The valley has dried out after last week’s storm, and the rivers are dropping back into shape. With sunny skies and highs in the 50s on the way, this is a good week to get out. Clarity is great, flows are well up from the summer lows, and the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, and Colorado are all fishing. Blue-Winged Olives and midges are still the main event.
Roaring Fork River
Is the Fork back in shape after the storm?
Yes. Flows are down across the board from a week ago. The upper river below Maroon Creek is at 130 CFS, the middle river near Emma is at 252 CFS, and Glenwood is down to 561 CFS from 914. Water temps at Glenwood are sitting around 42 degrees, so the fish are holding in the deeper, slower runs. Fish your nymphs low and slow. Look for BWOs in sizes 18 to 22 and midges in 18 to 24. Most of the eating is happening subsurface. A Cat Poop Stone in 8 to 12 trailed by a small Rainbow Warrior or RS2 in 20 to 22 is a solid rig. Here’s the thing, though: the fly pattern matters less than getting the depth right. Read the water, set your leader length to match the run, and add weight until you’re ticking bottom. Please give the posted fall spawning closures at the mouths of Three Mile and Four Mile creeks a wide berth.
Frying Pan River
What are the Frying Pan trout eating this week?
The Pan is steady at about 42 CFS with water temps near 40 degrees. Midges in 20 to 24 and BWOs in 20 to 22 come off from late morning into early afternoon, roughly 10 to 3. When you see risers, switch to a Parachute BWO or a Barr’s Emerger in size 22. Up near the dam, Mysis shrimp in 16 to 18 are on the menu all day. Fish it like a spring creek. Go with 5X to 6X tippet, keep line off the water, and set your indicator so your flies drift within about 6 inches of the bottom.
Lower Colorado River
Is it a good week for streamers on the Colorado?
It is. The Colorado below Glenwood has dropped to 1,160 CFS from 1,740 a week ago, and local reports have called the streamer bite top notch. Swing or strip a sculpin pattern with a slow, erratic retrieve to imitate a cold, sluggish baitfish. If they aren’t moving, nymph a Pat’s Rubber Legs in 10 to 12 with a BWO emerger in 18 to 20 through the deeper runs and along the soft edges.
Planning Your November Trip
What should you pack for a mid-November day on the water?
The forecast for Glenwood Springs calls for sunshine all week, with highs from 49 to 55 and lows in the low 30s. Mornings start cold, so there’s no need to be on the water at first light. The best fishing is from about 10 to 3, when the water warms a few degrees and the bugs get going. Wear layers you can shed, warm socks under your waders, a warm hat, and fingerless gloves.
Falling flows, clear skies, and steady hatches make this a great week to get out. Check out our wade and float trip options and rates. When you’re ready, reach out to Gone Fishing Colorado and book your trip.
