.png?width=300&height=100&name=Copy%20of%20Rise%20Beyond%20Logo%2012.31.24%20(300%20x%20100%20px).png "Rise Beyond Fly Fishing Co. logo featuring a cowboy riding a large trout, holding a fishing rod in one hand and a camera in the other, with stylized text in a rugged, outdoor-themed font")
.png)
Welcome to the Upper Colorado Near Kremmling, where the trout are hungry, and the water’s as wild as your casting arm! Flowing at a mellow pace between Kremmling and Parshall, this section is a fly fisher’s dream with its mix of slow runs, gentle riffles, and deep pockets perfect for sneaky nymphing or swinging streamers.
Colorado River – Upper Basin (Kremmling Area) Fly Fishing Report – September 4, 2025
The upper Colorado near Kremmling is dialed in. Flows are running around 950 CFS, with water temps holding in the upper 50s °F, crystal-clear clarity (about 2–3 ft visibility), and active hatches including caddis, red quills, crane flies, and Tricos. It’s prime time for hopper-dropper action along banks, small emerger rigs through seams, and subdued streamer work in deeper water. Perfect today for stealthy, technical dry-dropper tactics in scenic tailwater terrain.
Conditions Summary
%20(3).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(3).png)
- Flow Rate: ~950 CFS
- Water Temp: Upper 50s °F
- Air Temp: Mid 70s °F and warming
- Clarity: Very clear, 2–3 ft visibility
- Best Times: 7 AM – 1 PM for hatches; 5–7 PM for terrestrials
- Fishing Pressure: Moderate; access is easy but fish are dispersed
Listen to the Podcast!
Colorado River Hatch Chart – Kremmling
| Month | Midges | BWOs/PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Red Quills | Crane Flies | Terrestrials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | Present | Present | Present | Present | Emerging | Minor | Some |
| August | Present | Present | Present | Present | Strong | Present | Strong |
| Early Sept | Lingering | Light | Present | Present | Present | Present | Active |
Flies to Tie On
Nymphs & Emergers
- Sparkle Wing RS2 (gray/olive, 18–22)
- Juju Baetis or Top Secret Baetis (20–22)
- Mercury Pheasant Tail (18–20)
- Trico Spinner or Sparkle Dun for emergers (22–24)
Dries
- CDC Biot Trico Spinner (22)
- Elk Hair Caddis (16)
- Stimulator (size 14–16)
Terrestrials / Hopper-dropper
- Ant or Beetle patterns (size 16–18)
- Hopper atop small baetis dropper combos
Streamers (low-light)
- Slump Buster, Thin Mint, or Woolly Bugger—especially in deep seams
Tactical Playbook
- Morning: Tight dry-dropper drifts through riffles; watch for Trico and quill activity along shaded banks.
- Midday: Switch to hopper-dropper setups—ants/beetles or foam patterns are deadly near structure.
- Evening: Caddis and crane fly hatches hold fish; streamers can produce in pockets.
- Gear: 12–14 ft leaders, 5X–6X tippet, delicate presentation.
- Access: First light to mid-day is best—fish are visible, but wary.
Access Hotspots
| Stretch | Why Fish There | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Gilbert / Kremmling Banks | Easy access, classic riffles & holes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pumphouse / Radium Area | Float/pocket water with deeper runs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Middle Canyon (Byers to Dotsero) | Scenic, technical, less human traffic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
FAQs – Upper Colorado Near Kremmling
Q: What’s the most productive hatch right now?
A: Red quills and caddis mid-morning, with Tricos and crane-flies showing in the evening.
Q: Are hopper-dropper rigs working?
A: Absolutely—ants and beetle patterns clustered over emergers are getting aggressive takes.
Q: Streamers worth throwing?
A: In low-light or deep pockets—yes. Stealth and slow retrieves work best.
Q: How technical is the water?
A: Very. Clear water and spooky trout demand precision drifts and leader finesse.
Q: Wade or boat?
A: Wading from multiple access points works well; floating a bonus but requires river knowledge.
%20(12).png?width=800&height=450&name=Animas%20River%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(12).png)
RIVER WHISPER | SPOT FINDER | NEW!
Where to fish today! Tired of fly shops feeding you outdated, half-baked reports just to push gear? Us too. That’s why River Whisper exists—to cut through the noise and give you real, up-to-date, no-BS fly fishing reports for Colorado.
.png)
