FISHING REPORT: COLORADO RIVER

OVERVIEW

The Colorado River originates in Rocky Mountain National Park. We generally fish the sections from Gore Canyon to the town of Rifle bridge. The Colorado is generally a wider and slower river with some faster canyon stretches and excellent hatches and beautiful scenery along the river corridor. The sections below Glenwood Springs are the first to be available in the early season for float fishing. As the spring gives way to summer the focus shifts from Glenwood Springs and Dotsero, upstream to State Bridge and just below Gore Canyon and the Pumphouse boat launch. The Colorado offers more remote stretches of water and a slower pace to the day with an opportunity to view wildlife and unique geology along the way.

Temperature

Discharge

Reporter: Brett Elkman

Report Date:  January 26, 2023

Current Conditions: Cold... that is what we are experiencing on the Colorado these days. The Upper C is iced up. The Lower C below Glenwood is where you will have the most luck. Nymphing is your best bet but there will be a few midge hatches sprinkled in. Fish small flies and the deeper runs. The latest report is that it is slow. The only fish caught were on midges, purple mayhem and purple zebras. Nymph the deeper runs. ATTENTION FISHERMAN:

KEEP EM WET: Please follow the Keep Em Wet philosophy and keep the fish wet. If you must take a photo, leave the fish in the water.

SPAWNING ALERT:

ACCESS CLOSURES:Guide Tip:  Try going old school with old school patterns. Hares Ears, PT's and Copper Johns .

Hatches:  BWO's, Midges, Cadddis

Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS: Pats Rubber Leg 6-12, Barr PMD's 16-20, RS2 18-22, Zebra Midges Blk/Olv 16-18, WD40 16-22, Squirmy Worm, Magic BWO, Red Copper John 12-16, Two Bit Hooker 16-20, BH Bubbleback PMD 16-20

DRIES: Para Adams 16-24, Garcias Mavfly 16-22, Christians GT 14-16, Royal Chubby Chernobyl 8-14, Para Wulff 12-18, Griffiths Gnat 18-22, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Royal Stimi 8-16, Missing Link 14-18, Garcias Yellow Sally, Pink Hackle Stacker

STREAMERS:  THIS IS A GOOD TIME THROW MEAT - Bowlicious-Blk and Olv, Sex Dungeons, Wedgeheads, Heisenburgs, Sculpzillas