Upper Colorado River Fishing Report with CRO Guide Matt Weldon 7/24/25

Conditions: 3.5/5 – Consistent Action with Classic Summer Tactics

The middle Colorado River has been fishing consistently well over the past week, with action holding steady from morning through late afternoon. CRO guide Matt Weldon reports a solid 3.5 out of 5 rating, and he’s been finding success with a classic mid-summer approach: the ever-reliable hopper-dropper rig.

As we head into the latter half of summer, fish are starting to show signs of their fall transition—colors are getting vibrant, appetites are sharp, and the cooler morning and evening hours are producing quality fish in numbers. Let’s dive into the setup, techniques, and conditions Matt’s been working with to help you dial in your own approach on the water.

Fly Setup: Hopper-Dropper Simplicity That Produces

Matt’s go-to rig right now is a 7.5 ft 3X leader leading to a Hi-Viz Micro Chubby (think Chubby Chernobyl, but downsized for these more technical late-summer eats). From there, he’s dropping about 16 inches of tippet down to a barbless jig Duracell nymph, which has been the true workhorse on the dropper.

Hi-Viz Micro Chubby

This fly plays double duty as both an attractor and strike indicator. In sunny conditions with fast riffles, the Hi-Viz version really shines—literally. It’s highly visible in broken water and floats like a cork even when supporting a weighted dropper.

How to fish it: Cast this rig slightly upstream or quartered across current into riffly water. Let it drift naturally, mending as necessary to reduce drag. Stay alert for those big surface eats—they can range from gentle sips to explosive, heart-pounding slams.

Pro tip: Hopper eats can be a mental game. Some fish hammer it without hesitation; others may hover or inspect before slowly committing. Don’t trout set too early. Let them eat and turn before driving the hook home.

Duracell Jig (Barbless)

This little Euro-style nymph is absolutely money right now. With its buggy profile and tungsten bead, the Duracell gets down quickly and stays in the strike zone through transitional current seams. The barbless version helps with ethical handling and quick releases, which is important as water temps climb.

How to fish it: Keep your dropper relatively short (12–18 inches) so the Duracell stays in the zone just below where fish are feeding subsurface. It’s especially productive in riffles and pocket water during full sun, and transition seams when clouds move in.

Color tip: Stick with natural dubbing blends (tan, olive, or rust) paired with a silver or copper bead. The subtle shimmer mimics emerging mayflies or caddis, and the jig hook reduces bottom snags.

Reading Water: Follow the Light

Right now, fish behavior is closely tied to sunlight and flow dynamics. Here’s how Matt recommends targeting water types based on conditions:

Sunny Days: Target the Riffles

When the sun is out in full force, fish are holding in fast, oxygen-rich water. These riffles provide cover from predators and ample bug activity. This is where the hopper-dropper shines, especially with the micro chubby bobbing along in choppy surface lanes.

Tactics: Use stealth when approaching these areas. Make casts from a distance and stay low, especially in the clearer stretches.

Cloudy Skies: Transition Water is Key

When cloud cover moves in, fish will often slide out of the fast stuff and into the soft seams, eddies, and transition zones between runs. These areas offer a great mix of depth, current variation, and food delivery.

Tactics: Slow down your approach. Focus on longer drifts through softer current, and watch closely for subtle takes. Fish are more likely to investigate your fly thoroughly before eating, especially in these calmer areas.

Reminder: Warm Afternoon Water Temps – Handle with Care

As the dog days of summer continue, it’s critical to keep an eye on afternoon water temperatures. Once the water hits 68°F or higher, trout begin to experience increased stress, and catch-and-release fishing can lead to high post-release mortality rates.

Here are a few ethical fishing tips to follow when temps rise:

• Use a thermometer: Check water temps throughout the day, especially in lower-elevation stretches.

• Fish early: Start at sunrise and plan to be off the water by mid-afternoon.

• Fight fish quickly: Use heavier tippet (3X–4X) and get fish to hand fast to reduce stress.

• Limit handling time: Keep fish wet and use rubber nets. Release them without removing from the water when possible.

• Skip fishing when it’s too warm: If water temps climb into the danger zone, hang it up the or head to a higher-elevation creek with cooler water temps.

Final Thoughts

The upper Colorado continues to provide solid opportunities for dry-dropper anglers, and there’s no better time to get out than right now. With a bit of stealth, some technical patience on hopper eats, and attention to changing conditions, you’re bound to connect with fish showing off their early fall colors.

If you’d like to book a trip with Matt or any of our experienced CRO guides, we’d love to get you on the water and put you in front of hungry trout.

Tight lines,

The CRO Team

For updated reports, bookings, or gear recommendations, reach out to us directly or follow us on Instagram! @colorado.river.outfitters

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