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: Emily Dmohowski
Report Date: February 26, 2021
Current Conditions: The river is fishing, but don't surprised if you have to filter through a few patterns to find the right meal ticket. The midge hatches are starting to pick up and it seems like they are keying in on analids more than anything so definitely fish some red midges. Continue to fish those nypmh rigs, as they are producing some larger fish deep in the water column. There were a few rises as the day warmed up, but nothing consistant enough to make me switch to the dry.
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.
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, midges, midges...
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS: Black or red zebra midge 18-22, juju midge 18-22, rainbow warrior (classic or black) 18-22, demon midge 18-22, midge biot 20-22, two bit midge 18-22, neon nightmare 18-22
DRIES: griffith gnat 18-22, renegade 16-20, parachute adams 20-24, sprout midge or trico 18-22
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.