Colorado River
Middle (Pumphose to Dotsero)

Colorado River Report July 23, 2025
FLOW: 2200 CFS below Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear enough
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: She's fishing like mid-summer now. Big foamies and caddis up top can make for a show, but smaller mayfly and midge nymphs subsurface will be more effective for catching numbers with the water being low and clear again. As always, streamers are a fun addition on overcast days.

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, PMDs 14-18, Yellow Sallies 16, Midges 16-26, Terrestrials
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Outrigger Caddis 16, Lawson's E.Z. Caddis 16, Chuck's Variant Caddis 16, Royal Wulff 12-14, Colorado Drake Cripple 12, Irresistible Adams 18-24, Parachute Adams 16-18, TC Custom BWO Sparkledun 20-22, Melon Quill PMD 14-16, DC Missing Outrigger Sally 16-18, Hippie Stomper 12-14, Chubby Chernobyl 8-12
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly Nymph 6-12, Stott's Raisinette 20, Stott's Bad Carl 20, Magnymphico 16-18, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Tungsten Redemption 16-18, Iron Lotus 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Prince Nymph 14-18, Jigged Tungsten Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14-18, Hot Orange Bead Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail 16-18, Perdigon 16-18, Jigged Tungsten Blow Torch 14-18, Copper John 16-18, BTS Baetis 20-22
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: Fish are now becoming more active due to spring hatches. 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

Colorado River Report July 13, 2025
FLOW: 2190 CFS below Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear enough
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: She's fishing like mid-summer now. Big foamies and caddis up top can make for a show, but smaller mayfly and midge nymphs subsurface may be more effective for catching numbers. As always, streamers are a fun addition on overcast days.

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, PMDs 14-18, Green Drakes 12-14, Yellow Sallies 16, Midges 16-26
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Outrigger Caddis 16, Lawson's E.Z. Caddis 16, Chuck's Variant Caddis 16, Royal Wulff 12-14, Colorado Drake Cripple 12, Irresistible Adams 18-24, Parachute Adams 16-18, TC Custom BWO Sparkledun 20-22, Hippie Stomper 12-14, Chubby Chernobyl 8-12
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly Nymph 6-12, Stott's Raisinette 20, Stott's Bad Carl 20, Magnymphico 16-18, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Tungsten Redemption 16-18, Iron Lotus 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Prince Nymph 14-18, Jigged Tungsten Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14-18, Hot Orange Bead Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail 16-18, Perdigon 16-18, Jigged Tungsten Blow Torch 14-18, Copper John 16-18, BTS Baetis 20-22
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: Fish are now becoming more active due to spring hatches. 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