The Upper Colorado River offers plenty of angling opportunities for fall fishing. Trout are susceptible frostbite and their gills can freeze. You can also fish the headwaters of the Colorado River in Rocky Mountain National Park above Granby. Try throwing an emerger like an rs2 or a roy's special emerger behind the dry, Recommended Flies:NYMPHS:Red Collar PT 14 or a 20 Incher as a heavy dropper. We are seeing Caddis, Stoneflies, PMD's, Drakes, Beatis and more. Some or our favorite winter fly fishing patterns for January on the Upper Colorado River: Black Beauty (Pupa) Size 18-22, Brassie (Larva / Pupa) 18-24, Renegrade Midge Size 18-22, Prince Nymph Size 12-18. There’s also a chance that you’ll hook a native Colorado River Cutthroat. Doing some "research" for the 2nd edition of "Fly Fishing the Gunnison Country" and let's just say the Upper Gunnison River is fishing lights out right now! The river floats best between 800 and 1200 cubic feet per second (cfs) but will fish well at only 400 to 600 cfs. Eggs, all colors of zebra midge, foam back emergers, rainbow warriors(we have a new pink bead one that is awesome for winter), demon midge, neon nightmare. The Williams Fork tailwater provides year-round fly fishing, The section below the Williams Fork and Colorado River confluence is open most of the winter but cannot be drifted. Populations of strong, wild trout add to the lure of the river, so different in reality from the picture normally conjured by the words “Rio Grande.” STREAMERS:  This is a good time to go big or go home and fish those articulated streamers. The Upper Colorado is one of Colorado’s dream winter destinations. Stashed away in the mountains of southern Colorado near the old silver boomtown of Creede runs one of the best-kept secrets in American fly fishing, the upper Rio Grande. Go fly fishing here, and you’ll likely catch a variety of brown and rainbow trout. North Delaney Butte Lake. The Upper C. flows through exceptional ranchland and is lined with cottonwoods and willows. Nymphs and Streamers will consistently put fish in the net here as well throughout the year. One of the most prolific trout fisheries in Colorado is found just upstream … Fall is one of the most scenic times of year in Colorado. The water can exceed 4,000 (cfs) some years for a few weeks and still fishes well, albeit rowing conditions at high water are dangerous. 2-Hour Walk and Wade Fly Fishing of Upper Colorado River cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Whether you’re looking for a unique date idea, a family outing, or you and some buddies feel like trying your hand at fly fishing for a few hours, AVA’s 2 Hour Wade Fly Fishing Trip is perfect for all of the above. The river is in mid-Spring form, with most of the ice off and rainbows getting frisky for the spawn. There are three sections of river as it pertains to the state of Colorado, the Upper, Middle and Lower. The river is accessible all year. 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. Colorado River: Upper, Colorado fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. https://www.vailvalleyanglers.com/colorado-river-fly-fishing-report The Upper Colorado Locally referred to as the Upper C., the stretch between Byers Canyon and Kremmling offers exceptional walk-and-wade access great for fly fishing lessons. They are being pretty darn picky with the dry so make sure you go small and have some emergers to throw behind your dry. 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 upper section- between Windy Gap Reservoir and Kremmling- sees abundant bug life and has earned a Gold Metal rating due to it's thriving fish population. Sign Up For the Latest News, Sales And Deals, © 2020 Trouts Fly Fishing. The South Canyon ramp is also closed for the winter and should reopen May 15th. One of Colorado’s gold medal stillwater fisheries, North Delaney is known … This freestone river offers ample public access and year round fishing. Where to Fish the Upper Colorado River - Minturn Anglers Another great day on the upper Colorado from Pumphouse to Rancho Del Rio with Mike Connerley of San Diego, CA. KEEP EM WET: We tend to associate keeping fish wet with warm temps and that is good, however, the same goes for Keeping Em Wet in the freezing winter temps too. Sex Dungeons, Wedgeheads, Heisenburgs in all colors should do the trick. Flows below Williams Fork Reservoir are at 84.7 cfs and flows at Parshall are at 388 cfs. In the fall around Oct.-Nov. when the water cools off again, Brown & Brooke trout begin their spawn all dictated by the patterns of the sun. With that, there are great full-day fishing opportunities in the upper Colorado River section. What Do They Mean By “Hatch?” A good hatch is … CPW Largest Brown Trout on Upper Colorado River – Fly Fishing Colorado Vail Valley Anglers97 Main Street, Unit E102Edwards, CO 81632 USAinfo@vailvalleyanglers.com, Guided Trip Reservation & Cancellation Policy. ACCESS #1: HWY 9 Fishing Access. © Vail Valley Anglers 2020. With winter on the approach, remember to try to keep the fish wet, continue to limit photos and leave the fish in the water. Our great state's namesake river rarely disappoints and offers anglers the chance to catch large Rainbow and Brown trout. Southeastern Colorado. Air temperatures are consistent over night, quite chilly! We are seeing Caddis, Stoneflies, PMD's, Drakes, Beatis and more. Try large Stoneflies, Mayfly patterns, Caddis Patterns, worms, eggs dropped below. The Upper Colorado River is a recreational hotspot and here are some of the activities you can enjoy: Fishing The water is so easily accessed at the Upper Colorado that fly-fishermen love it here. The Upper Colorado is renown for it’s rafting and fly fishing, with opportunities to fish from the shore or the boat. There are some ice flows coming from the Fork on most days until mid to late morning. Guide Tip:  Have a dry fly ready for the ocassional mid day hatch on warmer days. The sections below Glenwood Springs are the first to be available in the early season for float fishing. 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