Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado)
river in Colorado
The Colorado portion of the Rio Grande provides diverse fishing, from small headwater streams to wider, more accessible sections, making it a favorite for float and wade anglers.
Midges are a consistent and reliable food source
- 01Midges are a consistent and reliable food source, with trout actively feeding subsurface.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) are providing intermittent dry fly opportunities, especially during overcast periods.
- 03Terrestrial insects, particularly grasshoppers, are still present and can draw opportunistic strikes in the early part of the month.
- 04Streamer fishing remains highly effective for enticing aggressive browns and rainbows, mimicking leeches and baitfish.
- 05The 875 cfs flow allows for easy wading in many areas and provides well-defined current seams and holding lies.
Past reports week by week
6 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity can still be strong in early fall, and hoppers (sizes 6-10) are a substantial food source, especially along grassy banks of the Rio Grande.
TH Zebra Midge
This weighted Zebra Midge (sizes 20-24) is excellent for getting deeper into the water column, targeting trout feeding on abundant midge pupa on the Rio Grande.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers (sizes 18-22) are crucial during fall hatches on the Rio Grande, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from trout feeding in the film.
Baby Brown Trout
This streamer (sizes 4-8) is ideal for enticing aggressive, larger brown trout on the Rio Grande that are keying on smaller baitfish in the fall.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Consistent BWO hatches occur in the fall on the Rio Grande, and this low-profile dry fly (sizes 18-22) is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Zebra Midge
Midges (sizes 20-24) are a primary and consistent food source year-round on the Rio Grande, making this a staple subsurface pattern for fall.
Buy at AmazonPMD
Pale Morning Duns (sizes 16-18) are actively hatching in fall, providing a key food source for opportunistic feeders on the Rio Grande.
Bead Head Woolly Bugger
An indispensable streamer (olive, sizes 4-8) that imitates leeches and baitfish, effective for enticing aggressive strikes from trout in the colder fall waters of the Rio Grande.
Where to fish and who to ask
Del Norte Town Stretch
Accessible sections of the river near the town of Del Norte, offering convenient fishing.
Wagon Wheel Gap
Popular public access points near Wagon Wheel Gap, known for good wade fishing and abundant trout.
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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 Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado).
What flies work best on Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado)?
Our top scored fly patterns for Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado) right now are Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence), Elk Hair Caddis (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado)?
Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado) holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado)?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado) are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado) fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Rio Grande River (Upper Colorado) each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.