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Colorado River Spring Runoff and Rising Trout Activity
This is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, April 19, 2025, fishing report for the Colorado River, Colorado.
We’re coming off some spring warmth, and the river’s flow has picked up a bit. As of April 6, flows were up to 1870 cubic feet per second below Glenwood Springs, with mostly clear water but the occasional tint as runoff starts to kick in. That’s classic for this time of year, and the river’s got a healthy push but is still very fishable, especially in the float-friendly stretches below Glenwood through to Rifle. Some color in the water can actually help, giving the larger trout some extra confidence to feed throughout the day.
Weather for today: expect highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, with partly cloudy skies and light to moderate winds in the afternoon. Sunrise hit at 6:17 a.m., and sunset will be around 7:44 p.m. No tidal influence on the Colorado River, so you can focus on flow and clarity.
Fish activity has been solid, with anglers reporting good numbers of rainbows and browns, especially in the mornings and just before dusk. Nymphing has been most productive with patterns like the Hare's Ear, Copper John, Perdigon, and smaller midges when the water is extra clear. On those deeper, slower runs, swinging a black or olive woolly bugger has turned up some nice fish, especially as cloud cover increases through the day.
Recent catches around State Bridge, Pumphouse, and downstream of Glenwood Springs have included healthy rainbows averaging 14-18 inches, plenty of browns in the same range, and the occasional cutbow. Float fishermen have been reporting the best numbers, but wade anglers are also having luck along the softer seams and below riffles.
Best lures and flies right now:
- Nymphs: Hare's Ear 16-20, Copper John 16-20, Perdigon 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-20
- Streamers: Woolly Buggers in black or olive, smaller sculpin patterns
- Dry flies: If you see risers during warmer parts of the afternoon, try a Blue Wing Olive or a Sparkle Dun in size 18-20
For bait anglers, the classic nightcrawler or a pinch of salmon egg drifted through the slower water will still pick up fish, especially near deep holes and structure.
Couple of hotspots to try today:
- The stretch below Pumphouse through Radium is holding steady flows and good clarity, and has been producing both numbers and size.
- The water just downstream of Glenwood Springs, especially toward the confluence with the Roaring Fork, is a traditionally reliable bet for spring browns and rainbows.
With flows rising and water starting to color up in spots, stick to bigger, bright nymphs and streamers as the day wears on, and don’t be afraid to cover water. The fish are on the move, and so should you be. Tight lines out there, and enjoy some of Colorado’s best spring fishing while it lasts.
We’re coming off some spring warmth, and the river’s flow has picked up a bit. As of April 6, flows were up to 1870 cubic feet per second below Glenwood Springs, with mostly clear water but the occasional tint as runoff starts to kick in. That’s classic for this time of year, and the river’s got a healthy push but is still very fishable, especially in the float-friendly stretches below Glenwood through to Rifle. Some color in the water can actually help, giving the larger trout some extra confidence to feed throughout the day.
Weather for today: expect highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, with partly cloudy skies and light to moderate winds in the afternoon. Sunrise hit at 6:17 a.m., and sunset will be around 7:44 p.m. No tidal influence on the Colorado River, so you can focus on flow and clarity.
Fish activity has been solid, with anglers reporting good numbers of rainbows and browns, especially in the mornings and just before dusk. Nymphing has been most productive with patterns like the Hare's Ear, Copper John, Perdigon, and smaller midges when the water is extra clear. On those deeper, slower runs, swinging a black or olive woolly bugger has turned up some nice fish, especially as cloud cover increases through the day.
Recent catches around State Bridge, Pumphouse, and downstream of Glenwood Springs have included healthy rainbows averaging 14-18 inches, plenty of browns in the same range, and the occasional cutbow. Float fishermen have been reporting the best numbers, but wade anglers are also having luck along the softer seams and below riffles.
Best lures and flies right now:
- Nymphs: Hare's Ear 16-20, Copper John 16-20, Perdigon 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-20
- Streamers: Woolly Buggers in black or olive, smaller sculpin patterns
- Dry flies: If you see risers during warmer parts of the afternoon, try a Blue Wing Olive or a Sparkle Dun in size 18-20
For bait anglers, the classic nightcrawler or a pinch of salmon egg drifted through the slower water will still pick up fish, especially near deep holes and structure.
Couple of hotspots to try today:
- The stretch below Pumphouse through Radium is holding steady flows and good clarity, and has been producing both numbers and size.
- The water just downstream of Glenwood Springs, especially toward the confluence with the Roaring Fork, is a traditionally reliable bet for spring browns and rainbows.
With flows rising and water starting to color up in spots, stick to bigger, bright nymphs and streamers as the day wears on, and don’t be afraid to cover water. The fish are on the move, and so should you be. Tight lines out there, and enjoy some of Colorado’s best spring fishing while it lasts.
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By Quiet. PleaseThis is Artificial Lure with your Saturday, April 19, 2025, fishing report for the Colorado River, Colorado.
We’re coming off some spring warmth, and the river’s flow has picked up a bit. As of April 6, flows were up to 1870 cubic feet per second below Glenwood Springs, with mostly clear water but the occasional tint as runoff starts to kick in. That’s classic for this time of year, and the river’s got a healthy push but is still very fishable, especially in the float-friendly stretches below Glenwood through to Rifle. Some color in the water can actually help, giving the larger trout some extra confidence to feed throughout the day.
Weather for today: expect highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, with partly cloudy skies and light to moderate winds in the afternoon. Sunrise hit at 6:17 a.m., and sunset will be around 7:44 p.m. No tidal influence on the Colorado River, so you can focus on flow and clarity.
Fish activity has been solid, with anglers reporting good numbers of rainbows and browns, especially in the mornings and just before dusk. Nymphing has been most productive with patterns like the Hare's Ear, Copper John, Perdigon, and smaller midges when the water is extra clear. On those deeper, slower runs, swinging a black or olive woolly bugger has turned up some nice fish, especially as cloud cover increases through the day.
Recent catches around State Bridge, Pumphouse, and downstream of Glenwood Springs have included healthy rainbows averaging 14-18 inches, plenty of browns in the same range, and the occasional cutbow. Float fishermen have been reporting the best numbers, but wade anglers are also having luck along the softer seams and below riffles.
Best lures and flies right now:
- Nymphs: Hare's Ear 16-20, Copper John 16-20, Perdigon 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-20
- Streamers: Woolly Buggers in black or olive, smaller sculpin patterns
- Dry flies: If you see risers during warmer parts of the afternoon, try a Blue Wing Olive or a Sparkle Dun in size 18-20
For bait anglers, the classic nightcrawler or a pinch of salmon egg drifted through the slower water will still pick up fish, especially near deep holes and structure.
Couple of hotspots to try today:
- The stretch below Pumphouse through Radium is holding steady flows and good clarity, and has been producing both numbers and size.
- The water just downstream of Glenwood Springs, especially toward the confluence with the Roaring Fork, is a traditionally reliable bet for spring browns and rainbows.
With flows rising and water starting to color up in spots, stick to bigger, bright nymphs and streamers as the day wears on, and don’t be afraid to cover water. The fish are on the move, and so should you be. Tight lines out there, and enjoy some of Colorado’s best spring fishing while it lasts.
We’re coming off some spring warmth, and the river’s flow has picked up a bit. As of April 6, flows were up to 1870 cubic feet per second below Glenwood Springs, with mostly clear water but the occasional tint as runoff starts to kick in. That’s classic for this time of year, and the river’s got a healthy push but is still very fishable, especially in the float-friendly stretches below Glenwood through to Rifle. Some color in the water can actually help, giving the larger trout some extra confidence to feed throughout the day.
Weather for today: expect highs in the upper 50s to low 60s, with partly cloudy skies and light to moderate winds in the afternoon. Sunrise hit at 6:17 a.m., and sunset will be around 7:44 p.m. No tidal influence on the Colorado River, so you can focus on flow and clarity.
Fish activity has been solid, with anglers reporting good numbers of rainbows and browns, especially in the mornings and just before dusk. Nymphing has been most productive with patterns like the Hare's Ear, Copper John, Perdigon, and smaller midges when the water is extra clear. On those deeper, slower runs, swinging a black or olive woolly bugger has turned up some nice fish, especially as cloud cover increases through the day.
Recent catches around State Bridge, Pumphouse, and downstream of Glenwood Springs have included healthy rainbows averaging 14-18 inches, plenty of browns in the same range, and the occasional cutbow. Float fishermen have been reporting the best numbers, but wade anglers are also having luck along the softer seams and below riffles.
Best lures and flies right now:
- Nymphs: Hare's Ear 16-20, Copper John 16-20, Perdigon 16-20, Zebra Midge 18-20
- Streamers: Woolly Buggers in black or olive, smaller sculpin patterns
- Dry flies: If you see risers during warmer parts of the afternoon, try a Blue Wing Olive or a Sparkle Dun in size 18-20
For bait anglers, the classic nightcrawler or a pinch of salmon egg drifted through the slower water will still pick up fish, especially near deep holes and structure.
Couple of hotspots to try today:
- The stretch below Pumphouse through Radium is holding steady flows and good clarity, and has been producing both numbers and size.
- The water just downstream of Glenwood Springs, especially toward the confluence with the Roaring Fork, is a traditionally reliable bet for spring browns and rainbows.
With flows rising and water starting to color up in spots, stick to bigger, bright nymphs and streamers as the day wears on, and don’t be afraid to cover water. The fish are on the move, and so should you be. Tight lines out there, and enjoy some of Colorado’s best spring fishing while it lasts.