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
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Golden Stonefly
- Pat's Rubberlegs
- Baetis Nymph
- Pheasant Tail
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 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)
Jul 29
FlyCast River Forecast
Technicality: 2/5
Nothing but good things to say about the Middle Colorado. Water clarity has improved dramatically with lower flows and the fishing is really starting to pick up. Floating is your best bet, but if that is not an option, wading along the banks can be very productive. Streamers, dry droppers, and the heavy nymph rig continue to produce great results. When fishing streamers, we still recommend sticking with black or white patterns as they will contrast the water and turn a few heads. Hatch activity continues to improve and moisture this week should help. Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow Sally, Green Drake or Red Quill patterns will do you well. When fishing dries, target the banks and slower water as this is where trout will feed most heavily. Otherwise a dry dropper will help survey the water. When nymphing, go with bigger lead flies like a Pats, yellow stonefly, San Juan Worm or Pheasant Tail followed by one or two smaller imitative patterns. In general though, you cant go wrong with searcher nymphs.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday 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)
Nothing but good things to say about the Middle Colorado. Water clarity has improved dramatically with lower flows and the fishing is really starting to pick up. Floating is your best bet, but if that is not an option, wading along the banks can be very productive. Streamers, dry droppers, and the heavy nymph rig continue to produce great results. When fishing streamers, we still recommend sticking with black or white patterns as they will contrast the water and turn a few heads. Hatch activity continues to improve and moisture this week should help. Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow Sally, Green Drake or Red Quill patterns will do you well. When fishing dries, target the banks and slower water as this is where trout will feed most heavily. Otherwise a dry dropper will help survey the water. When nymphing, go with bigger lead flies like a Pats, yellow stonefly, San Juan Worm or Pheasant Tail followed by one or two smaller imitative patterns. In general though, you cant go wrong with searcher nymphs.
Ideal Days to Fish: Wednesday 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)
Jul 29
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
FLOW: 6710 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 below 7,000 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, and we are still seeing a green drake or two.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12 (sporadic, on the tail end of this hatch), 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: Stott's KGB Green Drake, H and L Variant 10-12, Royal Wulff 10-14, 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 the green drake hatch, 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
WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping, now we are below 7,000 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, and we are still seeing a green drake or two.
Nymphs of note this week are sunken spinners, San Juan Worms and beaded princes and pheasant tails. If streamers are your thing, utilize a sink tip and get that streamer down in the zone quickly.
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12 (sporadic, on the tail end of this hatch), 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: Stott's KGB Green Drake, H and L Variant 10-12, Royal Wulff 10-14, 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 the green drake hatch, do your homework beforehand and find some soft water where you can get a decent drift during these higher than "normal" flows
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