The Colorado River
The Colorado River is one of the most iconic trout fisheries in the American West and the crown jewel of guided fly fishing in Colorado. Flowing through breathtaking mountain valleys, rugged canyons, and wide-open ranch country, this world-renowned river offers anglers endless opportunities to catch wild brown trout, rainbow trout, and the occasional cutthroat trout.
At Colorado River Outfitters, we spend hundreds of days each year guiding the Colorado River between Kremmling, State Bridge, Glenwood Springs, and Rifle. Our professional guides have decades of experience on every section of this incredible fishery, allowing us to consistently put clients on quality fish while teaching effective fly fishing techniques along the way.
Whether you're looking for technical dry fly fishing, exciting hopper fishing, trophy brown trout, or an unforgettable float through some of Colorado's most beautiful scenery, the Colorado River offers something for every angler.
Upper Colorado
Pumphouse To Catamount
Recommended Season: June through October
Best For:
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Dry fly fishing
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Dry-dropper fishing
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Hopper fishing
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Intermediate & advanced anglers
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Scenic float trips
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Wild brown trout and rainbow trout
The Upper Colorado River from Pumphouse to Catamount is what most anglers picture when they dream about fly fishing Colorado. Crystal-clear water winds through spectacular rock canyons, cottonwood groves, sage-covered hillsides, and towering cliffs. Eagles soar overhead, bighorn sheep are common along the canyon walls, and every bend reveals another breathtaking view. This section fishes exceptionally well throughout the summer and into the fall, making it one of the most dependable destinations for guided fly fishing trips near Vail and Summit County.
Incredible Dry Fly Fishing
If you love watching trout explode on a dry fly, this is your river. Throughout the summer, anglers can experience phenomenal dry fly action as trout aggressively feed on a wide variety of aquatic insects. During peak conditions, fish will rise throughout the day, creating some of the most visual and exciting fly fishing Colorado has to offer.
Major hatches include:
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Caddis
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Blue Winged Olives (BWOs)
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Pale Morning Duns (PMDs)
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Stoneflies
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Salmonflies
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Yellow Sallies
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Tricos later in summer
These prolific hatches create outstanding opportunities to fish single dry flies or dry-dropper rigs while targeting healthy populations of wild trout.
Dry-Dropper Paradise
The Upper Colorado is famous for its pocket water, riffles, grassy banks, and submerged structure that perfectly suit dry-dropper fishing. Our guides often rig large attractor dries with carefully selected nymphs underneath, allowing anglers to fish efficiently while enjoying constant visual excitement. This technique consistently produces fish from June through September and is one of the reasons this stretch is perfect for anglers of every experience level.
Wild Trout
The Upper Colorado supports outstanding populations of naturally reproducing wild brown trout and rainbow trout. Most fish range from 12-18 inches, but every float offers opportunities at larger trout pushing the 20-inch mark. These fish are healthy, aggressive, and incredibly beautiful with vibrant colors that make every catch memorable.
Why Fish the Upper Colorado?
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Spectacular mountain scenery
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Consistent summer fishing
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Outstanding dry fly opportunities
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Excellent insect hatches
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Family-friendly float trips
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Beautiful wild trout
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Some of Colorado's best summer fly fishing
Middle Colorado
Catamount To Dotsero
Recommended Season: June through September
Best For:
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Wild brown trout
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Scenic floats
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Consistent summer fishing
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Beginner, intermediate and experienced anglers
CRO guides consider the Middle Colorado River to be one of the most underrated trout fisheries in Colorado. Flowing through expansive ranches, towering canyon walls, cottonwood forests, and dramatic mountain landscapes, this section combines incredible scenery with outstanding trout habitat. Every mile feels remote, peaceful, and untouched, making it one of the most enjoyable places to spend a summer day on the water.
Colorado at Its Finest
The Middle Colorado perfectly captures the rugged beauty that makes western Colorado famous. Towering cliffs, open valleys, abundant wildlife, and endless views create an unforgettable backdrop for a day of fly fishing. It's common to spot bald eagles, mule deer, elk, osprey, and even the occasional black bear while floating this stretch.
Every bend in the river offers another postcard-worthy view.
Wild Brown Trout
This reach is loaded with naturally reproducing wild brown trout. Healthy riffles, undercut banks, deep runs, and abundant insect life provide ideal habitat, allowing trout to thrive throughout the summer months. These fish are incredibly strong, beautifully colored, and eager to eat well-presented flies.
While numbers can be excellent, the average quality of fish here is what keeps experienced anglers returning year after year.
Outstanding Summer Fly Fishing
Summer is prime time on the Middle Colorado. Long daylight hours, dependable flows, and prolific insect activity provide exceptional opportunities for anglers throughout the season.
Depending on conditions, our guides target fish using:
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Dry flies
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Dry-dropper rigs
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Nymphs
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Terrestrial patterns
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Hopper-dropper setups
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Streamers
The combination of reliable fishing and spectacular scenery makes this one of our favorite stretches for guided fly fishing trips.
Why Fish the Middle Colorado?
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Incredible Colorado scenery
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Healthy populations of wild brown trout
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Outstanding summer fishing
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Less crowded than many famous rivers
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Productive dry fly opportunities
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Beautiful float fishing
Lower Colorado
Glenwood Springs, Colorado To Rifle, Colorado
Recommended Season: March-May & September-December
Best For:
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Trophy brown trout
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Big rainbow trout
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Streamer fishing
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Nymphing
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Early spring
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Fall through winter
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Beginner, intermediate & experienced anglers
If your goal is catching the trout of a lifetime, the Lower Colorado River deserves your attention. Flowing west from Glenwood Springs toward Rifle, this section is known for producing some of the largest wild trout in the state. Rich food sources, ideal water temperatures, and exceptional habitat allow fish to grow to truly impressive sizes.
This is where anglers come looking for trophies.
Trophy Trout Water
The Lower Colorado is home to incredible populations of large wild brown trout and rainbow trout. Fish measuring over 20 inches are caught every season, and every cast has the potential to connect with a truly memorable trout.
These are powerful, mature fish that demand solid presentations and often reward anglers willing to put in the effort.
Whether you're throwing streamers along deep banks or drifting nymphs through classic holding water, this section consistently produces opportunities at exceptional trout.
Shoulder Season Excellence
While this stretch fishes year-round, it truly shines during Colorado's shoulder seasons.
Early Spring
As water temperatures begin to rise after winter, trout become increasingly active. Before runoff arrives, anglers often experience some of the year's most productive fishing with hungry fish feeding aggressively throughout the day. Nymphing dominates, but streamer fishing can produce explosive strikes from large brown trout preparing for the changing season.
Late Fall
Following the spawning season, brown trout begin feeding heavily to rebuild energy before winter. Combined with fewer anglers, cooler temperatures, and spectacular fall colors, late fall creates some of the most rewarding fishing of the year. Large streamers, attractor nymphs, and technical presentations all have the potential to produce trophy fish.
Why Fish the Lower Colorado?
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Trophy wild brown trout
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Rainbow trout exceeding 20 inches
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Outstanding streamer fishing
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Incredible early spring action
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Exceptional late fall fishing
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Some of Colorado's largest wild trout
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Less fishing pressure during shoulder seasons
Guided Colorado River Fly Fishing Trips
Colorado River Outfitters specializes in professionally guided float trips on every section of the Colorado River. Whether you're interested in learning the fundamentals of fly fishing, improving your dry fly presentation, or chasing trophy brown trout, our experienced guides tailor every trip to your goals and the current river conditions.
We provide premium equipment, expert instruction, local knowledge, and access to some of the best trout water in Colorado. Our guides spend countless days each season on the Colorado River, allowing us to stay on top of insect hatches, seasonal fish movements, and the techniques that consistently produce success.
Whether you choose the Upper Colorado's legendary dry fly fishing, the Middle Colorado's scenic wild trout water, or the Lower Colorado's trophy trout opportunities, you'll experience why this river has earned its reputation as one of the finest fly fishing destinations in the West.
Book Your Colorado River Fly Fishing Adventure
Ready to experience the Colorado River with one of Colorado's premier guide services? Join Colorado River Outfitters for a professionally guided fly fishing trip and discover why anglers from across the country return year after year to fish this legendary river with us. From spectacular scenery and world-class insect hatches to aggressive wild trophy brown trout, the Colorado River delivers an unforgettable experience in every season.
Call Or Text To Book!
970-236-1937
