Colorado River Report 4-23-23

Colorado River Report 4-23-23

FLOW: 2320 cfs

WATER CLARITY: Varies with the weather, increasingly muddier with the warm up

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10 when it's green, 1 out of 10 when it's brown

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Midges 16-24, Caddis 14-18 (still sporadic), Sculpins

THE LOWDOWN: The Colorado River (here in the Roaring Fork Valley) was once a best-kept-secret, but the word is out now. The Colorado has had it's challenges in recent years between fires and drought, but the fish are tough and we consider it a "quality versus quantity" river.

Larger midges are now hatching and will gain in numbers as we warm up, plus springtime baetis and caddis hatches are starting right now. For those planning a springtime trip, the baetis tend to range in the 18-20 size, and caddis can be found in sizes 14-18. We love the changes of spring, and so do the fish.

Best approached via drift boat, the Colorado has some big, brawling runs with a nice mix of riffles and deep pits, too. For those on foot, some terrific access can be found in South Canyon, near the Dino boat ramp, and even right in Glenwood Springs downstream of the confluence with the Roaring Fork.

Keep in mind that annual spawning closures with be in effect in a few creek mouths (Grizzly, Canyon and Elk creeks), they are well-posted and last from March 15th to May 31st. (See Below) 

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:                                                         

DRIES: Missing Link Caddis 16-18, Lawson's EZ Caddis 16-18, Outrigger Caddis 14-16, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Perfect Baetis 20-22, TC Custom BWO Sparkledun 20-22, HOH CDC Thorax BWO, HOH Hanging Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24

NYMPHS: Iron Lotus 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Purple Darth Baetis 20-22, Foam Top BMW RS2 18-22, Griffin's Twenty Incher 10-14, Cat Poop Stone 6-10, Jigged CDC PT 16-18, San Juan Worm 10, Perdigons 16-18, Copper Johns 16-18, BTS Baetis 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20-22, Roy's Biot Baetis Emerger 18-20

STREAMERS: Double Dirty Hippy 4, Dali Lama 4, Autumn Splendor 4-8, Carlton Banks 4, Stott's Ziwi 4, Stott's Conehead Ziwi 4

HINTS: We may need to patient with the Colorado, the visibility has been next to nothing as of late.

 https://dwr.state.co.us/tools/Stations/COLGLECO?params=DISCHRG