covers how to navigate the ultra-pressured urban stretch beneath outlet mall bridges, where 20-inch rainbows rise in slow seams while traffic hums overhead. Our hosts share their favorite midges, PMDs, and the deadly Mercury Midge nymph combo, plus how to present small bugs on 6X to fool ultra-wary fish.

We break down the current conditions (flow, clarity, hatch activity), top access points around town, and why cloudy afternoons are streamer heaven on the upper reaches. You'll also hear tips for gear setup, recommended flies, and how to fish confidently during high-pressure weekends.

We also answer frequently asked questions like:

• Is this fishable during runoff?

• What's the best fly to start with right now?

• Are beginners going to catch fish here?

Plus, we talk about ethics in pressured tailwaters and how personal responsibility on urban rivers helps protect this unique fishery. If you're fishing in Summit County this week, this is your intel.

Rise Beyond offers weekly reports, handcrafted flies, and a fresh voice in Colorado angling. Check out our shop on Amazon and subscribe to the River Whisper newsletter for timely hatch alerts, gear picks, and fly-fishing storytelling.