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Colorado River Fishing Report - May 2025
COLORADO RIVER FISHING REPORT - MAY 14, 2025
Howdy anglers, Artificial Lure here with your mid-May fishing update for the Colorado River. It's shaping up to be an interesting week on the water!
Current conditions are typical for this time of year - we're in that transitional spring period with the river running at about 3000 CFS below Glenwood Springs and climbing. The water clarity has been yo-yoing lately, with brown water after warm days and better visibility following cooler temperatures. This pattern should continue through today with the current warming trend.
The fishing has been decent overall - I'd rate it a 7 out of 10. The annual spawning closures remain in effect until June 1st at Grizzly, Canyon, Castle, and Elk Creeks, so please respect those no-fishing zones and let those rainbows do their thing undisturbed.
The good news is these hatches are really picking up! We're seeing excellent caddis activity, along with spring baetis (blue winged olives) and midges. Some lucky anglers have also spotted early signs of PMDs and small green drakes.
For fly fishers, I recommend a two-fly nymph rig with a weighted worm or Pat's Rubber Legs as your lead fly, followed by a caddis pupa. If streamer fishing is more your style, focus on the banks or cast to mid-river and strip in on the swing. Articulated Dundgeons and Sculpzillas have been producing nice strikes, especially during that final retrieve.
Conventional tackle folks are having success with browns in the upper reaches, while catfish action is heating up in the lower reaches and backwaters. Cut bait, chicken liver, and prepared catfish nuggets are all working well.
Hot spots right now include the stretch just below the Glenwood Canyon where the water clears up a bit, and the deeper pools around Rifle. The confluence areas where tributaries join the main stem are also worth investigating.
Remember that this river fluctuates quickly with temperature changes this time of year, so check the latest flow data before heading out. Morning fishing has been consistently better than afternoon, especially as the mountain snowmelt increases throughout the day.
Dress in layers as we're still seeing cool mornings around 45 degrees with afternoon highs hitting the mid-70s. And don't forget your polarized glasses - they're essential for spotting fish in these variable water conditions.
That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines and bent rods on the mighty Colorado. Stop by Taylor Creek Fly Shop or Vail Valley Anglers for the latest gear and local knowledge. See ya on the water!
Howdy anglers, Artificial Lure here with your mid-May fishing update for the Colorado River. It's shaping up to be an interesting week on the water!
Current conditions are typical for this time of year - we're in that transitional spring period with the river running at about 3000 CFS below Glenwood Springs and climbing. The water clarity has been yo-yoing lately, with brown water after warm days and better visibility following cooler temperatures. This pattern should continue through today with the current warming trend.
The fishing has been decent overall - I'd rate it a 7 out of 10. The annual spawning closures remain in effect until June 1st at Grizzly, Canyon, Castle, and Elk Creeks, so please respect those no-fishing zones and let those rainbows do their thing undisturbed.
The good news is these hatches are really picking up! We're seeing excellent caddis activity, along with spring baetis (blue winged olives) and midges. Some lucky anglers have also spotted early signs of PMDs and small green drakes.
For fly fishers, I recommend a two-fly nymph rig with a weighted worm or Pat's Rubber Legs as your lead fly, followed by a caddis pupa. If streamer fishing is more your style, focus on the banks or cast to mid-river and strip in on the swing. Articulated Dundgeons and Sculpzillas have been producing nice strikes, especially during that final retrieve.
Conventional tackle folks are having success with browns in the upper reaches, while catfish action is heating up in the lower reaches and backwaters. Cut bait, chicken liver, and prepared catfish nuggets are all working well.
Hot spots right now include the stretch just below the Glenwood Canyon where the water clears up a bit, and the deeper pools around Rifle. The confluence areas where tributaries join the main stem are also worth investigating.
Remember that this river fluctuates quickly with temperature changes this time of year, so check the latest flow data before heading out. Morning fishing has been consistently better than afternoon, especially as the mountain snowmelt increases throughout the day.
Dress in layers as we're still seeing cool mornings around 45 degrees with afternoon highs hitting the mid-70s. And don't forget your polarized glasses - they're essential for spotting fish in these variable water conditions.
That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines and bent rods on the mighty Colorado. Stop by Taylor Creek Fly Shop or Vail Valley Anglers for the latest gear and local knowledge. See ya on the water!
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By Quiet. PleaseCOLORADO RIVER FISHING REPORT - MAY 14, 2025
Howdy anglers, Artificial Lure here with your mid-May fishing update for the Colorado River. It's shaping up to be an interesting week on the water!
Current conditions are typical for this time of year - we're in that transitional spring period with the river running at about 3000 CFS below Glenwood Springs and climbing. The water clarity has been yo-yoing lately, with brown water after warm days and better visibility following cooler temperatures. This pattern should continue through today with the current warming trend.
The fishing has been decent overall - I'd rate it a 7 out of 10. The annual spawning closures remain in effect until June 1st at Grizzly, Canyon, Castle, and Elk Creeks, so please respect those no-fishing zones and let those rainbows do their thing undisturbed.
The good news is these hatches are really picking up! We're seeing excellent caddis activity, along with spring baetis (blue winged olives) and midges. Some lucky anglers have also spotted early signs of PMDs and small green drakes.
For fly fishers, I recommend a two-fly nymph rig with a weighted worm or Pat's Rubber Legs as your lead fly, followed by a caddis pupa. If streamer fishing is more your style, focus on the banks or cast to mid-river and strip in on the swing. Articulated Dundgeons and Sculpzillas have been producing nice strikes, especially during that final retrieve.
Conventional tackle folks are having success with browns in the upper reaches, while catfish action is heating up in the lower reaches and backwaters. Cut bait, chicken liver, and prepared catfish nuggets are all working well.
Hot spots right now include the stretch just below the Glenwood Canyon where the water clears up a bit, and the deeper pools around Rifle. The confluence areas where tributaries join the main stem are also worth investigating.
Remember that this river fluctuates quickly with temperature changes this time of year, so check the latest flow data before heading out. Morning fishing has been consistently better than afternoon, especially as the mountain snowmelt increases throughout the day.
Dress in layers as we're still seeing cool mornings around 45 degrees with afternoon highs hitting the mid-70s. And don't forget your polarized glasses - they're essential for spotting fish in these variable water conditions.
That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines and bent rods on the mighty Colorado. Stop by Taylor Creek Fly Shop or Vail Valley Anglers for the latest gear and local knowledge. See ya on the water!
Howdy anglers, Artificial Lure here with your mid-May fishing update for the Colorado River. It's shaping up to be an interesting week on the water!
Current conditions are typical for this time of year - we're in that transitional spring period with the river running at about 3000 CFS below Glenwood Springs and climbing. The water clarity has been yo-yoing lately, with brown water after warm days and better visibility following cooler temperatures. This pattern should continue through today with the current warming trend.
The fishing has been decent overall - I'd rate it a 7 out of 10. The annual spawning closures remain in effect until June 1st at Grizzly, Canyon, Castle, and Elk Creeks, so please respect those no-fishing zones and let those rainbows do their thing undisturbed.
The good news is these hatches are really picking up! We're seeing excellent caddis activity, along with spring baetis (blue winged olives) and midges. Some lucky anglers have also spotted early signs of PMDs and small green drakes.
For fly fishers, I recommend a two-fly nymph rig with a weighted worm or Pat's Rubber Legs as your lead fly, followed by a caddis pupa. If streamer fishing is more your style, focus on the banks or cast to mid-river and strip in on the swing. Articulated Dundgeons and Sculpzillas have been producing nice strikes, especially during that final retrieve.
Conventional tackle folks are having success with browns in the upper reaches, while catfish action is heating up in the lower reaches and backwaters. Cut bait, chicken liver, and prepared catfish nuggets are all working well.
Hot spots right now include the stretch just below the Glenwood Canyon where the water clears up a bit, and the deeper pools around Rifle. The confluence areas where tributaries join the main stem are also worth investigating.
Remember that this river fluctuates quickly with temperature changes this time of year, so check the latest flow data before heading out. Morning fishing has been consistently better than afternoon, especially as the mountain snowmelt increases throughout the day.
Dress in layers as we're still seeing cool mornings around 45 degrees with afternoon highs hitting the mid-70s. And don't forget your polarized glasses - they're essential for spotting fish in these variable water conditions.
That's all for now, folks. This is Artificial Lure wishing you tight lines and bent rods on the mighty Colorado. Stop by Taylor Creek Fly Shop or Vail Valley Anglers for the latest gear and local knowledge. See ya on the water!