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Colorado River Fishing Report - Pre-Runoff Action Heats Up! (142 characters)
Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your latest Colorado River fishing report for Sunday, May 4th, 2025.
We’re right in the middle of that prime pre-runoff window, but the clock is ticking fast as spring temps continue to rise. The river below Glenwood Springs is pushing around 2,530 cubic feet per second and still climbing with the melt. Water clarity’s been all over the place—after cool nights we’re seeing a good green tint and nice visibility, but after hot afternoons the river can get muddy. Keep an eye on the weather, as every cold snap buys us another day of solid fishing.
Fish activity’s been strong this week. Anglers are hooking into plenty of healthy Browns and Rainbows, and there’s always a chance at a Colorado River Cutthroat if luck is on your side. In the upper stretches, Browns are biting well. Downriver, especially in slower water and back channels near Grand Junction, catfish action is heating up, with a few good ones reported on typical cut bait, chicken livers, and catfish nuggets[5].
The bug life is popping: we’re seeing good Blue Winged Olive and Mother’s Day Caddis hatches. Dry fly fishing is starting to pick up, especially on overcast days or just before sunset, which is at 7:59 PM tonight. Early risers should note sunrise at 5:56 AM—first light can be very productive, especially on quieter side channels[2][5].
Fly anglers should come armed with BWO and caddis patterns, but do not ignore streamers. Big woolly buggers in olive or black, stripped through slack water and seams, continue to produce larger trout. Spin anglers, try small jerkbaits or inline spinners in the riffles, and don’t hesitate to slow down presentations as water temps are still cool.
A couple hot spots worth trying: The section just below Glenwood Springs has been reliable for trout this week, and the backwater sloughs and deep eddies near Fruita and Loma are putting out steady catfish and the occasional good smallmouth. If conditions muddy up, focus on slower water and fish subsurface.
No tides to worry about on this stretch—just runoff flows and weather. Plan for a rising river if we get another warm spell. Every day gives us something new, but right now is still one of the best times of year before the full melt sets in. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water[2][3][5].
We’re right in the middle of that prime pre-runoff window, but the clock is ticking fast as spring temps continue to rise. The river below Glenwood Springs is pushing around 2,530 cubic feet per second and still climbing with the melt. Water clarity’s been all over the place—after cool nights we’re seeing a good green tint and nice visibility, but after hot afternoons the river can get muddy. Keep an eye on the weather, as every cold snap buys us another day of solid fishing.
Fish activity’s been strong this week. Anglers are hooking into plenty of healthy Browns and Rainbows, and there’s always a chance at a Colorado River Cutthroat if luck is on your side. In the upper stretches, Browns are biting well. Downriver, especially in slower water and back channels near Grand Junction, catfish action is heating up, with a few good ones reported on typical cut bait, chicken livers, and catfish nuggets[5].
The bug life is popping: we’re seeing good Blue Winged Olive and Mother’s Day Caddis hatches. Dry fly fishing is starting to pick up, especially on overcast days or just before sunset, which is at 7:59 PM tonight. Early risers should note sunrise at 5:56 AM—first light can be very productive, especially on quieter side channels[2][5].
Fly anglers should come armed with BWO and caddis patterns, but do not ignore streamers. Big woolly buggers in olive or black, stripped through slack water and seams, continue to produce larger trout. Spin anglers, try small jerkbaits or inline spinners in the riffles, and don’t hesitate to slow down presentations as water temps are still cool.
A couple hot spots worth trying: The section just below Glenwood Springs has been reliable for trout this week, and the backwater sloughs and deep eddies near Fruita and Loma are putting out steady catfish and the occasional good smallmouth. If conditions muddy up, focus on slower water and fish subsurface.
No tides to worry about on this stretch—just runoff flows and weather. Plan for a rising river if we get another warm spell. Every day gives us something new, but right now is still one of the best times of year before the full melt sets in. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water[2][3][5].
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your latest Colorado River fishing report for Sunday, May 4th, 2025.
We’re right in the middle of that prime pre-runoff window, but the clock is ticking fast as spring temps continue to rise. The river below Glenwood Springs is pushing around 2,530 cubic feet per second and still climbing with the melt. Water clarity’s been all over the place—after cool nights we’re seeing a good green tint and nice visibility, but after hot afternoons the river can get muddy. Keep an eye on the weather, as every cold snap buys us another day of solid fishing.
Fish activity’s been strong this week. Anglers are hooking into plenty of healthy Browns and Rainbows, and there’s always a chance at a Colorado River Cutthroat if luck is on your side. In the upper stretches, Browns are biting well. Downriver, especially in slower water and back channels near Grand Junction, catfish action is heating up, with a few good ones reported on typical cut bait, chicken livers, and catfish nuggets[5].
The bug life is popping: we’re seeing good Blue Winged Olive and Mother’s Day Caddis hatches. Dry fly fishing is starting to pick up, especially on overcast days or just before sunset, which is at 7:59 PM tonight. Early risers should note sunrise at 5:56 AM—first light can be very productive, especially on quieter side channels[2][5].
Fly anglers should come armed with BWO and caddis patterns, but do not ignore streamers. Big woolly buggers in olive or black, stripped through slack water and seams, continue to produce larger trout. Spin anglers, try small jerkbaits or inline spinners in the riffles, and don’t hesitate to slow down presentations as water temps are still cool.
A couple hot spots worth trying: The section just below Glenwood Springs has been reliable for trout this week, and the backwater sloughs and deep eddies near Fruita and Loma are putting out steady catfish and the occasional good smallmouth. If conditions muddy up, focus on slower water and fish subsurface.
No tides to worry about on this stretch—just runoff flows and weather. Plan for a rising river if we get another warm spell. Every day gives us something new, but right now is still one of the best times of year before the full melt sets in. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water[2][3][5].
We’re right in the middle of that prime pre-runoff window, but the clock is ticking fast as spring temps continue to rise. The river below Glenwood Springs is pushing around 2,530 cubic feet per second and still climbing with the melt. Water clarity’s been all over the place—after cool nights we’re seeing a good green tint and nice visibility, but after hot afternoons the river can get muddy. Keep an eye on the weather, as every cold snap buys us another day of solid fishing.
Fish activity’s been strong this week. Anglers are hooking into plenty of healthy Browns and Rainbows, and there’s always a chance at a Colorado River Cutthroat if luck is on your side. In the upper stretches, Browns are biting well. Downriver, especially in slower water and back channels near Grand Junction, catfish action is heating up, with a few good ones reported on typical cut bait, chicken livers, and catfish nuggets[5].
The bug life is popping: we’re seeing good Blue Winged Olive and Mother’s Day Caddis hatches. Dry fly fishing is starting to pick up, especially on overcast days or just before sunset, which is at 7:59 PM tonight. Early risers should note sunrise at 5:56 AM—first light can be very productive, especially on quieter side channels[2][5].
Fly anglers should come armed with BWO and caddis patterns, but do not ignore streamers. Big woolly buggers in olive or black, stripped through slack water and seams, continue to produce larger trout. Spin anglers, try small jerkbaits or inline spinners in the riffles, and don’t hesitate to slow down presentations as water temps are still cool.
A couple hot spots worth trying: The section just below Glenwood Springs has been reliable for trout this week, and the backwater sloughs and deep eddies near Fruita and Loma are putting out steady catfish and the occasional good smallmouth. If conditions muddy up, focus on slower water and fish subsurface.
No tides to worry about on this stretch—just runoff flows and weather. Plan for a rising river if we get another warm spell. Every day gives us something new, but right now is still one of the best times of year before the full melt sets in. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water[2][3][5].