Low, clear tailwaters set the tone for Colorado fall trout

What's biting

What's next

Expect more of the same over the next few days. Flows are holding steady and temperatures sit comfortably below the 68°F line that Cutthroat Anglers (CO) says should end your fishing day, so trout should stay catchable through the afternoon rather than only at first light. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) reports that as rivers drop, flies generally downsize, so plan on tiny and shiny nymphs such as Rainbow Warriors, Sparklewing RS2s and Flashback PTs, with a dry-dropper setup when fish are looking up.

Crystal Fly Shop (CO) also reports that the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs has had a decent streamer bite as the fall pattern settles in, though the water has been muddy after monsoonal rain. If it clears, a streamer is a fair option for aggressive Brown Trout. Check the latest closure status before you go. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) has flagged voluntary closures on parts of the Crystal and Roaring Fork that were put in place by CPW, so confirm current notices.

The New Moon means dark nights and no moonlight bias on the bite, so plan around the usual dawn and late-afternoon windows. Midge and BWO emergers, such as the foam-back pattern AvidMax Blog (CO) walks through, are a sensible choice for slower pools.

Context

Colorado has come through a drought that Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO) calls among the worst on record, with tailwaters the dependable option. Fall normally brings cooler nights, lower angler pressure and the shift to BWOs, midges and streamers, and this year that transition looks on schedule even though flows are well below normal. Typically, Brown Trout also begin staging for fall spawning around now, so give redds plenty of room and check state regulations.