Colorado River Report

October 3, 2008

FLOW: 2,410 cfs

WATER CONDITIONS: Green, with anywhere from 3-4 feet of water visibility. Sensational!

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, BWO's, Hoppers, PMD's, Stoneflies and Rusty Spinners

THE SHORT AND SWEET: Streamers anyone?

THE IN DEPTH REPORT: The fishing has been superb. With the huge snowpack we had this past winter, the trout are relishing in the higher, cooler water that is present. This is bar-none the best September, in terms of the fishing, that we've had in at least 10 years! The recent rains haven't affected the water clarity at all, plus crowds are beginning to thin out along all valley rivers. Much like the Lower Fork, the majority of the fishing has been shallow, though heavy nymph rigs or dry/dropper/dropper rigs have been fishing well in the soft water and seams. Many fish are suspending in the water column so you don't need to dredge bottom to hook fish right now. The float fishing has been superb from Glenwood Springs all the way down to Silt! Though the drakes are now long gone, good hatches of PMD's and Caddis are being seen. The caddis are ranging in sizes #14-18. Skittering these flies on the surface are often the trigger needed to induce takes. Midday, some good hatches of PMD's and Yellow Sally's being seen in addition. Evening hours are presenting the best dry fly fishing, and risers can be caught on a mix of Rusty Spinner, Caddis and attractor patterns. In a nutshell, just get out there. The fishing has been hot and heavy. These fish are screamin' hot right now so heavy fluorocarbon tippets of 4X and 5X are suggested to put the brakes on these bad boys and help you land them quickly and humanely. It's that time of year when Hopper patterns are also successful, and will serve as a perfect strike indicator when fishing dry/dropper/dropper setups. During overcast days, the streamer fishing has been off the charts! During bright sun though, the streamer fishing has ranged from slow to fair. As we get closer to September look for some of the best streamer fishing of the entire year. The wade fishing is still fairly decent and some of the wade fishing is happening in Glenwood Canyon all the way down to Silt. No need for waders here. Grab some sandals and quick-dry shorts and be prepared to cover water and pick the many pockets that exist in the canyon. Stay out late, and fish double caddis dries and hang on. The hot morning bite has consisted of Stoneflies or Princes followed by Sunken Spinner. Be sure you have some Spinners in your fly box! (hint, hint) If you really want to have some fun, the carp fishing along the lower river is heating up in a big way. The guides day off fish of choice is certainly the carp, and many of our clients are beginning to also fall in love with the golden ghost.

Appropriate Patterns 

Nymphs:San Juan Worms, Princes, 20 Inchers, *new* Spanflex Stones, Poxybiot Stones, Wired Stones, BH Princes,*new* Yuba Pupa, *new* Freeliving Caddis, *new* Pearl Bead Cased Caddis, BH PTails, BLM's, Tungsten Bead Baetis, STD's, Swiss Straw Emergers, Thread Body BWO, Sunken Spinners

Dries: Stimi's, *new* Trixy the Hooker, *new* Hairy Sally, TC Sally, CDC Rusty Spinner, Triple Deckers, Charlie Boy Hoppers, Head Turning Hoppers, Clipped Hoppers, Yellow Humpies

Streamers: Tan Stingin' Sculpins, Tan Ziwi's, Autumn Splendors, Black Lightnin' Buggers, Northern Lights, White Clousers, White Zuddlers, *new* EP Trout Streamers, *new* EP Micro Minnow

Hints:The best way to fish the Colorado at this time of year and in these flows is by floating. Give us a call to book a float, or call your buddy that owns one and get after it.

Link to the USGS Real Time Flow Chart for the Colorado River