Colorado River Report July 6, 2025

Colorado River Report July 6, 2025

FLOW: 2770 CFS below Glenwood Springs

WATER CLARITY: Brown

OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Midges, Sculpins

THE LOWDOWN: We've been laying off the Colorado while she comes back down from her post-rain blowout. First we saw color from the Roaring Fork, and now from the Canyon.

Big nymphs and dries can still play well, especially below New Castle. Guides are leaning towards stonefly, hopper, and caddis rigs, with the occasional drake pattern thrown in. Drop a big stonefly or jigged attractor off the butt of one of these and you're golden. As always, streamers are a fun addition on overcast days.

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: Caddis 14-18, Blue winged olives 18-22, PMDs 14-18, Green Drakes 12-14, Yellow Sallies 16,  Midges 16-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:

DRIES: Outrigger Caddis 16, Lawson's E.Z. Caddis 16, Chuck's Variant Caddis 16, Royal Wulff 12-14, Colorado Drake Cripple 12, Irresistible Adams 18-24, Parachute Adams 16-18, TC Custom BWO Sparkledun 20-22, Hippie Stomper 12-14, Chubby Chernobyl 8-12

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 now becoming more active due to spring hatches. Don't be afraid to drift your flies through some riffles or faster sections!

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