• Colorado River Fishing Report: Midwinter Trout Haven

  • Feb 8 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Colorado River Fishing Report: Midwinter Trout Haven

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  • Summary

  • Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the Colorado River fishing scene as of today, February 8th, 2025.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. The Upper Colorado River, from Pumphouse to State Bridge, is still iced up and quite cold, so you might want to skip that section for now. However, the Lower Colorado River, particularly from Dotsero down, is still fishable, but be mindful of those nightly temperatures dipping into the negatives, which can cause some sections to freeze up completely.

    Down near Grand Junction, the Lower Colorado River is offering some great winter fishing opportunities. The river here is characterized by slower runs, deep pools, and clear water, making it ideal for targeting trout that have moved into these areas to conserve energy.

    ### Weather and Sunlight
    Today, you can expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit. Sunrise is at around 6:50 AM, and sunset will be at about 5:20 PM. These midday sun periods can make for some comfortable fishing sessions, especially when you're looking for surface activity.

    ### Fish Activity
    Recently, the fish activity has been steady, especially with midges and small nymphs. In the Upper Colorado, we're seeing some action with Blue Wing Olives (BWOs) and midges, but nymphing has been the most reliable method. For the Lower Colorado near Grand Junction, midges are the primary hatch, and using patterns like Zebra Midge (#20-24) or Black Beauty (#20-24) has been highly effective.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For nymphing, try using small flies like Pats Rubber Leg 6-12, Black Copper Johns 16-20, or Demon Midge. If you're looking to go bigger, streamers like an articulated Thin Mint or a Mini Dungeon can entice those larger trout. In the Lower Colorado, a double-nymph rig with a Zebra Midge and a Black Beauty is a winning combination. For dry fly enthusiasts, Griffith’s Gnat (#20-24) or Parachute BWO (#18-20) can be effective during those brief midge hatches in calmer water.

    ### Hot Spots
    One of the hot spots right now is the section of the Colorado River near Dotsero. Here, you can find some excellent nymphing opportunities, especially in the deeper runs and pools. Another great spot is the Lower Colorado River near Grand Junction, particularly around Fruita, Connected Lakes, and the Colorado River State Parks. This area offers a unique blend of slow runs and deep pools that are perfect for winter fishing.

    ### Additional Tips
    Remember to keep your rod tip almost in the water when stripping your streamer back in, and focus on deeper pools and slow runs where trout are conserving energy. Use longer leaders and lighter tippet for stealthy presentations, especially when targeting those finicky winter trout.

    Lastly, don't forget to follow the Keep Em Wet philosophy and handle those fish gently to ensure their survival.

    Happy fishing, and tight lines
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