Colorado River (Lees Ferry)
river in Arizona
Cold, stable flows and prolific aquatic insects make Lees Ferry one of the most consistent trout fisheries in the Southwest, famous for trophy rainbows and year-round fishing.
River flow last 30 days
Midge and Mysis shrimp nymphs are year-round staples
- 01Midge and Mysis shrimp nymphs are year-round staples, offering consistent subsurface action for Rainbow and Brown Trout.
- 02Look for afternoon hatches of Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) on overcast days for dry fly opportunities.
- 03As water cools, consider swinging or stripping olive or black Woolly Buggers to imitate baitfish and leeches.
- 04Focus on deeper runs and current seams for nymphing, and softer water or eddies for rising fish during hatches.
Past reports week by week
12 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Fall is a key season for Blue-Winged Olive hatches; this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective Rainbow and Brown Trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonMysis Shrimp
A primary and consistent food source in this tailwater year-round, effective when fished dead drift near the bottom for both Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Buy at AmazonPMD (Pale Morning Duns)
Pale Morning Duns are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, making this a staple subsurface pattern for Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various active aquatic insects that are present year-round, effective for Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A reliable year-round streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger is effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, especially in the cooling fall waters for aggressive Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Jujubaetis
One of the best Baetis nymphs available, effective year-round in tailwaters, especially during the consistent BWO hatch periods for Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis is one of the largest caddis hatches of the year in many western rivers during fall, making this a prime dry fly for rising Rainbow and Brown Trout.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
House Rock Rapid / North Canyon
Productive stretch for drifting nymph rigs and targeting large rainbows near current seams.
Lees Ferry Takeout / Put-in
Primary access and put-in for float trips; concentrated angling near the takeout and adjacent shoreline.
Paria Confluence / South Canyon
Where inflows and structure create holding lies; good for dry/dropper and streamer fishing.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Kelly Outfitters
Lees Ferry Anglers
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Arizona season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Best Budget Fly Fishing Combo Setups for Beginners
Expert guide to affordable fly fishing combos that won't break the bank but deliver quality performance for new anglers.
Quick answers
Common questions about Colorado River (Lees Ferry).
What flies work best on Colorado River (Lees Ferry)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Colorado River (Lees Ferry) right now are Pat's Rubber Leg (80% confidence), Scud (Pink/Orange) (80% confidence), Sow Bug (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Colorado River (Lees Ferry)?
Colorado River (Lees Ferry) holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Colorado River (Lees Ferry)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Colorado River (Lees Ferry) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Colorado River (Lees Ferry) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Colorado River (Lees Ferry) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.