Colorado River
Middle (Pumphose to Dotsero)
Recent Guide Reports
Forecast
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- PMD
- San Juan Worm
- Prince Nymph
- Green Drake
- RS-2
- Trico Emerger
- Pat's Rubberlegs
- Baetis Nymph
- Pheasant Tail
- Yellow Sally
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Aug 20
Kirks Flyshop
The Colorado River has retreated a lot from the peak. Flow is 1200 CFS, The fishing has been great and summer tubers are gone.
Aug 20
The Blue Quill Angler
Clarity: Good
14 Day Forecast: Look for good flows for the remainder of the season. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of caddis, blue-winged olives, red quills, and Tricos
Tips and Other Information: The Colorado River is still a fuzz high on the lower stretches, but the upper Colorado is in fantastic shape. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of blue-winged olives, caddis, red quills, and Tricos. Its hard to go wrong with a San Juan Worm trailed by a caddis larva or mayfly nymph. The mosquitoes are still a concern; so make sure you bring plenty of Bens Bug Repellent
Effective Patterns: #10 Pats Rubber Legs, #14 San Juan Worm, #16 Bead Head Breadcrust, #18 Buckskin, #18 Barr Emerger, #18 Mitchells Split Case, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, 18 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Yellow Stimulator, #20-22 Sparkle Dun, #14-16 AKs Red Quill, and #24 Stalcups Trico.
14 Day Forecast: Look for good flows for the remainder of the season. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of caddis, blue-winged olives, red quills, and Tricos
Tips and Other Information: The Colorado River is still a fuzz high on the lower stretches, but the upper Colorado is in fantastic shape. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of blue-winged olives, caddis, red quills, and Tricos. Its hard to go wrong with a San Juan Worm trailed by a caddis larva or mayfly nymph. The mosquitoes are still a concern; so make sure you bring plenty of Bens Bug Repellent
Effective Patterns: #10 Pats Rubber Legs, #14 San Juan Worm, #16 Bead Head Breadcrust, #18 Buckskin, #18 Barr Emerger, #18 Mitchells Split Case, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, 18 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Yellow Stimulator, #20-22 Sparkle Dun, #14-16 AKs Red Quill, and #24 Stalcups Trico.
Aug 20
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
August 20, 2019
FLOW: 4770 cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are now below 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10 Conditions are perfect!
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS. You'll see plenty of spinners out there if you're on the water early or late. The Colorado is really heating up, get out there and see what all the fuss is about!
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16
FLOW: 4770 cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are now below 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10 Conditions are perfect!
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS. You'll see plenty of spinners out there if you're on the water early or late. The Colorado is really heating up, get out there and see what all the fuss is about!
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16
Aug 19
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
Flows on the Middle Colorado have dropped off substantially in the last several days, but shouldnt have a negative impact on fishing. Cloud cover and ideal air pressure most of the week will make for an awesome time of the water. Trout will continue to feed heavily along the banks and outer seams. The dry dropper is our go-to set up. Lead with bigger stimulator patterns like an Amys Ant or Chubby Chernobyl followed by two - four feet of tippet (depending on water depth) and one or more nymphs. Make sure to throw a Pats Rubber Legs in the mix. Otherwise, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, Copper Johns and bigger (#16-18) Rainbow Warriors have produced consistent results. The heavy nymph rig is going to be your fall back, especially if you are having trouble getting your flies deep enough. Lead with a bigger attractor pattern like a San Juan Worm or Pats followed by one or more smaller imitative nymphs like a Zebra Midge, Mercury Midge or RS2. Streamers are a great option as well, but you are going to want to commit if you go that route. That said, if you are lucky enough to float, we recommend fishing streamers from the boat and nymphs from shore. When fishing streamers from the boat, cast as close to the banks as possible, give your line a big downstream mend and strip back to the boat.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl (#8-12), Amy's Ant (#10-12), Water Walkers (#8-10), Fat Freddies (#8-10), Yellow Sallies, Green Drake, Film Critic PMD.
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Kaufmann Stonefly (#6-10), Yellow Stonefly (#8-10), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Olive RS2 (#20-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-20), Black Beauty (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#18-20).
Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)
Flows on the Middle Colorado have dropped off substantially in the last several days, but shouldnt have a negative impact on fishing. Cloud cover and ideal air pressure most of the week will make for an awesome time of the water. Trout will continue to feed heavily along the banks and outer seams. The dry dropper is our go-to set up. Lead with bigger stimulator patterns like an Amys Ant or Chubby Chernobyl followed by two - four feet of tippet (depending on water depth) and one or more nymphs. Make sure to throw a Pats Rubber Legs in the mix. Otherwise, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Hares Ears, Copper Johns and bigger (#16-18) Rainbow Warriors have produced consistent results. The heavy nymph rig is going to be your fall back, especially if you are having trouble getting your flies deep enough. Lead with a bigger attractor pattern like a San Juan Worm or Pats followed by one or more smaller imitative nymphs like a Zebra Midge, Mercury Midge or RS2. Streamers are a great option as well, but you are going to want to commit if you go that route. That said, if you are lucky enough to float, we recommend fishing streamers from the boat and nymphs from shore. When fishing streamers from the boat, cast as close to the banks as possible, give your line a big downstream mend and strip back to the boat.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl (#8-12), Amy's Ant (#10-12), Water Walkers (#8-10), Fat Freddies (#8-10), Yellow Sallies, Green Drake, Film Critic PMD.
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Kaufmann Stonefly (#6-10), Yellow Stonefly (#8-10), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Olive RS2 (#20-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-20), Black Beauty (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#18-20).
Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)
Aug 14
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
August 14, 2019
FLOW: 4770 cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are now below 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 Conditions are challenging but steadily improving every day
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: This is shaping up to be a big water year in the Roaring Fork Valley, which is actually a blessing considering the drought conditions we've been experiencing over the last 20 years.
Wading the Colorado is still a bit challenging, mostly because finding soft water has been tough. Flows are big but many people are starting to float the "big river" again. Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16
FLOW: 4770 cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are now below 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 Conditions are challenging but steadily improving every day
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: This is shaping up to be a big water year in the Roaring Fork Valley, which is actually a blessing considering the drought conditions we've been experiencing over the last 20 years.
Wading the Colorado is still a bit challenging, mostly because finding soft water has been tough. Flows are big but many people are starting to float the "big river" again. Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16
Aug 11
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
Nothing but good things to say about the Middle Colorado. Flows have come down substantially and water clarity is improving by the day. Trout are feeding actively throughout the day and are not terribly selective. That said, they are keyed in on brown/tan Pats Rubber Legs, Copper Johns and Guides Choice Hares Ears. The heavy nymph rig has proven the most effective mode of fishing, but the dry dropper has definitely been the most fun. Regardless, trout are feeding predominantly along the banks and outer seams where water clarity is best. Hatch activity has been marginal, but you can certainly get their attention with larger stimulator flies like an Amys Ant followed by smaller stonefly, caddis, BWO or midge patterns. Streamers have been very productive, particularly through the slower sections. Black, white and yellow patterns seem to be doing the trick. When fishing from a boat, cast as close to the banks as you can, give your line a good mend and after a few seconds begin to strip the fly back to you. Otherwise, if you are bank fishing dead drift downstream and strip back up.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl (#8-12), Amy's Ant (#10-12), Water Walkers (#8-10), Fat Freddies (#8-10), Yellow Sallies, Green Drake, Film Critic PMD.
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Kaufmann Stonefly (#6-10), Yellow Stonefly (#8-10), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Olive RS2 (#20-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-20), Black Beauty (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#18-20).
Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)
Nothing but good things to say about the Middle Colorado. Flows have come down substantially and water clarity is improving by the day. Trout are feeding actively throughout the day and are not terribly selective. That said, they are keyed in on brown/tan Pats Rubber Legs, Copper Johns and Guides Choice Hares Ears. The heavy nymph rig has proven the most effective mode of fishing, but the dry dropper has definitely been the most fun. Regardless, trout are feeding predominantly along the banks and outer seams where water clarity is best. Hatch activity has been marginal, but you can certainly get their attention with larger stimulator flies like an Amys Ant followed by smaller stonefly, caddis, BWO or midge patterns. Streamers have been very productive, particularly through the slower sections. Black, white and yellow patterns seem to be doing the trick. When fishing from a boat, cast as close to the banks as you can, give your line a good mend and after a few seconds begin to strip the fly back to you. Otherwise, if you are bank fishing dead drift downstream and strip back up.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl (#8-12), Amy's Ant (#10-12), Water Walkers (#8-10), Fat Freddies (#8-10), Yellow Sallies, Green Drake, Film Critic PMD.
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Kaufmann Stonefly (#6-10), Yellow Stonefly (#8-10), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Olive RS2 (#20-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-20), Black Beauty (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#18-20).
Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)
Aug 11
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
August 10, 2019
FLOW: 4770 cfs in Glenwood Springs (Check out the link below to the real-time video camera on the river in Glenwood!)
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are nearing 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10 Conditions are challenging but steadily improving every day
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: This is shaping up to be a big water year in the Roaring Fork Valley, which is actually a blessing considering the drought conditions we've been experiencing over the last 20 years.
Wading the Colorado is still a bit challenging, mostly because finding soft water has been tough. Flows are big but many people are starting to float the "big river" again. Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16, Hackle
FLOW: 4770 cfs in Glenwood Springs (Check out the link below to the real-time video camera on the river in Glenwood!)
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are nearing 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10 Conditions are challenging but steadily improving every day
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: This is shaping up to be a big water year in the Roaring Fork Valley, which is actually a blessing considering the drought conditions we've been experiencing over the last 20 years.
Wading the Colorado is still a bit challenging, mostly because finding soft water has been tough. Flows are big but many people are starting to float the "big river" again. Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16, Hackle
Aug 07
The Blue Quill Angler
Clarity: Good
14 Day Forecast: The Colorado, although still high, is starting to shape up nicely. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs, and Tricos
Tips and Other Information: The Colorado River is starting to shape up and become manageable again. Look for the flows to continue to drop and for fishing to get better by the day. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, Red Quills, and Tricos. Make sure you bring plenty of Bens Bug Repellent
Effective Patterns: #10 Pats Rubber Legs, #14 San Juan Worm, #16 Bead Head Breadcrust, #18 Buckskin, #16 Mercers Trigger Nymph, #16 Prince Nymph, #18 Barr Emerger, #18 Mitchells Split Case, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, 18 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Yellow Stimulator, #12 Green Drake, #16 PMD, and #24 Stalcups Trico.
14 Day Forecast: The Colorado, although still high, is starting to shape up nicely. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs, and Tricos
Tips and Other Information: The Colorado River is starting to shape up and become manageable again. Look for the flows to continue to drop and for fishing to get better by the day. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, Red Quills, and Tricos. Make sure you bring plenty of Bens Bug Repellent
Effective Patterns: #10 Pats Rubber Legs, #14 San Juan Worm, #16 Bead Head Breadcrust, #18 Buckskin, #16 Mercers Trigger Nymph, #16 Prince Nymph, #18 Barr Emerger, #18 Mitchells Split Case, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, 18 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #16 Elk Hair Caddis, #16 Yellow Stimulator, #12 Green Drake, #16 PMD, and #24 Stalcups Trico.
Aug 07
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
August 4, 2019
FLOW: 5020 cfs in Glenwood Springs (Check out the link below to the real-time video camera on the river in Glenwood!)
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are nearing 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 7.5 out of 10 Conditions are challenging but steadily improving every day
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: This is shaping up to be a big water year in the Roaring Fork Valley, which is actually a blessing considering the drought conditions we've been experiencing over the last 20 years.
Wading the Colorado is still a bit challenging, mostly because finding soft water has been tough. Flows are big but many people are starting to float the "big river" again. Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16, Hackle Stacker PMD 16-18, Yellow Sparkledun PMD 16-18, Hackle Dun PMD 16-18, Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Collett's Para BWO 18-20, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, BWO Sparkledun BWO 18-20, Morgan's Para Midge 20, Biot Wing Midge 20, Hatching Midge 20, CDC Transitional Midge 20, Hi Vis Griffith's Gnat 18-20
HINTS: If you're trying to fish twilight caddis, do your homework beforehand and find some soft water where you can get a decent drift during these higher than "normal" flows
https://www.coloradowebcam.net/camera/glenwood-springs-webcam-west-glenwood
FLOW: 5020 cfs in Glenwood Springs (Check out the link below to the real-time video camera on the river in Glenwood!)
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are nearing 5,000 CFS
OVERALL RATING: 7.5 out of 10 Conditions are challenging but steadily improving every day
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, pupa and larvae, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly adults and nymphs, PMD nymphs and adults, worms, craneflies
THE LOW DOWN: This is shaping up to be a big water year in the Roaring Fork Valley, which is actually a blessing considering the drought conditions we've been experiencing over the last 20 years.
Wading the Colorado is still a bit challenging, mostly because finding soft water has been tough. Flows are big but many people are starting to float the "big river" again. Daytime hatches consist of yellow sallies, caddis, PMDs and a few BWOS.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes, swissies and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 16-18, Midges 16-22, Yellow Sallies 16, Golden Stones 6-10
Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: Stott's USD Green Drake Nymph 12, Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince 10-18, BLMs 18-20, San Juan Worm 10, Tung Bead Baetis 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, RS2s 20, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Imposters 20-22, Assassins 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, Biot Midge 20-22, 2o Incher 1-14, Poxyback Green Drake 10, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Halfback PMD Emerger 14-18, Copper John Red 14-18, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10
DRIES: Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 8-10, Sparkledun Green Drake 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Garcia's Mini Hot Yellow Sally 16, Hairy Sally 16, Hackle Stacker PMD 16-18, Yellow Sparkledun PMD 16-18, Hackle Dun PMD 16-18, Foam Body Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Collett's Para BWO 18-20, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, BWO Sparkledun BWO 18-20, Morgan's Para Midge 20, Biot Wing Midge 20, Hatching Midge 20, CDC Transitional Midge 20, Hi Vis Griffith's Gnat 18-20
HINTS: If you're trying to fish twilight caddis, do your homework beforehand and find some soft water where you can get a decent drift during these higher than "normal" flows
https://www.coloradowebcam.net/camera/glenwood-springs-webcam-west-glenwood
Aug 04
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
If you havent heard, the Colorado is fishing great! Flows continue to drop and the trout are growing increasingly eager. It is a dry dropper paradise. Trout here are keyed in on bigger stonefly patterns like a brown/tan Pats Rubber legs or Yellow Sally nymph. When fishing dry droppers, we like to lead with larger stimulator flies like an Amys Ant or Chernobyl Chubby followed by a stonefly and if you feel like risking it all (getting snagged or tangled) add another searcher nymph like a Copper John (yellow or red). Dry fly action as been great as well, particularly in the slower sections. Fish a double dry rig leading with a larger caddis or stonefly followed by smaller red quill or tricos. Streamers have been hit or miss, but can be very productive. If you are not seeing results on traditional streamers, go with smaller flies like a Wooly Bugger. Dead drift the bugger and strip slowly back to you.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Friday through Sunday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl (#8-12), Amy's Ant (#10-12), Water Walkers (#8-10), Fat Freddies (#8-10), Yellow Sallies, Green Drake, Film Critic PMD.
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Kaufmann Stonefly (#6-10), Yellow Stonefly (#8-10), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Olive RS2 (#20-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-20), Black Beauty (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#18-20).
Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)
If you havent heard, the Colorado is fishing great! Flows continue to drop and the trout are growing increasingly eager. It is a dry dropper paradise. Trout here are keyed in on bigger stonefly patterns like a brown/tan Pats Rubber legs or Yellow Sally nymph. When fishing dry droppers, we like to lead with larger stimulator flies like an Amys Ant or Chernobyl Chubby followed by a stonefly and if you feel like risking it all (getting snagged or tangled) add another searcher nymph like a Copper John (yellow or red). Dry fly action as been great as well, particularly in the slower sections. Fish a double dry rig leading with a larger caddis or stonefly followed by smaller red quill or tricos. Streamers have been hit or miss, but can be very productive. If you are not seeing results on traditional streamers, go with smaller flies like a Wooly Bugger. Dead drift the bugger and strip slowly back to you.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Friday through Sunday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Elk Hair Caddis (#16-18), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Chubby Chernobyl (#8-12), Amy's Ant (#10-12), Water Walkers (#8-10), Fat Freddies (#8-10), Yellow Sallies, Green Drake, Film Critic PMD.
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Kaufmann Stonefly (#6-10), Yellow Stonefly (#8-10), Electric Caddis (#16-18), Super Pupa (#16-18), San Juan Worm, Olive RS2 (#20-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-20), Black Beauty (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#18-20).
Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)