Colorado River Colorado Fishing Report Today

Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River (Colorado section) fishing report for Monday, October 27, 2025.

Sunrise is at 7:27 am, with sunset coming at 6:14 pm—so you’ve got a solid window, especially for those early risers and the after-work bite. Weather’s starting chilly: upper 30s at dawn, not getting far above the low 60s through the day. We’re in that late-October pattern with crisp mornings, cool afternoons, and clear skies—so bring an extra layer for those shaded canyon runs. Wind is forecast light this morning, maybe gusting up a bit midday, but nothing that should chase you off the water. No tides to worry about, just steady river flow, and conditions have kept the water cool and slightly bumped with recent autumn moisture.

Fish activity on the Colorado has kicked up, true to fall form. According to Rise Beyond Fly Fishing’s report last week, trout are still active across several river stretches, especially near Grand Junction and on the Middle Colorado. The crowds are gone, but the trout haven’t left—brown trout have just come off their spawn, and rainbows are sliding into feeding lanes. I’ve seen fresh reports of browns up to 20 inches, with plenty of 12–16 inch bows caught over the weekend. Here and there, you’ll spot a whitefish on a nymph dropper, but the main event is still trout. Local guides have told me streamer fishing right now is hot—especially in low-light—so don’t sleep in.

Go-to lures and bait: Streamers have been lights out, especially black or olive patterns in the mornings and flashy silver for sunnier afternoons. Try an articulated leech or a classic woolly bugger. Nymphing has also been productive on smaller patterns—think size 18-20 pheasant tails, midges, and baetis imitations—keep it subtle, the fish are keyed in after the post-spawn. If you’re after the odd big brown, toss a larger streamer near undercut banks or deep tailouts, and hang on.

For bait anglers, drifted nightcrawlers or salmon eggs can tempt trout, though remember regulations: many stretches of the Colorado are artificial-lures only, so check your section before dropping in.

Hot spots to target today:

- **Horsethief Canyon** west of Fruita—long riffles, some deep back-eddies, lots of structure and typically holds solid trout numbers this time of year.

- **Pumphouse to Radium** – This float or wade stretch consistently produces in late October, and streamer fanatics will find hungry browns staging in deeper margins.

Porter Reservoir #1 remains a good bet for an easy-access side trip, with brown and rainbow trout plus yellow perch—mimic the natural food source for best results.

Recent angler chatter highlights that the lower river sees sporadic big fish right before storms. If you fish today and notice clouds building, be ready—the bite often picks up as the barometer drops, as seen in that recent “Caught Trout at 7,000 Feet—Right Before the Storm Hit” YouTube account.

Public river access is still a hot topic up and down the state, with loca

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Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River fishing report for Sunday, October 26, 2025. Sunrise came at 7:27 AM, and sunset will drop at 6:14 PM, so anglers have right around 11 hours to make the most of today’s solid fall bite.

Weather this morning started brisk—low 40s near dawn with highs pushing into the mid-60s by early afternoon. Skies are mostly clear, with a light breeze from the northwest. These classic Colorado October conditions mean you’ll want to dress in layers and keep a wind shell handy out on or near the water.

There’s no tidal report for this stretch—Colorado is landlocked—but water clarity is fair to good and flows are moderate. Recent rains in the high country bumped the river just enough to get fish active and moving around. If you’re wading, boots with good grip are a must and always check water levels before stepping in.

Fish activity is improving, especially in the afternoons. According to the Colorado River Colorado Daily Fishing Report, hungry trout and stripers have been showing up in good numbers. Recent catches include plenty of rainbow and brown trout in the 16-19” range and steady action on smallmouth and largemouth bass closer to Grand Junction. Catfish and bluegill remain consistent for shore anglers at slower stretches and backwater pockets.

For bait and lures—trout are striking spinners, especially Colorado blade spinnerbaits and small spoons, as recommended in recent YouTube angler tips. Fly anglers are having luck with midges, small nymphs, and streamers, adapting to colder water per Rise Beyond Fly Fishing’s cold water guide. Bass are still chasing crankbaits with a gold or fire-tiger pattern and soft plastics in green pumpkin. Channel cats are keyed onto fresh-cut bait and nightcrawlers in muddy pockets and deep holes—right on cue for late fall.

Top baits right now include:

- Live nightcrawlers or salmon eggs for trout

- Colorado blade spinnerbaits for bass

- Cut shad and stink baits for catfish

- Small crankbaits, tubes, and jigheads in natural colors

Corn Lake, part of Colorado River State Park, is red hot. Reports from Snoflo and area locals confirm catches of largemouth bass on topwater lures at dusk, and channel cats taken with chicken liver or dough bait off the bottom. Connected Lakes in Grand Junction is another destination—crappie and bluegill are biting well in shallow reeds, with bite-sized pieces of worm or small jigs producing fast action.

If you’re after trout, the upper river near Kremmling is producing, with action in riffles and undercut banks—use small streamers or olive/black woolly buggers, per Rise Beyond’s fly report. For a mixed bag, hit the slow pools downstream from Parachute or Rifle.

Looking for hotspots? Here are my top picks:

- Corn Lake for largemouth bass and steady catfish action.

- Connected Lakes for crappie, bluegill, and some excellent evening bass.

- The tailouts and bends near Rifle and Parachute for chunky browns and rainbows.

On the calendar, Farmers’ Alman

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Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River, Colorado fishing report for October 25, 2025. After grabbing my thermos and flicking on my headlamp, I made it down to the river just as the first blue hues of dawn started creeping over the horizon—today’s sunrise came at 7:21 a.m., with sunset expected at 6:12 p.m. We’ve got upper 40s at daybreak, warming into the low 60s by the afternoon, with light winds and just a slight chance for showers after lunch—pretty classic fall Colorado river weather.

Now, onto the action. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, today rates on the poorer side for fishing, especially in the evening, so those riffs of early morning energy might be your best bet for any real bites. River conditions around Kremmling and State Bridge are solid: flows are steady, water’s clear, and temps are running in the upper 50s to low 60s, ideal for active trout and resident bass.

Reports from local anglers and recent outings show decent numbers of brown and rainbow trout on the fly; look for pockets behind rocks, seams, and riffles. Aggressive browns are still in post-spawn mode and will chase bigger presentations if you get them in their feeding lanes. For the bass folks, smallmouth are slowing down but still responding to slow-rolled plastics and craw imitations, especially near rocky drop-offs.

Best baits and lures right now: For the fly casters, try a size 14-16 blue wing olive or caddis dry, and don’t overlook midge patterns in the earlier, cooler hours—March Browns and Foam Run Caddis have been producing fish. Nymphers should drop a two-fly rig: a thin-mint, AR’s Perdigon, or jigged leech paired with a smaller baetis or caddis pupa. Spin anglers are having luck with Kastmasters in gold or silver, and folks trolling or drifting are getting bent rods on the Yakima Bait Spin-N-Fish loaded with nightcrawler or garlic scent. Z-Man GrubZ on a Ned rig has been pulling some larger bass out of the slack water—those grubs really shine in the fall.

For those after panfish, some solid sunfish and the occasional crappie are showing up near submerged brush and slow current zones—cast a small soft plastic or worm-tipped jig into the shadows. If you’re after something a bit bigger, the pike bite is just starting to tick up, especially in the cooler mornings, so don’t be shy with a big swimbait or DeLong Lures’ Twister Tail.

Recent catch logs: Mixed bags this week, but several limits of 12-to-16-inch browns reported near Pumphouse and State Bridge, with rainbows in the 14- to 18-inch range caught on nymphs below riffles. Bass have been a little slower, but focused anglers have bagged a few chunky smallmouth up to 16 inches off ledges and rock points.

Hot spots to check:

- Pumphouse Recreation Area: Productive water, easy access, and always a shot at a mixed bag—including bonus fall rainbows.

- State Bridge stretch: Consistent trout, some bigger browns holding deep, and dependable bass around rocky structure.

That’s the intel for today, folk

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Artificial Lure here with your October 24th, 2025, Colorado River fishing report—local knowledge, cold hands, and all.

Looks like we’re sliding into a classic high-country fall pattern along much of the upper Colorado. Temps start chilly, with sunrise around 7:20 AM and sunset just before 6:10 PM—so daylight’s disappearing fast, plan to be on the water at first light for your best shot. The day starts cold, climbing to the low 50s, but keep an eye on passing storms; rain and even flurries can sneak in. Dress in layers, windproof if you can, and mind your footing on those icy morning rocks.

Now, if you’re looking to check tide charts, remember the Colorado's up this high don’t have ocean tides—so forget tides, focus on flow and temperature. Water is running a bit low and clear this week, typical for fall, which means smarter fish and technical presentations will win the day. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, today’s fishing is rated “poor” for the evening, so aim for early morning and late afternoon windows for the most activity.

On the fish front, trout are front and center up here—browns making their spawning runs, with rainbows and cutbows dogging them for dropped eggs. Around Eleven Mile and Spinney Reservoir stretches, action for big trout has picked up from both shore and boat. Anglers are nailing them with nightcrawlers and PowerBait off the bank. If you prefer hardware, Tas Devils, white or green Kastmasters, and small jigging spoons have been doing work. Word from the Eleven Mile Marina experts is tube jigs—especially in pumpkin pepper or “Demented” color—are catching fish when worked slow and low.

Salmon in the river are plentiful but on the smaller side—think 10–14 inches. Egg patterns and San Juan Worms on light tippet are consistent flyers, and a few boaters pulling a Dodger with a Wiggle Hootchie in 60 feet managed limits, so don’t be afraid to mix techniques. Pike are still around, especially in those east coves by Witchers and the Denver Water boat dock area. Try big spinners, stickbaits, and large tube jigs for a chance at something over 35 inches in the slacker water.

If catfish are more your speed, especially in the lower, warmer reaches around Grand Junction, Berkley PowerBait Catfish Chunks—new stronger formula—are pulling in channel and flatheads after dark. As evening comes on, drift or fish deep holes with stink bait or chicken liver.

Hatches: The callibaetis have slowed, but damsels and midges are present. Subsurface nymphing with 10–14 foot indicator rigs is working at Spinney. If you’re a fly angler, running a hopper-dropper with an egg pattern for the browns and Czech nymphs or damsel nymphs for the rainbows is a solid bet.

For hot spots:

- Witchers Cove and the Denver Water dock area at Eleven Mile for pike and trout.

- Tarryall near the Dream Stream for rainbow runs.

- Below Granby and near Hot Sulphur Springs for brown trout in spawning mood—work the tailouts and gravel beds with small spoons or egg imi

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It’s your local fishing pro, Artificial Lure, coming at you with today’s fishing report for the Colorado River and its favorite hot spots around Colorado on this fine Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.

Sunrise greeted us at 7:23 AM, with sunset hitting right about 6:18 PM—so there’s a tight window for those magic hours when fish are most active. We’ve moved deep into the fall pattern, with overnight lows in the high 30s and afternoon temps reaching the low 60s. Expect cloudier skies and a chance of passing showers thanks to those lingering monsoon patterns we’ve seen this week. The barometric pressure is settling after some recent fronts, which should help activate those bites, especially during late morning and right before the afternoon weather rolls in.

Water clarity is good, with flows holding steady and a slight chill—great conditions for hungry fall fish. The Colorado River and its impoundments like Corn Lake and Rifle Gap are showing classic cool-season behavior: fish are a bit more deliberate, holding tight to structure and deeper runs, and feeding windows are shorter but intense.

Recent catches have been solid, with reports from local anglers and Snoflo pointing to strong showings of rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutbows making their way up the river for the fall spawn, with several browns pushing over 18 inches. Corn Lake, nestled along the river near Grand Junction, has yielded everything from largemouth bass to nice-sized catfish and even the odd crappie. Most consistent success has been with worms or live minnows, but don’t rule out small jigs and grubs for that panfish bite.

Fly-fishing action is picking up as water temperatures cool. According to the latest from Golden Fly Shop and Rise Beyond Fly Fishing, late October is prime time for nymphing and streamer work. Fish are responding best to natural presentations like Chubby Chernobyls, Elk Hair Caddis, small beatis, and caddis patterns in the mornings, and smaller midge and mayfly imitations as the day warms. Subsurface, go with a Splitback PMD, Jig Duracell, or Lightning Bug under a hopper-dropper rig. For the deep-pocket lurkers, a Mayer’s Mini Leech or San Juan Worm has turned up several chunky rainbows just below feeder creeks.

If hardware’s your game, focus on smaller, subtle lures. Lake Homes and recent angler blogs stress that finesse worms, downsized swimbaits, or compact jigs fished slow are the top bets right now. The fish’s metabolism is down as the water chills, so try a more deliberate retrieve—let those lures pause and linger in eddies and deep runs. Don’t forget about vertical tactics: a jigging spoon or a blade bait right off the bottom around ledges can seal the deal, especially on Bass and those sly post-spawn catfish.

Hot spots for today and the coming weekend:

- **Corn Lake:** Morning and late afternoon bite for largemouth bass and cats, especially near the weed lines and the old river channel; best baits are live worms, cut bait, and small soft plastics.

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Artificial Lure here—gather up your rods and thermos because it’s a perfect October morning along the Colorado River, Colorado. Sunrise hit at 7:20 a.m., and with sunset coming just after 6:15 p.m., we’ve got a generous window for chasing fish beneath cool, clear fall skies. Today’s temperatures are in that mid-70s to low-80s sweet spot, with crisp mornings and comfortable afternoons—ideal for settling in at your favorite bend or launching the boat at first light.

River flows have settled after a bumpy run this year due to ongoing adjustments upstream at Lake Powell and Lake Mead, so check reports for sudden changes, but expect steady water along the main channel and tailwaters. There isn’t a true tidal swing here, but be aware—especially downstream from larger dams—that sudden releases or reductions can impact water levels and fish holding patterns.

Fish activity remains robust, with fall bringing a real mixed bag. According to recent angler chatter and local guides, the **striped bass** bite is reliable during the early morning and late afternoon, and they’re stacking up in the deeper pools below rocky drop-offs, especially near Willow Beach. **Largemouth and smallmouth bass** are holding tight to cover, looking for prey along weed edges and submerged boulders. Meanwhile, **rainbow trout**—thanks to regular stockings below Hoover Dam—are taking advantage of the cooler currents, rising eagerly for smaller presentations.

Folks have reported solid numbers of **stripers** and **catfish** below Davis Dam, with several limits of channel cats landed using nightcrawlers and cut bait after dusk. Trout anglers working the cold flows near the dam are finding action on 10- to 14-inch rainbows using gold or silver spinners and fat salmon eggs. The variety is typical for this transitional season, when migratory patterns and cooling water liven up the river.

**Best lures and bait for today:**

- For stripers: medium crankbaits and swimbaits in shad pattern, or go classic with cut anchovies and fresh shad if you can get them.

- For bass: soft plastic worms in green pumpkin or watermelon colors thrown along transition banks and weed lines.

- For trout: the bite’s hot on small silver spinners, gold Kastmasters, and PowerBait in yellow or chartreuse fished just off the bottom in slower eddies. Salmon eggs fished drift-style are also turning fish in stocked sections.

- For catfish: nightcrawlers and chicken liver, with a few reports of bite on cut mackerel.

Hot spots right now are **Willow Beach**—which offers both shore fishing and easy boat access amid gorgeous canyons—and the cold, productive tailwater stretch below Hoover Dam. The area near Topock Marsh is also producing decent numbers for those targeting largemouth and occasional big flathead catfish.

Water clarity is excellent most sections, though recent patchy rains can make for a siltier go if you catch a squall. Always check in with local shops for the latest clarity and flow numbers before headin

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It’s Artificial Lure checking in with your Colorado River fishing report for October 21, 2025. Sunrise hit at 7:19 AM and sunset’s lined up for 6:16 PM, giving anglers a solid fall window to wet a line. We’re coming off a chilly start to the week—snow dusted the mountains Monday according to Vail Daily, and that cold snap is lingering. Expect highs in Grand Junction to touch the upper 60s, but mornings are downright brisk. Keep an eye out: Denver Gazette forecasts some scattered storms mid-to-late week, maybe even snow at elevation, but for now, the skies are mostly clear and water temps are dropping, which gets those trout on the move.

There’s no tide to worry about this far inland, but river levels have been inching up and the Colorado is running right for October. Kirk’s Flyshop reports the river’s fishing strong—topwater bites are steady with chubby Chernobyls, PMDs (Pale Morning Duns), and caddis dries all producing for fly anglers. If you’re running nymphs, a hopper-dropper rig tight to the bank or classic fall patterns like Hares Ear, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Blue Poison Tung, Thin Mints, and Sparklewing RS2 have been landing fish steadily. Streamer junkies, the evening and low-light periods are perfect for working Dungeons and Woolly Buggers slow and deep—brown trout are aggressive and pre-spawn, so don’t be shy with oversized patterns.

Recent catches include healthy browns and rainbows, mostly in the 12-18 inch range, with a few larger slabs reported below Pumphouse and near Radium. Word is, folks are picking up numbers on nymph rigs but switching to streamers or large dries near structure or under overhanging brush can tempt out those big, solitary browns. For the bait crowd, head to the public access spots and try salmon eggs or nightcrawlers—just double-check the regs, as some areas are artificial-only. According to FishingReminder’s solunar tables, today’s an excellent window for fishing—activity should be high during late morning and early evening.

Best baits and lures this week:

- **Fly anglers:** Chubby Chernobyls, PMDs, Blue Winged Olives, Hares Ear nymphs, RS2s, Thin Mints, and Woolly Buggers.

- **Spin anglers:** Panther Martin spinners, Rooster Tails, and Rapala minnow baits—all in natural or gold/olive colors.

- **Bait:** Salmon eggs, nightcrawlers where permitted.

A couple of hot spots:

- **Pumphouse to Radium stretch**: Productive flows and easy access, lots of holding water and deep pools where browns are stacking up.

- **State Bridge area**: Warmer pockets; streamer bite is hot right before sunset, and nymphers are doing well in the afternoons.

- For bank anglers, try working the seams near Gore Canyon or just below the confluences where side creeks enter—fish are hunting for drifting nymphs and late-season hatches.

With nights dipping below freezing, the mornings can be slow ’til the sun hits the water, so time your approach: late morning through afternoon has been the prime bite window. Layer up, watch for those unpredict

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Artificial Lure checking in from the mighty Colorado River corridor right here in Colorado, bringing you your October 20, 2025, fishing report. We woke up to a textbook autumn morning. Sunrise rolled in at 6:51 AM and sunset will send us home at about 6:04 PM, so anglers have a solid window today for casting lines. Expect classic fall conditions: early chill warming quickly—mid-30s to high 60s by afternoon. Skies stay mostly clear with a light NE breeze. No tidal swings to report on the Colorado, but flows remain steady, water clarity excellent, and that crisp air means trout and bass are on the move.

Fishing activity has been outstanding this week along prime stretches in the upper river and canyon sections, especially near Eleven Mile and down toward the broader runs below. Reports from South Platte Fly Shop note flows near 80–90 cfs; healthy river levels and bug life coming back strong. The dry fly bite has been spectacular, especially in riffles and pockets with just enough slack water—perfect conditions for sight fishing. Watch those sunny banks for risers late morning through mid-afternoon.

Trout, especially rainbows and browns, have been feeding aggressively. Anglers are seeing steady success on midges and BWOs—#20-26 in blacks, olives, creams, and reds. If you’re nymphing, lead with a San Juan Worm or stonefly, then trail a chocolate or purple midge. Hopper-dropper rigs are hitting hard this fall, and, for some bonus strikes, slap a terrestrial pattern along undercut banks. Over at Eleven Mile, some parties have landed upwards of 20 fish in a session, with most trout running a healthy 14 to 18 inches and a few hogs breaking 20. If the crowds are thick up near the dam, slide down to Springer Gulch or any deeper pools in the canyon.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are active further south on the Connected Lakes and lower reaches. In the slack waters and brush piles, anglers are landing 8–12 keeper bass a trip—most on drop shots, Ned rigs, and swim jigs in white or chartreuse. Black crappie, bluegill, and a steady push of channel cats round out the mixed bag, with nightcrawlers or cut bait producing above dusk. Don’t overlook the shallow gravel bars for catfish; evenings have been excellent, especially near Pumphouse and Sunset Point.

Best lures for today are:

- Small BWOs, midges, and baetis (#20–#26) for trout

- Hopper-dropper combos, especially with tan or dun hoppers

- San Juan Worms and scuds for deeper nymphing

- Drop shot plastics, Ned rigs, and shad imitators for bass

- White/chartreuse spinnerbaits and swim jigs—especially effective near submerged brush

- Cut anchovies and threadfin shad chunks for stripping up those river stripers down toward Lake Mead

Recommended hot spots today:

- Eleven Mile Canyon, especially the riffles and deep pools from Springer Gulch up to the dam

- Connected Lakes near Grand Junction—early and late for bass, crappie, and catfish

- Sunset Point and Pumphouse area for evening bites and mixed species act

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Artificial Lure here, with your Sunday morning fishing report for the Colorado River and its hot spots. It’s October 19, 2025, and anglers across western Colorado woke up to **clear, brisk fall air** and the shimmer of fresh mountain color. Sunrise came at 7:18 AM, with sunset set for 6:23 PM.

**Weather & River Conditions:**

The overnight lows dropped into the low 30s in some canyon sections. Today’s highs on the river stretch from the upper 40s to mid-50s, with the National Weather Service forecasting clear skies and a light breeze, mostly from the southwest at about 10 mph. Flows near Cisco, Utah, just downriver, are steady at 3.06 feet this morning according to USGS. The river’s running clear with moderate volume, great for wading and drifting.

No tides to worry about—just keep an eye on water levels and the odd afternoon breeze. Some clouds may filter in by evening, but precipitation isn’t in the picture until later in the week.

**Fish Activity & Recent Catches:**

October sees trout firing up all along the Colorado. Locals are reporting good action for **brown trout** in their pre-spawn aggression—especially in the Glenwood to Dotsero stretch. Folks fishing near Parachute and New Castle have pulled in healthy browns and a sprinkling of rainbows, most running 12–18 inches with a few thick fish over 20 showing up for those working deeper seams early and late. Bluegill and bass activity has slowed, but a few hearty smallmouth are still getting fooled closer to Lake Granby.

A handful of catfish are being caught in deeper eddies closer to De Beque, especially at dusk on worms or chicken livers. Carp are active in the backwaters and along the vegetated flats—sight-fishing remains possible mid-morning when light is right.

**Best Lures and Baits:**

For trout, the locals are getting it done with smaller **gold and copper spinners, Panther Martins, and Rooster Tails**. The fly crowd is nymphing stoneflies and midges under an indicator, but on the hardware side, a well-swum Rapala Countdown in brown-trout or rainbow pattern has been the ticket for bigger browns. Early risers are seeing some surface pushes—try a small Mepps Aglia or a black Woolly Bugger stripped quickly through riffles.

If you’re fishing the backwaters for panfish or catfish, nothing beats nightcrawlers and cut bait. For smallmouth bass, now’s the time for smoke or green pumpkin curlytail grubs bounced along the rocks—just work ‘em slow, as water temps are falling.

**Hot Spots:**

- *Parachute to Rifle*: Deep bends and slower tailouts are holding trout, and access is decent from public land.

- *Around Corn Lake*: The inlets and points see a last push from bass and crappie, with several nice largemouth reported last week. Spinners and small jigs do the trick, especially just before dusk.

- Glenwood Canyon*: Early morning, focus on the shady banks and deeper holes for your shot at a big brown.

For those willing to hike, the Colorado in **Radium** is seeing almost no pres

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Artificial Lure here with your October 18, 2025, Colorado River fishing report, coming at you just after sunrise. The sun came up at 7:18 a.m. and it’ll dip below the horizon at 6:25 p.m., giving us a crisp, gold-lit day perfect for fall angling.

This morning, there’s frost on the ground across Western Colorado, with a freeze warning making for a chilly start. According to KOOL107.9, valley temps bottomed out in the upper 20s to low 30s, but expect bluebird skies and cool, comfortable highs through the day—classic fall weather with no storms in sight. Water levels are moderate, with recent river flows holding steady and clarity good for sight fishing.

Tidal influence isn’t a factor up here on our slice of the Colorado, but moon phase is. Today is just a few days after October’s full Hunter’s Moon, making for increased fish activity around dawn and dusk. Early and late bite windows will be strongest—so plan to be casting as the sun rises and just before sunset. Colorado Springs fishing forecasts from FishingReminder show peak bites right out of the gate this morning and ramping up again mid-afternoon.

Up and down the river—especially from Glenwood Springs through Rifle and into the Grand Junction area—fishing pressure is light, fall colors are peaking, and the bite is turning on as water temps drop. As reported by the Fishing with Bernie team and local guides, brown trout are getting aggressive ahead of the spawn, while rainbows are actively foraging near current seams and eddies. Kokanee salmon have been running in a few tributaries and lower stretches, and smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye are still showing up downstream.

Best baits? Trout are tuned in to bright and flashy presentations. Locals are doing well on silver and pink spoons, like the classic Kastmaster or Acme Little Cleo, and blade baits in white or chartreuse. If you’re throwing plastics, stick with two to three-inch tubes or swimbaits in rainbow, shad, or plain white. Streamers—especially olive, black, and yellow—are deadly right now, especially if you swing or strip them deep and slow. Don’t overlook the power of a classic nightcrawler or salmon egg drifted near the bottom if you’re bait fishing.

For fly anglers, it’s all about fall streamers and nymphs. Rise Beyond Fly Fishing just posted that browns are hammering big articulated patterns, and smaller, natural-colored wooly buggers and leeches are sure bets in clear water. A tandem nymph rig with a prince nymph and a smaller midge or baetis imitation will pick up rainbows and the odd whitefish. During midday, keep an eye out for blue-winged olive hatches and have some parachute BWO dries on hand.

Recent catches, according to local shops and social chatter, include browns up to 20 inches from the Parachute area downstream, rainbows up to 18 inches, and plenty of eaters in the 12-16 inch range. Tailwater sections below dams are producing steady numbers. Bass anglers closer to Fruita are finding some late-season actio

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