Colorado River Fly Fishing Report - September 6, 2026

Fly Fishing Report

COLORADO RIVER

Report
SEP 6 — 13, 2026
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Flow
303CFS
ROARING FORK RIVER AT GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO.
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Water Temp
65.3°F
Updated 2026-09-05
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Weather
55–87°F
Mostly Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is reading 303 CFS at the Roaring Fork/Glenwood gauge with water temps at a comfortable 65.3°F — conditions are clear and fishable, with trout actively feeding and the river dropping into prime late-summer/early-fall shape. Expect a warm, mostly sunny Sunday topping out near 87°F before a chance of showers rolls in Sunday night and into Labor Day.
Hatch Chart
Insect Size Activity Prime Time
Grasshoppers / Terrestrials 10-14 Heavy 11 AM - 4 PM
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) 20-22 Moderate 10 AM - 1 PM
Caddis 16-20 Moderate 6 PM - Dusk
Midges 20-24 Light 7 AM - 10 AM
Ants / Beetles (Terrestrials) 14-18 Moderate 12 PM - 5 PM
Best Time Window
  • 6 AM - 9 AM: Early midge and nymph bite in slow tailouts and glassy flats before the sun hits the water.
  • 10 AM - 4 PM: Prime hopper and terrestrial window — work grassy, undercut banks with big foam flies in full sun.
  • 6 PM - Dusk: Evening caddis activity picks up; swing or skitter a CDC Caddis through riffles and runs as light fades.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith temps hitting 87°F and bright sun forecast for Sunday, fish the shaded banks and canyon walls from first light through 10 AM before the heat pushes fish deep. When the hopper bite turns on mid-morning, work your fly within 12 inches of the bank — the closer the better — and resist the urge to mend aggressively, as too much line movement will drag the fly off the bank seam. If you see a refusal on the hopper, immediately drop a Frenchie or Juju Baetis on a short tippet off the bend and let it sink naturally; those refusals often mean the fish wants something just below the surface. Keep an eye on the sky Sunday evening and Labor Day — incoming showers can trigger a short but intense BWO and caddis flurry right before the storm hits.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Colorado River Cutthroat Trout
Report generated September 6, 2026 — Next update: September 13, 2026