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The Colorado River does not behave like a single fishery in winter. From the open valley near Kremmling, through Glenwood Canyon, and into the wider lower river near Grand Junction, conditions shift steadily downstream. Water temperature, flow character, and feeding behavior all change, sometimes dramatically, within a single day’s drive.
This combined Colorado River report gives you a realistic read on what each section is doing right now, where winter fishing is most consistent, and how to approach the river without guessing.
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Upper Colorado Near Kremmling Report
Middle Colorado Near Glenwood Report
Lower Colorado Near Grand Junction Report
Updated: February 3, 2026
The Colorado River is not one fishery in winter. It is three completely different rivers stacked end to end, each with its own pace, pressure, and margin for error. What works above Kremmling will fail below Glenwood if you do not adjust expectations and water selection.
Winter success here is about matching your time, tolerance for crowds, and willingness to fish technical water. There is fishable water every day, but only if you pick the right section and fish it deliberately. Miss that decision and the river feels empty fast.
Overall Colorado River Conditions
Flow: Stable winter flows, increasing downstream
Water Temperature: Upper 20s to low 40s depending on section
Air Temperature: Cold mornings with short afternoon warming
Clarity: Clear to lightly colored depending on canyon shade
Crowds: Light overall, heavier near town access points
Best Window: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fishing Type Focus: Winter nymphing with small flies and precise depth
Expect predictable trout positioning. Feeding windows are short but repeatable, especially on calm, sunny days.
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
Primary Method: Nymphing | Primary Hatch: Midges
Zebra Midge 18 to 22
Fish deep through walking-speed seams.
Black Beauty 20 to 24
Dead drift tight to bottom in tailouts.
RS2 gray 18 to 22
Fish slightly above the midge dropper.
Mercury Midge 20 to 22
Use when trout refuse darker patterns.
Top Secret Midge 20 to 24
Drift slow along inside edges.
Secondary Hatch: Baetis
Barrs Emerger 18 to 20
Fish mid column during mild afternoons.
Pheasant Tail 16 to 18
Dead drift through deeper seams.
Split Case BWO 18 to 20
Use during calm weather windows.
Attractor and Streamer
Mini Leech black or olive 10 to 12
Slow strip along deeper banks.
Woolly Bugger olive 8 to 10
Short swings through softer edges.
Pro Rig of the Week: Colorado River Winter Seam Rig
Indicator: Yarn or tight-line presentation
Lead Fly: Barrs Emerger or Pheasant Tail 16 to 18
Dropper: Zebra Midge or Black Beauty 18 to 22
Weight: Moderate, adjusted to section flow
Target Water: Inside seams, tailouts, soft banks, deeper winter runs
Colorado River Hatch Chart – February
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 18 to 26 | Primary winter food source |
| Baetis nymphs | 18 to 22 | Secondary on mild afternoons |
| Scuds | 14 to 18 | Common in slower tailwater sections |
Download the Colorado River Hatch Chart
Colorado River Fly Fishing Report Near Kremmling
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Updated: January 27, 2026
The upper Colorado near Kremmling fishes lean in winter. Wide water, cold temperatures, and slow current push trout into deep troughs and subtle inside seams. Fish are present but selective.
Fishing Style: Long leaders, light weight, short controlled drifts
Best Water: Deep winter lanes, inside bends, slow mid-river troughs
Crowds: Very light
This stretch rewards patience and discipline, not aggressive coverage.
Conditions Summary
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- Flow: Stable winter valley flows
- Water Temperature: Low to mid 30s
- Air Temperature: Cold mornings, mild midday bump
- Clarity: Clear
- Crowds: Light
- Best Window: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Fishing Type Focus: Winter nymphing with controlled depth
Top Flies This Week
- Zebra Midge 18 to 22
- Black Beauty 18 to 22
- RS2 gray 18 to 22
- Pheasant Tail 16 to 18
Pro Rig of the Week: Kremmling Winter Coverage Rig
- Indicator: Yarn or tight-line
- Lead Fly: Pheasant Tail 16 to 18
- Dropper: Zebra Midge 20 to 22
- Weight: Moderate, adjusted often
- Target Water: Walking-speed seams and inside bends
Hatch Chart – Winter
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 18 to 26 | Primary food source |
| Baetis nymphs | 18 to 22 | Sporadic on mild days |
| Scuds | 14 to 18 | Present in slower water |
Access Points
Kremmling Town Section ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Easy access and consistent winter holding water.
Pumphouse to Rancho Del Rio ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Long runs and soft seams ideal for winter coverage.
Radium to State Bridge ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
More water to cover but excellent solitude and structure.
Hatch Chart for January
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 18 to 24 | Primary winter food source |
| Blue Winged Olive Nymphs | 18 to 20 | Limited movement on mild afternoons |
| Stonefly Nymphs | 10 to 14 | Present but largely inactive |
Colorado River Fly Fishing Report Through Glenwood Springs
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Updated: January 21, 2026
This is the most reliable winter stretch of the Colorado River. Added volume, canyon shelter, and slightly warmer water extend feeding windows and create predictable holding water.
Fishing Style: Controlled nymphing through seams and glides
Best Water: Walking-speed runs, deep slots, canyon edges
Crowds: Moderate near town, light deeper into the canyon
If you want consistency without guessing, this is the strongest winter option.
Conditions Summary
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- Flow: Stable winter canyon flows
- Water Temperature: Mid 30s to upper 30s
- Air Temperature: Cold starts, mild afternoons
- Clarity: Clear to lightly stained
- Crowds: Light to moderate near town access
- Best Window: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Fishing Type Focus: Edge-oriented winter nymphing
Top Flies This Week
- Mercury Midge 18 to 22
- Juju Baetis 18 to 20
- RS2 18 to 22
- Mini Leech black 10 to 12
Pro Rig of the Week: Glenwood Canyon Seam Rig
-
Indicator: Yarn
- Lead Fly: Juju Baetis 18
- Dropper: Mercury Midge 20 to 22
- Weight: Moderate
- Target Water: Canyon seams and deep edges
Hatch Chart for January
| Bug Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | 18 to 24 | Primary winter food source |
| Blue Winged Olive Nymphs | 18 to 20 | Minor movement on mild afternoons |
| Stonefly Nymphs | 8 to 14 | Present but largely inactive |
Access Points
Glenwood Springs Town Section ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Excellent winter holding water with multiple public access points.
Two Rivers Park Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Consistent seams and deeper runs with moderate pressure.
South Canyon Stretch ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
More water to cover but excellent structure and winter solitude.
Colorado River Fly Fishing Report Near Grand Junction
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Updated: January 21, 2026
The lower Colorado River near Grand Junction is clear, quiet, and technical. Desert winter conditions create strong light contrast, pushing trout into deeper inside bends and slow-moving winter lanes. Fish are feeding, but presentations must be clean and patient.
This section fishes best for anglers willing to slow down and fish small.
Conditions Summary
- Flow: Low and steady
- Water Temperature: Low to mid 30s
- Air Temperature: Cold mornings, sunny afternoons
- Clarity: Clear
- Crowds: Very light
- Best Window: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Fishing Type Focus: Technical winter midge fishing
Top Flies This Week
- Black Beauty 20 to 24
- Zebra Midge black or red 20 to 24
- RS2 20 to 22
- WD-40 20 to 22
Pro Rig of the Week: GJ Desert Winter Rig
- Indicator: Yarn or tight-line
- Lead Fly: RS2 20
- Dropper: Black Beauty 22 to 24
- Weight: Light and precise
- Target Water: Slow inside bends and deep desert runs
Access Points – Colorado River
Pumphouse Recreation Area | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5.0
Premier access for Upper Colorado winter fishing.
Rancho Del Rio | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5
Broad seams and consistent winter holding water.
Glenwood Springs Stretch | 📍 Locals Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.0
Urban access with productive winter edges.
Photo of the Month
Credit: Colorado Trout Hunters
Book West Slope Fly Fishing for the Colorado River and Grand Mesa Fly Fishing
Companion Article for December
Colorado Winter Trout Fishing Strategy and Behavior Guide
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