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LOCAL WATER. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.

Upper Colorado River Fishing Report

River conditions, live flows, suggested flies, and public access

Check the Upper Colorado River fishing report, live flows, suggested flies, and access information before your next trip. Conditions vary by reach, so match your plans to local water levels, temperatures, and available public access.

ON THE WATER

Current fishing report

Report updated

The upper Colorado has benefited from cooler October weather, but the broader basin remains affected by a difficult low-water year. Flow, temperature and any remaining restrictions must be checked for the exact reach before fishing. Where conditions are suitable, trout should be found in deeper seams, riffle transitions and current-protected banks rather than broad shallow flats. Baetis nymphs and midges are dependable fall choices; larger stonefly nymphs can help search deeper water, and a small BWO dry is worth carrying for cloudy afternoons. Do not assume improved air temperature means every reach has recovered from summer stress. Brown trout are moving toward spawning habitat, making clean gravel and paired fish areas to leave undisturbed. A measured, conservation-first approach is appropriate.

Fishing tips

Verify the reach-specific flow and current restrictions before traveling. Fish a Pheasant Tail or Pat’s Rubber Legs as the anchor with a Juju Baetis or RS2 trailer in deeper seams. Carry a small BWO dry for visible surface activity; do not fish spawning redds.
Pat Dorsey

FROM OUR HEAD GUIDE

Pat Dorsey's Guide Report

Pat's report revised

Tips & Other Information

Flows are 153 cfs currently on the Colorado River near Parshall.  91 cfs is being released from Williams Fork Reservoir. Below Kremmling, the Colorado River is 414 cfs. Anglers should prepare themselves for hatches of midges, Tricos, and blue-winged olives. Anglers are catching a few medium sized browns and the occasional rainbow and whitefish in the Parshall area. Egg midge and Baetis combos are a good choice right now. Williams Fork Reservoir is at 24% capacity which is concerning. This is a large reservoir, 100,000 acre feet (larger than Cheesman Reservoir) and it looks like a pond.  We did see the first snow over there last week as well as some rain which is good news.

14-Day Hatch Outlook

Outlook from Pat's report dated October 19, 2026; not a live weather forecast.

Look for hatches of midges, Tricos, caddisflies, red quills, and blue-winged olives.

Effective Patterns

#20-22 Jujubaetis, #20 Mercury Midge, #20 Mercury Black Beauty, #20-22 Top Secret Baetis, #18-20 Mercury Pheasant Tail, #20-22 Chocolate Foam Wing Emerger, #16 Micro San Juan Worm, #18-20 Buckskin, #20-22 Sparkle Wing RS 2, #20 Sparkle Dun, #16 Red Quill, #20 Parachute Adams, #22 Pat's MIdge, and #20-22 Griffith Gnat.

Looking for flies for this river? Shop BQA's recommended flies ↓

Source: Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing · Read Pat's original report

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

River conditions

Flow readings update separately from the fishing report. Check the reading time shown below.

BUILD YOUR FLY BOX

Recommended flies for Upper Colorado River

Selected by the Blue Quill Angler team for fishing Upper Colorado River. See the fishing reports above for specific patterns, sizes, and techniques.

PLAN YOUR DAY

Fishing Upper Colorado River

The fishery

The Upper Colorado offers a mix of meadow water, riffles, deeper runs, and canyon reaches. Select a stretch that suits your fishing and access plans. The Kremmling gauge provides a useful flow reference, but tributaries and water operations can produce different conditions elsewhere along the river.

Access & parking

Pumphouse Recreation Area provides public river access, boat ramps, and trails for exploring portions of the Upper Colorado on foot. Use designated parking and established trails, keep launch areas clear, and respect private-property boundaries. Check site notices and access requirements before traveling.

View access map →

Seasons & techniques

Adjust your approach to water temperature, clarity, and observed insect activity. Higher flows can limit wading options, while lower flows require a careful approach and attention to available holding water. Check conditions for your chosen reach rather than assuming the entire river fishes the same way.

Regulations & river care

Avoid spawning fish and redds, minimize handling, and keep fish wet when releasing them. Carry a thermometer, respond to fish-stress conditions, and follow posted closures. Pack out discarded line and clean your equipment between waters.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Location & access

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Pumphouse Recreation Area is one public access point on the Upper Colorado River. This pin does not represent access to the entire river corridor.

Use the marked location to plan your visit. Follow current signs, access boundaries, parking rules, and closures on arrival.