colorado river From her headwaters on the west side of the Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) all the way to the confluence of the Gunnison the Colorado River can offer some spectacular fishing opportunities. Whether you are looking to fish the Colorado as she runs through the national park or a looking to float the lower river, the Colorado has something for every angler.
The Colorado River starts it long journey in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), and meanders her way through meadow and canyon country on the way to Utah and beyond. Excellent fishing can be found along much of the stretch we consider the upper Colorado. With small stream fishing at the headwaters to a mid-sized river as the Colorado meets the Williams Fork River this section of the Colorado offers some very intimate fishing in some of Colorado's great high country. This report is essentially for the upper Colorado from Byers Canyon to just below the town of Kremmeling.
The river gets much larger as it makes it's way west and has legendary hatches of pteronarcys, known to most as the salmonfly. These massive insects swarm the Colorado during high peak flows, and some of the biggest fish in the river lose their inhibitions to come to the surface and smack these gargantuan bugs. Hitting this hatch can be very difficult in the spring, but when you hit it right it can blow your mind. Much of the rest of the season on the upper Colorado fish can be taken on both dry flies and nymphs, so regardless of what type of fly fisherman you may be, you can definitely have satisfying days on this wonderful river.
Flows are decent this time of year, but most of the fishing is restricted to the four-five miles below the Williams Fork confluence. Weekday fishing at the Breeze Unit is just about as good as you can get for winter fly fishing on the upper Colorado.
Recommended flies: #14-#16 brown or red san juan worm, #20-#24 RSII, #18-#20 buckskin, #18-#22 rainbow warrior, #20-#24 jujube midge, #20-#24 griffiths gnat, #20-#22 BWO, #20-#24 black or red Mike's midge, #20-#24 Top Secret Midge, #16-#20 tungsten red copper john.
Kevin Pitney hooks up with a brown trout on the Colorado River.
The Colorado River really starts to pick up steam as it gets to Kremmling from Muddy Creek, Troublesome Creek and the Blue River. Public fishing gets more sparse and wading becomes less of an option once you get past Gore Canyon just below the confluence of the Blue River and the Colorado. Floating is the best way to fish this section and with a great abundance of guides that service this river gives even those without a boat to fish some of this excellent water. Fishing with a stout 5-6 weight rod will work just fine, though heavier rods make it much easier to lob the heavy flies towards shore. Many anglers are turned off from the Colorado due to it's sheer size as you move further down the watershed we here at wild trout on the fly.com highly recommend finding a guide to aquaint you with this part of the Colorado (or find a buddy who floats it regularly) before hitting it on your own.
We recommend hitting the Colorado River below the Williams Fork confluence.
Silverthorne area shops Cutthroat Anglers 400 Blue River Pkwy (Silverthorne Pavilions) 970.262.2878
Tabernash area shops Nelson Fly & Tackle Shop 72149 Hwy 40 80478 970.726.8558
guides that service the colorado river
Sometimes it just pays to hire a guide to take you out on a river you have never been on, after all this is what these guys do for a living. If you are interested in taking a guided trip to the Colorado River we are certain that one of the outfitters listed below can help make your trip the most memorable of your life.
Alpine River Outfitters 97 Main Street Unit E102 Edwards, CO 81632 970.926.0900 or toll free 877.926.0900
