Artificial Lure here with your November 15th Colorado River fishing report, serving up the latest from the banks and riffles of one of the West’s favorite fisheries.

Let’s get started with what’s making headlines today: Willow Beach saw a big stocking event just yesterday, with 2,000 rainbow trout released fresh from the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. According to Nevada Fish Reports, these bows are active and hungry right off the pier, giving shore anglers an edge this morning. With that fresh stocking, it’s prime time if you’re gunning for a limit of rainbows—so don’t sleep in too late.

Weather’s classic fall Colorado—cool in the morning with lows near 39 up in central basins, warming to the low 60s as the sun rises. Skies are partly cloudy with a slight breeze, and showers rolled through earlier in the week but things will be clearing, according to Dream Stream updates and local meteorological forecasts. For those who keep track, sunrise was at 6:44 AM and sunset will hit around 4:52 PM today, so plan your outings with that shorter November daylight.

River flows in tributaries like the South Platte are hovering around comfortable levels for fall: Dream Stream just ticked up to 153 cfs, while up in Elevenmile Canyon you’re seeing about 116 cfs—not bad, but bring those light tippets and subtle presentations for the trickier, clear water. Note that the main Colorado River below the big reservoirs is running stable and relatively clear post-precip, with water temps in the mid-40s to low-50s—not so cold as to shut things down, but cool enough for the trout and stripers to be feeding actively through the mid-morning.

Plenty of fish have been reported in the last week. Trout catches—especially rainbows between 12 and 16 inches—are dominating the reports around Willow Beach, with a few browns still showing in deeper runs near structure and the occasional smallmouth mixed in. Some anglers downriver are running into a few stripers, though the bite is mixed and best in the deeper, slower pools. Up near the tailwaters and canyon sections, browns and rainbows are holding tight to boulders and undercut banks. South Platte feeders like Cheesman and Elevenmile Canyon are consistently producing rainbows and cutbows, with a smattering of cutthroat and brown trout around the bends and pockets.

For lures and flies, the formula is classic late fall:

- Freshly stocked trout at Willow Beach are smashing **spinners** (silver and gold), small **crankbaits**, and brightly colored **PowerBait** or nightcrawlers drifted near the bottom.

- For fly anglers, Cheesman and the Dream Stream are still producing with **nymphs** like RS2s, Black Beauties, Barr’s Emergers, and Foamback Emergers in sizes 18–22. For dries, Tricos and PMDs early, then switch to caddis (Elk Hair, tan 16-18) or a Stubby Chubby in the riffles.

- Streamer action heats up as clouds roll in: try Woolly Buggers in olive or black, and don’t hesitate to run an olive Mini Peanut Envy or Slumpbuster along the banks.

- For the stripers, toss **swimbaits** or medium diving plugs that imitate shad in deeper holes.

Hot spots today:

- **Willow Beach fishing pier**: With the new trout stocking, this is your best bet for numbers and ease of access.
- **South Platte’s Dream Stream:** Early birds are finding dry fly action before temps climb.
- **Cheesman Canyon:** Go deep with nymphs and stealth—big fish are holding tight in the structure.

Remember, as you chase those trout and stripers, respect the regulations, especially in catch-and-release areas. Keep an eye on water temps—if they creep to 68 degrees by noon, consider hitting pause for the health of the fish.

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