The Ultimate Guide to Streamer Fishing for Trout With Brian Hilbert

Insights from CRO Guide Brian Hilbert

When most anglers think about fly fishing for trout, delicate dry flies or small nymph rigs come to mind. But when you want to move big fish—the kind of trout that haunt your dreams—there’s no technique quite like streamer fishing. Streamers imitate larger prey such as baitfish, leeches, and even small rodents, making them irresistible to trophy trout looking for a big meal.

Colorado River Outfitters guide Brian Hilbert has spent countless days on the water dialing in streamer tactics, and he shared his knowledge to help anglers approach this exciting style of fly fishing with confidence.

Understanding Trout Behavior with Streamers

Streamer fishing is all about tapping into a trout’s aggressive instincts. Unlike nymphs and dries, which target feeding behavior, streamers trigger predatory responses. “Big trout don’t get big sipping midges all day,” Brian says. “They eat smaller fish, and when you show them the right streamer at the right time, you’ll see explosive eats.”

While trout can be fooled with streamers year-round, streamer fishing shines in the spring and fall. Rising or dropping water temperatures often push trout into aggressive feeding patterns, making them more likely to chase down a bigger meal. Cloudy days, off-colored water, and low light conditions can also improve streamer success.

Floating Lines vs. Sinking Lines

One of the most common questions streamer anglers face is which line to use. According to Brian:

• Floating Lines: Ideal for shallow rivers, smaller streams, and situations where you want to keep your streamer higher in the water column. Floating lines paired with a weighted fly or sink-tip leader can be surprisingly effective.

• Sinking Lines: Essential for deep runs, fast water, or lakes. Full-sink and sink-tip lines allow you to present your streamer at the depth where big trout are hunting.

“Don’t overcomplicate it,” Brian adds. “If I’m fishing from a boat, I almost always have both rigged up so I can quickly adapt.”

Streamer Selection: Size and Color

Streamer choice is less about exact imitation and more about size, color, and movement. Brian keeps his streamer box stocked with proven patterns that consistently fool Colorado trout:

1. Sex Dungeon – Yellow, black, or white. A true classic for moving big fish.

2. Keller’s She Demon Bugger – White, brown, or black. A versatile bugger variation that trout crush.

3. Barely Legal – Olive/white. A two-tone fly that perfectly mimics baitfish.

When it comes to size, Brian recommends having options from smaller size 8 buggers up to large articulated streamers in the size 2–4 range. “If the fish aren’t committing to big patterns, size down,” he says. “Sometimes a smaller streamer worked thoroughly through a run will outproduce a giant fly.”

Color choice often comes down to conditions. On bright days, lighter colors like white or yellow can shine, while darker colors like black and olive stand out in stained water or low light.

Retrieve Pace and Presentation

The retrieve is where the magic happens. Some days trout want fast, erratic strips that imitate a fleeing baitfish. Other times, a slow, steady pull is what triggers the eat.

“Patience and thoroughness are the keys,” Brian stresses. “Work every seam, log jam, and cut bank carefully. Change your retrieve until you find what they want.” A fast jigging retrieve or even just letting the streamer swing in current can also coax trout into striking.

Remember: streamer fishing is hunting. Cover water, try different speeds, and don’t be afraid to stick with it even if the action isn’t immediate. The reward could be a fish of a lifetime.

Rod Selection

Streamer fishing requires heavier rods than traditional dry fly setups. A 6- or 7-weight rod is ideal, offering enough backbone to cast big, articulated flies and handle sinking lines while still providing the sensitivity to fight trout effectively.

Brian often prefers a 6-weight when fishing larger rivers like the Colorado, where long casts and throwing big patterns into structure are common. Pair it with a stout leader—0x to 2x tippet—to withstand aggressive strikes and minimize break-offs.

Boat vs. Wading: The Advantage of Floating

Streamer fishing can be done effectively while wading, but fishing from a boat offers a major advantage. “When you’re floating, you can cover miles of prime water and hit every bank, log jam, and deep run,” Brian explains. “It’s an efficient way to put your fly in front of the biggest fish in the river.”

That said, wading anglers shouldn’t feel discouraged. Thoroughly working one good stretch of water on foot—changing retrieves, angles, and flies—can be just as productive, especially if you know where big trout hold.

Final Thoughts from Brian Hilbert

Streamer fishing isn’t always about numbers—it’s about chasing quality. You might not hook as many fish as you would nymphing, but the trout you do move will often be larger and more memorable. It takes persistence, patience, and a willingness to experiment.

“Don’t quit after a half hour,” Brian says. “Streamer fishing is about committing to the process. Stay focused, cover water, and trust that the big eat will come.”

Ready for Your Trophy Trout Moment?

If you’re ready to experience the thrill of streamer fishing and chase some of Colorado’s biggest trout, book a trip with Colorado River Outfitters today. Our expert guides—including Brian Hilbert—will help you refine your streamer game and put you in the best position to connect with a true river giant.

📞 Call us today to book your streamer trip:

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