Colorado River Report 4-27-18

COLORADO RIVER REPORT (Glenwood Springs west to Rifle)

April 27, 2018

FLOW: 2340 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS:  With spring changes comes fluctuating water conditions. Real time flows are accessible on the link below.

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

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis adults, BWO adults, BWO, PMD and green drake nymphs, golden stonefly nymphs, caddis larva (free swimming and cased), cranefly larva, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: The Colorado has been lights-out awesome one day and blown the next, so keep an eye on the graph and choose the right day to fish it.  Caddis have been thick.  These first strong waves of caddis love the heat, and with the warm ups come muddy water.  This hatch rivals the Arkansas in many locals' opinions, go find out for yourself!

Hot and bright days yield the best caddis fishing, cloudy ones will spur stronger BWO hatches.  Don't overlook the suberb twilight caddis fishing, especially if you had to work all day.  Don't get caught running out of dry shake!

Floating is optimal versus wade fishing, but you can find terrific wade spots at No Name, Dino Truck Stop and Newcastle.  Be aware of seasonal spawning closures at Grizzly Creek, No Name Creek, and South Canyon whether you are wading or floating.

HATCHES: Caddis 12-18, BWOs 18-20, Midges 18-24

Appropriate Patterns  

NYMPHS: Prince 16-18, BLMs 18-20, Epoxy Back Stone 6-8, Cat Poop Stone 8-10, 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

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: Look closely at the foam lines floating down the river.  The fish will follow them backwards while they eat and then swim back up the run to repeat!

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

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