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Colorado River Fishing Report: Spring Trout Bonanza on the Mighty Colorado
Good morning from the banks of the Colorado River, this is Artificial Lure with your April 21st fishing report. The Colorado River is coming alive this spring, with flows picking up as the snowmelt begins to make its way down from the high country. Fishing has been fantastic lately, especially in the upper stretches near Pumphouse, State Bridge, and down towards Glenwood Springs. These areas have seen increased action as fish begin to get more active with the warming water.
Early risers can expect the sun to peek over the mountains around 6:15 AM, with sunset close to 7:45 PM. Weather today is forecasted to be mild, with morning temperatures in the high 30s and warming to the upper 50s by afternoon, partly cloudy skies, and only a light breeze—perfect conditions for both wading and floating.
River clarity is improving but expect some color below Glenwood Springs as runoff ramps up. Still, sections above Dotsero and near Pumphouse are running clearer and are the places to target right now for trout action.
Fish activity has really picked up. Anglers have been landing healthy rainbows, chunky browns, and the occasional cutthroat, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Recent reports have shown good numbers—multiple fish days are common, with trout in the 14 to 20-inch range coming to net for both float and wade anglers. Streamer fishing has been hot, with fish aggressively chasing down presentations. Blue Winged Olives and some early caddis are starting to hatch, drawing both fish and anglers to the river. Nymphing with midges, BWO patterns, stoneflies, and leech imitations continues to produce throughout the day.
Some of the best flies and lures right now include Griffith’s Gnat, Midge Clusters, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Perdigons, Hare’s Ear, Rainbow Warrior, and Copper John for nymphing. For those swinging streamers, Kreelex, Montana Humdinger, and Articulated Sparkle Yummy are getting hammered. If you’re bait fishing in the permitted stretches, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are always reliable options as water clarity varies.
Hot spots to target today are the Pumphouse to Radium float stretch, which is seeing some of the best streamer bites, and the area near State Bridge, where wade anglers are having success with both nymphs and dries. The Glenwood Springs section is also fishing well, especially early before flows muddy things up.
In short, now is a fantastic time to hit the Colorado. Fish are feeding aggressively post-winter, the weather is cooperating, and the river is loaded with life—just remember to respect spawning trout and avoid walking on redds. Good luck, tight lines, and see you on the water.
Early risers can expect the sun to peek over the mountains around 6:15 AM, with sunset close to 7:45 PM. Weather today is forecasted to be mild, with morning temperatures in the high 30s and warming to the upper 50s by afternoon, partly cloudy skies, and only a light breeze—perfect conditions for both wading and floating.
River clarity is improving but expect some color below Glenwood Springs as runoff ramps up. Still, sections above Dotsero and near Pumphouse are running clearer and are the places to target right now for trout action.
Fish activity has really picked up. Anglers have been landing healthy rainbows, chunky browns, and the occasional cutthroat, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Recent reports have shown good numbers—multiple fish days are common, with trout in the 14 to 20-inch range coming to net for both float and wade anglers. Streamer fishing has been hot, with fish aggressively chasing down presentations. Blue Winged Olives and some early caddis are starting to hatch, drawing both fish and anglers to the river. Nymphing with midges, BWO patterns, stoneflies, and leech imitations continues to produce throughout the day.
Some of the best flies and lures right now include Griffith’s Gnat, Midge Clusters, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Perdigons, Hare’s Ear, Rainbow Warrior, and Copper John for nymphing. For those swinging streamers, Kreelex, Montana Humdinger, and Articulated Sparkle Yummy are getting hammered. If you’re bait fishing in the permitted stretches, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are always reliable options as water clarity varies.
Hot spots to target today are the Pumphouse to Radium float stretch, which is seeing some of the best streamer bites, and the area near State Bridge, where wade anglers are having success with both nymphs and dries. The Glenwood Springs section is also fishing well, especially early before flows muddy things up.
In short, now is a fantastic time to hit the Colorado. Fish are feeding aggressively post-winter, the weather is cooperating, and the river is loaded with life—just remember to respect spawning trout and avoid walking on redds. Good luck, tight lines, and see you on the water.
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning from the banks of the Colorado River, this is Artificial Lure with your April 21st fishing report. The Colorado River is coming alive this spring, with flows picking up as the snowmelt begins to make its way down from the high country. Fishing has been fantastic lately, especially in the upper stretches near Pumphouse, State Bridge, and down towards Glenwood Springs. These areas have seen increased action as fish begin to get more active with the warming water.
Early risers can expect the sun to peek over the mountains around 6:15 AM, with sunset close to 7:45 PM. Weather today is forecasted to be mild, with morning temperatures in the high 30s and warming to the upper 50s by afternoon, partly cloudy skies, and only a light breeze—perfect conditions for both wading and floating.
River clarity is improving but expect some color below Glenwood Springs as runoff ramps up. Still, sections above Dotsero and near Pumphouse are running clearer and are the places to target right now for trout action.
Fish activity has really picked up. Anglers have been landing healthy rainbows, chunky browns, and the occasional cutthroat, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Recent reports have shown good numbers—multiple fish days are common, with trout in the 14 to 20-inch range coming to net for both float and wade anglers. Streamer fishing has been hot, with fish aggressively chasing down presentations. Blue Winged Olives and some early caddis are starting to hatch, drawing both fish and anglers to the river. Nymphing with midges, BWO patterns, stoneflies, and leech imitations continues to produce throughout the day.
Some of the best flies and lures right now include Griffith’s Gnat, Midge Clusters, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Perdigons, Hare’s Ear, Rainbow Warrior, and Copper John for nymphing. For those swinging streamers, Kreelex, Montana Humdinger, and Articulated Sparkle Yummy are getting hammered. If you’re bait fishing in the permitted stretches, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are always reliable options as water clarity varies.
Hot spots to target today are the Pumphouse to Radium float stretch, which is seeing some of the best streamer bites, and the area near State Bridge, where wade anglers are having success with both nymphs and dries. The Glenwood Springs section is also fishing well, especially early before flows muddy things up.
In short, now is a fantastic time to hit the Colorado. Fish are feeding aggressively post-winter, the weather is cooperating, and the river is loaded with life—just remember to respect spawning trout and avoid walking on redds. Good luck, tight lines, and see you on the water.
Early risers can expect the sun to peek over the mountains around 6:15 AM, with sunset close to 7:45 PM. Weather today is forecasted to be mild, with morning temperatures in the high 30s and warming to the upper 50s by afternoon, partly cloudy skies, and only a light breeze—perfect conditions for both wading and floating.
River clarity is improving but expect some color below Glenwood Springs as runoff ramps up. Still, sections above Dotsero and near Pumphouse are running clearer and are the places to target right now for trout action.
Fish activity has really picked up. Anglers have been landing healthy rainbows, chunky browns, and the occasional cutthroat, especially in the mornings and late afternoons. Recent reports have shown good numbers—multiple fish days are common, with trout in the 14 to 20-inch range coming to net for both float and wade anglers. Streamer fishing has been hot, with fish aggressively chasing down presentations. Blue Winged Olives and some early caddis are starting to hatch, drawing both fish and anglers to the river. Nymphing with midges, BWO patterns, stoneflies, and leech imitations continues to produce throughout the day.
Some of the best flies and lures right now include Griffith’s Gnat, Midge Clusters, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Perdigons, Hare’s Ear, Rainbow Warrior, and Copper John for nymphing. For those swinging streamers, Kreelex, Montana Humdinger, and Articulated Sparkle Yummy are getting hammered. If you’re bait fishing in the permitted stretches, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are always reliable options as water clarity varies.
Hot spots to target today are the Pumphouse to Radium float stretch, which is seeing some of the best streamer bites, and the area near State Bridge, where wade anglers are having success with both nymphs and dries. The Glenwood Springs section is also fishing well, especially early before flows muddy things up.
In short, now is a fantastic time to hit the Colorado. Fish are feeding aggressively post-winter, the weather is cooperating, and the river is loaded with life—just remember to respect spawning trout and avoid walking on redds. Good luck, tight lines, and see you on the water.