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Late-Season Colorado River Trout Bite: Nymphs, Streamers and Spawning Tips
Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River fishing report for Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Sunrise hit at 7:27 AM and we’ll see sunset at 6:08 PM. The weather along the central Colorado River corridor today is shaping up bluebird and chilly: morning temps in the low 30s, climbing into the low 60s by afternoon, with just a whisper of wind and clear autumn skies. There’s no tide action to speak of this far upstream, but water flows are steady—around 90-100 CFS, and clarity is excellent thanks to cool, stable fall conditions.
The bite is dialed in late morning through mid-afternoon. Browns have wrapped up most spawning but are still fired up and hungry; rainbows are on the feed, and you’ll spot the odd kokanee salmon running in tributaries if you’re near confluence areas.
Anglers around Parshall and State Bridge report great results drifting nymph rigs—RS2s and zebra midges in sizes 20–24 are landing healthy rainbows and eager browns. Egg patterns are solid all day, especially just downstream of redds (always steer clear of spawning beds and gravel). If you like swinging streamers, try a black or rust mini leech pattern deep in the tailouts—bite’s best on overcast or in low light.
Several folks have weighed in this week with their hauls: mostly rainbows in the 12–16 inch class, a few chunky browns pushing 18, and the occasional cutthroat sneaking in below Kremmling. No monsters landed, but plenty of action. The Lower Blue River, feeding into the Colorado, is still producing big hatchery rainbows, though densities have slipped since last fall according to the Vail Daily. Still, that stretch delivers shot after shot at “dinosaur” trout if you’re persistent.
Your top baits and lures today:
- Natural or pink egg patterns under a small indicator
- Tiny black or olive zebra midges
- RS2s or WD-40s as droppers
- Parachute BWOs #20–22 if you see heads up on cloudy spells
- For hardware, small gold Kastmasters have enticed rainbows in deeper holes
If you’re packing hardware, little spoons or spinners fished slow and deep can pick up fish when nymphing slows down. No need for heavy line—5X leaders give the best stealth in this clear water.
Hot spots to try:
- **State Bridge area:** Wide riffles and deep pools, easy access, and less pressure during the week.
- **Lone Rock and confluence with Muddy Creek:** Reliable mid-day action on nymphs.
- **Below Parshall:** More solitude and consistent rainbow activity, especially 11 AM–2 PM.
Most anglers are having success with numbers, not size this week, and that’s classic late October on the Colorado. Fish are transitioning and putting on calories for winter, but pickier on bright mornings. Nymph deep, keep leaders long, and if things slow, switch to a streamer for a surprise.
A quick reminder: with the browns’ spawn wrapping up, please tread lightly around vulnerable gravel beds and keep those wild fish healthy for next season.
That wraps up the latest from your Colorado River beat! Thanks for tuning in. Remember to subscribe for more fishing reports and local tips.
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Published on 1 week, 1 day ago