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.
Reporter: Ray Kyle
Report Date: July 15, 2019
Current Conditions:The Colorado River is on the rise, once again. The bump in flows have added some additional color to the river. Fish the slow eddies and focus most of your fishing in these spots. Caddis and mayfies are hatching throughout the day and fish are looking up. Using a double or even triple nymph rig setup is ideal for surveying the water columns for the fish that are not looking up. BWOs, PMDs, and caddis have been the go-to patterns for nymphing. Worms, stonefly and egg patterns are great first or attractor flies. The streamer game right now can be hit or miss, but can produce some bigger fish if you stay committed.
Guide Tip: Nymph with larger flies such as a Pat's Rubberlegs or a worm pattern as the first fly to get into the right zone.
Hatches: Caddis, BWOs, PMDs, and Stoneflies
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS: RS2 16-20, Darth Baetis 18-20, Slim Shady PMD 18-20, Magic Fly PMD 16, Micro May 16-18, Electric Caddis Olive 14-18, Two Bit Hooker 16-18, Rainbow Warrior (Red, Black, or Rainbow) 16-20, , Flashback Pheasant Tail 16-18, Pat’s Rubberlegs 10-12
DRIES: Parachute Adams 16-22, ComparaDun 16-18, Hackle Stacker 16-18, Brooks Sprout PMD 16-20, Parachute Ext. Body PMD 14-16, Found Link PMD 14-18, Patriot 14-18.
STREAMERS: Autumn Splendor, Cheech Leech, Barely Legal, Gonga, Baby Gonga, Sex Dungeon, Motor Oil