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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 near Kremmling is running unusually low for early November, with recent readings near 213 cfs at the Kremmling gauge. That is a very different river from the higher flows anglers enjoyed earlier in the year. Expect exposed gravel, reduced float clearance and trout concentrated in deeper channels, runs and protected seams. Water clarity can be good between weather events, but localized storms and tributaries still matter. Late-morning through afternoon nymphing with small Baetis and midges is a reasonable approach; an olive or black streamer may draw interest in low light where enough depth remains. Do not confuse conditions near Kremmling with the lower Colorado near Glenwood Springs. Check the exact reach and current gauge before committing, and avoid disturbing spawning brown trout.

Fishing tips

Plan for wading rather than assuming floatable water. Work deeper seams with Pheasant Tail #18–20 and Juju Baetis #20–22; use a small streamer only where depth allows. Check flow, access and redds before fishing.
Pat Dorsey

FROM OUR HEAD GUIDE

Pat Dorsey's Guide Report

Pat's report revised

Tips & Other Information

Flows are 193 cfs currently on the Colorado River near Parshall.  126 cfs is being released from Williams Fork Reservoir. Below Kremmling, the Colorado River is 379 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 22% capacity which is concerning. This is a large reservoir, 100,000 acre feet (larger than Cheesman Reservoir) and it looks like a pond.

14-Day Hatch Outlook

Outlook from Pat's report dated October 30, 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.