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 Emily on 5/18/2026

Salmon flies have been flying around. However, with this cold weather coming in, that could change their flight plans.

We expect the flows to come up a bit this week, but in the meantime, wading access is great! If you are floating, don't take that new drift boat out unless you want to put in a few permanent dings into it. Low flows = more rocks.

SPAWNING CLOSURES: Please be aware of and respectful of the Spawning Closures on Grizzly, No Name, Canyon and Elk Creek from March 15-May31!

Keep Em Wet: If you must take a photo, leave the fish in the water

Keep your rod tip almost in the water when stripping your streamer back in.

NYMPHS: Tungsten slim shady BWOs, olive zebra midges, neon nightmare, black rainbow warriors all in 18-20. 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: Decent dry fly activity on BWOs and Caddis. Beefus Emerger 18-22, Christianson's BWO 18-22, Parachute adams 16-20, Renegade 16-20, Film Critic BWO 18-20, Garcia's mini hot may in black and olive 18-22, Black sedge caddis dries in an 18, double duck caddis 16-18. hot mess caddis 16-18, missing link caddis 16-18.

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