The Starting Lineup — Streamer Edition with CRO Guide Matt Weldon

Fall fishing is in full force, and for many of us, that means one thing—it’s streamer season. Big flies, aggressive eats, and trophy-caliber trout that are on the move. We sat down with Colorado River Outfitters guide Matt Weldon to talk about his starting lineup of streamers and the thought process behind chasing big trout when the leaves turn and the water cools.

Reading Trout Behavior

Streamer fishing is all about reading the attitude of the fish. In the fall, trout are charged up—territorial, aggressive, and feeding with intent. “When I’m streamer fishing,” Weldon says, “I’m looking for body language. If a fish follows and turns off at the last second, I take note—maybe it didn’t like the color, the speed, or the profile. Every swipe tells you something.”

A good streamer angler treats every cast like a conversation. Pay attention to how the fish responds, and adjust your retrieve, color, or fly size based on those reactions.

Trout Holding Water

Fall trout love structure—cut banks, boulder edges, mid-river shelves, and drop-offs. In low light, they’ll push shallow, but as the sun gets higher, they tend to slide back into deeper, slower runs. “Don’t overlook the transition zones,” Weldon advises. “That knee-to-thigh deep water with good current is prime. It’s where aggressive fish like to hunt.”

When streamer fishing from the boat, work both banks methodically, and vary your casting angles—some fish respond better to a perpendicular swing, others to a fly stripped upstream. When wading, move deliberately and target ambush spots where trout can attack from cover.

Retrieve Methods

There’s no one-size-fits-all retrieve when it comes to streamer fishing. Weldon’s rule of thumb: let the fish tell you what they want.

• Fast and erratic: Great for warm, active fish. Think “fleeing baitfish.”

• Slow and pulsing: Deadly in cold or clear conditions when trout are less aggressive.

• Jerk-strip retrieve: Two short strips followed by a pause—this pattern triggers instinctive chases.

If you see follows but no eats, vary your cadence or switch to a smaller or natural-colored pattern.

When to Change Flies

Streamer fishing rewards experimentation. If you’re getting attention but no commitment, switch color first. “I rotate through black, yellow, olive, and white depending on light and water clarity,” Weldon says. “Cloudy days, I’ll usually start dark. Bright days, I might go lighter or flashier.”

If there’s zero activity after 20–30 minutes, change profile or size entirely. Sometimes it’s not about color—it’s about how much water your fly pushes or how it moves.

Matt Weldon’s Streamer Starting Lineup

1. Sex Dungeon (black, yellow, olive, white) — The classic. Big presence, heavy articulation, and seductive movement. A go-to for hunting big browns when you need a strong silhouette.

2. Kreelex (silver/gold, gold/copper, black/silver) — Flashy and deadly in stained water or when fish are keying in on baitfish. Great for when you want to cover water quickly.

3. Articulated Thin Mint — Subtle, natural, and productive in all conditions. Perfect when fish are educated or the bite turns finicky.

Each fly has its time and place—Weldon rotates through them depending on mood, water clarity, and how the trout are reacting.

Book Your Fall Streamer Trip

Streamer fishing in the fall is as good as it gets—big flies, bigger trout, and endless opportunity. At Colorado River Outfitters, our guides live for this season and love helping anglers unlock the magic of streamer fishing.

Fishing remains excellent through November and December, so don’t pack up those rods just yet. Follow us on Instagram @coloradoriveroutfitters for more fishing tips, guide highlights, and trip updates.

👉 Book your fall streamer trip today and join us on the water for some of the most exciting fishing of the year!

📞 970-236-1937

Book Now!