Colorado Fly Fishing Report 8/12/26: Cooler Water, Strong Hatches & Excellent Fishing
- brianchilbert
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
After several weeks of unusually warm water temperatures and challenging conditions across parts of western Colorado, we’re happy to report that our rivers are beginning to move in the right direction.
Cooler nighttime temperatures, lower daytime highs, recent rain, and cold-water releases from tailwater tributaries are providing some much-needed relief. We certainly don’t have every option available to us that we normally would in August, but the water that is falling within the 58–65°F temperature window is fishing exceptionally well.
The trout are happy. The bugs are active. And the fishing has been very good.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence wondering whether it’s worth getting out right now, our answer is simple:
Go fishing. It’s good.
The key continues to be choosing the right river, fishing at the right time of day, and carrying a thermometer. Conditions can vary dramatically between rivers and even between different sections of the same river.
Here’s what we’re seeing this week.
Upper Colorado River Fishing Report
Pumphouse to Two Bridges
Flow: 600 CFS
Water Temperature: 62–68°F, occasionally warmer in the afternoon
Clarity: Approximately 3 feet
Fishing Rating: 8/10
Special Regulations: None
The Upper Colorado continues to hang in there and has provided some excellent fishing this week. Early starts are key.
For much of the past week, water temperatures were staying below approximately 66°F, but during the last couple of warmer afternoons and reduction in flows, we’ve watched temperatures climb toward 70°F.
That makes carrying a stream thermometer extremely important. Once the water reaches 68°F, call it a day. Even if the fishing is still good, trout experience significantly more stress as temperatures rise, and protecting the resource has to come first.
Fortunately, mornings have been producing some outstanding fishing.
Upper Colorado Dry-Fly Fishing
Dry-fly fishing has been one of the highlights.
Trout are consistently looking toward the surface for caddis, attractor dries, and smaller hopper patterns, particularly through the canyon sections.
Our favorite dries right now include:
A small hopper or attractor with a jig-style nymph underneath has been an excellent way to cover water.
Duracells and Perdigons in red and rusty colors have been particularly effective. Don’t be afraid to go smaller than you normally would on the Colorado. Size 18 has been excellent.
Trico Fishing
We’re also seeing good trico activity on many mornings. This isn’t always easy fishing, but that’s part of what makes it fun. Trout feeding on tiny tricos can test even experienced anglers.
Juan’s 180 Trico in Size 22 has been fooling fish when presented correctly. Long leaders, light tippet, accurate casts, and clean drifts make a major difference.
If you see consistent noses breaking the surface, resist the temptation to immediately throw something bigger at them. If you’ve seen a few clouds of Tricos in the morning, there’sa good chance that’s what the trout are sipping. Slow down, identify the feeding lane, lengthen your leader if necessary, and make the best presentation you can.
Upper Colorado Nymphing
Traditional nymph rigs are producing fish throughout much of the day as well.
One of our favorite combinations has been:
Size 14 FKAP Nymph → Size 22 Daysaver Baetis
Fish this rig through the primary buckets, deeper riffles, and transition water where faster current meets softer holding water.
Other productive nymphs:
Size 22 Black RS2
Size 20 Pheasant Tail
Size 18 Buckskin
Size 20 Rainbow Warrior
Size 16 Guide’s Choice Hares Ear
Size 22 Daysaver Midge - Cream
CRO Pro Tip — Matt Fletcher
“Don’t overlook the transition water. As morning temperatures begin to rise and bug activity increases, trout often move away from the deepest part of a run and position themselves where faster riffle water dumps into the bucket. Instead of immediately casting to the deepest water, work the edges and the head of the run first. You’ll often find actively feeding trout sitting much shallower than expected.”
Middle & Lower Colorado River Fishing Report
Two Bridges to Rifle
Special Regulations: Full-day closure from Pinball downstream to Rifle
This section of the Colorado is simply too warm to fish responsibly right now.
Look elsewhere.
There is plenty of good fishing available on colder water, so there’s no reason to push marginal conditions. We expect this section to improve as nighttime temperatures continue dropping and we receive more rain.
Roaring Fork River Fishing Report
Flow: 738 CFS at Glenwood Springs
Water Temperature: 54–64°F
Fishing Rating: 10/10
Special Regulations: Voluntary closure from noon to midnight remains in place from the Carbondale Bridge downstream to the Colorado River confluence
The Roaring Fork is fishing exceptionally well right now and has been the primary fishery for many of our guides this week.
A recent increase in releases from Ruedi Reservoir into the Frying Pan has delivered a shot of cold water into the Roaring Fork system. The result has been exactly what we wanted to see: excellent water temperatures and happy, aggressively feeding trout.
Nymphing and hopper-dropper fishing are currently the name of the game.
Roaring Fork Hopper-Dropper Fishing
We’ve noticed a slight decrease in hopper eats since the increase in flow, but there’s an important exception:
The fish that are still eating the hopper have generally been good ones. We expect the lull to be temporary.
A size 10 tan Chubby Chernobyl with a size 16 olive Perdigon underneath has been an excellent setup for fishing banks and likely holding water.
Work the rig tight to structure and allow the dropper to settle naturally into the water column.
Roaring Fork Nymphing
For traditional nymph rigs, size 10 Half Back Nymphs have been REALLY good as the anchor fly.
CRO guide Brian Hilbert’s money rig this week has been:
Size 10 Half Back → small tan San Juan Worm → size 20 Daysaver Baetis in Grey Baetis
Other productive patterns include:
Size 10 Pat’s Rubber Legs
Size 22 Black RS2
Size 20 Demon Midge
Size 16 Olive Perdigons
Size 22 Daysaver Baetis - Grey Baetis
Size 10 Philly Cheese Cranefly
Size 16 Juan’s Kryptonite Caddis
Size 22 Sexi Top - Chocolate
Pay close attention to where the fish are holding as the morning progresses.
Early in the morning, we’re finding many trout in the deeper pools and toward the back of runs. By approximately 10 a.m., fish seem to be moving toward riffles, drop-offs, and more oxygenated feeding lanes.
That’s a great indication that trout are comfortable and actively feeding.
CRO Pro Tip — Brian Hilbert
“Let the fish tell you where to fish instead of deciding before you make the cast. Start the morning working the deeper, slower portions of the run, but don’t stay there just because you caught fish there at 7 a.m. As bugs become active, start testing the riffles and drop-offs. When trout move into faster water, they’re there to eat. Adjust your weight and depth accordingly and keep the flies moving through fresh feeding lanes.”
Despite the excellent water temperatures we’re currently seeing, remember that the voluntary noon-to-midnight closure remains in place from the Carbondale Bridge downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River. Please respect it.
Eagle River Fishing Report
Lake Creek to the Colorado River Confluence
Special Regulations: Full-day closure remains in place.
Please continue to give this section of the Eagle a break and take advantage of colder options elsewhere.
Upper Eagle River Fishing Report
Edwards to Vail
Flow: 50 CFS following a recent rainstorm bump
Clarity: Approximately 3 feet
Water Temperature: 58–68°F
Fishing Rating: 6/10
As we write this Wednesday night, the Eagle Valley is receiving some much-needed rain.
The Eagle has experienced historic low water this season, but cooler nighttime temperatures are helping the upper river hang on and the resident trout are still very willing to eat.
Morning dry-fly fishing has been surprisingly good, particularly with a well-presented Elk Hair Caddis.
With flows this low, stealth and presentation become extremely important. Fish have less water over their heads and are much more aware of what’s happening around them. Slow down, stay back from the water when possible, and make your first cast count.
Pocket-picking with a hopper-dropper is also producing.
One of our favorite droppers has been a:
Size 18 Thread Frenchie — olive/pink combination with a gold bead
Fish short, accurate drifts through pockets, small plunge pools, and areas with enough depth and current to provide trout with cover.
CRO Pro Tip — Sam Kinney
“Low water rewards anglers who slow down. Don’t walk straight to the edge of every pocket and start casting. Approach quietly, use longer casts when possible, and fish the closest water before moving farther into the run. In skinny August flows, a trout that never knows you’re there is a trout you have a much better chance of catching.”
And just like the Colorado, watch your thermometer. If temperatures approach 68°F, it’s time to be done.
Colorado’s Rivers Are Moving in the Right Direction
Overall, we’re encouraged by what we’re seeing.
Cooler nights, rain, lower daytime highs, and cold-water tributaries are beginning to give our fisheries some relief. With additional rain expected this week, we anticipate water temperatures continuing to trend in the right direction.
Always carry a thermometer.
Don’t assume a river is too warm because it was warm yesterday, and don’t assume it’s safe because it fished well yesterday. Check the actual water you’re fishing in.
When temperatures are in that 58–65°F sweet spot, we’re seeing happy trout, strong insect activity, and some exceptional fishing. And it’s really starting to look like we’re through the worst of the summer heat.
Should You Go Fly Fishing Right Now?
Yes.
There are absolutely sections of river that remain closed or that we are choosing not to fish. We don’t have the full menu of options that we typically have in August. But that doesn’t mean the fishing is poor.
In fact, the options that are available are fishing exceptionally well.
That’s where having an experienced local guide becomes particularly valuable. Instead of guessing which river to fish, where temperatures will be best, or when you need to be off the water, CRO guides are monitoring conditions daily and choosing our water based on temperature, flows, hatches, fishing quality, and the needs of each group.
Our goal isn’t simply to take you to a river.
It’s to take you to the best fishing available that day.
Fish With Colorado River Outfitters
If you’ve been waiting for conditions to improve before booking your Colorado fly fishing trip, this is a great time to get back on the water.
The Roaring Fork is fishing exceptionally well. The Upper Colorado is producing great morning fishing. The Upper Eagle continues to offer opportunities when temperatures cooperate.
CRO currently has some guide availability this weekend and next week. Book your trip online or give us a call—we’d love to get you on the water.
And it’s definitely not too early to start thinking about September.
September is traditionally one of our favorite fishing months of the entire year. Cooler nights, comfortable daytime temperatures, happy trout, fewer crowds, and the beginning of fall conditions can create some outstanding days on the water.
Based on what we’re seeing now, we’re very optimistic about the weeks ahead.
Call or text 970-236-1937
Good luck out there,
-The CRO Team
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