Colorado River
14 Day Forecast: Look for sporadic hatches midges, Tricos, red quills, and blue-winged olives
Effective Patterns: #14 San Juan Worm, #12 Pat's Rubber Legs, #18 Buckskin, #18 Graphic Caddis, #16 Bead Head Breadcrust, #20 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #18 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #18 Jujubaetis, #18 Top Secret Baetis, #20 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #16-20 Parachute Adams, #16 AK's Red Quill, #14-16 Elk Hair Caddis, #24 Trico Spinner, #24 Stalcup's Trico Biot Comparadun, and #20 Matthew's Sparkle Dun.
Measurements
Stream Report, Effective Patterns, & Expert Information for Fly Fishing the Colorado River
The Colorado River begins its journey in Rocky Mountain National Park and heads west offering anglers several opportunities to sample this great stream. Near the small community of Granby is the confluence of the Fraser River. At this point the river is a meandering, meadow stream flowing through lush ranchland and the river remains this way until it hit Byers Canyon. Byers Canyon is only about 3/4 mile long and this section is tough to negotiate, especially during higher flows. Below Byers Canyon the river is “as good as it gets” with many access points including Paul Gilbert, Lone Buck, Kemp-Breeze, Sun Set Ranch, Powers Unit, Reeder Creek and the Pump House to Radium stretch. The Colorado is lined with cottonwood trees and willows and is a dry fly paradise. Anglers can expect to catch a mixed bag of both browns and rainbows. The regulations in this area are flies and lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.
Fishing the Colorado River should be on everyone's bucket list. Whether you're a walk/wade fisherman or prefer float-fishing, this river has something for everyone!
Tips & Other Information:
The Upper Colorado River near Parshall is slightly off-colored from the work being done up near Windy Gap. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of sporadic caddis, red quills, and blue-winged olives. Make sure you wear a long sleeved shirt, Buff, sun gloves, etc. and take plenty of Deep Woods Off as the mosquitoes are still a problem. Fishing on the lower river will improve by the day with the nights cooling down. The overnight lows are dipping down into the 30’s again which is good news… Revised 9/4/24