Tenkara Fishing During Late Spring Runoff: Catching Wild Brown and Rainbow Trout in Colorado
Spring runoff season can intimidate a lot of anglers. Higher water levels, murky currents, and unpredictable flows make many fishers decide to stay home. But if you know what to look for — and you're willing to adapt — runoff conditions can actually produce some fantastic fishing.
In late June 2025, I headed out to a local Colorado creek to scout the spring runoff situation. What started as a casual reconnaissance mission turned into one of the best mornings I've had on the water this year, with wild brown and rainbow trout coming to both nymphs and dry flies.
Why You Shouldn't Skip Runoff Season
A lot of anglers treat spring runoff like the off-season. The water is high, visibility drops, and your usual spots might look completely different. But here's the thing: the trout are still there, and they still need to eat.
During runoff, trout tend to move to the margins. They seek out slower water along the banks, behind boulders, and in side channels where they don't have to fight the heavy current. These holding spots concentrate fish, which can actually make them easier to find if you know where to look.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Focus on the edges. Fish aren't going to be holding in the main current during heavy flows. Work the seams, eddies, and bank-side pockets.
- Nymphs are your friend. Subsurface flies tend to produce more consistently when visibility is reduced. Heavier patterns that get down quickly can be especially effective.
- Don't rule out dry flies. Even during runoff, hatches happen. If you see rises or notice insects on the water, don't hesitate to switch to a dry fly.
The Tenkara Advantage in High Water
Tenkara is a fantastic method for runoff conditions, and this outing reinforced that for me. The simplicity of the setup — no reel, no complicated rigging — lets you stay mobile and cover water efficiently.
For this session, I used the DRAGONtail Mizuchi rod paired with a 7-foot level line. Tippet varied between 5x nylon and 6x fluorocarbon depending on what I was presenting. The shorter, more direct connection between rod tip and fly that tenkara provides gives you excellent control in tricky currents, allowing precise drifts in tight spots where trout are sheltering from the flow.
Here's why tenkara shines during runoff:
- Precise presentations. You can drop your fly exactly where it needs to be — right along the bank or behind a rock — without excessive false casting.
- Quick repositioning. No stripping and re-casting long lengths of fly line means you can move from pocket to pocket rapidly.
- Drag-free drifts. Keeping the line off the water reduces drag, which is critical when you're fishing complex currents created by high flows.
Gear Breakdown
Keeping things simple is part of the tenkara philosophy, and my setup reflected that:
- Rod: DRAGONtail Mizuchi ZX340 Zoom Tenkara Rod
- Line: 7 ft level line
- Tippet: 5x nylon and 6x fluorocarbon
- Flies: A mix of nymphs and dry flies
- Net: A compact rubber-mesh landing net
The zoom feature on the Mizuchi is worth mentioning — being able to adjust rod length on the fly is a real advantage when you're navigating brushy banks and varying stream widths that are common during runoff.
Practical Takeaways for Your Next Runoff Outing
- Scout first, fish second. Take a few minutes to walk the creek and observe the water before rigging up. Identify where the slower water is and where fish might be holding.
- Bring both nymphs and dries. Conditions can change quickly, and versatility pays off.
- Use fluorocarbon tippet when water clarity is borderline — it's less visible and sinks better for nymph presentations.
- Stay safe. Higher water means slippery rocks and stronger currents. Wade carefully and don't take unnecessary risks.
- Be patient. Runoff fishing can require more casts per fish, but the quality of wild trout you encounter makes it worthwhile.
Don't let high water keep you off the stream this spring. Check out the full video to see the wild browns and rainbows that came to hand and get a closer look at the flies and techniques that worked on this Colorado creek.
