Colorado River Report 7-6-21

FLOW: 3090 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS: Low, clear, and getting a bit warm

OVERALL RATING:  5 out 10 if clear, less if muddy and off-color

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, BWOs, Caddis, Golden Stoneflies, Midges

THE LOW DOWN: The Colorado is starting to get a bit too warm, but as of now there are no voluntary closures. Once (and if) closures go into place, we and the fishing public should follow the Guidance of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Roaring Fork Conservancy. Usually voluntary closures go into place after noon or so, when water temperatures begin approaching 70 degrees.

We have been enjoying some cool monsoonal afternoons, so hopefully that will help with the concerning water temperatures.

Hatches run the gamut- green drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Caddis and Golden Stoneflies are abundant. We recommend using the heaviest tippet you can get away with, this will ensure a quick and short fight and get the fish back in the water as soon as you possibly can.

HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12, Pale Morning Duns 14-18, Caddis 14-18, Golden Stones 6-10, Midges 16-22

Appropriate Patterns  

DRIES: Missing Link Green Drake 12, TC Sparkledun Green Drake 12-14, Rogue Foam Stone Golden 8-10, Egg Layer Golden Stone 8, Chubby Chernobyl Gold 6-8, Sparkledun BWO 18-20, Hackle Dun BWO 20, No Hackle BWO 18-20, CDC Comparadun BWO 18-20, Sparkle Dun PMD 16-18, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Missing Link Caddis 14-18, CDC Transitional Midge 20-22, Griffiths Gnat 18-22, Sprout Midge 20-22, HOH Spent Midge 20-22, Hatching Midge 20-22. 

NYMPHS: Split Back PMD, Poxyback Golden Stone 8-12, Spanflex Black Stone 8-10, Prince 14-18, Tung Z Wing Caddis 14-16, Tung Trapper Nymph 16-18, BLMs 18-20, 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, Copper John Red 14-18, San Juan Worm 10

STREAMERS: Carlton Banks 4, Autumn Splendor 4, Grease Monkey 6, Galloup's Dungeon 2-4

HINTS: Don't focus on just the large slow runs. The fish tend to move into the faster and shallower water when the hatches are coming off. 

Link to Real Time Flows:

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09085100