Colorado River
Middle (Pumphose to Dotsero)
Recent Guide Reports
Forecast
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- Zebra Midge
- RS-2
- San Juan Worm
- Pheasant Tail
- Prince Nymph
- Woolly Bugger
- Black Beauty
- Psycho Prince
- Juju Baetis
- Hare's Ear
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Feb 23
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
The Middle Colorado has been plagued with ice over the last few weeks leaving very little fishable water. On warmer days, weve seen a number of runs open up. However, sub-freezing air temps most of this week will make for difficult fishing. If you find some open water, stick with the heavy nymph rigs. We like to lead with a slightly bigger searcher or attractor pattern like a Guides Choice Hares Ear, Flashback Pheasant Tail, red Copper john or Rainbow Warrior followed by one or more smaller imitative midge patterns. As far as midges go, keep it simple. Zebra Midges, Black Beauties, Mercury Midges, Jujubee Midges and Blood Midges have all been productive. Otherwise, small streamers have produced a few results. Mini Sculpins, Thin Mints and Wooly Buggers should do the trick. At this point, we recommend fishing elsewhere. The Upper Colorado and the confluence of the Williams Fork or the Lower Colorado below Glenwood Springs are both great options.
Ideal Days to Fish: NA
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)
The Middle Colorado has been plagued with ice over the last few weeks leaving very little fishable water. On warmer days, weve seen a number of runs open up. However, sub-freezing air temps most of this week will make for difficult fishing. If you find some open water, stick with the heavy nymph rigs. We like to lead with a slightly bigger searcher or attractor pattern like a Guides Choice Hares Ear, Flashback Pheasant Tail, red Copper john or Rainbow Warrior followed by one or more smaller imitative midge patterns. As far as midges go, keep it simple. Zebra Midges, Black Beauties, Mercury Midges, Jujubee Midges and Blood Midges have all been productive. Otherwise, small streamers have produced a few results. Mini Sculpins, Thin Mints and Wooly Buggers should do the trick. At this point, we recommend fishing elsewhere. The Upper Colorado and the confluence of the Williams Fork or the Lower Colorado below Glenwood Springs are both great options.
Ideal Days to Fish: NA
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)
Feb 16
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
At this point, much of the Middle Colorado is covered in ice and with sub-freezing temps this week youre going to have a tough time finding open water. As such, we recommend fishing elsewhere. We recommend fishing the lower Colorado below Glenwood springs or in Parshall at the confluence of the Williams Fork as there is more fishable water. Here you will want to go with small and imitative nymph rigs. We like to lead with a searcher pattern like a Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Pats or Egg pattern followed by one or more smaller midges like a Black Beauty, Miracle Midge or Bling Midge. Focus on the banks with large cut-offs as well as the slow runs and deep pools. Streamers have been productive on mild and cloudy days, but wait for the late morning or afternoon before you go this route
Ideal Days to Fish: NA
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)
At this point, much of the Middle Colorado is covered in ice and with sub-freezing temps this week youre going to have a tough time finding open water. As such, we recommend fishing elsewhere. We recommend fishing the lower Colorado below Glenwood springs or in Parshall at the confluence of the Williams Fork as there is more fishable water. Here you will want to go with small and imitative nymph rigs. We like to lead with a searcher pattern like a Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Pats or Egg pattern followed by one or more smaller midges like a Black Beauty, Miracle Midge or Bling Midge. Focus on the banks with large cut-offs as well as the slow runs and deep pools. Streamers have been productive on mild and cloudy days, but wait for the late morning or afternoon before you go this route
Ideal Days to Fish: NA
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)
Feb 09
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
Sub-freezing temps have led to increased ice accumulation leaving little to be fished on this section of the Colorado. Comparatively higher air temps this week coupled with increased flows should break up some of the ice in the coming days, but dont expect much. We recommend fishing the lower Colorado below Glenwood springs or in Parshall at the confluence of the Williams Fork as there is more open water. Here you will want to go with small and imitative nymph rigs. We like to lead with a searcher pattern like a Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Pats or Egg pattern followed by one or more smaller midges like a Black Beauty, Miracle Midge or Bling Midge. Focus on the banks with large cut-offs as well as the slow runs and deep pools. Streamers have been productive on mild and cloudy days, but wait for the late morning or afternoon before you go this route.
Ideal Days to Fish: NA
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)
Sub-freezing temps have led to increased ice accumulation leaving little to be fished on this section of the Colorado. Comparatively higher air temps this week coupled with increased flows should break up some of the ice in the coming days, but dont expect much. We recommend fishing the lower Colorado below Glenwood springs or in Parshall at the confluence of the Williams Fork as there is more open water. Here you will want to go with small and imitative nymph rigs. We like to lead with a searcher pattern like a Hares Ear, Pheasant Tail, Pats or Egg pattern followed by one or more smaller midges like a Black Beauty, Miracle Midge or Bling Midge. Focus on the banks with large cut-offs as well as the slow runs and deep pools. Streamers have been productive on mild and cloudy days, but wait for the late morning or afternoon before you go this route.
Ideal Days to Fish: NA
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)