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 19, 2022
Current Conditions: The Upper C from Pumphouse down is open and Rancho Del Rio is running shuttles. The Upper C including Pumphouse is off color. We are in that time of year where the water levels and weather will fluctuate daily. Best to call for current conditions but expect the rivers to be off color for the most part. Hatches will vary with the temps but expect Caddis, BWO's and Midges. Nymphing has been best option as well as chucking streamers. Make sure to hit the bank and strip all the way to the boat. Stoneflies are crawling on the bottom so dont be afraid to drag a Pats Rubber Leg in Black across a fishes face. Caddis are poppin ATTENTION FISHERMAN: Water is off color.
KEEP EM WET: Please follow the Keep Em Wet philosophy and keep the fish wet. If you must take a photo, leave the fish in the water.
SPAWNING ALERT: SPAWNING CLOSURES ON SECTIONS OF THE LOWER COLORADO ARE IN PLACE. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM FISHING IN THESE AREAS. ACCESS CLOSURES:Guide Tip: Try going old school with old school patterns. Hares Ears, PT's and Copper Johns .Hatches: BWO's, Midges, Caddis
Recommended Flies:
NYMPHS: Pats Rubber Leg 6-12, Twenty Incher 8-16, RS2 18-22, Zebra Midges Blk/Olv 16-18, WD40 16-22, Squirmy Worm, Black/Maroon/Brown Leeches, Red Copper John 12-16, Two Bit Hooker 16-20, Eggs - Chartruese, Cheese
DRIES: Para Adams 16-24, Garcias Mavfly 16-22, Christians GT 14-16, Chubby Chernobyl 8-14, Para Wulff 12-18, Griffiths Gnat 18-22, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Stimi 8-16
STREAMERS: THIS IS A GOOD TIME THROW MEAT - Bowlicious-Blk and Olv, Sex Dungeons, Wedgeheads, Heisenburgs, Sculpzillas