Colorado River
Middle (Pumphose to Dotsero)

Technicality: 2/5

Flows have risen slightly over the last week stirring up a variety of new bug and as a result the trout are feeding at comparatively higher rates. Leech, stonefly, egg and worm patterns make for great lead flies when trailed by a smaller midge or baetis patterns. Trout continue to hold in the depths of the water and near cover, but are prone to spread out on warm and cloudy days. Streamers have been hit or miss, but under the right circumstances (warm and cloudy) are deadly. This week is forecast to be a modest improvement from the last. However, sub-freezing air temps for the better part of the week will have trout holding fairly idle and feeding selectively depending on the hour of the given day and present conditions.

Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday

Go to flies:

Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Sparkle Dun (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Amy's Ant (#10-12).

Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#12), San Juan Worm, Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Olive RS2 (#20-24), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#20-22).

Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)

Technicality: 2/5

After several days of higher flow, water levels on the Middle Colorado have retreated significantly and are in line with two weeks ago. As such, there will be fewer holding places for trout and the ice along the banks will begin to build up again. Sub-freezing air temps on the horizon will keep water temps low and hatch activity at bay leading to a sluggish trout. Youre going to want to fish those double and triple nymph rigs with plenty of weight and do your best to hit them on the nose with your flies. Water clarity isnt great, but if youre patient and observant you can spot holding trout. Early in the week youre going to want to fish attractor patterns like the flashback Pheasant tail in order to get the trouts attention and get them moving. Eggs, stoneflies and worms will make for great lead flies, but go with smaller nymph patterns as your trailer flies. This week is forecast to start off relatively slow as sub-freezing air temps and high air pressure leave trout sluggish and disinterested in feeding. Look for productivity to improve with each passing day as air temps rise and barometric pressure stabilizes at normal feeding levels.

Ideal Days to Fish: Saturday & Sunday

Go to flies:

Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Sparkle Dun (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Amy's Ant (#10-12).

Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#12), San Juan Worm, Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Olive RS2 (#20-24), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#20-22).

Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)

Technicality: 2/5

After several weeks of lower than normal flows, the Middle Colorado received a much needed bump. As such, new bug life has been stirred up and the trout are feeding at comparatively higher rates. Smaller stoneflies, eggs and worm patterns have made for great lead flies. Trail any of the aforementioned patterns with a small (#18-20) search pattern like the Guides Choice Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail or Prince nymph or an even smaller (#20-24) midge or beatis pattern. Higher flows will necessitate more weight so be sure to play around with your fly depth before moving on to the next hole or changing out flies. This week is forecast to start off comparatively mild from an air temperature perspective so look for sporadic hatch activity at which point we recommend leading with small (#20-24) midges followed by an emerger pattern.

Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Tuesday & Sunday

Go to flies:

Surface - Parachute Adams (#20-24), Sparkle Dun (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24), Amy's Ant (#10-12).

Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#12), San Juan Worm, Hare's Ear (#18 - 20), Olive RS2 (#20-24), Psycho Prince Nymph (#18 -20), Pheasant Tail (#18-22), Stalcups Baetis (#20-22), JuJu Baetis (#20-22), Black Beauties (#20-22), Zebra Midge (#20-22).

Streamers - white Sparkle Minnow (#6), black Wooly Bugger (#4-5), Cheech Leech (#6)

Colorado River Report

February 2, 2019
FLOW: 900 cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS:
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO nymphs and Midges
THE LOW DOWN: The Colorado is clear and cold. Nymphing has proven to bring most success, using Princes or worms as leads and trailing small BWO and midge patterns.

We're starting to see some better midge hatches out there, the big ones should be hatching in the next few weeks!

Winter fishing on the Colorado can be hit or miss. No need to get on the river early, the warmer part of the day seems to be the best fishing.

The streamer fishing this time year can bring great rewards, especially on overcast days.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24

Appropriate Patterns
NYMPHS: 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
DRIES: Morgan's Para Midge 20, Biot Wing Midge 20, Hatching Midge 20, CDC Transitional Midge 20, Hi Vis Griffith's Gnat 18-20
HINTS: Using sink tips with your streamers! Can be make or break sometimes to getting in the strike zone.