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Fishing the Colorado River in Winter: Tips for Cold Weather Trout Angling
Published 1 year, 1 month ago
Description
Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the current fishing conditions on the Colorado River in Colorado as of February 5, 2025.
First off, let's talk about the weather. It's winter, so it's cold, especially in the mornings and evenings. Temperatures are dipping into the negatives at night, which means some sections of the Upper Colorado River are iced up and cold. However, the Lower Colorado from Dotsero down is still fishable, but you'll need to check those nightly temps to avoid sections that might be completely frozen.
Sunrise today is around 6:55 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:15 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the water. There's no tidal report to worry about here since we're dealing with a river, not coastal waters.
Fish activity has been a bit sluggish due to the cold, but there's still some action to be had. Dry fly activity has slowed down, but you can still catch some fish using smaller flies like Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Midges. Nymphing has been the most reliable method lately, with small flies like Perdigons, RS2s, or Demon Midges working well. If you're feeling adventurous, throw some streamers like an articulated Thin Mint or a Mini Dungeon; you might just lure in a big aggressive Brown Trout.
Speaking of Brown Trout, there are some closures on the river for the Brown Trout Spawn, so make sure to check for any closed sections before you start fishing.
For those looking to try their luck, here are a few hot spots. The sections below Glenwood Springs are usually the first to open up in the early season for float fishing. As we move into the warmer months, the focus shifts upstream to State Bridge and just below Gore Canyon and the Pumphouse boat launch. These areas offer some beautiful scenery and a slower pace, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and unique geology.
Here are some recommended flies for your trip:
- Nymphs: Pats Rubber Leg 6-12, Black Copper Johns 16-20, 20 Incher 14-18, 2 Bit Hooker 14-18, Rainbow Warriors 18-22, Worm 10-14, Bling Midge, Demon Midge.
- Dries: Para Wulff 18-24, Para Extended Body BWO 16-18, Roys Emerger 18-22, Griffiths Gnat 18-22, Parachute Adams 18-24, BWO Comparadun 18-22.
- Streamers: Sex Dungeons, Bowlicious, Black Heisenburgs, Sculpzilla, Rusty T, Double Thin Mint, Goldie.
Remember to keep your rod tip almost in the water when stripping your streamer back in, and always follow the Keep Em Wet philosophy to ensure the fish stay healthy.
So, bundle up, grab your gear, and get out there. The Colorado River has plenty to offer, even in the cold winter months. Tight lines
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
First off, let's talk about the weather. It's winter, so it's cold, especially in the mornings and evenings. Temperatures are dipping into the negatives at night, which means some sections of the Upper Colorado River are iced up and cold. However, the Lower Colorado from Dotsero down is still fishable, but you'll need to check those nightly temps to avoid sections that might be completely frozen.
Sunrise today is around 6:55 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:15 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the water. There's no tidal report to worry about here since we're dealing with a river, not coastal waters.
Fish activity has been a bit sluggish due to the cold, but there's still some action to be had. Dry fly activity has slowed down, but you can still catch some fish using smaller flies like Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Midges. Nymphing has been the most reliable method lately, with small flies like Perdigons, RS2s, or Demon Midges working well. If you're feeling adventurous, throw some streamers like an articulated Thin Mint or a Mini Dungeon; you might just lure in a big aggressive Brown Trout.
Speaking of Brown Trout, there are some closures on the river for the Brown Trout Spawn, so make sure to check for any closed sections before you start fishing.
For those looking to try their luck, here are a few hot spots. The sections below Glenwood Springs are usually the first to open up in the early season for float fishing. As we move into the warmer months, the focus shifts upstream to State Bridge and just below Gore Canyon and the Pumphouse boat launch. These areas offer some beautiful scenery and a slower pace, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and unique geology.
Here are some recommended flies for your trip:
- Nymphs: Pats Rubber Leg 6-12, Black Copper Johns 16-20, 20 Incher 14-18, 2 Bit Hooker 14-18, Rainbow Warriors 18-22, Worm 10-14, Bling Midge, Demon Midge.
- Dries: Para Wulff 18-24, Para Extended Body BWO 16-18, Roys Emerger 18-22, Griffiths Gnat 18-22, Parachute Adams 18-24, BWO Comparadun 18-22.
- Streamers: Sex Dungeons, Bowlicious, Black Heisenburgs, Sculpzilla, Rusty T, Double Thin Mint, Goldie.
Remember to keep your rod tip almost in the water when stripping your streamer back in, and always follow the Keep Em Wet philosophy to ensure the fish stay healthy.
So, bundle up, grab your gear, and get out there. The Colorado River has plenty to offer, even in the cold winter months. Tight lines
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI