Howdy, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River fishing report for March 19, 2025. Sun's peeking over the horizon at 6:12 AM, and we've got a beauty of a day ahead. Temps are starting off chilly at 38°F but warming up to a comfortable 62°F by afternoon. Sunset's at 7:08 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to wet your lines.

Now, let's talk fish. The river's running clear at about 930 CFS below Glenwood Springs, which is prime for some early spring action. Trout are starting to get more active, especially in the afternoons. We're seeing good numbers of rainbows and browns in the 12-16 inch range, with a few lunkers pushing 20 inches.

For you fly fishers, midges are still the main course. Size 20-24 black beauties and zebra midges are producing well. As the day warms up, we're starting to see some blue-winged olive activity. A size 18-20 parachute BWO might just entice a big one to the surface.

Spin fishers, don't feel left out. Small gold or silver spinners are working wonders, especially in deeper pools. And for you bait dunkers, a nightcrawler or salmon egg under a bobber is still hard to beat.

Hot spots this week include the stretch near Rifle Gap State Park and down by the Rulison boat ramp. The confluence with Roaring Fork is also producing some nice catches.

A few lucky anglers have been hooking into some decent-sized pike near Parachute. These toothy critters are hitting on large streamers and crankbaits.

Remember, folks, we're still in that transition period between winter and spring. Fish are starting to move, but they're not in full feeding mode yet. Slow and steady retrieves are the name of the game.

Lastly, a friendly reminder that the seasonal spawning closure on tributaries of the lower Roaring Fork and middle Colorado rivers starts today. Let's give those fish some privacy, ya hear?

That's all for now, anglers. This is Artificial Lure signing off. Tight lines and see you on the river!