Colorado River Report 8-19-17

COLORADO RIVER REPORT

August 16, 2017

FLOW: 2740 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS:  Blown out over the last few days, but in general, really shaping up nicely, and we are seeing an explosion of bugs when the river has good clarity.  There has been a bit of mud after rain lately, but this isn't a deal breaker.  Obviously the bridge closure in Glenwood is presenting some challenges, but if you avoid peak commuter times, it hasn't been that bad.  Keep in mid that No Name and Grizzly boat ramps are closed, Two Rivers has very limited parking, but South Canyon and down are wide open ramp-wise.

OVERALL RATING:  6 out of 10.  This big river will test your angling skills!

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Golden stoneflies, caddis, midges, Blue Winged Olives, PMDs, sculpins, juvenille rainbows, cranefly larva, yellow sallies

THE LOW DOWN: The Colorado has really been improving visibility-wise and fishing-wise.  We are seeing hatches of caddis, sallies and PMDs.

HATCHES: Caddis 16-18, BWOs 18-20, midges 18-24, yellow sallies 14-16, PMDs 14-18, golden stones 6-10

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, San Juan Worm 10, Cat Poop Stone 4-12, Prince Nymph 10-18 

DRIES:  Pearl and Elk Caddis 16-18, Lawson's EZ Caddis 16-18, Biot Wing Midge 20, Hatching Midge 20, CDC Transitional Midge 20, Colletts Para-BWO 18-20, Improved Sparkledun BWO 18-20, Charlie Boy Hopper 8-10, Garcia's Mini Hot 16, Hairy Sally 16

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

HINTS: Bike and fish where you can on the Colorado, or hop in a boat to really fish this water effectively.

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

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