Colorado River Report 5-24-23

Colorado River Report 5-24-23

FLOW: 10,400 cfs

WATER CLARITY: Blown out and volume has tripled this week

OVERALL RATING: 1 out of 10

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

THE LOWDOWN: The Colorado River is big and brown for the time being, we should see it begin to clear by mid-June. A cold snap (especially evenings) might clear it up a bit, but after mid-May it will be in full runoff mode.

It might be worth your while to go down to the river at twilight and see if there is any caddis action if you can find some "slow" water. Use caution the river is big!

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