Early Spring Colorado River: BWOs and Browns Waking Up - March 23 Update

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for all things fishin' on the Colorado River here in Colorado. It's Monday mornin', March 23, 2026, and we're kickin' off the week with some prime early spring action despite that low snowpack got folks talkin' drought. No tides up here in the Rockies, but river flows are steady—think 100-150 cfs in spots like the Dream Stream section off the South Platte system, perfect for wadin' without gettin' swept.

Weather's lookin' golden: clear skies overnight with lows dippin' to 25-35°F, warmin' up to sunny highs in the 60s today. West winds 10-15 mph pickin' up afternoon, so bundle early and watch for gusts. Sunrise hits around 7:15 AM, sunset 'bout 7:30 PM—plenty of daylight to chase 'em.

Fish are wakin' up! Browns and rainbows are poddin' in deeper pools and riffles, with some big residents and even Kokanee pushin' up from reservoirs. Recent reports from South Platte Fly Shop say excellent nymphin' from 11 AM-3 PM as water temps climb to high 30s°F. Hatches are poppin': heavy Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs), tiny midges, Tricos at dawn, caddis evenin'. Anglers pullin' limits—dozens of trout per outing on non-windy days. Surface risers key on midges and BWOs late afternoon.

Best lures? Go subsurface with BWO emergers, baetis nymphs, red/black/olive midge larva, black pheasant tails, mini leeches, or San Juan worms. Trail a Rs2 or Trico spinner. Dry fly: caddis or hopper with Trico dropper. Fluorocarbon 5x-6x tippet, long leaders—technical fish right now. Live bait? Worms or salmon eggs if regs allow, but artificials rule tailwaters.

Hot spots: Hit the Dream Stream below Spinney—fish banks, seams, deeper holes. Or try riffles near Eleven Mile Reservoir for sight fishin' those redds (step light, spawners active).

Get out there before crowds thicken—mornin' and evenin' best. Tight lines!

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI