Colorado River Fishing Report (Glenwood Springs – Rifle)

Colorado River Fishing Report (Glenwood Springs – Rifle)
July 9, 2024 manager
In River Reports

Colorado River –

Flow: 5,000 cfs/Glenwood Springs

Update: The river has finally cleared! Yes, the green drakes have been hatching in the evening hours! That said, our bread and butter hatches are caddis, PMDs and stoneflies. Be sure to book your float or wade guide now for some sensational post-runoff fishing!

Conditions:  Some of the best fishing occurs immediately after runoff – so get your gear in order and be ready now. Stoneflies, green drakes, caddis and PMDs will all be on the menu then. Shallow and heavy two-fly nymph rigs under a bobber is the go-to.  Dry/dropper setups are preferred during daytime hatches and overcast. Evenings often yield the most dry fly opportunities. Prior to dusk look for risers keyed in on caddis in fairly quick water. At dusk and into the late evening hours are when the drakes appear. Have a headlamp and plenty of Dry Shake at the ready. The streamer fishing is tapering off a bit as the flows decrease and fish move off of the banks more. Still haven’t booked your favorite (or new favorite) fishing guide yet? Give us a call – we’re filling up more each day. Most prefer to float this big river but adventurous anglers can certainly wade fish it in limited areas.

Feel free to call us for daily river conditions 970.963.5741

 

Flies

Dries: Chubby Chernobyls (tan/yellow/gold), PMXs (same), Tarantulas, Fat Alberts, Rogue Foam Stone (yellow/orange), Royal Wulff, H&L Variant, Drake Cripple, BDE Foam Drake, Hen Wing Drake, Foam Elk Hair Caddis (tan/brown), Rubber Leg Stimi (yellow/orange), Ginger Variant, Flag Dun PMD, Melon Quill, CDC Rusty Spinner, Trude Sally

Nymphs: Jig Rubberlegs (black/coffee), Cheater Belly (brown/tan), Zirdles (tan/coffee), Tung 20Incher, BH ZugBug, Winged Drake Emerger, Jig Breadcrust, Jig FKA Prince, Tung Electric Caddis, Guides Choice, Soft Hackle PT, BH Swiss Straw Emerger, Split Case PMD, San Juan Worm (red/tan/brown), Translucent Sally, BH Yellow Sally

Streamers: Goldie Articulated, Ebony Articulated, Double Bunny (white), Thin Mints, Jig Slum Lord (brown), Aggravator Prince, Wooly Bugger (black/white)