Colorado River Report April 13 2025

Colorado River Report

April 13, 2025

FLOW: 2530 CFS below Glenwood Springs and rising

WATER CLARITY: Like the Fork, brown after hot days, good vis after cool days.

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue winged olive nymphs, emergers and adults, caddis pupae, emergers and adults, small green drake and PMD nymphs, sculpins, Midges 

THE LOWDOWN: Annual spawning closures are in effect at Grizzly, Canyon, Castle and Elk Creeks, you'll see the signs where fishing is off limits until June 1st. These areas a just a small portion of the greater river.

Changes are coming fast- now we are seeing a quasi-decent caddis hatch in addition to spring baetis (blue winged olives) and midges. We've seen a few blowouts now that we have a few hot days under our belts, and the river has been yo-yoing a bit like it tends to do in spring.

Streamers have been productive on overcast days, guides are moving away from eggs and baetis and switching up to stoneflies and caddis rigs.

The Colorado is a big, brawling river- ideal for a drift boat but it can be accessed on foot. This river is a bit more of a quality than a quantity fishery, so be prepared to hook onto some pissed-off fish that will dump your reel in a few seconds.

Wade-fishers should exercise caution in the biggest river of the valley, but popular wading spots include the confluence with the Roaring Fork, Dino Boat ramp (both above and below the ramp) and upstream of South Canyon rapid.

Hatches: Blue winged olives 18-22, midges 16-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:

DRIES: Irresistible Adams 18-24, Parachute Adams 16-18, TC Custom BWO Sparkledun 20-22, Roy's Special Emerger 20, Sprout Midge 20, Griffith's Gnat 20

NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly Nymph 6-12, Stott's Raisinette 20, Stott's Bad Carl 20, Magnymphico 16-18, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Tungsten Redemption 16-18, Iron Lotus 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Prince Nymph 14-18, Jigged Tungsten Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14-18, Hot Orange Bead Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail 16-18, Perdigon 16-18, Jigged Tungsten Blow Torch 14-18, Copper John 16-18, BTS Baetis 20-22

STREAMERS: Craven's Double Dirty Hippy, Dali Lama, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor, Carlton Banks, Stott's Conehead Ziwi, Craven's Swim Coach, Hansen's Meal Ticket

HINTS: Fish are likely to be holding deep where they can still find cover in the low and clear water.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09085100/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D