Top 3 Flies for the Colorado & Roaring Fork This Week

By Trent Jones – Glenwood Springs Outdoors

What's up guys, it's Trent Jones with Glenwood Springs Outdoors, and these are my three favorite flies for the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River this week. Flows are changing daily, water temps are climbing, and fish are definitely starting to key in on more consistent food sources. If you're heading out this week, these are the patterns I'd make sure are in your box.

1. Black Woolly Bugger – Streamer Bite Has Been Solid

I know the black woolly bugger is old school, but there's a reason it's been around forever — it flat out catches fish. This week, size 4 through size 8 has been putting some serious fish in the net on both the Colorado and the Roaring Fork.

With runoff starting to stain certain sections of river, darker streamers are giving fish a strong silhouette in the water. The black woolly bugger does a great job imitating everything from leeches to baitfish, and bigger trout have been reacting aggressively to it.

We've been seeing the best success fishing it:

• Tight to the banks
• Around slower seams and softer water
• On cloudy afternoons and lower light conditions

If you're looking to move a bigger fish right now, don't overlook this pattern.

2. Corn Fed Caddis – Afternoon Dry Fly Action

For dry flies, the corn fed caddis has easily been my go-to in the afternoons when fish start looking up. The size 16 with the black body has been absolutely crushing some big heads this week.

As water temperatures warm through the afternoon, we're seeing more consistent caddis activity, especially on slower riffles and softer edges. Fish have been feeding confidently during these windows, and this fly has been getting eats from some quality trout.

Best conditions for this fly:

• Midday into late afternoon
• Slightly slower riffles
• Cloud cover or warmer afternoons
• Fish actively rising

If you start seeing noses poke through the surface, this is the first fly I'd tie on.

3. Hare's Ear Gold Rib – Consistent Nymphing All Day

As far as nymphs go, the hare's ear gold rib in sizes 12 through 16 has been producing fish all day long. This fly is just one of those confidence patterns that continues to work no matter the conditions.

The buggy profile and natural coloration imitate a wide range of subsurface insects, making it one of the most versatile flies you can fish this time of year. Whether you're running it under an indicator or as part of a double nymph rig, it's been consistently getting the job done.

We've had the best luck fishing it:

• Deep runs and transition water
• Under a heavier attractor fly
• Tight to the bottom
• During slower morning periods before dry fly activity starts

If you just want steady action throughout the day, it's hard to beat.

Stop By the Shop

If you need flies, river updates, or want to know what sections have been fishing best lately, stop by Glenwood Springs Outdoors in Glenwood Springs. We'll get you dialed in for the week ahead.

We'll catch you guys next week with another fly report.