Colorado Fly Fishing

Should You Go?

The correct answer for that complex question of fly fishing in Colorado this summer? It’s one only you can answer for yourself. Conditions are not optimal, but it’s Colorado. Cool Rocky Mountain highs and those monsoons (perhaps) making for afternoon naps inside your tent, the smell of clean rain, some runoff …

Thankfully I have Chet to go out and “scrape” the latest information on fly fishing in Colorado right now. If YOU haven’t tried ChatGPT yet? This is the payoff. Articles like these provide us with the critical, “Know Before You Go!” information that makes a difference in our plans, and even hopes and expectations.

One thing I did key in on is that Chet said SEPTEMBER is the best fly fishing month in Colorado. I have always found my few September trips to be best when it comes to Colorado. Maybe Chet is just telling me what I want to hear?

Anyway, I clipped out the Colorado information for those who do not want to wade through the Texas Outlook to get to the Colorado fly fishing forecast.

REMINDER! This is a PODCAST, and the video is just a place holder for the audio. You can obviously tell by the still image of that youngster in the thumbnail above!

If You Go Fly Fish in Colorado?

Do me a favor and comment on this post. I have numerous friends and acquaintances who have been to Colorado to fly fish in the past few weeks, some there now, and a few headed that direction. Take a minute. Just a minute, and give back here … not in a phone call or text to ME. This website was founded on sharing, showing and telling. I do my best. Now, you do yours!

Colorado Fly Fishing Report

For Texas Fly Fishers Traveling to Colorado

Week of July 13–20, 2026

Bottom Line

Colorado is fishing better than many anglers expected, but this is not a banner water year. The state experienced one of its lowest snowpacks on record, runoff ended weeks earlier than normal, and many freestone rivers are already running below average for mid-July. That means anglers need to think like it’s late summer—not mid-summer. (Coyote Gulch)

The good news?

Most rivers are now clear, wadable, and very fishable. The challenge will be warm afternoon water temperatures on lower-elevation streams. Expect the best fishing from daylight until about noon, especially on freestone rivers. Tailwaters remain excellent all day. (ArkAnglers)

Best Bets This Week

1. Fryingpan River ★★★★★

Current Status: Excellent

If you’re making only one stop in Colorado this month, the Fryingpan deserves serious consideration.

Cold releases from Ruedi Reservoir continue to keep water temperatures ideal while PMDs, caddis, midges and mysis shrimp keep trout feeding consistently. Flow conditions remain excellent for wading. (RiverReports.com)

Fish

• Rainbow Trout
• Brown Trout

Flies

• Mysis Shrimp
• PMD Emergers
• RS2
• Zebra Midge
• Parachute Adams

2. Arkansas River (Salida – Buena Vista) ★★★★★

Current Status: Very Good

One of Colorado’s best July fisheries.

Runoff is finished.

Water is clear.

Flows are low enough for comfortable wading but still healthy enough to keep trout feeding aggressively.

Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes and Caddis remain the primary hatch. (ArkAnglers)

Fish

• Brown Trout
• Rainbow Trout

Flies

Dry

• Chubby Chernobyl
• Elk Hair Caddis
• PMD

Dropper

• Pheasant Tail
• Copper John
• Frenchie

3. South Platte

(Cheesman Canyon / Deckers)

Current Status: Good—but technical

The South Platte is fishing, but anglers should not expect easy days.

Fish are selective, water is extremely clear, and presentations must be precise.

Small flies win. (Dave Weller’s Fly Fishing Blog)

Flies

• RS2
• Mercury Midge
• Zebra Midge
• Tiny PMDs

4. Eagle River

Current Status: Fair to Good

Fishing improves every morning.

The low snowpack means lower flows than normal, and afternoon water temperatures are becoming a concern.

Fish early and quit early. (Minturn Anglers)

5. Roaring Fork River

Current Status: Good

Morning fishing continues to improve.

Look for:

• Caddis
• PMDs
• Yellow Sallies

Streamer bite remains decent during cloudy periods.

Rivers to Watch Carefully

Colorado River

Good fishing early.

Expect warmer water by afternoon in lower reaches.

Gunnison

Generally good.

Fish early.

Yampa

Beginning to warm significantly during afternoons.

Blue River

Still fishing well below Dillon Reservoir.

Tailwater sections remain dependable.

Best Flies This Week

Dry Flies

• Chubby Chernobyl
• Elk Hair Caddis
• PMD Sparkle Dun
• Yellow Sally
• Parachute Adams

Nymphs

• RS2
• Pheasant Tail
• Frenchie
• Zebra Midge
• Copper John

Streamers

• Mini Dungeon
• Sparkle Minnow
• Thin Mint
• Olive Woolly Bugger

Water Conditions

Water Levels

Below average statewide

The low-snow winter produced an early runoff.

Most rivers are already at late-July or even August-type flows. (Coyote Gulch)

Water Clarity

Excellent.

Most rivers have completely cleared from runoff.

Best Time to Fish

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

6:00 AM – 11:00 AM

After lunch, many lower rivers become warm enough that trout become less active, and anglers should consider stopping if water temperatures climb into the upper 60s°F. Tailwaters such as the Fryingpan remain the most reliable afternoon option. (Minturn Anglers)

Where Would I Fly Fish This Week?

1. Fryingpan River
2. Arkansas River (Salida)
3. Roaring Fork River
4. Cheesman Canyon
5. Blue River below Dillon Reservoir

Colorado Outlook for Texas Anglers

If you’re driving up from Texas this month, go.

Just adjust your expectations. This is not a high-water, runoff year. Instead, you’ll find clear rivers, excellent wading conditions, and technical trout fishing. Plan on early starts, protect the resource by avoiding the warmest afternoon hours on freestone rivers, and you’ll still find some outstanding fly fishing across central Colorado. Tailwaters are the most dependable destination for all-day action. (Coyote Gulch)