Colorado River
Middle (Pumphose to Dotsero)
Recent Guide Reports
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- BWO
- Parachute BWO
- Parachute Adams
- Autumn Splendor
- Baetis Nymph
- BTS Nymph
- Dali Llama
- Dirty Hippie
- Foam Caddis
- Killer Mayfly
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Apr 14
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
Colorado River Report April 14, 2026
FLOW: 1730 CFS below Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear unless it gets hot again
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Stonefly Nymphs, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Be a Pain in the A.N.S.! Clean Your Gear | Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Water levels are stable, clarity is great, and the days have been warm enough to get on the boat. Now is the best time to get out there.
Caddis and Blue Winged Olives are popping off like crazy, a pleasant surprise for mid-March, and those hungry big-river fish have been responding in kind. Larger spring midges are out and about too. Don't be afraid to tie on a (relatively) big size #16 and see what happens.
Subsurface, larger food sources like eggs and stonefly nymphs can trigger strikes, but it's best to trail with a small, flashy midge or mayfly nymph for good measure.
The Colorado is a big, brawling river- ideal for a drift boat but it can be accessed on foot. This river is a bit more of a quality than a quantity fishery, so be prepared to hook onto some pissed-off fish that will dump your reel in a few seconds.
Wade-fishers should exercise caution in the biggest river of the valley, but popular wading spots include the confluence with the Roaring Fork, Dino Boat ramp (both above and below the ramp) and upstream of South Canyon rapid.
Hatches: Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22. Midges 16-26
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Missing Link Caddis 16-18, Puterbaugh's Foam Caddis 16-18, Harrop's CDC Biot Dun BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun BWO 18-22, Rat-faced McDougal 16-18, Parachute Adams 18-24, Barr's Vis-a-Dun BWO 18-20, Bill Fitzsimmons' Trailing Shuck Midge Emerger 22-24, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-12, Stott's Raisinette 20, BTS Baetis 20-22, Stott's Bad Carl 20, Double Down CDC PT 18-20, Soucie's Swidge 18-22, Soucie's Beau-Nator 18-20
STREAMERS: Craven's Double Dirty Hippy, Dali Lama, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor, Carlton Banks, Stott's Conehead Ziwi, Craven's Swim Coach, Hansen's Meal Ticket
HINTS: Don't be afraid to drift your flies through some riffles or faster sections!
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09085100/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D
FLOW: 1730 CFS below Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear unless it gets hot again
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Stonefly Nymphs, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Be a Pain in the A.N.S.! Clean Your Gear | Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Water levels are stable, clarity is great, and the days have been warm enough to get on the boat. Now is the best time to get out there.
Caddis and Blue Winged Olives are popping off like crazy, a pleasant surprise for mid-March, and those hungry big-river fish have been responding in kind. Larger spring midges are out and about too. Don't be afraid to tie on a (relatively) big size #16 and see what happens.
Subsurface, larger food sources like eggs and stonefly nymphs can trigger strikes, but it's best to trail with a small, flashy midge or mayfly nymph for good measure.
The Colorado is a big, brawling river- ideal for a drift boat but it can be accessed on foot. This river is a bit more of a quality than a quantity fishery, so be prepared to hook onto some pissed-off fish that will dump your reel in a few seconds.
Wade-fishers should exercise caution in the biggest river of the valley, but popular wading spots include the confluence with the Roaring Fork, Dino Boat ramp (both above and below the ramp) and upstream of South Canyon rapid.
Hatches: Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22. Midges 16-26
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Missing Link Caddis 16-18, Puterbaugh's Foam Caddis 16-18, Harrop's CDC Biot Dun BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun BWO 18-22, Rat-faced McDougal 16-18, Parachute Adams 18-24, Barr's Vis-a-Dun BWO 18-20, Bill Fitzsimmons' Trailing Shuck Midge Emerger 22-24, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-12, Stott's Raisinette 20, BTS Baetis 20-22, Stott's Bad Carl 20, Double Down CDC PT 18-20, Soucie's Swidge 18-22, Soucie's Beau-Nator 18-20
STREAMERS: Craven's Double Dirty Hippy, Dali Lama, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor, Carlton Banks, Stott's Conehead Ziwi, Craven's Swim Coach, Hansen's Meal Ticket
HINTS: Don't be afraid to drift your flies through some riffles or faster sections!
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09085100/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D