Colorado River Report 

June 21, 2024

FLOW: 11,500 CFS below Glenwood Springs

WATER CLARITY: High and brown 

OVERALL RATING: 2 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis 12-18, Golden Stoneflies 4-10, Hoppers 2-10, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Midges 16-24, Salmonflies 4-8, Sculpins

THE LOWDOWN: Flows are way down on the Colorado in the last week, from 14,500 CFS to 11,500 CFS which is what we love to hear. Before last night's storms we were hanging out around 10,000cfs. We're still some time out from prime but the trend is exciting for those yearning for the boat. 

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 extreme caution this time of year, 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: Egg Laying Salmonfly 4-6, Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Elk and Pearl Caddis 12-18, Improved Sofa Pillow 4-6, Chubby Chernobyl 4-8, Improved Sparkle Dun Baetis 18-22, Iwane's No Mercy Midge 22-24, Matthews' Improved Z Lon Midge 22-24, CDC Transitional Midge 18-20, Perfect Baetis 20-22, TC Custom BWO Sparkledun 20-22

NYMPHS: Bead Head Cranefly Larva 6-10, Bead Head Bubble Back PMD Nymph 6-10, Iron Lotus 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Purple Darth Baetis 20-22, Foam Top BMW RS2 18-22, Griffin's Twenty Incher 10-14, Tungsten Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14-18, Cat Poop Stone 6-10, Jigged CDC PT 14-18, San Juan Worm 10, Perdigons 16-18, Copper Johns 16-18, BTS Baetis 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20-22, Roy's Biot Baetis Emerger 18-20

STREAMERS: Double Dirty Hippy 4, Dali Lama 4, Autumn Splendor 4-8, Carlton Banks 4, Stott's Ziwi 4, Stott's Conehead Ziwi 4

HINTS: We are excited to be back on the 'Rado a couple weeks from now. Look for the best bite in the soft stuff.

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