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There’s something about the Western Slope this time of year — the mornings are cold enough to freeze your fingertips to the fly line, but by noon, the sun’s got just enough punch to make you forget winter’s on deck. The crowds are gone, the cottonwoods are gold, and three of Colorado’s best rivers — the Colorado, the Roaring Fork, and the Eagle — are firing on all cylinders.
This is your late-season trifecta. And if you play it right, you’ll cover everything from deep canyon browns to silver-flanked rainbows without ever losing sight of a mountain peak.
Listen to the Podcast!
Stop 1: The Upper Colorado – Kremmling to Glenwood
Start where the big water begins to wake up. The Colorado River near Kremmling fishes best on those blue-bird October days when the water’s cool, clear, and just a little pushy. Trout are holding deep — think slow drifts and long leaders.
By the time you hit Glenwood Springs, the color comes in a bit, and the streamer bite turns on. Murky water hides mistakes, and the browns are happy to chase anything that looks alive.
Flies to Pack: Flashback Pheasant Tail #18, Juju Baetis #18, Mini Dungeon Olive #8, and Goldie #10.
Read More:
Stop 2: The Roaring Fork – Basalt to Glenwood
The Roaring Fork River near Basalt is the Western Slope’s moody overachiever. It’s where technical meets forgiving — soft seams stacked next to deep riffles, and trout that have seen it all. Midday BWOs are the ticket right now, and the Fork’s mix of rainbows and browns will test your drift every cast.
Hot Rigs: BWO dry dropper with a #18 Parachute BWO and a #20 Juju Baetis underneath, or swing a small olive bugger on 4X when the light fades.
Pro Move: Float from Carbondale to Glenwood — it’s as good as Colorado gets in October.
Read More: Roaring Fork River Report – Near Glenwood Springs
Stop 3: The Eagle River – Gypsum and Beyond
Finally, wrap your trifecta with the Eagle River near Gypsum, where fall fishing is pure rhythm. The flows are stable, the fish are aggressive, and the mix of riffle-run-pool sequences makes every bend fishable.
Mornings are built for nymphing (WD-40s and Frenchies), and afternoons for swinging streamers through deep buckets. This river rewards patience — and an extra thermos of coffee.
Read More: Eagle River Fishing Report – Near Gypsum
The Loop
You can fish all three in a weekend if you’re willing to drive and skip some sleep. Start in Kremmling, drop through Glenwood for lunch and a few casts, and end in Gypsum or Basalt for a sunset float.
It’s a road trip for the obsessive, sure — but what better way to say goodbye to fall than by chasing trout across the Western Slope’s greatest hits?
Pro Tip: Stay a Step Ahead
Want river-by-river updates and hatch alerts before you hit the road?
Check out our Colorado River Reports and get real-time conditions from guides who actually fish these stretches daily.