.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.
The Upper Colorado around Kremmling is holding steady in classic late-summer/early-fall shape. Flows are manageable, clarity is solid, and trout are feeding selectively on smaller bugs. Think technical presentations more than “chuck and duck”—the fish have seen it all by September. If you’re patient with your drifts, you can turn refusals into takes.
At-a-Glance Conditions
%20(2).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(2).png)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 – rewarding, but technical)
Flow (CFS): ~900 (near Byers Canyon)
Water Temp: 55–59°F mid-day
Air Temp: 70–78°F afternoons
Clarity: Clear with slight stain in pockets
Best Times: 8 AM – 1 PM, with a late PM window for terrestrials
Fishing Pressure: Moderate, lighter away from public pull-offs
Top Flies: RS2 #20 | Parachute Adams #18 | Amy’s Ant #12
🎧 Listen to the Podcast
Colorado River – Kremmling Fall Report: PMDs, Tricos & Hopper Action
We cover the Upper Colorado’s September conditions near Kremmling, with tips on matching hatches, working technical flats, and finding fish away from the highway crowd.
Weather Snapshot
Source: OpenWeather / NOAA
Hatch Chart
| Month | Midges | BWOs | PMDs | Tricos | Caddis | Terrestrials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Aug | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Sept | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | — | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Flies for the Colorado River
- Nymph Setup: RS2 #20 dropped under a Pheasant Tail #18, 18” apart, 5X fluoro.
- Streamer Setup: Slumpbuster #8 or Mini Dungeon, fished in riffle drop-offs.
- Pro Rig (Guide’s Pick): Hopper-dropper with Amy’s Ant #12 and RS2 #20.
Access Points
| Spot | Why Fish Here | Parking | Wading | Crowds | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pumphouse | Classic big-river water, varied structure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Radium | Hot springs nearby, great evening dry bite | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Byers Canyon | Technical runs, pocket water, fewer crowds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐☆ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
Extended FAQ – Colorado River (Kremmling)
Q: When’s the best time to fish the Colorado near Kremmling in September?
A: Mornings (8–11 AM) for Tricos and PMDs, with terrestrials in the afternoons.
Q: What flies are producing right now?
A: RS2s, Parachute Adams, Amy’s Ants, and smaller caddis patterns.
Q: How’s the pressure on this stretch?
A: Moderate—expect anglers at Pumphouse, but hike a bit for solitude.
Q: Are flows stable right now?
A: Yes, flows around 900 CFS are comfortable for both wading and drift boats.
Q: Can you float this section?
A: Absolutely, drift boats and rafts are common between Pumphouse and Radium.
%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)