Good morning from the Colorado River! It's shaping up to be a fantastic day for anglers in the area, with cooperative weather and pre-runoff fishing conditions showing great promise. Here's your fishing report for Friday, April 11, 2025.
Today's weather is mild, with highs expected to reach the upper 50s to low 60s, accompanied by clear skies and low wind. Sunrise was at 6:34 AM, and sunset is predicted at 7:39 PM, giving plenty of daylight to cast your lines. Water flows on the river are currently steady, fluctuating between 1,500 and 2,500 cubic feet per second (CFS) depending on location. Water clarity is good in the mornings but may stain slightly by late afternoon due to upstream snowmelt.
Fishing activity has been impressive recently, with trout becoming more active as temperatures warm up. Anglers have been reporting success nymphing with patterns like Pat’s Rubber Legs (#10-12), RS2 (#20-22), and San Juan Worms (#12-14). The Blue Wing Olive (BWO) hatch is also kicking in, especially during late morning and early afternoon, making dry flies such as BWO Comparaduns (#18-22) a great choice. For those targeting big browns, streamer fishing is in prime use; articulated patterns like Thin Mints and Goldies are producing solid strikes.
Recent catches show a good mix of rainbow and brown trout, with some exceptional browns measuring in the mid-20-inch range. The lower Colorado River near Grand Junction is particularly productive, with areas like Fruita (James M. Robb State Park) being a top choice for aggressive browns. For nymphing enthusiasts, the Blue Heron section around Grand Junction has also yielded excellent results, especially in deeper holes.
Two hot spots to consider today are:
1. **Palisade (Island Acres State Park)**: This area offers easy wading access with a mix of riffles and deep pools. It's an ideal spot for both dry fly fishing during hatches and nymphing throughout the day.
2. **Blue Heron Section near Grand Junction**: This location features deeper water and is an excellent choice for targeting larger trout holding low. It's particularly rewarding for those who enjoy nymphing or slow streamer retrieves.
For bait, artificial lures and flies are the way to go, as many sections of the river are restricted to these methods. Be sure to check local regulations before heading out.
Don’t forget your layers—it’s chilly in the early hours—and keep an eye on the water clarity later in the day as snowmelt pulses can affect visibility. Tight lines and good luck out there!