The Colorado River originates in Rocky Mountain National Park. We generally fish the sections from Gore Canyon to the town of Rifle bridge. The Colorado is generally a wider and slower river with some faster canyon stretches and excellent hatches and beautiful scenery along the river corridor. The sections below Glenwood Springs are the first to be available in the early season for float fishing. As the spring gives way to summer the focus shifts from Glenwood Springs and Dotsero, upstream to State Bridge and just below Gore Canyon and the Pumphouse boat launch. The Colorado offers more remote stretches of water and a slower pace to the day with an opportunity to view wildlife and unique geology along the way.

Last Updated by JP Modderno on 12/8/2025

Winter is finally here and the Colorado has responded very quickly to the abrupt weather change. The Upper Colorado from Kremmling to Dotsero is not fishing good at all and we'll start to see some ice building along the edges and in the canyons very soon here. As a result, Rancho and Confluence Casting have ceased shuttle operations for the season. If you must fish the Upper C, you best bet is to dredge the middle of the river with midges, eggs and worms or try throwing large streamers on sinking lines into the middle and stripping SLOOOOWWWWW.

The good news is that now we get into on of my favorite times of year to hit the Lower Colorado. The fishing is very hit or miss so pick your days wisely. It's also not really worth fishing from shore, so if you don't have a boat, consider hitting the Eagle, the Fork, the Pan, or a local tailwater. For nymphing you want to think small, as it's mostly annelids and midges in the trout's diets. Worms and eggs are always a good thing to have on board as well for those really tough days. We've had some reports of people still doing well on peeping caddis type flies and dead drifting olive marabou streams as well. I also love to streamer fish this time of year, but it's in your best interest to hope for a fish or two to the net and be happy with anything more. Go big or go home!

NYMPHS: Demon Midge, zebra midges, neon nightmare, black rainbow warriors all in 18-22. Big hare's ears and similar flies like the Taz Devil and hot wrap duracell in 12-18. Red and Pink Worms, chartreuse and oregon cheese eggs.

DRIES: Not much going on until probably late February, but if you do come across a hatch you'll be fine with a parachute adams in 18-24, renegade 18-20, or a griffith's gnat 18-22

STREAMERS:  Cream, Black and Gray Dungeons, Rainbow and Black Heisenberg, Game Changers, D&D Deceivers. Whatever you are confident in will work best though!