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: May 7, 2021

Current Conditions: The C is floatable from Pumphouse down. Catamount is open. Radium is also undergoing some repairs but is open. Rancho del Rio is open and running shuttles. The water is off color so focus on using your stonefly nymphs, worms, or egg patterns. For you streamer junkies, the action can be good. Throw large streamers. On the Lower C,expect it to be off color until the cool weather comes in this weekend. Don't be afraid to add some weights and fish deeper around the banks for the fish. A good long drift will get it done.

KEEP EM WET: We tend to associate keeping fish wet with warm temps and that is good, however, the same goes for Keeping Em Wet in the freezing winter temps too. Trout are susceptible frostbite and their gills can freeze. With winter here, remember to try to keep the fish wet, continue to limit photos and leave the fish in the water.

SPAWNING ALERT: Be on the lookout for Redds and spawning rainbow trout and do not tread or fish in the area. There are active closures at Grizzly Creek.

ACCESS CLOSURES: Lower Radium Ramp.

Guide Tip:  Figure out the depth that the fish are holding by adjusting your indicator and the amount of split shot you are using. If you aren't getting them, go deeper.

Hatches:  Midges and BWO's...

Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS: Pats Rubber Leg 6-12, Twenty Incher 8-16, Worm Patterns 12-16, Zebra Midges Blk/Olv 16-18, BWO Emergers, 16-14, Caddis Nymphs 14-18

DRIES: Para Adams 12-18, Hopper Paterns 6-12, Christians GT 14-16, Foam Elk Hair Caddis 12-16

STREAMERS:  This is a good time to go big or go home and fish those articulated streamers. Sex Dungeons, Wedgeheads, Heisenburgs in all colors should do the trick.