Top 5 Colorado Rivers Fishing This Week | June 2026

The Arkansas River was flowing on the report date at 341 cfs (normal) with a falling trend. Flows were rated fishable on the report date. The Verdict: Excellent Conditions This week’s forecast shows temperatures ranging from 65-83°F. Calm winds make indicator nymphing more effective.

Insect Activity: Golden Stoneflies are wrapping up their run near Salida, but Yellow Sallies (#14-16) are picking up the slack and drawing fish to the surface through midday. Evening caddis activity is strengthening as flows drop to 341 cfs, making Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16) and LaFontaine’s Sparkle Pupa deadly from 5 PM onward. Fill in the midday lull with RS2 and Parachute Adams (#18-20) when trout key on spent PMDs in the slower runs.

Fishing approach: Study deeper runs and tailouts from a confirmed legal fishing position. Adjust depth and weight to the drift you can reach without an uncertain crossing.

Gear Tip: Start with a streamer rig in softer edges. Switch to a two-fly nymph rig and a yarn indicator as flows settle. A 9-foot 5X leader with light tippet keeps the rig natural in these flows.

Presentation: Start shallow, then add weight or depth as you move into deeper runs and pockets. Use longer drifts to cover tailouts and seam water.

The Arkansas River was flowing on the report date at 406 cfs (normal) with a falling trend. Flows were rated fishable on the report date. The Verdict: Excellent Conditions This week’s forecast shows temperatures ranging from 75-93°F. Calm winds make indicator nymphing more effective.

Insect Activity: Big Horn Sheep Canyon is seeing strong Yellow Sally (#14-16) activity in the morning hours, with fish porpoising in the slower canyon pools between boulders. LaFontaine’s Sparkle Pupa and Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16) are the evening tickets as caddis emergence fires along the canyon walls after 6 PM. When surface action goes quiet mid-morning, nymph a Squirmy Worm trailed by a Rainbow Warrior (#16-18) to pick off the mid-column fish holding in the heavy current seams.

Fishing approach: Look for reachable seams beside slower water. A controlled nymph drift can cover the holding lane without moving farther into the current.

Gear Tip: Start with a streamer rig in softer edges. Switch to a two-fly nymph rig and a yarn indicator as flows settle. A 9-foot 5X leader with light tippet keeps the rig natural in these flows.

Presentation: Start shallow, then add weight or depth as you move into deeper runs and pockets. Use longer drifts to cover tailouts and seam water.

The Clear Creek was flowing on the report date at 134 cfs (normal) with a rising trend. Flows were rated fishable on the report date. The Verdict: Excellent Conditions This week’s forecast shows temperatures ranging from 72-90°F. Calm winds make indicator nymphing more effective.

Insect Activity: Clear Creek’s caddis are in full swing with a strong Hydropsychidae hatch firing each afternoon and evening—Green Weenie (#14-16) and Caddis Larva fished near the bottom produce consistent takes all day. Surface action picks up as evening shade hits the canyon walls, where a LaFontaine’s Sparkle Pupa or Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16) swung lightly through a riffle draws aggressive strikes. Hare’s Ear Nymphs (#14-18) in olive and tan fill the gaps between hatches when trout aren’t visibly rising.

Fishing approach: Watch the pool edges before casting. Use a longer presentation when moving closer would disturb fish or require an uncertain route.

Gear Tip: Start with a streamer rig in softer edges. Switch to a two-fly nymph rig and a yarn indicator as flows settle. A 9-foot 5X leader with light tippet keeps the rig natural in these flows.

Presentation: Start shallow, then add weight or depth as you move into deeper runs and pockets. Use longer drifts to cover tailouts and seam water.

The Colorado River was flowing on the report date at 165 cfs (normal) with a rising trend. Flows were rated fishable on the report date. Water Temperature: 59°F (prime). The Verdict: Excellent Conditions This week’s forecast shows temperatures ranging from 59-77°F. Calm winds make indicator nymphing more effective.

Insect Activity: Byers Canyon is fishing its best of the year right now as flows settle to 165 cfs—Yellow Sallies (#14-16) are active along the canyon walls through mid-morning, and early PMD emergers are drawing subtle sips in the flat stretches from noon to 2 PM. Sparkle Dun and Klinkhammer Special patterns (#16-18) in pale yellow match the just-starting PMD hatch precisely. When the gusting WSW canyon winds pick up in the afternoon, tie on a Stimulator (#14) or Chernobyl Ant with a Caddis Larva dropper to cover terrestrial-hungry fish pinned against the canyon walls.

Fishing approach: Fish current breaks and shaded structure from an authorized position. Match the fly and presentation to the activity you observe.

Gear Tip: Start with a streamer rig in softer edges. Switch to a two-fly nymph rig and a yarn indicator as flows settle. A 9-foot 5X leader with light tippet keeps the rig natural in these flows.

Presentation: Start shallow, then add weight or depth as you move into deeper runs and pockets. Use longer drifts to cover tailouts and seam water.

The Colorado River Parshall was flowing on the report date at 282 cfs (normal) with a rising trend. Flows were rated fishable on the report date. The Verdict: Excellent Conditions This week’s forecast shows temperatures ranging from 59-77°F. Calm winds make indicator nymphing more effective.

Insect Activity: The Parshall section is entering peak streamer season as flows drop to 282 cfs and clearing water lets big browns key on baitfish—a Woolly Bugger or Zonker (#4-6) swung across the deeper runs is drawing aggressive takes from trophy fish. Evening caddis activity is excellent, with Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16) producing in the riffle tails as insects skitter across the surface at dusk. Yellow Sally stoneflies (#14-16) and Twenty Incher nymphs round out the daytime dry-dropper game in the broken pocket water above the TMA boundary.

Fishing approach: Give a promising seam several controlled drifts, then change depth or pattern. Moving farther along the bank requires a separately confirmed route.

Gear Tip: Start with a streamer rig in softer edges. Switch to a two-fly nymph rig and a yarn indicator as flows settle. A 9-foot 5X leader with light tippet keeps the rig natural in these flows.

Presentation: Start shallow, then add weight or depth as you move into deeper runs and pockets. Use longer drifts to cover tailouts and seam water.