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The Middle Colorado River offers a variety of fly fishing opportunities, especially in the stretch between Glenwood Springs and Rifle, Colorado. Known for its larger fish and slower-moving waters, this section is ideal for anglers seeking bigger brown and rainbow trout. With numerous access points, including Two Rivers Park and Grizzly Creek, you can easily wade or float through prime trout territory.
You know that smell — wet leaves, cold air, and just enough sun to make you think you can feel your fingers again.
The Colorado near Glenwood is steadying after early fall bumps, running clean, cold, and stacked with trout that are making up for lost meals.
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Conditions Summary
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Flows are holding near 900 CFS through Glenwood with a faint green tint and solid visibility. Cooler nights are keeping water temps in the upper 40s, and mid-day hatches of BWOs and midges are producing a consistent bite. The brown spawn is tapering off; rainbows are sliding into feeding lanes. Slight color remains below the Roaring Fork confluence, but fishing is strong upstream toward Grizzly Creek.
- Flow: ~900 CFS (steady)
- Water Temp: 47–52 °F
- Air Temp: 35–68 °F
- Clarity: Green-clear mix with 3 ft visibility
- Pressure: Moderate on weekends, light mid-week
- Best Times: 10 AM – 3 PM
- Dry Fly Score: ⭐⭐⭐
- Nymph Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Streamer Score: ⭐⭐⭐
Conditions Note:
The upper Glenwood section is clear and consistent. Slight color from the Fork adds depth without hurting visibility. Fish are feeding confidently on small mayflies and midges during bright mid-day light.
October Hatch Chart
- Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) #20-22 10 AM–2 PM Fish emergers or duns on light cloud cover
- Midges #22-26 All day Run double-midge rigs in slower seams
- Caddis #18-20 Afternoon Sparse hatch but active if you swing soft hackles
- Egg Drift All day Fish below riffles and tailouts as browns wrap up spawn
Top 3 Dry Flies for October
- Parachute BWO #20 – Mid-day hatch workhorse
- Parachute Adams #18 – Search pattern for mixed water
- Griffith’s Gnat #22 – Midge clusters in calm eddies
Top 3 Nymphs for October
- RS2 (Gray #20-22) – Essential BWO imitation under small indicator
- Zebra Midge (Black #22-24) – Drift deep along seams
- Pheasant Tail #18 – All-purpose attractor in colored water
Streamer of the Month
Slumpbuster #10 (Olive or Brown) – Slow swing through deeper runs below the Fork; pause between strips for short-strike eaters.
Tips for Fishing the Colorado Near Glenwood
- Wait until late morning; fish move once light hits the water
- Target seams and tailouts where color meets clarity
- Use 4X–5X for nymphs, 5X–6X for dries
- Small streamers move bigger fish mid-day on a slow retrieve
- Be cautious wading; slick cobble and variable flows
- Keep an eye on afternoon wind gusts from the canyon
Access Points
- Grizzly Creek: clear water and riffle transitions, great foot access
- No Name: good structure, steady mid-day bite
- Glenwood Town Bridge: mixed clarity, ideal for nymphing rigs
- Two Rivers Park: wide water, productive late-afternoon streamer zone
Local Regulations & Notes
- Artificial flies and lures only
- Catch-and-release recommended during and after spawn
- Avoid walking across visible redds in shallow gravel
- Watch weather; snowmelt or rain can change clarity overnight
FAQ on the Colorado River Near Glenwood Springs
Q: Is the river clear yet?
A: Yes — slight green tint remains, but visibility ≈ 3 feet and improving.
Q: What time of day is best?
A: 10 AM–3 PM when water warms and BWOs pop.
Q: Can I still see caddis?
A: A few mid-afternoon, but mostly BWOs and midges now.
Q: Top rig setup?
A: RS2 to Zebra Midge on 5X tippet under a tiny indicator.
Q: Streamer bite any good?
A: Yes, short windows mid-day and before sunset with olive patterns.
Q: Any closures?
A: None currently reported; check CPW for weather advisories before driving I-70 corridor.
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