Colorado River Fishing Report: Runoff, Hatch Hatches, and Trophy Trout

Good morning, anglers—Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River fishing report for June 18, 2025. Let’s get you dialed in for a day on the water.

The Colorado River is running heavy and brown after a surge in runoff, with flows recently doubling from storms and snowmelt. According to Taylor Creek Fly Shops, clarity is low—think “Brown Town, USA”—but the river remains fishable, especially for those with patience and willingness to target quality over quantity. Expect big water that’s ideal for drift boats, but wade anglers can still find productive stretches along the edges and side channels.

Weather today is shaping up warm and mostly sunny, with a passing cloud or two by late afternoon. Sunrise came at 5:34 a.m. and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 8:34 p.m. Conditions will stay stable, though keep an eye out for potential afternoon thundershowers that sometimes roll through the valley this time of year.

Recent catches have included a healthy mix of rainbow and brown trout, some pushing 20 inches or better—no surprise given the river’s reputation for quality fish. The rainbow trout are starting to spawn—remember to give those actively spawning fish a break and respect the no-fishing zones. Browns have been active, especially on overcast days, and a few reports of big, aggressive takes on streamers have come in from the Glenwood Springs section and near State Bridge.

This is a hatch-driven river, and right now you’ll find blue wing olive mayflies (BWOs), caddis, yellow sallies, and a handful of lingering salmonflies in the upper stretches. Nymphing remains the most reliable method. Start with a dry-dropper rig—a chubby Chernobyl on top with a PMD or caddis pupa below. For nymph rigs, pair a big girdle bug or stonefly nymph with a smaller caddis or BWO nymph. Streamers like articulated Dungeons, Sculpzillas, or classic woolly buggers are producing, especially when thrown tight to the banks and stripped back on the swing.

If you’re spinning, Fishin’ Time Colorado recommends an inline spinner (like a Panther Martin or Rooster Tail), a bubble-and-fly rig, or a dynamic paddletail swimbait. All are versatile and proven performers for Colorado trout. The Tasmanian Devil spoon is also a solid option for bigger browns and rainbows.

A couple of great spots to try today:
- The stretch just below Glenwood Springs—drift or wade the side seams and softer water.
- Upstream near State Bridge—focus on the banks and any slower pockets behind rocks or islands.
Both areas offer good access and a strong chance of connecting with feisty river trout.

That’s your Colorado River report for today. Thanks for tuning in and don’t forget to subscribe for all your fishing updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, anglers, artificial lure. Here with your Colorado River
fishing report for June eighteenth, twenty twenty five. Let's get
you dialed in for a day on the water. The
Colorado River is running heavy and brown after a surge
and runoff, with flos recently doubling from storms and snow melt.
According to Taylor Creek fly Shops, clarity is low think Browntown, USA,

(00:23):
but the river remains fishable, especially for those with patience
and willingness to target quality over quantity. Expect big water
that's ideal for drift boats, but weight anglers can still
find productive stretches along the edges and side channels. Weather
today is shaping up warm and mostly sunny, with a
passing cloud or two by late afternoon. Sunrise came at

(00:45):
five thirty four am, and you'll have daylight until sunset
at eight thirty four pm. Conditions will stay stable, though
keep an eye out for potential afternoon thundershowers that sometimes
roll through the valley this time of year. Recent catches
have included a healthy mix of rainbow and brown trout,
some pushing twenty inches or better. No surprise given the

(01:07):
river's reputation for quality fish. The rainbow trout are starting
to spawn. Remember to give those actively spawning fish a
break and respect the no fishing zones. Browns have been active,
especially on overcast days, and a few reports of big,
aggressive takes on streamers have come in from the Glenwood
Springs section and near State Bridge. This is a hatch

(01:30):
driven river and right now you'll find blue wing olive mayflies, BwOs, Cattis,
yellow sallies, and a handful of lingering salmon flies in
the upper stretches. Nymphing remains the most reliable method. Start
with a dry dropper rig a chubby chernobyl on top
with a PMD or Cattis pupa below. For nymph rigs,
pair a big girdle bug or stone fly nymph with

(01:52):
a smaller cattus or bwo nymph. Streamers like articulated dungeons, sculpzillas,
or classic woolye bubuggers are producing, especially when thrown tight
to the banks and strip back on the swing. If
you're spinning fish in time, Colorado recommends an inline spinner
like a panther martin or rooster tail, a bubble and
fly rig, or a dynamic paddletail swim bait. All are

(02:15):
versatile and proven performers for Colorado trout. The Tasmanian Devil
spoon is also a solid option for bigger browns and rainbows.
A couple of great spots to try today the stretch
just below Glenwood Springs. Drift or weigh the side seams
and softer water upstream near State Bridge. Focus on the
banks and any slower pockets behind rocks or islands. Both

(02:38):
areas offer good access and a strong chance of connecting
with feisty river trout. That's your Colorado River report for today.
Thanks for tuning in, and don't forget to subscribe for
all your fishing updates. This has been a quiet please production.
For more check out quiet please dot AI and that
is it for today. Hit the subscribe button and never

(02:59):
miss out. Keep those tips up and lines wet. This
has been a quite pleased production with the help of AI.
Thanks for listening.