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: Brett Elkman
Report Date: July 4, 2020
Current Conditions:The Colorado is in great condition. Flows have come down a bit and it is still ideal however the water will warm up. Be sure to check the temps and dont fish if the temps approach 67. With that in mind, the fish are in the moving water. Be sure to Keep Em Wet! We're seeing caddis and PMD's and some quills. The dry fly fishing has been good with eats on caddis, PMD's and hoppers. Best to fish a dry dropper with a hopper and a caddis emerger or PMD emerger underneath. Have a double dry set up with a caddis and PMD ready to go. All sections are fishing well. Dries, dry dropper, nymphing, streamers.....have at it!
Guide Tip: Hopper Dropper with a Chubby Chernobyl
Hatches: Caddis, Sallies, PMD's.
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS:Pat's rubber legs in black or coffee/black 8-12. Formerly Known As Prince 12-18, Pheasant tails, Hunchback PMD 18 electric caddis, Zwing caddis
DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl, black foam caddis 16-18 or flashier low riding caddis like the missing link 16-18, Sparkle Flag Pink PMD.
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.