Early Summer on the Upper Colorado: Blues, Caddis, and Twenty-Inch Browns

Colorado River Report: High Water, Big Nymphs, Double-Digit Days

This is Artificial Lure with your Colorado River fishing report for western Colorado. We don’t worry about tides out here – the Colorado is a freestone/regulated river system, so flows and clarity matter more than anything. With the big snowpack melting down, expect higher, off‑color water in the main stem, especially afternoons, with better clarity on tributary mouths and side channels. Overnight temps have been cool in the 40s and 50s, afternoons pushing into the 70s and low 80s. Skies have been a mixed bag of sun and building clouds, with a chance of those quick mountain showers that can bump color and flow for an hour or two. Sunrise is right around the early 5 o’clock hour, sunset near the mid‑8s, so you’ve got a long fishing window, but the **best bite** is first light to late morning and again the last two hours before dark when the wind lays down and boat traffic fades. Recent reports from local shops along the corridor between Glenwood Springs and Parachute say trout and smallmouth have both been active despite the higher flows. Folks have been seeing steady numbers of 12–16 inch browns with an occasional heavier fish, plus plenty of feisty smallies in the rocky runs and slower eddies. Anglers drifting nymph rigs have been putting double‑digit days together when they find softer seams out of the main push. For **trout**, the river is still a nymph and streamer game. Think big and buggy: - Stonefly nymphs in coffee/black, size 6–10 - Pats Rubber Legs, San Juan Worms, and bright egg patterns as attractors - Behind that, smaller mayfly and caddis nymphs in olive or brown, size 14–18 Streamer junk is doing work on the banks when the light is low: olive or black sculpin patterns, articulated leeches, and flashy baitfish in white/olive. Strip them tight to the bank, especially where there’s a little color line. For **smallmouth bass** down toward the warmer, lower stretches, soft plastics and hardware are the ticket: - 3–4 inch tube jigs in green pumpkin or brown - Ned rigs and small creature baits bounced slowly along the rocks - Small crankbaits and in‑line spinners in shad, perch, or fire‑tiger when the water’s got some stain If you’re partial to live bait where regulations allow, nightcrawlers on a small hook and just enough split shot to tick bottom are hard to beat for both trout and bass in the softer eddies. A couple of local **hot spots** to keep in mind: - The stretch just downstream of Glenwood Springs where the Roaring Fork comes in. That confluence gives you a sweet mix of temps and food; work the inside seams and any slower side channel with nymph rigs under an indicator or a tight‑line setup. - The runs and eddies near New Castle and Silt. As flows come up, the fish push into softer pockets behind boulders and along the edges. Drift those spots thoroughly; most anglers move too fast. In the evenings, watch for caddis and mayfly adults – you can sometimes sneak in a short dry‑fly window along the edges with elk‑hair caddis or parachute patterns in 14–16. With flows up, wade carefully, use a wading staff if you’ve got one, and give the boats plenty of room in the main channel. A short, accurate cast into soft water will beat a long hero cast into the heavy stuff every time right now. That’s the word from the river. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

Colorado River Report: Early Summer Glory in Gore Canyon and Beyond

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Colorado River fishing report for the upper river around Gore Canyon, Pumphouse, and down toward Dotsero. Let’s start with conditions. The Colorado River isn’t tidal up here, so no tide swings to worry about, just river flow and clarity. With snowmelt easing off, the river’s running a bit high but dropping and clearing, that classic early-summer green‑brown. Overnight lows are sitting in the 40s and 50s, afternoon highs pushing into the 70s and low 80s with mostly clear skies and a light west breeze. Sunrise is right around 5:30 a.m., sunset about 8:35 p.m., giving us a long, bright fishing window. Best bite has been the first three hours after sunrise and the last two before dark. Trout are the main event here: browns, rainbows, and a few cuttbows mixed in. Reports from local shops and river guides over the past few days have browns in the 12–16 inch class being caught steadily, with some 18–20 inch fish pulled out of deeper runs. Rainbows are a touch smaller on average but more active in the faster riffles. Fish activity has been strong on that early light and again in the evening. Midday slows down unless you’re working the deeper slots and shaded banks. Nymph rigs and smaller spinning presentations are doing most of the damage. Folks drifting nymphs under indicators have been putting up double‑digit days, with two‑fish hookups not uncommon when the hatch pops. For fly anglers, top producers have been: - Small mayfly nymphs and emergers in natural olives and browns, sizes 16–20 - Stonefly nymphs, sizes 8–12, in darker patterns - Caddis pupae and soft hackles swung through the riffles late afternoon On top, a mix of elk hair caddis, parachute Adams, and small PMD patterns has been taking fish during evening hatches when the river calms down. For spin and conventional gear, think subtle and natural. The best lures right now: - 1/8 to 1/4 oz inline spinners in gold or copper with a bit of brown or olive - Small jerkbaits and minnow plugs in brown trout or rainbow patterns - Tiny spoons in silver or brass for covering deeper runs If you’re bait fishing where it’s legal, the best bait has been: - Nightcrawlers threaded on light line, drifted just off the bottom - Salmon eggs or trout nuggets in slower pockets - Small pieces of shrimp or scented soft baits when the water is a little off‑color Keep your leader light and your presentation natural; the clearer the river gets, the more line shy these trout turn. A couple of hot spots to circle on your map: First, the **Pumphouse to Radium float**. That stretch has been very consistent: deep bends, undercut banks, and plenty of structure. Work the inside seam of bends where the current softens, and hit every ledge drop with a nymph rig or a slowly retrieved spinner. Second, the **Dotsero area down toward Glenwood Canyon**. As flows settle, those long runs and tailouts are stacking up with browns. Focus on the heads and tails of riffles at first light, then slide into the deeper mid‑river slots as the sun gets higher. Any shady bank with good current has a chance at a bigger fish. Wade anglers should pick the softer edges and side channels; boaters can capitalize on mid‑river structure and those hard‑to‑reach seams. Either way, think stealth: low profile, long casts, and keep your shadow off the water. That’s the Colorado River update from Artificial Lure. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

Colorado River Summer: High Country Flows, Big Bugs, and Double-Digit Days

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Colorado River fishing report for the upper Colorado in Colorado, from about Glenwood Springs up through Parshall and Kremmling. First off, no tides to worry about here in the high country—this is a freestone and tailwater game, all about **flows, clarity, and weather**. Flows have been running a bit high but steadily dropping after runoff, leaving **slightly off‑color but very fishable water**. That bit of stain is your friend: big bugs, heavier tippet, and fish holding tight to the soft edges. Weather today is shaping up classic mountain summer. Expect **cool mornings in the 40s–50s**, warming into the **70s by afternoon**, with a light breeze and the usual chance of **building clouds and a quick thunderstorm after lunch**. Sunrise hit early, around **5:30 a.m.**, and you’ll start losing good light around **8:30–9 p.m.** Plan to be on the water at first light and again for the evening window. **Fish activity:** Early morning, look for trout sliding into the softer seams and inside bends. As the sun climbs, they’ll drop into deeper buckets, undercuts, and any shade you can find. Midday is more of a nymph and streamer game, with a solid evening ramp‑up in surface feeding once the shadows stretch. Recent reports from local guides along the Colorado around Parshall, Byers Canyon, and down toward Glenwood have been solid: - **Brown trout** in the 12–18 inch range common, with a few pushing past 20. - Plenty of **rainbows** mixed in, especially near tailwater‑influenced sections, 10–16 inches, some bigger. - The odd **whitefish** and **smallmouth bass** lower down near the warmer stretches closer to Glenwood. Anglers have been putting good numbers in the net when they focus on soft edges, current breaks behind boulders, and the deeper slots on the outside bends. Double‑digit half‑days haven’t been unusual when the cloud cover sticks around and the wind behaves. **Best lures and flies right now:** - For spin fishers: small **gold or copper spoons**, **1/8 oz marabou jigs** in olive or black, and **Rooster Tails** in brown, gold, or rainbow patterns. Work them tight to seams and along the drop‑offs. - For fly anglers: - Nymphs: **Pat’s Rubber Legs** (stonefly), size 6–10; **Pheasant Tails**, **Two‑Bit Hookers**, and **Duracells** in 14–18; **RS2s** and **JuJu Baetis** for the tail end of the hatch. - Dries: **Chubby Chernobyls** in tan or purple for a hopper‑dropper rig, **Parachute Adams**, **PMD cripples**, and **caddis** in the evenings. - Streamers: **olive sculpin patterns**, **white/olive articulated bugs**, and simple **black woolly buggers** swung through deep runs. **Best bait** for those fishing natural offerings in legal sections: - **Nightcrawlers** drifted on the bottom in slower runs. - **Salmon eggs** and small **mealworms** in deeper pools. Check local regs carefully—there are plenty of artificial‑only stretches and special rules on the Colorado. A couple of **hot spots** to circle on your map: - **Parshall/Byers Canyon stretch:** Classic riffle‑run water, lots of pockets, and dependable insect life. Hit it early with nymphs and a hopper‑dropper by late morning. - **Pumphouse to Radium:** Bigger water but loaded with structure—shelves, boulders, and deep slots. Great for rafts and pontoons, and a prime place to strip streamers for larger browns along the banks. If you’re nearer Glenwood, focus on the confluence areas and any cooler inflows—those transition zones often hold a pile of fish this time of year. Overall, look for your **best bite at first light and again from late afternoon into dusk**, especially when clouds roll in and flatten the glare. Keep your presentations low and slow, mend early, and don’t be afraid to upsize your bugs in that slightly stained water. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe for more river intel and lure talk. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

Early Summer Colorado River: High Water, Morning Bites, and Solid Trout Action

Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Colorado River fishing report from a local’s angle. We’re sitting on a classic early‑summer pattern. Along the upper Colorado in Colorado, streamflows are running a bit on the high side with snowmelt still easing down but dropping day by day, leaving two to three feet of visibility in most runs. The river has a slight green tint instead of full chocolate milk, which is just about perfect for trout to feel comfortable cruising the seams. No tides here in the high country, of course, but water levels are bumping a bit in the afternoon with melt and any passing showers. Mornings are your money window: cooler water, stable flows, and better bug activity. Up around the Parshall and Byers Canyon stretches, overnight lows are sliding into the 40s, with daytime highs in the 70s and light to moderate winds. Expect partly cloudy skies, with enough sun to get the midges and mayflies moving, but clouds rolling through often enough to keep fish from getting too spooky. Sunrise is just after 5:30 a.m. and sunset is a bit after 8:30 p.m., giving you a long day to work with. Best bite has been from first light until about 10 a.m., and then again from 6 p.m. to dark. Midday you’ll still pick up fish, but you’ll need to go a little deeper and a little smaller. Recent reports from local shops along the Colorado corridor between Kremmling and Glenwood Springs say anglers are into solid numbers of browns in the 12–16 inch range with the occasional 18‑plus, and plenty of rainbows in that 10–14 inch slot. A few whitefish mixed in when nymphing deep, and every now and then a bonus cutbow. Folks floating from Pumphouse down are also picking up a handful of smallmouth bass in the slower, rockier pockets as you get lower in the system. Fish activity has been strong on nymphs in the morning, with fish sliding into softer edges and tailouts. After lunch, trout are tucking tight to structure—undercut banks, boulders, and deeper slots—until shade returns. When clouds move in, you can see fish move up in the column chasing emergers and smaller dries. As for what’s working: - For trout on the upper river, the best “lures” right now are really nymph rigs: think beadhead pheasant tails, hare’s ears, and soft hackles in sizes 14–18, trailed by a midge or small mayfly nymph in 18–22. Add split shot and run them under an indicator just heavy enough to tick bottom. - Spin anglers are doing well with small **gold or copper inline spinners**, 1/8‑ounce **panther‑martin style blades**, and 1/16–1/8‑ounce **marabou jigs** in black, olive, or brown. Work those through the seams and along current breaks. - If you’re targeting the lower stretches closer to warmer water, **small crankbaits**, **2–3 inch paddle‑tail swimbaits** in natural shad or olive, and **tube jigs** around rocks are taking smallmouth and the occasional larger brown. Best bait, where legal, has been **nightcrawlers drifted on light line** through deeper runs and pools, plus **salmon eggs** or **single‑egg imitations** in slower pockets. Always check the regs—some sections of the Colorado are artificial‑only and barbless. A couple of local hot spots to put on your list: - **Pumphouse to Radium**: Classic float or hike‑in water with great structure—riffle‑run‑pool sequences, cutbanks, and bouldery seams. Excellent for browns with spinners or nymphs, and good action early and late. - **Parshall reach and Byers Canyon area**: Walk‑wade water that fishes well when flows are a little high. Focus on inside bends and soft edges behind rocks. Smaller presentations and stealth go a long way here. If you’re planning to be out there tomorrow morning, rig a two‑fly nymph setup, carry a small box of spinners and jigs, and be on the water at gray light. Work upstream methodically, cover each seam, and let the river tell you how much weight and depth you need. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn

Colorado River Early Summer: High Water, Strong Bite, Best Times and Spots

This is Artificial Lure with your Colorado River, Colorado fishing report. We’re rolling into a classic early‑summer pattern on the upper Colorado. River flows are running a bit on the high side with snowmelt, but clarity is decent in the softer edges and side channels, and that’s where most of the fish are staging. No tides here, of course, but the “tide” you’ll feel is from daily flow changes with upstream releases and afternoon melt. Weather today: cool morning in the 40s climbing into the 70s by afternoon, light breeze, and mostly clear skies. Sunrise is right around 5:30 a.m., sunset close to 8:40 p.m. Your best bite windows are first light to mid‑morning and then again from about 6 p.m. to dark, when the sun gets off the water and bugs really get moving. Fish activity has been strong the last several days. Trout numbers have been solid, with anglers reporting plenty of **browns** in the 12–18 inch class and a fair number of **rainbows** mixed in, especially in the faster riffles and tailouts. A few nicer fish over 20 inches have been coming from deeper runs under cut banks and along big boulders. The whitefish are active too if you’re nymphing deeper. Best producers for fly anglers have been **stonefly nymphs**, **gold-ribbed hare’s ears**, **pheasant tails**, and **worm patterns** fished deep under an indicator or euro‑style. Midday, a smaller nymph dropper like a size 18–20 mayfly or midge behind a bigger lead fly has been key. When the sun gets low, **caddis dries** and small **mayfly parachutes** have brought fish up in the softer seams. For spin and gear anglers, small **gold and silver spoons**, **1/8–1/4 oz inline spinners** in brown, gold, and rainbow patterns, and natural‑looking **minnow plugs** have been putting fish in the net. Soft‑plastic grubs on light jig heads, bounced along the bottom of deeper runs, are also working well. Best natural baits have been **nightcrawlers** drifted just off the bottom and **salmon eggs** in the slower pockets, especially for kids and casual anglers. Two local hot spots to circle on your map: • **Glenwood Springs area**: The confluence water adds color, but working upstream on the Colorado you’ll find nice holding water, deep runs, and plenty of bank access. Focus on inside bends and any soft water behind structure. • **Parshall–Byers Canyon stretch**: Classic pocket water and riffle‑run‑pool sequences. Hit the heads of runs at first light with nymphs, then work your way into the tailouts and softer seams as the sun comes up. Wading can be tricky with higher flows, so pick your spots carefully. Overall, if you get out early or fish the evening, stay mobile, and switch between nymphs and small hardware until you dial in the depth and speed, you’re going to find fish. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the next report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn