State Bridge Accesson Upper Colorado River
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.
What to tie on at State Bridge Access
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Zebra 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 AmazonZebra Midge
The Zebra Midge is the quintessential winter fly for the Upper Colorado. In February, trout are keyed into midge pupae, which are the most consistent food source in the river. Use sizes 20-24 in black or red.
Buy at AmazonTungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
Even in winter, large Pteronarcys (Salmonfly) and Golden Stonefly nymphs are present in the substrate. The tungsten bead provides the necessary weight to act as an 'anchor' fly for a multi-nymph rig, getting smaller midges into the strike zone.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
A year-round essential, the Pheasant Tail Nymph effectively imitates various small mayfly nymphs, which are always present and a consistent food source in the Upper Colorado River.
Buy at AmazonPat's Rubber Leg Stonefly
Immature stoneflies, including Golden Stones, are a consistent and significant food source on the Upper Colorado River. This weighted nymph is crucial for getting deep to where fish are feeding.
Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) 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 AmazonMother's Day Caddis
This prolific hatch is expected now, making it a key pattern for rising trout on the Upper Colorado River.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A year-round staple streamer, effective for enticing aggressive strikes from trout in colder spring flows, imitating leeches and baitfish on the Upper Colorado River.
Elk Hair Caddis
A reliable general caddis imitation, perfect for matching the adult caddis activity expected during the Mother's Day Caddis hatch on the Upper Colorado River.
Buy at AmazonColorado season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.