Colorado River Fly Fishing Report - June 21, 2026

Fly Fishing Report

COLORADO RIVER

Report
JUN 21 — 28, 2026
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Flow
906CFS
ROARING FORK RIVER AT GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO.
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Water Temp
63.5°F
Updated 2026-06-20
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Weather
49–96°F
Mostly Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
The Colorado River (measured at the Roaring Fork confluence in Glenwood Springs) is running at 906 cfs with a gauge height of 2.39 ft and a water temperature of 63.5°F — prime summer range that has fish active but increasingly seeking shade and depth as afternoon air temps push toward 92°F. Expect clear skies and building west winds through the day; get your best drifts in before the heat peaks.
Hatch Chart
Insect Size Activity Prime Time
Caddis (Hydropsychidae) 14-18 Heavy 6 PM - 9 PM
PMD (Pale Morning Dun) 16-20 Moderate 9 AM - 12 PM
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) 20-22 Light 7 AM - 10 AM
Terrestrials (Ants & Hoppers) 10-16 Moderate 11 AM - 4 PM
Midge 20-24 Light 6 AM - 9 AM
Stonefly (Golden) 6-10 Light 8 AM - 11 AM
Best Time Window
  • 6 AM - 9 AM: Early BWO and midge activity on flat water; fish rising in tailouts before sun hits the canyon walls.
  • 9 AM - 12 PM: PMD nymph and emerger window in riffles and gravel runs; transition to hopper-ant patterns as temps climb.
  • 6 PM - Dark: Prime caddis hatch and evening hopper action along shaded banks; best dry-fly fishing of the day.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith 63.5°F water and air temps heading toward 92°F, trout will be stacked in the deepest, shadiest slots by midday — focus your nymphing effort on the bottom 12 inches of the water column in runs with at least 3 feet of depth. Your best dry-fly action will be compressed into the first two hours of light (BWOs and midges) and again from 6 PM onward when caddis start popping and hoppers are still in play along the banks. During the midday grind, swing a Sparkle Minnow or strip a rubber legs through shaded canyon walls where big browns hold tight to structure. Keep your approach low and slow — at 906 cfs the water has good push, so trout don't need to move far to eat, but they'll spook easily in the clear summer flows.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Colorado River Cutthroat Trout
Fly Fish Food
Report generated June 21, 2026 — Next update: June 28, 2026