Upper Colorado River
river in Colorado
The lifeblood of the west, the Upper Colorado provides diverse fishing opportunities for both boat and wade anglers.
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.
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 AmazonBlue-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 AmazonBlack Woolly 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.
Micro 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 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
Get Upper Colorado River reports by email
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Colorado 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.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
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.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
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.
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 Zebra Midge (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.