Colorado River Report September 22, 2026

COLORADO RIVER REPORT September 22, 2026

FLOW: 1,362 CFS  Real Time Flows: COLGLECO (Colorado River below Glenwood Springs)

WATER CLARITY: Poor visibility

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Tricos, Midges, Sculpins 

THE LOWDOWN: Be a Pain in the A.N.S.! We have two wader and boot cleaning stations here at Taylor Creek!  Clean Your Gear | Colorado Parks and Wildlife

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. Tricos 22-26, Midges 16-26 

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:

DRIES: Harrop's CDC Biot Dun BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun BWO 18-22, Rat-faced McDougal 16-18, Parachute Adams 18-24, Barr's Vis-a-Dun BWO 18-20, Bill Fitzsimmons' Trailing Shuck Midge Emerger 22-24, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24 

NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-12, Stott's Raisinette 20, BTS Baetis 20-22, Stott's Bad Carl 20, Double Down CDC PT 18-20, Soucie's Swidge 18-22, Soucie's Beau-Nator 18-20

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: 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