Colorado River
Middle (Pumphose to Dotsero)

Colorado River Report September 13, 2025
FLOW: 1820 CFS below Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 10 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Stonefly Nymphs, Blue Winged Olive Nymphs, Caddis, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: What's not to love about floating the mighty Col on a chilly fall morning, fishing to big, hungry fish? We know we've been enjoying it.

Trout are gearing up for winter and their feeding patterns reflect that. With the current weather, streamers have been the most entertaining (and sometimes most productive) way to headhunt the giants. If you're looking for numbers, searching the riffles with a stonefly under an indicator has been dredging 'em up.

Water temperatures aren't as much of a concern with recent weather patterns, but stay alert to changing conditions, especially on sunny afternoons.

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: Tricos 20-24, Midges 16-26, Terrestrials
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Parachute Adams 16-18, Bill's Trailing Shuck Emerger 22-24, Biot Trico CDC Spinner Black 20, Clear-Wing Trico Spinner 22, DC Missing Outrigger Sally 16-18, Hippie Stomper 12-14, Chubby Chernobyl 8-12
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 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: 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 September 4, 2025
FLOW: 1730 CFS below Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Stonefly Nymphs, Blue Winged Olive Nymphs, Caddis, PMD Nymphs, Yellow Sallies, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: The Col has been the hot spot lately, with stable flows and dropping temperatures. Fish have been receptive to large stonefly nymphs as well as the usual tiny shinys, especially when fished in the faster, riffle-y water. As always, pack your streamer box when fishing the big river for the chance at some real fun fishing.

Water temperatures aren't as much of a concern with recent weather patterns, but stay alert to changing conditions, especially on sunny afternoons.

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, Yellow Sallies 16, Midges 16-26, Terrestrials
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Outrigger Caddis 16, Lawson's E.Z. Caddis 16, Chuck's Variant Caddis 16, Irresistible Adams 18-24, Parachute Adams 16-18, DC Missing Outrigger Sally 16-18, Hippie Stomper 12-14, Chubby Chernobyl 8-12
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 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: 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