Colorado River Report

November 13, 2024

FLOW: 1500 CFS below Glenwood Springs

WATER CLARITY: Clear

OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Sculpins, Midges 

THE LOWDOWN: 

Our fall spawning closures are now in effect, as of October 1st. Certain areas CAN NOT be fished until December 1st, for the health of our ecosystem. These locations are 50 FEET UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM of:

• Grizzly Creek
• No Name Creek
• Canyon Creek
• Elk Creek

It's probably our favorite time of year to fish the big river. Water levels are back down 500 CFS after last week's bump, which is great news for those pre-spawn browns looking to stuff their gullets, and for the fishermen looking to target them. 

Fishing tends to start slow and heat up as the day continues. Mornings are best tackled with your small-fly box, but break out the heavy nymphs and streamers as the fish "wake up." Hatches have been weak, but sub-surface has been great. Most of you know that cloudy days are best, especially for a slow-release hatch, and especially for throwing streamers.

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: Yellow Humpy 14-18, Stimulator 12-18, 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: Double Dirty Hippy, Dali Lama, Autumn Splendor, Carlton Banks, Stott's Conehead Ziwi, Swim Coach, 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