Fly Fishing Colorado River - Hot Sulfur/Byers Canyon

Overview

The Colorado River from Windy Gap through Hot Sulphur Springs and Byers Canyon to the Williams Fork confluence combines meadow runs with narrow canyon water. Lodgepole pine lines the steeper slopes, while cottonwoods and willows border the wider reaches. Brown and rainbow trout inhabit riffles, undercut banks and deeper boulder pockets, offering places to work nymphs or follow surface feeding during a hatch.

Seasonal Fishing

From April through June, rising snowmelt changes the pace and clarity of the river, bringing caddis and stonefly activity, with trout holding in current seams along gravel bars and the softer edges of fast runs. Tight-line nymphing with pheasant tail and zebra midge patterns in early morning can cover feeding lanes, while dry-dropper rigs under hatch clouds cover fish feeding near the surface. As summer settles in (July–August), hopper and terrestrial patterns become effective along sandy eddies near Lone Buck Recreation Area, and mayflies emerge under the afternoon sun, drawing trout from deep canyon pools into shallow riffles. Fall (September–October) sees stable flows under golden cottonwoods and aspen groves, with midge clouds and late-season blue-winged olives making tight-line nymph rigs and small dry flies useful over pocket water near the Williams Fork confluence. In winter, focus on slower pools and deeper runs where open water and local conditions allow fishing.

Access

Paul F. Gilbert Fishing Area has designated parking beside the Colorado River. Drive three miles west of Hot Sulphur Springs on US 40, then turn south at the west end of the river bridge into the fishing area.