Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Colorado River Runoff Fishing Report: Salmonflies, Feisty Trout, and Hatches Galore
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Colorado River Runoff Fishing Report: Salmonflies, Feisty Trout, and Hatches Galore
Artificial Lure here with your June 7th, 2025 fishing report for the Colorado River and surrounding waters.
We’re in the heart of runoff season, and the Colorado is running big and brown—flows have doubled in the last week, making for high, off-colored water from Gore Canyon to Glenwood Springs. Despite the heavy flows, fish are still on the bite if you know where to look and what to throw. According to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the river’s finally turned heavy, but angling is far from futile. In fact, float fishing has been hot, especially upriver near Pumphouse and State Bridge.
Sunrise is clocking in right around 5:33 a.m. with sunset stretching ‘til 8:30 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window for those early and late bites. Weather today is clear and warm, highs touching the mid-70s, with just a light breeze—perfect for a long day on the water.
Fish activity is mixed. The big news is the thick salmonfly hatch on the upper stretches, confirmed by Golden Fly Shop. Brown and rainbow trout are both on the feed, keyed into migrating nymphs and emerging adult flies. The trout are feisty, with some browns pushing 18–22 inches and plenty of 12–16 inch rainbows getting netted, especially on the edges and in deeper pockets where the fast water softens.
Best bait and tactics? Toss big girdle bugs or Pat’s Rubber Legs under an indicator, trailed by caddis or BWO nymphs. If you’re streamer-curious, now’s the time—strip an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla tight to the bank or swing it through soft seams. For dries, stick with the classics: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute BWO, and if the salmonflies are thick, a big foam Chubby Chernobyl will get some serious looks.
Fly Fishing Outfitters and Vail Valley Anglers both report that nymphing remains a reliable technique, especially with clarity issues—stick with a heavier point fly to get down, and don’t be afraid to go big. Just a heads up from the locals: rainbow trout are moving onto their beds, so be respectful and avoid fishing the obvious spawning zones.
Hot spots for today: First, hit the Pumphouse to State Bridge stretch for the heaviest hatches and most consistent action, especially early morning and dusk. Another solid bet is below Glenwood Springs, particularly in side channels or inside bends where the flow drops off. If you’re on foot, work the eddies and slower tailouts—those big browns are hugging the structure right now.
For gearheads, the Luskville hand-carved Colorado River Cutthroat trout lipless crankbait has been getting rave reviews by multispecies anglers—give it a try if you want something besides the fly rod.
That’s the scoop for this weekend. Tight lines out there, and thanks for tuning in to your Colorado River report. Don’t forget to hit subscribe to stay up to date with the latest bites and river intel.
This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
We’re in the heart of runoff season, and the Colorado is running big and brown—flows have doubled in the last week, making for high, off-colored water from Gore Canyon to Glenwood Springs. Despite the heavy flows, fish are still on the bite if you know where to look and what to throw. According to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the river’s finally turned heavy, but angling is far from futile. In fact, float fishing has been hot, especially upriver near Pumphouse and State Bridge.
Sunrise is clocking in right around 5:33 a.m. with sunset stretching ‘til 8:30 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window for those early and late bites. Weather today is clear and warm, highs touching the mid-70s, with just a light breeze—perfect for a long day on the water.
Fish activity is mixed. The big news is the thick salmonfly hatch on the upper stretches, confirmed by Golden Fly Shop. Brown and rainbow trout are both on the feed, keyed into migrating nymphs and emerging adult flies. The trout are feisty, with some browns pushing 18–22 inches and plenty of 12–16 inch rainbows getting netted, especially on the edges and in deeper pockets where the fast water softens.
Best bait and tactics? Toss big girdle bugs or Pat’s Rubber Legs under an indicator, trailed by caddis or BWO nymphs. If you’re streamer-curious, now’s the time—strip an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla tight to the bank or swing it through soft seams. For dries, stick with the classics: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute BWO, and if the salmonflies are thick, a big foam Chubby Chernobyl will get some serious looks.
Fly Fishing Outfitters and Vail Valley Anglers both report that nymphing remains a reliable technique, especially with clarity issues—stick with a heavier point fly to get down, and don’t be afraid to go big. Just a heads up from the locals: rainbow trout are moving onto their beds, so be respectful and avoid fishing the obvious spawning zones.
Hot spots for today: First, hit the Pumphouse to State Bridge stretch for the heaviest hatches and most consistent action, especially early morning and dusk. Another solid bet is below Glenwood Springs, particularly in side channels or inside bends where the flow drops off. If you’re on foot, work the eddies and slower tailouts—those big browns are hugging the structure right now.
For gearheads, the Luskville hand-carved Colorado River Cutthroat trout lipless crankbait has been getting rave reviews by multispecies anglers—give it a try if you want something besides the fly rod.
That’s the scoop for this weekend. Tight lines out there, and thanks for tuning in to your Colorado River report. Don’t forget to hit subscribe to stay up to date with the latest bites and river intel.
This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
View all episodes
By Quiet. PleaseArtificial Lure here with your June 7th, 2025 fishing report for the Colorado River and surrounding waters.
We’re in the heart of runoff season, and the Colorado is running big and brown—flows have doubled in the last week, making for high, off-colored water from Gore Canyon to Glenwood Springs. Despite the heavy flows, fish are still on the bite if you know where to look and what to throw. According to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the river’s finally turned heavy, but angling is far from futile. In fact, float fishing has been hot, especially upriver near Pumphouse and State Bridge.
Sunrise is clocking in right around 5:33 a.m. with sunset stretching ‘til 8:30 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window for those early and late bites. Weather today is clear and warm, highs touching the mid-70s, with just a light breeze—perfect for a long day on the water.
Fish activity is mixed. The big news is the thick salmonfly hatch on the upper stretches, confirmed by Golden Fly Shop. Brown and rainbow trout are both on the feed, keyed into migrating nymphs and emerging adult flies. The trout are feisty, with some browns pushing 18–22 inches and plenty of 12–16 inch rainbows getting netted, especially on the edges and in deeper pockets where the fast water softens.
Best bait and tactics? Toss big girdle bugs or Pat’s Rubber Legs under an indicator, trailed by caddis or BWO nymphs. If you’re streamer-curious, now’s the time—strip an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla tight to the bank or swing it through soft seams. For dries, stick with the classics: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute BWO, and if the salmonflies are thick, a big foam Chubby Chernobyl will get some serious looks.
Fly Fishing Outfitters and Vail Valley Anglers both report that nymphing remains a reliable technique, especially with clarity issues—stick with a heavier point fly to get down, and don’t be afraid to go big. Just a heads up from the locals: rainbow trout are moving onto their beds, so be respectful and avoid fishing the obvious spawning zones.
Hot spots for today: First, hit the Pumphouse to State Bridge stretch for the heaviest hatches and most consistent action, especially early morning and dusk. Another solid bet is below Glenwood Springs, particularly in side channels or inside bends where the flow drops off. If you’re on foot, work the eddies and slower tailouts—those big browns are hugging the structure right now.
For gearheads, the Luskville hand-carved Colorado River Cutthroat trout lipless crankbait has been getting rave reviews by multispecies anglers—give it a try if you want something besides the fly rod.
That’s the scoop for this weekend. Tight lines out there, and thanks for tuning in to your Colorado River report. Don’t forget to hit subscribe to stay up to date with the latest bites and river intel.
This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.
We’re in the heart of runoff season, and the Colorado is running big and brown—flows have doubled in the last week, making for high, off-colored water from Gore Canyon to Glenwood Springs. Despite the heavy flows, fish are still on the bite if you know where to look and what to throw. According to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, the river’s finally turned heavy, but angling is far from futile. In fact, float fishing has been hot, especially upriver near Pumphouse and State Bridge.
Sunrise is clocking in right around 5:33 a.m. with sunset stretching ‘til 8:30 p.m., so you’ve got a solid window for those early and late bites. Weather today is clear and warm, highs touching the mid-70s, with just a light breeze—perfect for a long day on the water.
Fish activity is mixed. The big news is the thick salmonfly hatch on the upper stretches, confirmed by Golden Fly Shop. Brown and rainbow trout are both on the feed, keyed into migrating nymphs and emerging adult flies. The trout are feisty, with some browns pushing 18–22 inches and plenty of 12–16 inch rainbows getting netted, especially on the edges and in deeper pockets where the fast water softens.
Best bait and tactics? Toss big girdle bugs or Pat’s Rubber Legs under an indicator, trailed by caddis or BWO nymphs. If you’re streamer-curious, now’s the time—strip an articulated Dungeon or Sculpzilla tight to the bank or swing it through soft seams. For dries, stick with the classics: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute BWO, and if the salmonflies are thick, a big foam Chubby Chernobyl will get some serious looks.
Fly Fishing Outfitters and Vail Valley Anglers both report that nymphing remains a reliable technique, especially with clarity issues—stick with a heavier point fly to get down, and don’t be afraid to go big. Just a heads up from the locals: rainbow trout are moving onto their beds, so be respectful and avoid fishing the obvious spawning zones.
Hot spots for today: First, hit the Pumphouse to State Bridge stretch for the heaviest hatches and most consistent action, especially early morning and dusk. Another solid bet is below Glenwood Springs, particularly in side channels or inside bends where the flow drops off. If you’re on foot, work the eddies and slower tailouts—those big browns are hugging the structure right now.
For gearheads, the Luskville hand-carved Colorado River Cutthroat trout lipless crankbait has been getting rave reviews by multispecies anglers—give it a try if you want something besides the fly rod.
That’s the scoop for this weekend. Tight lines out there, and thanks for tuning in to your Colorado River report. Don’t forget to hit subscribe to stay up to date with the latest bites and river intel.
This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.