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Welcome to the Upper Colorado Near Kremmling, where the trout are hungry, and the water’s as wild as your casting arm!
Updated: Today
Summary
Flows are holding steady with cold overnight lows tightening trout into softer winter seams. Clarity remains solid, making stealth and depth control the deciding factors between slow days and steady action. Midges continue to run the show with isolated Baetis pulses during cloud cover, but most feeding remains low and subtle. Crowds are light, and anglers willing to slow everything down are finding consistent nymph eats. Expect a classic November pattern of late-morning activation and fish glued to deep walking-speed water.
Listen to the Audio Overview
Conditions Summary
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Flow: ~526 CFS (stable)
Water Temp: Low to mid 30s
Air Temp: Upper 20s to mid 40s
Clarity: Clear
Crowds: Medium
Best Window: 11 am to 3 pm
Fishing Type Scores
Dry Fly: ⭐
Nymphing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Streamer: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 Day Forecast
Expect classic late-fall Colorado conditions with cold mornings, light frost, and a reliable warm-up into the early afternoon. The midday rise in water temperature creates the strongest midge emergence and tightens the feeding window into a short but dependable block of activity.
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
- Mercury Midge 20–22
- Black Beauty 20–22
- Top Secret Midge 20–22
- Chocolate Thunder 20
- Sparkle Wing RS2 20
- WD40 20
- Barr’s BWO Emerger 18–20
- Rainbow Warrior 20
- Mini Leech 12
- Thin Mint Bugger 10
Hatch Chart for November
| Hatch Type | Bugs You’ll See | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Midges (cream, black) | Strongest activity from late morning through early afternoon |
| Secondary | Baetis | Best on cloudy or low-light days |
| Tertiary | Winter Stones | Light but occasionally active near structure |
Pro Rig of the Week
Winter Depth-Control Nymph Rig for Big Water
Leader: 10–12 ft 5x fluorocarbon
Top Fly: Chocolate Thunder size 20
Dropper: Black Beauty size 22
Weight: One or two micro shot 6–10 inches above top fly
Indicator: Yarn or medium air-lock, set deep for 4–7 ft troughs
Why it Works: This stretch demands depth first. Midges stay low, trout stay glued to winter buckets, and this setup keeps both flies in the exact strike zone for the full drift.
Access Points
- Pumphouse Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Classic broader runs with dependable winter seams. Best clarity here. Fish the slower inside lanes and defined mid-depth shelves. - Below Gore Canyon Trail Access ⭐⭐⭐
Colder but holds good fish in deep bowls and soft transitions. Nymphing heavy is key. Limited surface activity. - Radium Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Productive softer water along the edges. Good walking-speed winter troughs and less pressure than summer months.
Local Regulations and Notes
Artificial flies only in designated sections.
Watch for shelf ice forming overnight near shaded banks.
Flows stable with minimal fluctuation.
Respect private-property boundaries outside access corridors.
FAQ
Q: Are dries worth trying right now?
A: Only during rare midge clusters and on windless afternoons.
Q: How deep should I fish my nymph rig?
A: Deeper than you think. Aim for 4–7 ft depending on the bucket.
Q: Is the streamer bite alive?
A: Yes, but only with very slow retrieves through deep structure.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake anglers make here in winter?
A: Fishing water that’s too fast. Soft edges are the entire game.
Q: Is clarity good enough for sight fishing?
A: Yes in many stretches, especially Pumphouse to Radium.
Q: When is the absolute best time to fish this stretch?
A: 11 am to 3 pm once the water bumps a few degrees.
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