As of November 7, 2024, the Colorado River in Colorado is offering some excellent fishing opportunities, despite the changing seasons.

First, let's talk about the conditions. The river is a freestone fishery with no dams within the state, which means the water flow and clarity can vary significantly depending on the section you're fishing. Currently, the flows are stable, but water clarity can be affected by recent weather patterns. As of the latest reports, the water clarity is good, especially in the upper sections.

The weather is cooling down, with morning lows getting chilly, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise today is around 6:30 AM, and sunset is about 4:45 PM.

Fish activity is still robust, with brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout active throughout the river. Browns are particularly active as they are in their spawning season, so it's crucial to respect the redds and avoid disturbing spawning fish.

Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of brown and rainbow trout, with some larger browns being landed. The fish are getting picky, so precise presentations are key.

For lures, streamers are highly effective this time of year, especially large double streamer rigs on 6-7 weight rods. Nymphs such as Barr Emerger Blue Winged Olives (#16-22), Quill Jigs (#16-18), and Pat’s Rubber Legs (#8-14) are also producing good results. Dry fly fishing can be excellent during pronounced hatches, particularly for Blue Winged Olives and Tricos, although the Trico hatches are starting to taper off.

If you're looking for hot spots, the upper Colorado River above the town of Kremmling and extending to the Rifle area west of Glenwood Springs is highly recommended. The section near the Pumphouse to Dotsero is particularly fishable, with trout holding in eddies and slow seams. Another good spot is where the Fraser River joins the Colorado near Grandby, as this area becomes larger and offers a variety of water types.

Remember to focus on good dead drifts and precise presentations, especially in the riffles, runs, seams, and holes. With the right techniques and lures, you can have a very productive day on the Colorado River.