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"Colorado River Fall Fishing Report: Browns, Rainbows, and Opportunity Await"
This is Artificial Lure, coming at you live from the Colorado River, Colorado—today’s date is October 11th, 2025, and I’m locked and loaded with the latest intel for you river rats, trout bums, and weekend warriors. No tidal action here—this ain’t the coast—but we do have a river pulsing with opportunity and a nip in the air that’s got the fish chewing. Sunrise this morning was at 7:08 AM and sunset’s set for 6:27 PM, so you’ve got a solid eleven-hour window to make it happen. Now, let’s break it down—local style.
Weather’s showing fall’s true colors: crisp mornings, highs in the mid-60s, and a whisper of clouds keeping the sun honest. No serious storms on tap, just that classic Colorado bluebird vibe. It’s the kind of day that makes a brown trout think about bulking up for winter and a rainbow forget it’s ever seen a hook.
Fish activity’s been strong over the last week, especially from State Bridge through Gore Canyon. The fall transition’s in full swing—browns are starting to stage for the spawn, and rainbows are stacking up in the deeper buckets and tailouts. Reports from local shops and guides have anglers landing solid numbers of both species, with browns in the 14–20 inch range showing up more frequently, and rainbows in the 12–18 inch class providing steady action. Cutthroats are holding in the higher, colder reaches, but it’s the browns and rainbows stealing the show right now.
Best lures? For the fly folks, streamers are headliners—think Sculpzillas, Thin Mints, and Circus Peanuts in olive, black, and natural hues. Swing ’em slow, strip ’em erratic—these fish are either looking to chase or looking to eat, and a meaty streamer covers both. Nymphing’s still a go, especially as the sun gets high: Pat’s Rubber Legs, Hare’s Ears, and Prince Nymphs in sizes 10–14 are getting nods, but don’t sleep on small Baetis and midge patterns as the day wears on. Dry fly action’s hit-or-miss, but a Parachute Adams or a Rusty Spinner around the edges can be just the ticket when you spot noses poking up.
Spin and gear anglers, listen up—this is the time for crankbaits, jerkbaits, and inline spinners. Rapala Countdowns and Husky Jerks in brown trout and rainbow patterns are getting crushed, especially on the retrieve or a subtle twitch-and-pause. Mepps Aglias and Panther Martins in gold and copper blades are turning heads in the riffles. Best bait for the bait crowd? Nightcrawlers and minnows, fished under a float or bounced along the bottom, are putting numbers on the board.
Hot spots? State Bridge to Two Bridges is always a safe bet—deep runs, undercut banks, and plenty of structure for browns to haunt. The stretch through Gore Canyon is tougher to wade but rewards the bold with bigger fish and fewer crowds. For a sleeper, try the tailouts below Pumphouse and the slower glides above Radium—fish are stacking up in the transition zones, waiting for the next bug buffet or careless minnow to cruise by.
Water temps are cooling, but not cold—think mid-50s and dropping. Clarity’s good, flows are on the lower side of average, and the fish are feeling frisky. No crowds during the week, but if you hit it on a weekend, expect company—especially with this kind of fishing.
So slap on your waders, grab your rod, and hit the water—this is the kind of fall bite that makes memories. Thanks for tuning in, and if you like what you’re hearing, make sure to subscribe to this channel for more local reports and tips that’ll keep your line tight and your cooler full.
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Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago