Upper Colorado RiverFishing report · river in Colorado
The lifeblood of the west, the Upper Colorado provides diverse fishing opportunities for both boat and wade anglers.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on Upper Colorado River
- 01Excellent fishing conditions with cooler nights and crisp mornings.
- 02Consistent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, especially on overcast days.
- 03Prime window for the prolific October Caddis hatch, providing large dry fly opportunities.
- 04Midges remain a crucial year-round food source.
- 05Focus on deeper bends, undercut banks, and slower runs due to likely lower water.
- 06Consider hopper-dropper rigs in the mornings, transition to BWO dries, and use streamers for aggressive Brown Trout.
Past reports week by week
8 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 Comparadun
Consistent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches are expected in fall, especially on overcast days, making this low-profile dry fly excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger
A slow-stripped or dead-drifted black streamer imitates leeches and sculpins which are active even in cold water, making it a high-searching pattern for larger trout in fall.
Buy at AmazonMicro Egg
Fall is prime egg season for trout below spawning fish, and this pattern is particularly effective after large trout spawn.
Buy at AmazonSchroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity, especially with grasshoppers, can still be strong in early fall, making this an effective attractor for opportunistic feeders along grassy banks.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis is the largest caddis hatch of the year in many western rivers, making this a crucial dry fly imitation in fall.
Buy at AmazonHare's Ear Nymph
A classic and versatile searching nymph, effectively imitating various aquatic insects, and an essential box fly for trout year-round, including fall.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters year-round, effective as a subsurface searching pattern in cooling fall water.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Parshall Access
A popular float launch and wade fishing area below the Williams Fork confluence.
State Bridge Access
A scenic float-fishing stretch known for high cliff walls and aggressive trout.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Kirk's Fly Shop
The Colorado Angler
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Every Thursday: conditions, hatches and what's working across Colorado, with Upper Colorado River at the top.
Colorado season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Upper Colorado River.
What flies work best on Upper Colorado River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Upper Colorado River right now are Woolly Bugger (80% confidence), Zebra Midge (80% confidence), Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Upper Colorado River?
Upper Colorado River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Upper Colorado River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Upper Colorado River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Upper Colorado River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Upper Colorado River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.