Fly Fishing Colorado River - Below Glenwood Springs

The Colorado River below Glenwood Springs is where the river truly becomes a western powerhouse. Fed by the Roaring Fork River at Two Rivers Park, the Colorado nearly doubles in volume and flows wide and strong through a cottonwood-lined valley toward New Castle. This stretch holds big brown trout, rainbow trout, cutbows, and mountain whitefish averaging 14-16 inches, with legitimate trophy potential in the deeper runs and undercut banks that line this broad, fast-moving river.

From the Two Rivers Park boat ramp — the primary put-in — the river runs through a mix of public and private land with good access along Highway 6. South Canyon Creek access provides additional wade and float entry, and several Garfield County river parks between Glenwood Springs and New Castle offer bank access and take-out options. This is classic drift boat water, wide enough to row comfortably and deep enough to hide the river’s largest residents.

Spring fishing begins with midges and BWOs in March as flows build. The Roaring Fork confluence adds significant volume, and by late May the combined flows push past 3,000 cfs during runoff — streamer fishing and heavy nymph rigs in back eddies and slower side channels are the play during high water. As flows stabilize in late June, caddis hatches become prolific, and PMDs appear in the calmer flats and tailouts. Summer (July-August) brings excellent terrestrial fishing — hoppers and ants along grassy banks are highly productive, especially from a drift boat covering water that wade anglers can’t reach.

Fall is the prime season on this stretch. September and October bring stable flows, clear water, and aggressive brown trout moving into pre-spawn positions. BWOs and midges return on overcast afternoons, while streamer fishing in the deeper runs and undercut banks produces the biggest fish of the year. The lower elevation and Roaring Fork influence keep this section fishable well into November when upstream sections have shut down for winter.