Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Colorado River Fishing Update: Trout Tactics for August Dog Days
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Colorado River Fishing Update: Trout Tactics for August Dog Days
This is Artificial Lure with your Colorado River Fishing Report for August 6, 2025.
We’ve made it to the dog days of summer, but if you’re up before dawn, you’ll be rewarded—sunrise hit at 6:05 AM and sunset’s at 8:10 PM. Today brought classic mid-August Colorado: warm afternoons scraping 88 degrees, light breezes, and those cool, crisp nights that trout anglers dream about. The skies stayed mostly clear, with just a hint of cloud building after lunch, which gave a little relief from the sun.
No tides here in the high Rockies, but the river’s running a touch low for this time of year after another dry summer—flows are still hanging on, but expect clearer water and skittish fish. Fire bans are in effect across much of the region, but currently, there’s no closure for angling on the Colorado below Kremmling or around Glenwood Springs.
Fishing’s been good if you know where to look and time it right. Mornings have been downright productive before the midday heat pushes both fish and anglers for cover. Trout are stacking in deeper holes and along shaded undercut banks. Locals report solid action on rainbow and brown trout from Parshall down to the Gore Canyon stretch, with a few bruiser browns landed on streamer patterns. Some anglers are even pulling fat cutthroats near Glenwood, where the Eagle dumps in cold water.
Prime lures right now: in-line spinners and small spoons for spin fishers. Consider tying on homemade spinners or store-bought Panther Martins and Rooster Tails in gold or silver—the flash is key in these clear conditions. Fly anglers are doing best with dry-dropper rigs, pairing a hopper with a small beadhead nymph or soft hackle. Don’t overlook terrestrial patterns: beetles, ants, and hoppers are all getting grabs, especially on the banks. For streamer fans, olive or black woolly buggers and flashy sculpin imitations stripped near mid-channel boulders are turning up some bigger fish, especially early and late.
If you plan on dunking bait (where legal), nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are the top picks, but remember that several stretches of the Colorado now allow artificial lures only. Double-check the regulations for your chosen reach.
Recent reports mention anglers landing 12–16 inch browns in the upper river, and a few rainbows pushing 18 inches were caught near Pumphouse last weekend. Good numbers of smaller trout are showing for patient anglers, and there’s the bonus of a rare Colorado River cutthroat in the mix.
As for hot spots, two can’t-miss locations stand out right now. First, the stretch from Pumphouse to State Bridge has been steady, especially in the mornings before rafting traffic picks up. Focus on deep runs under overhanging willows or anywhere you find broken water and depth combined. Second, the “Radium” area just downstream is producing, with fish hunkering down around submerged structure and boulders—bring your wading boots and a stealthy approach.
Boat anglers have also had luck drifting medium crankbaits through deeper channels, though shore fishing remains excellent given the accessible riverbank habitat and clarity.
With the river running cool at night, fish are healthy and active early; just keep an eye on water temps after lunch—if it rises much past 70 degrees, give the trout a rest and explore upland lakes or target warmwater species like smallmouth bass around quieter backwaters.
That’s your Colorado River update for August 6, 2025. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure—be sure to hit subscribe to get your next river report right on time. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more, check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
We’ve made it to the dog days of summer, but if you’re up before dawn, you’ll be rewarded—sunrise hit at 6:05 AM and sunset’s at 8:10 PM. Today brought classic mid-August Colorado: warm afternoons scraping 88 degrees, light breezes, and those cool, crisp nights that trout anglers dream about. The skies stayed mostly clear, with just a hint of cloud building after lunch, which gave a little relief from the sun.
No tides here in the high Rockies, but the river’s running a touch low for this time of year after another dry summer—flows are still hanging on, but expect clearer water and skittish fish. Fire bans are in effect across much of the region, but currently, there’s no closure for angling on the Colorado below Kremmling or around Glenwood Springs.
Fishing’s been good if you know where to look and time it right. Mornings have been downright productive before the midday heat pushes both fish and anglers for cover. Trout are stacking in deeper holes and along shaded undercut banks. Locals report solid action on rainbow and brown trout from Parshall down to the Gore Canyon stretch, with a few bruiser browns landed on streamer patterns. Some anglers are even pulling fat cutthroats near Glenwood, where the Eagle dumps in cold water.
Prime lures right now: in-line spinners and small spoons for spin fishers. Consider tying on homemade spinners or store-bought Panther Martins and Rooster Tails in gold or silver—the flash is key in these clear conditions. Fly anglers are doing best with dry-dropper rigs, pairing a hopper with a small beadhead nymph or soft hackle. Don’t overlook terrestrial patterns: beetles, ants, and hoppers are all getting grabs, especially on the banks. For streamer fans, olive or black woolly buggers and flashy sculpin imitations stripped near mid-channel boulders are turning up some bigger fish, especially early and late.
If you plan on dunking bait (where legal), nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are the top picks, but remember that several stretches of the Colorado now allow artificial lures only. Double-check the regulations for your chosen reach.
Recent reports mention anglers landing 12–16 inch browns in the upper river, and a few rainbows pushing 18 inches were caught near Pumphouse last weekend. Good numbers of smaller trout are showing for patient anglers, and there’s the bonus of a rare Colorado River cutthroat in the mix.
As for hot spots, two can’t-miss locations stand out right now. First, the stretch from Pumphouse to State Bridge has been steady, especially in the mornings before rafting traffic picks up. Focus on deep runs under overhanging willows or anywhere you find broken water and depth combined. Second, the “Radium” area just downstream is producing, with fish hunkering down around submerged structure and boulders—bring your wading boots and a stealthy approach.
Boat anglers have also had luck drifting medium crankbaits through deeper channels, though shore fishing remains excellent given the accessible riverbank habitat and clarity.
With the river running cool at night, fish are healthy and active early; just keep an eye on water temps after lunch—if it rises much past 70 degrees, give the trout a rest and explore upland lakes or target warmwater species like smallmouth bass around quieter backwaters.
That’s your Colorado River update for August 6, 2025. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure—be sure to hit subscribe to get your next river report right on time. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more, check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
View all episodes
By Quiet. PleaseThis is Artificial Lure with your Colorado River Fishing Report for August 6, 2025.
We’ve made it to the dog days of summer, but if you’re up before dawn, you’ll be rewarded—sunrise hit at 6:05 AM and sunset’s at 8:10 PM. Today brought classic mid-August Colorado: warm afternoons scraping 88 degrees, light breezes, and those cool, crisp nights that trout anglers dream about. The skies stayed mostly clear, with just a hint of cloud building after lunch, which gave a little relief from the sun.
No tides here in the high Rockies, but the river’s running a touch low for this time of year after another dry summer—flows are still hanging on, but expect clearer water and skittish fish. Fire bans are in effect across much of the region, but currently, there’s no closure for angling on the Colorado below Kremmling or around Glenwood Springs.
Fishing’s been good if you know where to look and time it right. Mornings have been downright productive before the midday heat pushes both fish and anglers for cover. Trout are stacking in deeper holes and along shaded undercut banks. Locals report solid action on rainbow and brown trout from Parshall down to the Gore Canyon stretch, with a few bruiser browns landed on streamer patterns. Some anglers are even pulling fat cutthroats near Glenwood, where the Eagle dumps in cold water.
Prime lures right now: in-line spinners and small spoons for spin fishers. Consider tying on homemade spinners or store-bought Panther Martins and Rooster Tails in gold or silver—the flash is key in these clear conditions. Fly anglers are doing best with dry-dropper rigs, pairing a hopper with a small beadhead nymph or soft hackle. Don’t overlook terrestrial patterns: beetles, ants, and hoppers are all getting grabs, especially on the banks. For streamer fans, olive or black woolly buggers and flashy sculpin imitations stripped near mid-channel boulders are turning up some bigger fish, especially early and late.
If you plan on dunking bait (where legal), nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are the top picks, but remember that several stretches of the Colorado now allow artificial lures only. Double-check the regulations for your chosen reach.
Recent reports mention anglers landing 12–16 inch browns in the upper river, and a few rainbows pushing 18 inches were caught near Pumphouse last weekend. Good numbers of smaller trout are showing for patient anglers, and there’s the bonus of a rare Colorado River cutthroat in the mix.
As for hot spots, two can’t-miss locations stand out right now. First, the stretch from Pumphouse to State Bridge has been steady, especially in the mornings before rafting traffic picks up. Focus on deep runs under overhanging willows or anywhere you find broken water and depth combined. Second, the “Radium” area just downstream is producing, with fish hunkering down around submerged structure and boulders—bring your wading boots and a stealthy approach.
Boat anglers have also had luck drifting medium crankbaits through deeper channels, though shore fishing remains excellent given the accessible riverbank habitat and clarity.
With the river running cool at night, fish are healthy and active early; just keep an eye on water temps after lunch—if it rises much past 70 degrees, give the trout a rest and explore upland lakes or target warmwater species like smallmouth bass around quieter backwaters.
That’s your Colorado River update for August 6, 2025. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure—be sure to hit subscribe to get your next river report right on time. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more, check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn
We’ve made it to the dog days of summer, but if you’re up before dawn, you’ll be rewarded—sunrise hit at 6:05 AM and sunset’s at 8:10 PM. Today brought classic mid-August Colorado: warm afternoons scraping 88 degrees, light breezes, and those cool, crisp nights that trout anglers dream about. The skies stayed mostly clear, with just a hint of cloud building after lunch, which gave a little relief from the sun.
No tides here in the high Rockies, but the river’s running a touch low for this time of year after another dry summer—flows are still hanging on, but expect clearer water and skittish fish. Fire bans are in effect across much of the region, but currently, there’s no closure for angling on the Colorado below Kremmling or around Glenwood Springs.
Fishing’s been good if you know where to look and time it right. Mornings have been downright productive before the midday heat pushes both fish and anglers for cover. Trout are stacking in deeper holes and along shaded undercut banks. Locals report solid action on rainbow and brown trout from Parshall down to the Gore Canyon stretch, with a few bruiser browns landed on streamer patterns. Some anglers are even pulling fat cutthroats near Glenwood, where the Eagle dumps in cold water.
Prime lures right now: in-line spinners and small spoons for spin fishers. Consider tying on homemade spinners or store-bought Panther Martins and Rooster Tails in gold or silver—the flash is key in these clear conditions. Fly anglers are doing best with dry-dropper rigs, pairing a hopper with a small beadhead nymph or soft hackle. Don’t overlook terrestrial patterns: beetles, ants, and hoppers are all getting grabs, especially on the banks. For streamer fans, olive or black woolly buggers and flashy sculpin imitations stripped near mid-channel boulders are turning up some bigger fish, especially early and late.
If you plan on dunking bait (where legal), nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are the top picks, but remember that several stretches of the Colorado now allow artificial lures only. Double-check the regulations for your chosen reach.
Recent reports mention anglers landing 12–16 inch browns in the upper river, and a few rainbows pushing 18 inches were caught near Pumphouse last weekend. Good numbers of smaller trout are showing for patient anglers, and there’s the bonus of a rare Colorado River cutthroat in the mix.
As for hot spots, two can’t-miss locations stand out right now. First, the stretch from Pumphouse to State Bridge has been steady, especially in the mornings before rafting traffic picks up. Focus on deep runs under overhanging willows or anywhere you find broken water and depth combined. Second, the “Radium” area just downstream is producing, with fish hunkering down around submerged structure and boulders—bring your wading boots and a stealthy approach.
Boat anglers have also had luck drifting medium crankbaits through deeper channels, though shore fishing remains excellent given the accessible riverbank habitat and clarity.
With the river running cool at night, fish are healthy and active early; just keep an eye on water temps after lunch—if it rises much past 70 degrees, give the trout a rest and explore upland lakes or target warmwater species like smallmouth bass around quieter backwaters.
That’s your Colorado River update for August 6, 2025. Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure—be sure to hit subscribe to get your next river report right on time. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more, check out quietplease dot ai.
Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn