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: September 17, 2020
Current Conditions:Both the Upper and Lower C are open and the Colorado is fshng real well. Water temps are good and steady. The dry fly fishing has been real good as of late and the streamer bite is picking up daily. We're seeing caddis, some baetis, PMD's, some BWO's and midges. Long slow drifts will get it done! Have a double dry set up ready to go as fish are rising. When the water warms up try fishing in the faster moving water with a hopper dropper set up. In the evening it's all about the dry. Dries, dry dropper, nymphing, streamers. Be sure to keep the fish wet and leave them in the water for all photos.
Guide Tip: Dont be afraid to mix it up and change flies throughout the day. Have a dry fly ready.
Hatches: Caddis, PMDs, BWO's
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS:Pat's rubber legs in black or coffee/black 8-12. Darth Beatis 18-22, Pheasant tails, RS2's,Barr Emergers 18-22
DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl, black foam ant 16-18, Renegade, GT Adams. Royal PMX
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.