Colorado River Colorado Fishing Report Today

Hey there, folks. Artificial Lure here—your go-to for the straight scoop on Colorado River fishing around the state, especially those legendary tailwaters and canyons. Let’s dive into what’s biting, where, and how to make your next trip a ripper.

First off, the “Colorado River” as we know it in Colorado means the Upper Colorado (west of the Continental Divide) and its tributaries, but most folks are asking about the top trout tailwaters like the South Platte (Cheesman and Elevenmile Canyons), and since you didn’t specify east or west, I’ll focus on those famous eastern canyons—Cheesman and Elevenmile—where the fall action is hot and the scenery is even hotter. These waters are clear, cold, and technical year-round, but early fall is pure magic.

Let’s tackle the daily stats. For tidal info—well, we ain’t got tides here in the Rockies, but flows matter big time. Angler’s Covey reports Cheesman Canyon’s flow is sitting pretty at 270 cfs, just about prime for autumn. Elevenmile Canyon is running lower, around 119 cfs, but the fishing remains strong for those who work the water. Cheesman Reservoir is nearly full at 94% and Denver Water is keeping it dialed in. If you’re chasing big, educated rainbows and browns—or the elusive cutthroat and cutbow—these tailwaters hold ‘em all, with Cheesman being the holy grail for technical dry fly and nymph junkies.

Weather’s been cool and damp thanks to a monsoonal pattern, but according to Angler’s Covey, things are drying out and warming up fast. Mornings have been chilly—think 38 degrees—but we’re heading for highs in the upper 70s and low 80s by early next week. Expect the usual afternoon breeze, and don’t forget your layers. Sunrise today is around 7:15 a.m. and sunset’s just after 6:00 p.m.—plenty of daylight to get after it.

Now, let’s talk fish. Cheesman Canyon remains one of the toughest—and most rewarding—stretches in the state. The rainbows are big, smart, and stacked in deep pocket water and undercut boulders. Nymphing’s the ticket right now, with bigger stoneflies, worms, and junk flies drawing strikes. Hopper and dry-dropper action has slowed but is still possible in the right spots. Hatches are diverse: PMDs, caddis, tricos, midges, yellow sallies, and cranefly larva are all on the menu. You’ll need your A-game—9- to 12-foot leaders, 5X or 6X tippet, and the patience of a saint. Classic patterns? Cheesman Emergers, Amy’s Ants, Murphy’s Bubbleback and Blindside Midges, Dorsey’s Top Secret, Medallion Midges, stonefly nymphs, caddis larva, and scuds. The further up-canyon you go, the fewer anglers you’ll see—trust me, it’s worth the walk.

Elevenmile Canyon is a little more forgiving, with solid dry fly action for tricos at first light, followed by PMDs, caddis, and a smattering of hoppers later in the day. Nymphing is still king, especially with small, subtle patterns like foamback emergers, RS2s, pheasant tails, Barr’s PMD emergers, short shank caddis, and zebra midges. Dries like Griffiths gnats,

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Good morning from the Colorado River—it’s Artificial Lure here, your local angling expert, dropping a fresh report for Wednesday, October 15, 2025. If you’re dialing in plans for the river today, let’s break down the scene.

**Weather’s been classic fall Colorado:** cooler and overcast these last few mornings, just the way the trout like it. Water temps are staying crisp and stable, making for happy, hungry fish. Precipitation earlier this week added a bit of tint to the water, but visibility remains solid, especially through the mid-morning hours. Expect highs around 60s, dropping to the upper 30s overnight, with mild wind. Sunrise hit at about 7:15 AM, and sunset’s coming at 6:22 PM—prime hours for trout and bass activity are right around first and last light.

We don’t worry about traditional tidal swings here, but lower fall flows mean the current on the Colorado is moderate—deeper pools and eddy seams are your best bet, especially with the brown trout moving into pre-spawn. According to Royal Gorge Anglers, flows near Cañon City are at 300–400 cfs, running clear to lightly stained, so don’t skimp on those stealthy drifts.

**Fish activity is prime.** Browns are pushing hard on the feed, prepping for the spawn—plenty being caught 18–22 inches, with a solid mix of rainbows in the 14–17 inch class. Up in the slackwater and the tails of deep runs, smallmouth are still biting, though the stripers have been stealing the show on Lake Mead and below—there are reports from anglers on YouTube pulling in fat schools of striped bass on A-rigs and swimbaits, some pushing 5 pounds. Don’t skip the coves and backs of creek mouths: bait balls are bringing in both bass and trout, and anywhere you see the birds working, chances are the fish are right there under them.

**Best lures and baits?** This is the start of streamer season for browns—throw double streamer rigs in olive or black, especially on cloudy days or during low light. For subsurface, stick with stonefly or cranefly nymphs as your anchor, trailing a BWO, trico, or caddis imitation. Try double dries in the afternoons: a small Chubby or Hopper with a trailing ant, caddis, or trico. If you’re targeting bass and stripers, it’s all about shad-imitating swimbaits, A-rigs, and soft plastics in the 2–4 inch range. Anglers are also getting bit on silver spoons and 3-inch crankbaits for trout at the inlets, per recent Grand County reports.

Natural baits like nightcrawlers or fresh cut bait will draw in the bigger cats and predatory trout, but the bite’s been best on artificials this week.

**A couple hot spots to put on your list:**

- **The section just below Glenwood Springs**, drifting from the boat or working wade-accessible gravel bars—excellent for pre-spawn browns and some fine rainbows.

- **The slackwater and coves near Fruita and Clifton**—early mornings are seeing big striper boils.

- For trout, try **Pumphouse to State Bridge** or slip up to Williams Fork if you want a shot at browns in skinny,

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you on this Sunday, October 12th, 2025. Let me tell you, conditions out here in Colorado are pretty dynamic right now, so pay attention.

First off, we've got some serious weather moving through the region. The Weather Prediction Center issued alerts early this morning for northwestern Arizona and southern Utah along the Colorado River corridor, with thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding concerns. Storm systems are moving fast with strong winds approaching 50 knots, so if you're planning to fish the lower Colorado River areas near the Arizona-Nevada border, exercise extreme caution and monitor conditions closely.

Up in southwest Colorado, the San Juan River hit minor flooding stage yesterday afternoon, jumping from 6.3 feet in the morning to over 9 feet by midday with flows exceeding 3,000 cubic feet per second. There's also been levee breaches and flooding near Vallecito Creek in La Plata County that forced evacuations. These high water conditions mean fishing in that region is dangerous right now.

Now, let's talk about where the fishing's been good. Up on the White River near Cotter, Arkansas - I know it's not Colorado proper, but it's worth mentioning for comparison - they've been seeing excellent rainbow trout action with consistent catches. The Cotter Trout Dock reports that orange eggs, particularly Berkley or XFactor brand, paired with shrimp have been producing well. Live red wiggler worms are also effective.

For lures, the Rapala Countdown CD7 in rainbow trout or silver/black patterns have been working magic. Thompson Colorado quarter-ounce spoons in nickel/gold combinations are catching fish consistently. If you want to mix it up, try a silver inline spinner with a number 2 hook, tip it with UV eggs and shrimp.

Early morning and early evening remain your prime feeding windows. The browns are getting into spawning patterns, so they require more patience. Softshell crawdads work well when you can find them.

For you fly fishermen, keep ruby midges and copper Johns tied on. Egg patterns in peach or soft yellow on number 12 or 14 hooks have been productive.

Given today's weather situation, I'd recommend waiting until conditions stabilize before hitting the water. When things clear up, focus on areas with consistent water flows and protected banks.

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This is Artificial Lure, coming at you live from the Colorado River, Colorado—today’s date is October 11th, 2025, and I’m locked and loaded with the latest intel for you river rats, trout bums, and weekend warriors. No tidal action here—this ain’t the coast—but we do have a river pulsing with opportunity and a nip in the air that’s got the fish chewing. Sunrise this morning was at 7:08 AM and sunset’s set for 6:27 PM, so you’ve got a solid eleven-hour window to make it happen. Now, let’s break it down—local style.

Weather’s showing fall’s true colors: crisp mornings, highs in the mid-60s, and a whisper of clouds keeping the sun honest. No serious storms on tap, just that classic Colorado bluebird vibe. It’s the kind of day that makes a brown trout think about bulking up for winter and a rainbow forget it’s ever seen a hook.

Fish activity’s been strong over the last week, especially from State Bridge through Gore Canyon. The fall transition’s in full swing—browns are starting to stage for the spawn, and rainbows are stacking up in the deeper buckets and tailouts. Reports from local shops and guides have anglers landing solid numbers of both species, with browns in the 14–20 inch range showing up more frequently, and rainbows in the 12–18 inch class providing steady action. Cutthroats are holding in the higher, colder reaches, but it’s the browns and rainbows stealing the show right now.

Best lures? For the fly folks, streamers are headliners—think Sculpzillas, Thin Mints, and Circus Peanuts in olive, black, and natural hues. Swing ’em slow, strip ’em erratic—these fish are either looking to chase or looking to eat, and a meaty streamer covers both. Nymphing’s still a go, especially as the sun gets high: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Hare’s Ears, and Prince Nymphs in sizes 10–14 are getting nods, but don’t sleep on small Baetis and midge patterns as the day wears on. Dry fly action’s hit-or-miss, but a Parachute Adams or a Rusty Spinner around the edges can be just the ticket when you spot noses poking up.

Spin and gear anglers, listen up—this is the time for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and inline spinners. Rapala Countdowns and Husky Jerks in brown trout and rainbow patterns are getting crushed, especially on the retrieve or a subtle twitch-and-pause. Mepps Aglias and Panther Martins in gold and copper blades are turning heads in the riffles. Best bait for the bait crowd? Nightcrawlers and minnows, fished under a float or bounced along the bottom, are putting numbers on the board.

Hot spots? State Bridge to Two Bridges is always a safe bet—deep runs, undercut banks, and plenty of structure for browns to haunt. The stretch through Gore Canyon is tougher to wade but rewards the bold with bigger fish and fewer crowds. For a sleeper, try the tailouts below Pumphouse and the slower glides above Radium—fish are stacking up in the transition zones, waiting for the next bug buffet or careless minnow to cruise by.

Water temps are cooling, but not cold—think mid-50s

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River fishing report for Friday, October 10th.

The Colorado River system is experiencing some significant changes this fall. Colorado Parks and Wildlife recently confirmed zebra mussel infestations in the stretch from east of Grand Junction to the Utah border, marking the first time these invasive species have been found in the main stem. While this is concerning for the long-term health of the fishery, it's not affecting current fishing conditions.

Water conditions across the basin remain excellent. The Arkansas River, a major tributary system, is running crystal clear at ideal flows - around 80 CFS in the upper sections and climbing to nearly 300 CFS in the lower stretches. Water temps are holding in the 40s to 50s, which is perfect for fall fishing. Wadeability is outstanding right now with these lower flows.

The brown trout spawn is in full swing, and the fish are absolutely on fire. These aren't your polite spring risers - fall browns are aggressive and hungry. Streamers are producing big strikes, especially the Thin Mint Bugger and the Sculpzilla. The Thin Mint's combination of peacock herl, brown, and olive is fooling fish on every major tailwater. For deeper water and fast runs, tie on a Sculpzilla and swing it through pools and tailouts.

The dry fly action has been productive too, particularly late morning through afternoon once things warm up. Midges in sizes 18-20 and baetis in 18-22 are your primary hatches. Fish are also feeding opportunistically on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae. Egg patterns work well near spawning areas, just avoid walking through active redds.

For hot spots, focus on the Arkansas River near Salida and the Frying Pan below Ruedi. Target structure - log jams, boulders, and undercut banks. Big trout don't live in flat water. Early morning and late evening produce the best action when low light gives fish more confidence.

Use 4x to 5x tippet for these conditions. Don't be afraid to mix up your retrieve - strip, swing, twitch, or dead drift your offerings.

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Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River fishing report for Wednesday, October 8th, 2025. Let’s break down the river action and lake hotspots for anglers heading out today.

Weather across most of the Colorado River corridor this early fall morning is cool and mild, with daytime highs pushing up toward the low-70s and overnight lows dipping into the 40s. Expect calm to moderate winds, with mostly clear skies. Sunrise was at 7:13 a.m., and sunset will be at 6:37 p.m. today, so plan your outings for those golden hours — especially with the nearly full moon boosting night predator activity.

The river itself is prime. According to ArkAnglers, flows near Hecla Junction are running at 242 cubic feet per second, with water temps swinging from the high 40s into the low 60s. The water’s clear, perfect for sight fishing, but keep in mind construction near Buena Vista may kick up a little silt downstream. Trout are holding along midstream boulders, in troughs, and deep pools. Hopper-dropper combos are pulling fish, and classic nymph rigs — especially with baetis, red quills, tricos, and caddis (sizes 14-22) — are scoring well throughout the day. Don’t forget your midges; a size 18-22 zebra or black beauty can turn a slow window into a hot bite. Four- to five-x tippet is a must; water’s clear and fish are spooky this time of year.

Down the valley, spots like Corn Lake and Connected Lakes are a sure bet for multispecies action. Snoflo lists Corn Lake as loaded with largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and even a few big carp cruising the flats. Fall is one of the best times to fish these western Colorado lakes, with air temps being comfortable and the lakes producing before that first hard freeze shuts things down. Local anglers at Connected Lakes are reporting solid numbers on soft plastics and crankbaits, with Z-Man GrubZ and Strike King medium divers working for both bass and crappie, and Gulp! minnow imitations tempting walleye and perch. Live bait, like worms and minnows, are still the top choice for catfish and sunfish at these spots. Bluegill and crappie are thick in the brush piles and near dam riprap — so drop a small jig or a piece of crawler there.

If trophy stripers are your game, Willow Beach is famous for big linesides — with state record fish over 60 pounds documented. Local guides, like Capt. Ray from Hooked On Stripers, report the best action is on overnight trips starting about an hour before sunset. Nighttime brings the monsters into the shallows — big swimbaits and heavy topwaters can get crushed. Just remember, those trips fill up fast in October, so book ahead.

Back on the Colorado River proper, as flows drop, fish are glued to structure, so approach pools and cutbanks slow, make longer casts, and expect subtle eats. Dream Stream junkies up near South Platte are seeing light pressure and strong bites, with small midges, tricos, and a resurgence in caddis larva getting grabs. Try nymphing deeper slots with double rigs an

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Good morning, anglers—Artificial Lure here with your October 5th fishing report for the Colorado River and surrounding waters. It’s a cool early fall dawn on the river, with sunrise at 7:06 AM and sunset rolling in just after 6:35 PM. Air temps are starting in the high 30s this morning and will warm up nicely to the mid-60s by afternoon, with mostly clear skies and just a whisper of breeze. The river’s running cold and clear, perfect for putting trout on the line. No tides to report out here, of course—just classic mountain flow.

The Colorado below Glenwood Springs is in beautiful shape, holding at about 1820 CFS with crystal-clear water. Taylor Creek Fly Shops gives today’s fishing a “10 out of 10”—so if you’ve got the itch, today’s your day. Nymphing has been stellar, streamer action is picking up, and the hatches have offered windows of dry-fly excellence. The fall caddis are fading, but blue-winged olives (BWOs) and pale morning duns (PMDs) are keeping fish looking up, especially around midday.

Anglers have been hauling in healthy numbers of rainbow and brown trout, with many fish in the 12 to 18 inch range and surprising numbers breaking the 20-inch mark. Chubbies, PMDs and mini-caddis patterns have been hot on top. Jigged nymph rigs with things like Pat’s Rubber Legs, Blue Poison Tungs, Hare’s Ears, and especially the Sparklewing or Copper Ribbed RS2s are producing fish all day. Thin Mint and Dungeon streamers are turning bigger browns near cutbanks when the light’s low. For spinners and gear folks, micro spinnerbaits or small Rooster Tails in natural colors are proven producers, especially when fished slow and deep.

Best baits this week have been traditional trout fare: nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, and pink trout worms have all gotten bites from deeper holes. Inflows and side channels have also yielded some aggressive browns on minnow plugs and soft plastics like paddle tails.

For hot spots, look to the stretch from Pumphouse down to State Bridge—Blue Quill Angler’s guides say this section is full of hungry trout ready to eat both nymphs and streamers, especially near deep bends and riffle transitions. Closer to Glenwood Springs, the banks along Grizzly Creek and No Name are holding plenty of fish. Watch for pods stacking below gravel bars, especially as browns get ready for their fall run.

Reports from Kirks Fly Shop and local guides echo the great fall action—the fishing is steady all day, but the bite really turns on from 10 AM to 2 PM as the sun warms the water just enough to trigger hatches. If things get tough, downsize your tippet and go small with size 20-22 midge or BWO emergers. Don’t forget, the afternoons can bring out a sneaky hatch or two, so keep some Parachute Adams and PMDs handy.

A quick word on responsible fishing: handle those big browns with wet hands and keep them in the water for healthy catch and release as they start prepping to spawn. Also, be on the lookout for a few river otters—locals have spotted them sna

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Artificial Lure, reporting riverside from the Colorado River corridor near Glenwood Springs. The weather’s crisp this morning, with a steady chill and mostly clear skies pushing daytime highs into the low-60s. It’s October, so sunrise’s just come up around 6:58 AM and sunset should fall at about 6:40 PM. No tides to talk about up here—just flows, and the river’s holding steady but slightly below average after a dry late summer. The water’s clear with a bit of morning mist, and daytime temperatures in the river are hanging just under the 58–60°F mark.

Fish activity has been lively, especially in the lower river reaches near Rifle and down closer to De Beque. Locals over the past week have been scoring chunky brown trout, some stretching 17–19 inches, on deep nymph rigs and, with a warming trend, a few bonus rainbows in the mix. Anglers are picking up rainbows and the occasional whitefish; one boat this week reportedly netted a dozen browns over four hours working riffles and seams.

Hatch reports from Fly Fishing Outfitters out of Eagle note strong activity of caddis, blue wing olives, and tricos. Midges are coming off in the slower sections during the midday lull. Terrestrials—hoppers, ants, and beetles—are still getting the trout to rise in shaded banks and grassy undercuts.

If you’re tying on today, best nymphs include Zebra Midges (#18–22), Jiggy Pheasant Tail (#18–20), and RS-2s in black/gray (#18–24). Folks are seeing success dredging deep with jig leech patterns or flashy Frenchies. For dries, go small and subtle: Parachute BWO (#16–20), Royal Wulff (#18–20), Griffith’s Gnat (#20–22). Afternoon light’s perfect for drifting a hopper-dropper combo tight along the bank.

If you prefer moving targets, streamer action is slowly picking up. Try Buggers in olive or black, and Slump Busters dead drifted below an indicator. For bait, garden worms are reliable for whitefish, but most trout are keyed on natural river insects—match the hatch for best luck.

Hot spots this Saturday:

- Just upriver from Glenwood Canyon, the bends near No Name are holding good numbers of browns behind the islands.

- The stretch around Newcastle, particularly below the I-70 bridge where deeper pockets meet gravel bars, is prime for float and wade anglers alike.

Pressure’s medium, with more walk/wade fishers than boats, and good etiquette will get you far. Remember conservation—the Colorado’s running lean these days with ongoing drought and upstream usage. Handle fish wet and release quick, especially when flows dip and temps rise into the afternoon.

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This is Artificial Lure reporting from the banks of the Colorado River on a crisp October morning, 2025. The cottonwoods are flaming yellow, the banks are aglow, and the fishing right now is just as hot as these fall colors. Sunrise hit around 7:06 AM today, and sunset will slide in just after 6:41 PM, giving you a solid window for action. Weather is classic Colorado autumn—cool, with a soft breeze, and the chance for a surprise shower later, so bring your shells and an extra layer.

With stable flows and that autumn snap, the trout bite is picking up, especially between Radium and State Bridge. According to Michael Salomone—a longtime local guide—the Colorado River float sections have been producing excellent brown and rainbow trout. Anglers using both dry flies and nymphs are reporting solid numbers, with streamer junkies landing those aggressive autumn browns in the deeper slots. Salomone says Blue Wing Olives and tiny midges are the ticket for dries—think size 18–20 to match our fall hatches. Nymphing with soft hackles and foamback emergers is also lighting ‘em up; classic pheasant tails and zebra midges in the mid-to-upper column are must-haves.

Streamer anglers, this is your time. Articulated streamers in two-tone patterns are turning heads, especially for foot-long browns sulking under the cutbanks. Bring a 6-weight and split-shot if you’re fishing deep—these fish will chase, especially during low, moody light.

Recent catches have been impressive. Apex Sport Fishing in Silt reports recent trips with clients boating northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, rainbows, and browns. One lucky angler landed a 34" pike, while family crews remarked on steady catches of smallmouth and walleye in the slower river sections. Jigging and tossing small swimbaits and jerkbaits has been productive. For the multispecies crowd, perch up to four pounds are making occasional appearances, especially in backwater pockets.

Best lures and bait this week, hands-down:

- Z-MAN GrubZ and TRD CrawZ in green pumpkin or craw colors are “like magic” for both bass and trout, according to user reviews on Discount Tackle.

- Rapala Gold Minor 30 FireTiger crankbaits work especially well for both walleye and pike.

- For those chasing trout from the bank, nightcrawlers continue to be a go-to, especially later in the evening.

- If you’re fly fishing, stick to those Blue Wing Olive patterns and small black midges, and keep a few egg flies handy for the fall run.

Colorado River hot spots right now include:

- Horse Creek to Luark Ranch: Easy access, quieter water, and stunning colors.

- Below State Bridge to Two Bridges: Prime float water with lots of structure for trout and bonus species.

- Connected Lakes near Grand Junction: Good for bass, crappie, and catfish, with topwater in the low light.

Remember, Colorado weather can flip on a dime, and afternoon breezes can build, so plan for variable conditions. The trout are eating in the slow bankside cushions and tailouts, while

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Artificial Lure here, bringing you today’s fresh fishing report for the Colorado River and its tributaries across Colorado on this cool October 1st, 2025.

With the calendar flipping to October, we’re seeing true fall conditions set in along the Colorado River. Weather this morning kicked off in the high 40s, pushing up into the low 60s for the afternoon, under mostly clear skies. A mild forecast continues for the week, with light winds making for smooth casting and comfortable hours on the water. Sunrise hit at 7:01am, with sunset expected around 6:45pm, giving us plenty of prime fishing light.

As for river conditions, the flows at key stations such as Hecla Junction and Wellsville are ideal—242 to 279 CFS—offering excellent wading access and plenty of dispersed fish. Water temps are running from the upper 40s into the low 60s, perfect for active trout feeding according to ArkAnglers. The clarity is excellent, with any turbidity from upstream work quickly clearing out.

Fish activity has definitely picked up with the cooling water. Trout are holding in classic fall lies—midstream seams, deeper troughs, and along the edges of riffles. The recent uptick in bug activity has been met with healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout responding aggressively to well-placed presentations. Anglers over the past few days have reported steady action, averaging 5–10 browns per outing in the 12–18” range, with healthy rainbows mixed in. A few 20” class specimens have been reported, particularly in quieter tailouts and undercut banks in the late morning.

Dry fly action has been solid, especially mid-morning to late afternoon as baetis (blue-wing olives in #18–22), red quills (#14–16), and caddis (#14–18) are coming off. The hopper-dropper combo is still productive, particularly on sunny banks and grassy edges. Nymphing remains king in the deeper water—with small pheasant tails, zebra midges (#18–20), and caddis pupae doing most of the work.

For those spinning or bait fishing, trout have been active on 1/4 oz gold Panther Martin and silver Mepps spinners in the faster runs, as well as small Rapala countdowns. Local shops, including Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, are reporting success with live bait such as nightcrawlers and salmon eggs when allowed—just make sure to check local regs.

Fall is streamer season, too—strip large olive or black Woolly Buggers or Sheila Sculpins through deeper pools at dawn and dusk to target bigger browns that are getting aggressive ahead of the spawn.

Two proven hot spots for the moment:

- State Bridge: Broad, riffled flats with holding water behind midstream boulders—rewarded several anglers this week with 16-19” browns.

- Pumphouse Recreation Area: Reliable access, productive nymph water, and strong evening dry fly action near the outflows.

No significant tidal influence here, but keep an eye on afternoon winds, which can pick up and make accurate casting a challenge later in the day.

The river is fishing beautifully; fish a

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