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Colorado River Fishing Report: High Flows, Caddis Hatch, and Bass Bonanza
Artificial Lure here with your boots-on-the-ground, rods-in-the-water fishing report for the Colorado River for Friday, May 30, 2025.
We’re rolling into the end of May with classic Colorado runoff still pumping through the system. Flows are running high—around 3,300 CFS below Glenwood Springs according to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, up about 10% from last week. Water clarity is a challenge most days, rarely offering more than a foot of visibility outside the early morning window. With the snowmelt strong, especially after sunrise, your best shot at clean water and active fish is first light—sunrise was at 5:34 AM today, so those who got out early reaped the rewards before things got too murky. Expect the bite to taper by early afternoon as sediment clouds the river.
Weather’s fair, with some clouds and a little wind, and temperatures topping out in the low 70s. Sunset tonight is at 8:27 PM, giving you a generous window if you’re hunting for that evening bite and hoping to catch the caddis hatch in full swing. As reported by the Golden Fly Shop and Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the caddis are coming off heavy late afternoons and evenings—look for trout rising in the softer seams and eddies. Blue winged olives and midges are still getting attention, especially on cloudy mornings.
The Upper Colorado has been hot and cold: some days are lights out, others require patience. Overall, I’m calling it a solid six out of ten on the action scale right now. Anglers are routinely connecting with rainbows and browns, with a few hefty cutthroat showing up in the cleaner side channels and backwaters. Downriver, bass reports are strong—Captain Experiences says their guides are boating 50–80 bass a trip, mostly smallmouth but some chunky largemouth showing up around rocky points and brush.
Nymphing is still your best bet when the water’s high and dirty. Start with a heavy Pat’s Rubber Leg, weighted worm, or girdle bug up front, trailed by a caddis pupa or BWO nymph. If you prefer chucking meat, an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla streamer fished tight to the banks has been putting browns in the net. For spinning gear, Panther Martins, small minnow baits, and jigs are turning fish in the slower runs and behind structure.
Best baits for the bait anglers: red wiggler worms, salmon eggs, and PowerBait in hot pink or red are all solid choices, especially for trout holding in deeper pools. Focus your efforts early and late for browns—they like to feed at low light, and those big ones are lurking for bigger meals, including small baitfish.
A couple of hotspots to circle: the stretch just below the confluence with the Roaring Fork, where the water sometimes clears faster, and the classic riffles above State Bridge, especially for dry fly addicts chasing the caddis hatch. For bass hunters, target the backwaters and slower side channels near Parshall and Pumphouse.
That’s your local scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a hatch or a hot tip. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
We’re rolling into the end of May with classic Colorado runoff still pumping through the system. Flows are running high—around 3,300 CFS below Glenwood Springs according to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, up about 10% from last week. Water clarity is a challenge most days, rarely offering more than a foot of visibility outside the early morning window. With the snowmelt strong, especially after sunrise, your best shot at clean water and active fish is first light—sunrise was at 5:34 AM today, so those who got out early reaped the rewards before things got too murky. Expect the bite to taper by early afternoon as sediment clouds the river.
Weather’s fair, with some clouds and a little wind, and temperatures topping out in the low 70s. Sunset tonight is at 8:27 PM, giving you a generous window if you’re hunting for that evening bite and hoping to catch the caddis hatch in full swing. As reported by the Golden Fly Shop and Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the caddis are coming off heavy late afternoons and evenings—look for trout rising in the softer seams and eddies. Blue winged olives and midges are still getting attention, especially on cloudy mornings.
The Upper Colorado has been hot and cold: some days are lights out, others require patience. Overall, I’m calling it a solid six out of ten on the action scale right now. Anglers are routinely connecting with rainbows and browns, with a few hefty cutthroat showing up in the cleaner side channels and backwaters. Downriver, bass reports are strong—Captain Experiences says their guides are boating 50–80 bass a trip, mostly smallmouth but some chunky largemouth showing up around rocky points and brush.
Nymphing is still your best bet when the water’s high and dirty. Start with a heavy Pat’s Rubber Leg, weighted worm, or girdle bug up front, trailed by a caddis pupa or BWO nymph. If you prefer chucking meat, an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla streamer fished tight to the banks has been putting browns in the net. For spinning gear, Panther Martins, small minnow baits, and jigs are turning fish in the slower runs and behind structure.
Best baits for the bait anglers: red wiggler worms, salmon eggs, and PowerBait in hot pink or red are all solid choices, especially for trout holding in deeper pools. Focus your efforts early and late for browns—they like to feed at low light, and those big ones are lurking for bigger meals, including small baitfish.
A couple of hotspots to circle: the stretch just below the confluence with the Roaring Fork, where the water sometimes clears faster, and the classic riffles above State Bridge, especially for dry fly addicts chasing the caddis hatch. For bass hunters, target the backwaters and slower side channels near Parshall and Pumphouse.
That’s your local scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a hatch or a hot tip. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
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By Quiet. PleaseArtificial Lure here with your boots-on-the-ground, rods-in-the-water fishing report for the Colorado River for Friday, May 30, 2025.
We’re rolling into the end of May with classic Colorado runoff still pumping through the system. Flows are running high—around 3,300 CFS below Glenwood Springs according to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, up about 10% from last week. Water clarity is a challenge most days, rarely offering more than a foot of visibility outside the early morning window. With the snowmelt strong, especially after sunrise, your best shot at clean water and active fish is first light—sunrise was at 5:34 AM today, so those who got out early reaped the rewards before things got too murky. Expect the bite to taper by early afternoon as sediment clouds the river.
Weather’s fair, with some clouds and a little wind, and temperatures topping out in the low 70s. Sunset tonight is at 8:27 PM, giving you a generous window if you’re hunting for that evening bite and hoping to catch the caddis hatch in full swing. As reported by the Golden Fly Shop and Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the caddis are coming off heavy late afternoons and evenings—look for trout rising in the softer seams and eddies. Blue winged olives and midges are still getting attention, especially on cloudy mornings.
The Upper Colorado has been hot and cold: some days are lights out, others require patience. Overall, I’m calling it a solid six out of ten on the action scale right now. Anglers are routinely connecting with rainbows and browns, with a few hefty cutthroat showing up in the cleaner side channels and backwaters. Downriver, bass reports are strong—Captain Experiences says their guides are boating 50–80 bass a trip, mostly smallmouth but some chunky largemouth showing up around rocky points and brush.
Nymphing is still your best bet when the water’s high and dirty. Start with a heavy Pat’s Rubber Leg, weighted worm, or girdle bug up front, trailed by a caddis pupa or BWO nymph. If you prefer chucking meat, an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla streamer fished tight to the banks has been putting browns in the net. For spinning gear, Panther Martins, small minnow baits, and jigs are turning fish in the slower runs and behind structure.
Best baits for the bait anglers: red wiggler worms, salmon eggs, and PowerBait in hot pink or red are all solid choices, especially for trout holding in deeper pools. Focus your efforts early and late for browns—they like to feed at low light, and those big ones are lurking for bigger meals, including small baitfish.
A couple of hotspots to circle: the stretch just below the confluence with the Roaring Fork, where the water sometimes clears faster, and the classic riffles above State Bridge, especially for dry fly addicts chasing the caddis hatch. For bass hunters, target the backwaters and slower side channels near Parshall and Pumphouse.
That’s your local scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a hatch or a hot tip. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
We’re rolling into the end of May with classic Colorado runoff still pumping through the system. Flows are running high—around 3,300 CFS below Glenwood Springs according to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, up about 10% from last week. Water clarity is a challenge most days, rarely offering more than a foot of visibility outside the early morning window. With the snowmelt strong, especially after sunrise, your best shot at clean water and active fish is first light—sunrise was at 5:34 AM today, so those who got out early reaped the rewards before things got too murky. Expect the bite to taper by early afternoon as sediment clouds the river.
Weather’s fair, with some clouds and a little wind, and temperatures topping out in the low 70s. Sunset tonight is at 8:27 PM, giving you a generous window if you’re hunting for that evening bite and hoping to catch the caddis hatch in full swing. As reported by the Golden Fly Shop and Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the caddis are coming off heavy late afternoons and evenings—look for trout rising in the softer seams and eddies. Blue winged olives and midges are still getting attention, especially on cloudy mornings.
The Upper Colorado has been hot and cold: some days are lights out, others require patience. Overall, I’m calling it a solid six out of ten on the action scale right now. Anglers are routinely connecting with rainbows and browns, with a few hefty cutthroat showing up in the cleaner side channels and backwaters. Downriver, bass reports are strong—Captain Experiences says their guides are boating 50–80 bass a trip, mostly smallmouth but some chunky largemouth showing up around rocky points and brush.
Nymphing is still your best bet when the water’s high and dirty. Start with a heavy Pat’s Rubber Leg, weighted worm, or girdle bug up front, trailed by a caddis pupa or BWO nymph. If you prefer chucking meat, an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla streamer fished tight to the banks has been putting browns in the net. For spinning gear, Panther Martins, small minnow baits, and jigs are turning fish in the slower runs and behind structure.
Best baits for the bait anglers: red wiggler worms, salmon eggs, and PowerBait in hot pink or red are all solid choices, especially for trout holding in deeper pools. Focus your efforts early and late for browns—they like to feed at low light, and those big ones are lurking for bigger meals, including small baitfish.
A couple of hotspots to circle: the stretch just below the confluence with the Roaring Fork, where the water sometimes clears faster, and the classic riffles above State Bridge, especially for dry fly addicts chasing the caddis hatch. For bass hunters, target the backwaters and slower side channels near Parshall and Pumphouse.
That’s your local scoop for today. Thanks for tuning in—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a hatch or a hot tip. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.