--- title: "Best Colorado Fly Fishing Today: Top Rivers to Hit Right Now (May 3 2025 Update)" description: Looking for the best Colorado fly fishing today? Get our updated May 2025 guide to top rivers, current flows, and what flies are working now. image: https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/Trout%20Close%20Ups/Angler%20holding%20a%20freshly%20caught%20trout%2c%20the%20water%20droplets%20on%20its%20scales%20catching%20the%20morning%20light..png --- [Skip to content](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/best-colorado-fly-fishing-today#main-content) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 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[Blue River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/blue-river), - [South Platte River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/south-platte-river), - [Arkansas River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/arkansas-river), - [Deckers](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/deckers), - [Salida](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/salida), - [Silverthorne Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/silverthorne-fly-fishing) # Best Colorado Fly Fishing Today: Top Rivers to Hit Right Now (May 3 2025 Update) - May 3, 2025 ![Tymothe Meskel](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(33).png) [Tymothe Meskel](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/author/tymothe-meskel) If you're searching for the **best Colorado fly fishing today**, you’re not alone. Spring is here, the rivers are waking up, and anglers across the state are itching to cast a line. Whether you’re escaping Denver for a day or planning a weekend on the water, knowing **where to fish right now** makes all the difference. We’ve rounded up the **best rivers to fly fish in Colorado this week**, factoring in current flows, hatches, and accessibility. Here’s where you should go—**updated for May 2025**. --- ## **Top 3 Rivers for Fly Fishing in Colorado Today** ### **![South Platte River Fly Fishing Report Near Decker Colorado](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/South%20Platte%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20Near%20Decker%20Colorado.png?width=300&height=225&name=South%20Platte%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20Near%20Decker%20Colorado.png)1. South Platte River – Deckers** - **Flow:** 340 CFS (clear and steady) - **Water Temp:** 48°F - **Why It’s Hot Today:** The Deckers stretch is fishing great thanks to consistent flows and active midges and BWOs. Expect rising trout mid-morning and solid nymphing throughout the day. - **Best Flies:** RS2 (#20-22), black zebra midge (#20), blue-winged olive dry (#20) **Tip:** Target slower seams and tailouts with tiny midges early, then switch to emergers as the hatch picks up. --- ### **![Arkansas River Fly Fishing Report Near Buena Vista](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/Arkansas%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20%20Near%20Buena%20Vista.png?width=300&height=225&name=Arkansas%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20%20Near%20Buena%20Vista.png)2. Arkansas River – Buena Vista to Salida** - **Flow:** 610 CFS (slightly stained) - **Water Temp:** 47°F - **Why It’s Hot Today:** The famed Mother’s Day caddis hatch is **starting to pop** below Buena Vista, moving upstream each day. Great streamer action in the mornings, switching to dry-dropper by midday. - **Best Flies:** elk hair caddis (#16), olive woolly bugger (#8), prince nymph (#14) **Tip:** Fish the edges early with streamers, then move toward riffles and pockets as the hatch intensifies. --- ### **![Blue River Fly Fishing Report near Silverthorne Colorado](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/Blue%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Silverthorne%20Colorado.png?width=300&height=225&name=Blue%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Silverthorne%20Colorado.png)3. Blue River – Below Dillon Dam** - **Flow:** 140 CFS (gin-clear tailwater) - **Water Temp:** 42°F - **Why It’s Hot Today:** Low, clear water is keeping trout spooky but hungry for mysis shrimp drifting from the reservoir. Sight-fishing is excellent with light tippet and small bugs. - **Best Flies:** mysis shrimp (#18), WD-40 (#20), black RS2 (#20) **Tip:** Stay stealthy—use long leaders and light fluorocarbon tippet. Focus on slow-moving runs and deep pools. --- ## **Fly Fishing Conditions in Colorado – May 2025 Update** **![Angler holding a freshly caught trout, the water droplets on its scales catching the morning light.](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Trout%20Close%20Ups/Angler%20holding%20a%20freshly%20caught%20trout%2c%20the%20water%20droplets%20on%20its%20scales%20catching%20the%20morning%20light..png?width=1366&height=768&name=Angler%20holding%20a%20freshly%20caught%20trout%2c%20the%20water%20droplets%20on%20its%20scales%20catching%20the%20morning%20light..png)** Runoff season is **starting to impact freestones** across the state, but many tailwaters and mid-elevation rivers are holding strong. Expect: - Rising flows on the Colorado and Roaring Fork below feeder creeks - Lower elevation rivers warming to the mid-40s and triggering caddis activity - Tailwaters like the South Platte, Fryingpan, and Blue River staying clear and fishable This is the time to **chase hatches at mid-elevation rivers** while they stay under control and focus on **tailwaters when clarity elsewhere drops.** --- ## **Quick Picks for Best Fly Fishing in Colorado This Weekend** - **Best Tailwater:** South Platte at Deckers - **Best Freestone:** Arkansas River between BV and Salida - **Best Small Stream:** Bear Creek (flowing clear at 18 CFS) --- ## **FAQ: Fly Fishing Colorado Right Now** **When is the best time to fly fish in Colorado?** Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are peak times, but **tailwaters fish well year-round**. **Where is the best fly fishing in Colorado today?** Today’s best bets are **Deckers on the South Platte, the Arkansas near Salida for caddis, and the Blue below Dillon Dam** for consistent tailwater action. **What rivers fish best during runoff in Colorado?** Focus on **tailwaters** (South Platte, Fryingpan, Blue) or high-mountain streams fed by springs. Avoid freestones after major rain or melt events. Blog Post ## Related Articles Real articles for Colorado fly fishing. Don't miss out on your next hook up because you lack the pro tips. Read up on our favorites and know before you go.  [![an agler cast out into the colorado river near glennwood springs colorado on april 27th reporting for the river whipser a colorado fly fishing spot finder. Best colorado fly fishings spots](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/23.png)](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/the-best-colorado-fly-fishing-right-now-4/27/2025) [Colorado River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/colorado-river), [Roaring Fork](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/roaring-fork), [Guides](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/guides), [Las Animas River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/las-animas-river), [Deckers](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/deckers), [North Fork of the South Platte River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/north-fork-of-the-south-platte-river), [Sustainability](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/sustainability), [Durango Colorado](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/durango-colorado), [Aspen Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/aspen-fly-fishing), [Durango Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/durango-fly-fishing), [Glenwood Springs](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/glenwood-springs) ### [The Best Colorado Fly Fishing Right Now: 4/27/2025](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/the-best-colorado-fly-fishing-right-now-4/27/2025) April 27, 2025 If you're searching for the best fly fishing in Colorado, you're in the right place — and just in time. Between early... [Read](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/the-best-colorado-fly-fishing-right-now-4/27/2025) [![Clear creek flows near golden colorado in early spring the flies are flying. blue wing olives BWOs are hatching. ](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/Clear%20Creek%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20near%20Golden%20Colorado.png)](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/best-colorado-fly-fishing-spots-right-now-updated-april-29-2025) [South Platte River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/south-platte-river), [Gunnison River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/gunnison-river), [Arkansas River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/arkansas-river), [Clear Creek](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/clear-creek), [Deckers](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/deckers), [Almont](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/almont), [Night Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/night-fishing), [Bear Creek](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/bear-creek), [Blue Mesa Reservoir](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/blue-mesa-reservoir), [Salida](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/salida), [Golden Colorado Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/golden-colorado-fly-fishing), [Morrison Colorado Fly Fishing](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/morrison-colorado-fly-fishing) ### [Best Colorado Fly Fishing Spots Right Now — Updated April 29, 2025](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/best-colorado-fly-fishing-spots-right-now-updated-april-29-2025) April 29, 2025 Today’s fishing window is shaping up beautifully — think perfect spring flows, sunny mornings, and a BWO and caddis... [Read](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/best-colorado-fly-fishing-spots-right-now-updated-april-29-2025) [![Upper Gunnison fly fishing report: moderate flows, clear water, cautious trout. Best times to fish: late morning and early afternoon. Adjust tactics for colder nights.](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/Spring%202025%20River%20Report%20Banners/Gunnison%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20Near%20Blue%20Mesa%20Reservoir.png)](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/upper-gunnison-fishing-report) [Gunnison River](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/gunnison-river), [River Report](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/river-report), [Blue Mesa Reservoir](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/blue-mesa-reservoir), [Southwest Colorado](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/southwest-colorado), [Upper Gunnison](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/upper-gunnison), [Gunnison Colorado](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/tag/gunnison-colorado) ### [Upper Gunnison Fishing Report: Conditions, Tips, and Top Flies for Success](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/upper-gunnison-fishing-report) November 3, 2025 The upper Gunnison is slipping into its high-elevation rhythm - flows are moderate, clarity decent, and the trout have... [Read](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/upper-gunnison-fishing-report) Check all articles Stop Reading Old School Fly Reports ### Modern Fly Reports for Modern Anglers Get with a modern vibe and ditch the 1990s version of your grandpas fly fishing report. Sign up for weekly reports on your favorite streams. We don't sell your info. We sell flies and write reports. Embrace a modern vibe and leave behind your grandpa's 1990s fly fishing report. Sign up for weekly updates on your favorite streams. We respect your privacy; we only sell flies and provide reports. Sign Up Enter to Win! ### Monthly Fly Box Giveaway! Reel in this fantastic deal! We're giving away a FREE fly box packed with our top 24 hand-picked flies, selected for their fishing prowess. Whether you're a pro or a newbie, these trusty flies will boost your chances of landing the big one. Don't miss out on this chance to elevate your fishing game! 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