Colorado River
Middle (Pumphose to Dotsero)
Recent Guide Reports
Forecast
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- San Juan Worm
- Pat's Rubberlegs
- Juju Baetis
- RS-2
- Griffith's Gnat
- Parachute Adams
- Baetis Nymph
- Pheasant Tail
- Black Beauty
- Prince Nymph
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
May 29
FlyCast River Forecast
Difficulty: Intermediate
Flows on the Middle Colorado have dropped over the last few days. However, clarity is still fairly poor. That being said, the Salmonfly hatch is beginning to emerge and trout are looking up for big bites. Dry droppers have proven very effective as of late. Lead with a Chubby Chernobyl followed by two feet (or roughly the depth of the water along the bank) of tippet followed by an attractor or searcher nymph pattern. Trout are holding in the soft water along the banks and have been prone to bigger bites. When nymphing, go with big and messy bugs and a little flash. Frenchies, Flashback PTs, Rainbow Warriors, red Copper Johns, Psycho Prince Nymphs, Pats Rubber Legs, Egg Sucking Leeches or Worms. Focus on the banks where water clarity is best and ensure plenty of weight to your flies. Streamers will be productive in periods of stable flows. If you go this route hit the banks hard with a dark or light articulated streamer.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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 over the last few days. However, clarity is still fairly poor. That being said, the Salmonfly hatch is beginning to emerge and trout are looking up for big bites. Dry droppers have proven very effective as of late. Lead with a Chubby Chernobyl followed by two feet (or roughly the depth of the water along the bank) of tippet followed by an attractor or searcher nymph pattern. Trout are holding in the soft water along the banks and have been prone to bigger bites. When nymphing, go with big and messy bugs and a little flash. Frenchies, Flashback PTs, Rainbow Warriors, red Copper Johns, Psycho Prince Nymphs, Pats Rubber Legs, Egg Sucking Leeches or Worms. Focus on the banks where water clarity is best and ensure plenty of weight to your flies. Streamers will be productive in periods of stable flows. If you go this route hit the banks hard with a dark or light articulated streamer.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)
May 27
FlyCast River Forecast
Difficulty: Intermediate
Flows on the Middle Colorado have dropped over the last few days. However, clarity is still fairly poor. This is not to say you cannot have a productive time on the water. Trout are holding in the soft water along the banks and have been prone to bigger bites. If youre set on dirty water, go with big and messy bugs with a little flash. Frenchies, Flashback PTs, Rainbow Warriors, red Copper Johns, Psycho Prince Nymphs, Pats Rubber Legs, Egg Sucking Leeches or Worms. Focus on the banks where water clarity is best and ensure plenty of weight to your flies. Streamers will be productive in periods of stable flows. If you go this route hit the banks hard with a dark or light articulated streamer.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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 over the last few days. However, clarity is still fairly poor. This is not to say you cannot have a productive time on the water. Trout are holding in the soft water along the banks and have been prone to bigger bites. If youre set on dirty water, go with big and messy bugs with a little flash. Frenchies, Flashback PTs, Rainbow Warriors, red Copper Johns, Psycho Prince Nymphs, Pats Rubber Legs, Egg Sucking Leeches or Worms. Focus on the banks where water clarity is best and ensure plenty of weight to your flies. Streamers will be productive in periods of stable flows. If you go this route hit the banks hard with a dark or light articulated streamer.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)
May 24
FlyCast River Forecast
Difficulty: Intermediate
After several days of stable flow, water levels on the Middle Colorado have picked up again. Water clarity is poor and the fishing has suffered. At this point, youre probably better off fishing elsewhere like one of the many colorado tailwaters. If youre set on dirty water, go with big bugs with a little flash. Frenchies, Flashback PTs, Rainbow Warriors, red Copper Johns, Psycho Prince Nymphs, Pats Rubber Legs, Egg Sucking Leeches or Worms. Focus on the banks where water clarity is best and ensure plenty of weight to your flies. Streamers will be productive in periods of stable flows. If you go this route hit the banks hard with a dark or light articulated streamer.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)
After several days of stable flow, water levels on the Middle Colorado have picked up again. Water clarity is poor and the fishing has suffered. At this point, youre probably better off fishing elsewhere like one of the many colorado tailwaters. If youre set on dirty water, go with big bugs with a little flash. Frenchies, Flashback PTs, Rainbow Warriors, red Copper Johns, Psycho Prince Nymphs, Pats Rubber Legs, Egg Sucking Leeches or Worms. Focus on the banks where water clarity is best and ensure plenty of weight to your flies. Streamers will be productive in periods of stable flows. If you go this route hit the banks hard with a dark or light articulated streamer.
Ideal Days to Fish: Tuesday through Thursday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)
May 22
The Blue Quill Angler
Clarity: Stained
14 Day Forecast:Look for hatches of midges and blue-winged olives. Look for the clarity changes based on warm weather trends
Tips and Other Information: The Colorado River is fishing fair to good right now in the Parshall area. Flows are on the rise (and stained) right now with the onset of spring run-off. Egg patterns, Pats Rubber Legs, and San Juan Worms trailed by Baetis Nymphs, Sparkle Wing RS 2s, Buckskins, and Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tails have been producing some nice fish. Look for the clarity to change with warm-and-cool weather trends. The river down near Kremmling is starting to get a bit on the high side, which becomes a challenge for the walk/wade angler.
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #18-20 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #14 earthworm brown and pink San Juan Worm, #8-10 Pats Rubber Legs, 16-18 Mercury Caddis, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #18 Buckskin, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20 Jujubaetis, #20 Sparkle Dun, #20-24 Parachute Adams, #22 Matts Midge, and #22 Griffith Gnat.
14 Day Forecast:Look for hatches of midges and blue-winged olives. Look for the clarity changes based on warm weather trends
Tips and Other Information: The Colorado River is fishing fair to good right now in the Parshall area. Flows are on the rise (and stained) right now with the onset of spring run-off. Egg patterns, Pats Rubber Legs, and San Juan Worms trailed by Baetis Nymphs, Sparkle Wing RS 2s, Buckskins, and Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tails have been producing some nice fish. Look for the clarity to change with warm-and-cool weather trends. The river down near Kremmling is starting to get a bit on the high side, which becomes a challenge for the walk/wade angler.
Effective Patterns: #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #18-20 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #14 earthworm brown and pink San Juan Worm, #8-10 Pats Rubber Legs, 16-18 Mercury Caddis, #20-22 Mercury Midge, #18 Buckskin, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20 Jujubaetis, #20 Sparkle Dun, #20-24 Parachute Adams, #22 Matts Midge, and #22 Griffith Gnat.
May 17
FlyCast River Forecast
Difficulty: Intermediate
After a brief hiatus, flows on the Middle Colorado continue to rise. As such, water clarity is poor and worsens the further downstream you go. Big and messy bugs are key right now whether you are nymphing or fishing streamers. When nymphing, lead with an Egg Sucking Leech, Pats or San Juan Worm followed by one or more smaller nymphs. Flashback PTs, Guides Choice Hares Ears, Copper Johns, Frenchies, Rainbow Warriors are a few of our favorites. Weve also received reports that the double Pats rig has been productive. At this flow, youre going to want to target the soft water near the banks and behind large obstructions. Ensure plenty of weight and position your indicator so that your flies can reach the riverbed. Streamers will be a great option this week with sustained low air pressure and off colored water. Trout will capitalize on a large meal, but will be more inclined to chase something with a little flash. White or black streamers in the articulated variety seem to be doing the trick. If you are wading, dead drift downstream and strip back. If you are fishing from a boat, hit the banks hard.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Thursday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)
After a brief hiatus, flows on the Middle Colorado continue to rise. As such, water clarity is poor and worsens the further downstream you go. Big and messy bugs are key right now whether you are nymphing or fishing streamers. When nymphing, lead with an Egg Sucking Leech, Pats or San Juan Worm followed by one or more smaller nymphs. Flashback PTs, Guides Choice Hares Ears, Copper Johns, Frenchies, Rainbow Warriors are a few of our favorites. Weve also received reports that the double Pats rig has been productive. At this flow, youre going to want to target the soft water near the banks and behind large obstructions. Ensure plenty of weight and position your indicator so that your flies can reach the riverbed. Streamers will be a great option this week with sustained low air pressure and off colored water. Trout will capitalize on a large meal, but will be more inclined to chase something with a little flash. White or black streamers in the articulated variety seem to be doing the trick. If you are wading, dead drift downstream and strip back. If you are fishing from a boat, hit the banks hard.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Thursday & Sunday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)
May 11
FlyCast River Forecast
Difficulty: Intermediate
Run-off has take a break in recent days and flows have leveled off. Water clarity has improve slightly but it is still off colored. As such, bigger bugs with a little flash have been going a long way. Smaller midge and baetis patterns are still on the menu, but trout have been keen to bigger bites. When nymphing, go with caddis larva, stoneflies, worms, leeches and eggs. Trout are spreading out throughout the day, but are holding predominantly along the banks and cut offs. Streamers have been and will continue to be productive this week. Articulated patterns with a little flash will go a long way. If you are floating, hit the banks hard and strip back to the boat. Otherwise, when fishing from the bank, dead drift downstream and strip back upstream. Hatch activity has been decent, but trout are not looking up all that much. You might try your luck at a dry dropper along the banks in the slower water. Bigger stimulator patterns like an Amys Ant, Chubby Chernobyl or Elk Hair Caddis will turn a few heads.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)
Run-off has take a break in recent days and flows have leveled off. Water clarity has improve slightly but it is still off colored. As such, bigger bugs with a little flash have been going a long way. Smaller midge and baetis patterns are still on the menu, but trout have been keen to bigger bites. When nymphing, go with caddis larva, stoneflies, worms, leeches and eggs. Trout are spreading out throughout the day, but are holding predominantly along the banks and cut offs. Streamers have been and will continue to be productive this week. Articulated patterns with a little flash will go a long way. If you are floating, hit the banks hard and strip back to the boat. Otherwise, when fishing from the bank, dead drift downstream and strip back upstream. Hatch activity has been decent, but trout are not looking up all that much. You might try your luck at a dry dropper along the banks in the slower water. Bigger stimulator patterns like an Amys Ant, Chubby Chernobyl or Elk Hair Caddis will turn a few heads.
Ideal Days to Fish: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday
Go to flies:
Surface - Parachute Adams (#22-24), Griffiths Gnat (#22-24)
Subsurface - Pat's Rubber Leg (#8-12), Electric Caddis (#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)