COLORADO RIVER REPORT

March 31, 2018

FLOW: 1250 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS:  The Silt boat ramp is closed for repairs until April 2nd! March Madness is here...  Mild weather has helped this fishery stay viable.

OVERALL RATING:  9 out of 10.  This can change depending on conditions!

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges and the first waves of BWOs are popping hard out there!  We've also seen a few caddis while out on the river.

THE LOW DOWN: The Colorado can fish very well through March depending on weather.  High and bright sunny days aren't as good as the warm and cloudy ones as a general rule.  Streamers and small nymphs have been fishing well, and midge dry fly fishing has been great when conditions are optimal.  We are seeing a few BWOs but the fish aren't quite on them yet. There's a "bonus season" on the Colorado between winter and spring, and the time is now!

Like the Roaring Fork, the slush factor will be present following cold nights, but when it stays above 25 degrees the river has been in pretty good shape the next day. Please give spawning beds a wide berth.

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, Caddis 12-18, Midges 16-24

Appropriate Patterns  

NYMPHS: Prince 16-18, BLMs 18-20, 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

DRIES:  Befus Para BWO 20-22, Perfect Baetis 18-22, Pearl and Elk Caddis 12-18, EthaWing Caddis 14-16, X2 Caddis 14-18, Biot Wing Midge 20, Hatching Midge 20, CDC Transitional Midge 20, Hi Vis Griffith's Gnat 18-20

STREAMERS: Carlton Banks, Meat Gazers, Circus Peanuts, Sculpzillas, Willy White Shoes, Weir's Sculpin, Splendors 

HINTS: Cover all the water you can until you figure out where the fish are holding.

Link to the USGS Real Time Flow Chart for the Colorado River 

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