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Category
Fishing Information

Colorado River - Catamount to Dotsero

COLORADO BASIN Fishing Report
Rating
4/5
Flow
959 cfs
Wind
3 mph
Temperature
28 °F
Low/High
28/48
Weather @COLORADO BASIN - Updated March 28, 2024 - 1:06am by OpenWeather

Current River Flow Updates

Latest update: 10/23/23

Flows at Catamount Bridge are at 1240 CFS. Flows at Dotsero are 1550 CFS. This is a great section of river to both float and wade. Don't be afraid to use some flashier Streamer patterns and attractor nymphs. Double streamer rigs with two different colors/profiles can be an effective strategy. for your nymphing rigs try Stoneflies #8-14, Worms #10-12, Eggs #12-16, and Caddis Larva #14-18, as well as Midges/Baetis size #18-22 in dark or natural colors.

Historical River Flow

River Information

This stretch of the Colorado is a very popular area for anglers to frequent, and for good reasons. We consider the Middle Colorado to be from the town of Dotsero, up through the Gore Canyon. This stretch offers anglers a good variety of waters to fish and also includes some float fishing options. The Pumphouse access is certainly a favorite location of many and parking here and hiking up into the Gore Canyon can be a great way to spend the day- particularly when the Salmonfly hatch is going. The river is fairly good sized here and wading anglers will, for the most part, be relegated to the bank. In true freestone fashion, this stretch of river offers anglers a wide variety of ways to catch its Rainbow, Brown trout and Rocky Mountain Whitefish.

Seasonal Conditions

The middle portion of the Colorado is fishable year round and many of the same tactics used on the lower river will work here as wellt. Like most rivers around the state, Spring through Fall will be most productive when the wide variety of aquatic insects that live here are most active. Stoneflies are a major part of a trout’s diet and the river sees some terrific dry fly fishing in mid-summer with Golden Stoneflies and the ever popular Salmonflies. Caddis and a smattering of mayflies will typically be found throughout the summer as well. The colder months will primarily be a nymphing game. Fishing the slower, deep pockets very thoroughly and diligently will be productive through the winter. Considering the size of fish swimming in this stretch, spending a little time throwing a streamer will always be worth a try as well.

RECOMMENDED FLIES


Winter/Spring
: Midges, Baetis

Summer
: Mayflies, Caddis, Terrestrials, Stoneflies, Streamers

Fall
: Mayflies, Caddis, Terrestrials, Streamers

Additional River Information

Colorado River near Dotsero

COLORADO BASIN River Gauge View Detailed Information

  • Flow 959 cfs
  • Wind 3 mph
  • Temp 28 °F
  • High/Low 28/48

Colorado River at Catamount Bridge

COLORADO BASIN River Gauge View Detailed Information

  • Flow 624 cfs
  • Wind 3 mph
  • Temp 27 °F
  • High/Low 25/46

River access

The Colorado runs beneath State Highway 9 between Grand County Road 1 and Kremmling. A mile south of Kremmling, CR 1 also known as the Trough Road, heads west to State Bridge, about 25 miles away. The Trough Road follows the river much of that distance. At several points along the way anglers have access to public stretches of the stream. These spots include Pump House, the 3 miles below Ranch del Rio, state Bridge, Dotsero, and many exits through Glenwood Canyon.

Float Trip Options:
there are multiple putin's from Pumphouse downstream to Dotsero. All the floats vary in length, and the time it takes to do each section will depend on what the flows are at.

Pumphouse to Radium - 4 miles
Radium to Rancho Del Rio - 5 miles
Rancho Del Rio to Statebridge - 4 miles
Statebridge to Two Bridges - 4 miles
Two Bridges to Catamount - 10 miles
Catamount to Burns - 5 miles (private take-out)
Burns to Pinball (private put-in)
Pinball to Cottonwood - 14 miles
Cottonwood to Dotsero - 6 miles

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