Colorado River Report

July 23, 2024

FLOW: 2770 below Glenwood Springs

WATER CLARITY: So far the clarity has been pretty consistent!

OVERALL RATING: 9 out of 10 (we don't say that every day)

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, PMD Rusty Spinners, Craneflies, Caddis, Golden Stoneflies, Hoppers and Terrestrials, Blue Winged Olives, Salmonflies, Sculpins, Midges 

THE LOWDOWN: The "Collie" has been pretty consistent in regards to flows and hatches so far this summer. Monsoonal trends can add some color but so far, so good. The fishing is only going to get tougher now that flows are steadily dropping, but we're still throwing big bugs versus techy baetis patterns that we tend to rely on when it gets lower and warmer.

Most of you know that cloudy days are best, especially for a slow-release hatch. 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.

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:

DRIES: H&L Variant 10-12, BDE Green Drake 10-12, Harrop's Cripple Green Drake 12, Missing Link Green Drake 12, Egg Laying Salmonfly 4-6, Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Elk and Pearl Caddis 12-18, Missing Link Caddis 16-18, Outrigger Caddis 16, Improved Sofa Pillow 4-6, Chubby Chernobyl 8-12, CDC Comparadun PMD 16-18, TC Custom PMD Comparadun 14-18, Hackle Stacker PMD 16-18, Skippy Hopper 8, Foam Chernobyl Ant 8-10, Yellow Humpy 14-18, Stimulator 12-18, Irresistible Adams 12-16, Parachute Adams 12-18, TC Custom BWO Sparkledun 20-22

NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly Nymph 6-12, Stott's Raisinette 20, Stott's Bad Carl 20, Stott's USD Drake Nymph 12, Magnymphico 16-18, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Tungsten Redemption 16-18, Iron Lotus 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Griffin's Twenty Incher 10-14, Prince Nymph 10-18, Jigged Tungsten Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14-18, Hot Orange Bead Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail 16-18, Perdigons 16-18, Jigged Tungsten Blow Torch 14-18, Copper Johns 16-18, BTS Baetis 20-22

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

HINTS: Keep an eye on the water temps, the bight will be best when it's cool versus the middle of the afternoon.

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