Yampa River Fly Fishing: Receding Flows, Afternoon Caddis, and Tailwater Gold

The Yampa River is a tailwater gem, especially in sections near Stagecoach Reservoir and Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area, is fishing exceptionally well. Midges and Blue-Winged Olives are hatching steadily, giving you plenty of opportunities for surface action. Whether you're nymphing or stripping streamers for aggressive browns, this river is primed for a productive day on the water, with autumn colors only adding to the experience.

NOTE WILDFIRE IN AREA AS OF REPORT DATE: Garfield County braces for even more evacuation orders as Lee, Elk fires top 120,000 combined acres. Garfield County Sheriff’s officials upgraded Zone 70, northwest of Rifle near Monument Park, to “Go” status, ordering residents to evacuate immediately. It remains the only zone in the county under a mandatory evacuation. GLENWOOD POST

Yampa River Fishing Report – Beat the Heat, Dodge the Closures (Updated August 18, 2025)

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The Yampa is in the dog days of summer, and the trout aren’t loving it. Afternoon water temps are spiking into the stress zone, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has stepped in with partial closures to protect the fishery. If you want to keep fishing this river, and keep it healthy- you’ll need to plan smart, fish early, and know the rules.

Key Update:
Sections of the Yampa are now under a 2 PM–midnight fishing closure due to water temps consistently above 71°F. This includes popular stretches around Steamboat Springs and downstream. Translation: set the alarm, fish the morning, and hit the bike, bar, or hammock in the afternoon.

Conditions Summary

• Flow Rate: ~1,250 CFS and dropping
• Water Temp: 55°F mornings; afternoons spike over 71°F (closure trigger)
• Air Temp: High 80s°F afternoons, cool mornings
• Clarity: Greenish stain mid-day, clears overnight
• Best Times: 6–10 AM before closures kick in
• Fishing Pressure: Light in early morning, crowded until 2 PM cutoff
• Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (mornings good, afternoons off-limits)
  
  

Yampa River Hatch Chart (Aug Focus)

Flies to Try – Yampa River (Aug 18)

Nymphs

• Sparkle Wing RS2 (gray) 20–24
• Juju Baetis (brown/olive) 18–22
• Frenchie 16–18
• Pheasant Tail (unbeaded) 18–20
• TDJ Golden Stone 12–14 (upstream pockets)
• Zebra Midge (black or red) 20–22

Dries

• Parachute Adams 18–22
• Trico Spinner 22–24 (AM game)
• Elk Hair Caddis 16
• Amy’s Ant 14
• Black Beetle 14–16
• PMD Sparkle Dun 18–20

Streamers

• Thin Mint Bugger 8–12
• Mini Dungeon (olive) 8–10
• Slump Buster (natural/black) 8–10

Pro Tip: Don’t just flog the banks—work mid-river seams and riffle transitions. Hopper-dropper rigs with small beadhead droppers are converting when dries alone don’t.

Tips for Fishing the Yampa Right Now

• Morning Wins: Tricos and PMDs carry the bite until noon. Don’t show up late.
• Dry-Dropper Tactics: Hopper or ant up top with a size 20 baetis or RS2 below.
• Streamer Game: Early and late with smaller, natural patterns. Subtle strips, not bombs.
• Stagecoach Tailwater: Technical as ever—long leaders, 6X fluoro, and tiny emergers.

• Fish Early or Don’t Fish: CPW’s closure is 2 PM–midnight daily. Be respectful—it’s about fish survival.
• Thermometer = Mandatory: Carry one. If temps creep toward 70°F, reel in and call it a day.
• Light Tippet & Long Leaders: Tricos and PMDs mean 6X fluoro and stealthy presentations.
• Hoppers = Bonus Bites: Bankside grass is loaded; twitch an Amy’s Ant or Hopper Juan in the skinny water.
• Streamer Window: Low light = green light. Hit dawn and dusk with small articulated patterns.

Access Points

• Sarvis Creek SWA: Meadow water, solid PMD and hopper fishing ⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Stagecoach Tailwater : Trophy shots, tiny flies, high difficulty ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Chuck Lewis SWA (CLOSED): Pocket water, good hopper-dropper water, moderate pressure ⭐️
• Steamboat Town Stretch (CLOSED): Technical, crowded, tubing chaos mid-day ⭐️

Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides update on fishing closures for sections of the Yampa River

FAQs on Yampa River Fly Fishing

Q: Is the Yampa too high right now?
A: No—flows are dropping into fishable levels. Still pushy in town but excellent in side channels and tailwater.

Q: What’s the best time of day to fish?
A: 9:30 AM–2 PM for hatches, with evenings producing hopper and caddis eats.

Q: Are tubers an issue?
A: Yes, especially in town mid-day. Fish early or hit upstream/tailwater sections.

Q: Do streamers work here?
A: Yes, but keep them small and natural. Think Thin Mint, not Double Dungeon.

Q: What rod setup works best?
A: 9’ 5-weight with floating line. Euro setups crush in pocket water upstream.

Q: Is the tailwater worth it?
A: Absolutely—Stagecoach holds big fish, but they demand stealth, 6X fluoro, and size 22–24 flies.

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