Upper Colorado River Fishing Report with CRO Guide Matt Fletcher 9/24/25

flyfish19
Sep 24
4 min read

Fall is in full swing here on the Upper Colorado, and the fishing has been nothing short of spectacular. The cooler nights, vibrant cottonwoods, and steady flows have created prime conditions for anglers looking to get after wild trout. CRO guide Matt Fletcher has been on the oars all week and brings us this detailed fishing report packed with hatch intel, fly recommendations, and a few of his go-to tricks to help you make the most of your day on the river.

Hatch Report:

Tricos

The trico spinner fall continues to provide some of the most exciting dry fly fishing of the season. Matt reports that pods of rising fish are showing up mid to late morning (roughly 9:30–11:30 a.m.), especially in slower seams and foam lines. Keep your presentations delicate, and don’t overlook smaller back eddies where trout sip with confidence.

Juan’s 180 Degree Trico is a favorite of Matt and the CRO team. Try this in size 20-24

Blue Wing Olives are typically olive in color with a large standing, gray wing (like a sail boat).

Blue Wing Olives (BWOs)

With overcast skies and cooler afternoons, the blue wing olive hatch is gaining steam. Expect fish to start looking up around midday (12:00–2:30 p.m.), particularly in riffles and runs with broken water. BWOs are small this time of year, so come prepared to fish size 20s or smaller.

It’s hard to go wrong with an olive Parachute Adams during a blue wing hatch. Try the “high viz” version when fishing the smaller 22-24 size.

Midges

As always on the Upper Colorado, midges are a constant food source. Early mornings and evenings are prime time, with steady subsurface and surface action when paired with lighter tippet and subtle presentations.

It’s hard to beat the classic renegade for fishing a midge hatch. This has been a proven pattern for decades.

Matt’s Flies of the Week

Matt has been finding success with a handful of patterns that are getting it done day in and day out:

Size 20 Juju Baetis (olive or purple) – Perfect for matching small baetis nymphs before or during a bwo hatch.
Size 20 Two Bit Hooker – Great for fishing deeper in riffles where trout key in on subsurface mayflies. Olive and purple have been best!
Size 22 Parachute Adams – A versatile dry that matches tricos, midges, and especially smaller BWOs. Try the high viz version when fishing the small sizes!
Size 20 Purple Haze – Matt’s go-to first fly in a two fly rig for rising trout during trico spinner falls and afternoon blue wing hatches.
Size 20 Renegade – A classic dry fly for all applications. Fish just seem to eat this fly regardless of the hatch going on.

Matt’s tip: “Don’t be afraid to change flies often. If a trout refuses twice, swap it out. A small adjustment in profile or color can make all the difference.”

Cloudy or rainy days can make for incredible blue wing olive hatches!

Tips and Tricks from Matt

Tippet matters – Drop down to 6x when fishing the trico spinner fall. Fish are feeding selectively and won’t tolerate drag or heavy line.
Read the water – Focus on transitions between fast and slow currents. Trout conserve energy and feed where food naturally collects.
Set gently – With smaller hooks, a soft lift rather than a hard set keeps more fish buttoned up.
Stay mobile – If the fish aren’t looking up, don’t waste time waiting. Switch to a nymph rig and cover water.

Bonus: Streamer Fishing on Cloudy or Rainy Days

Fall on the Upper Colorado also means prime streamer opportunities. On cloudy afternoons or during light rain, trout become aggressive and push into shallower water. Matt’s weapon of choice is the Thin Mint Wooly Bugger.

He recommends fishing it on a sink-tip line or adding a split shot above the fly if you’re wading. Vary your retrieves—sometimes a slow, steady strip is the ticket, and other times erratic pauses trigger the eat. Keep your eyes peeled along undercut banks and drop-offs; that’s where the biggest browns often stage.

Book Your Trip with CRO!

Now is the time to be on the water. Whether you’re chasing pods of trout rising to tricos or looking to move a big brown with a streamer, the Upper Colorado is fishing incredibly well. Book a float trip with Matt Fletcher or one of our other professional CRO guides and experience the river at its best this fall.

👉 Call us today to lock in your spot! 970-236-1937