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 6/20/2026

The Upper Colorado is hovering around 600-700 cfs. There are sightings of PMDs, Caddis, Yellow Sallies and more. However, water temperatures are consistenly getting to the danger zone early afternoons.

FISH DEEP: The most consistent fishing has been 5-6 feet subsurface. However, the fish will come up to a dry everyone in awhile for those diehards out there.

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!