Looking for the best fly fishing in Colorado today? We've got you covered. In this episode, we break down the hottest rivers to fish right now (April 28, 2025), with updated flow rates, current water clarity, and the exact flies you need to pack to have an epic day on the water.

We cover top rivers like:

• The Arkansas River near Salida (starting to see early caddis and fantastic flows for spring nymphing and dry fly action)

• The South Platte River at Deckers (clear water, perfect flows, and midges and BWOs hatching thick)

• The Gunnison River below Almont (Baetis mayhem happening midday, streamer eats possible too)

• Clear Creek west of Golden (near-perfect flows, easy access for Denver anglers)

• Bear Creek near Morrison (tight, technical, and producing for those willing to work the banks)

Hot Flies for Today:

• Griffith’s Gnat #20–22

• Juju Baetis #18

• Elk Hair Caddis #16

• RS2 Emergers #20

• Jigged Pheasant Tails #16

• Slumpbuster Streamers #8…and a few other sneaky patterns you'll want if flows or weather shift midday.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Where the flows are ideal and what rivers are blowing out

• How to adjust your fly selection based on afternoon vs morning conditions

• Why warmer days this week will turn rivers like the Arkansas and Gunnison into dry fly playgrounds

• Specific reach-by-reach notes (not just vague river names — real spots, real insights)

• Pro tips for fishing near Denver today if you’re short on time

Plus:
We’ll share why now is a critical time to fish before full runoff chaos hits Colorado rivers, and how the River Whisper App can give you real-time updates as conditions evolve throughout the day and week.

Need more fly fishing info for Colorado?
Check out more real-time river reports, hatch charts, hot flies, and fishing tips at RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com.

🎣 Whether you're chasing browns, rainbows, or just an afternoon away from the desk, this episode will have you dialed in on the best fly fishing Colorado has to offer right now.

April is a prime month for fly fishing in Deckers along the South Platte River, especially if you’re well-prepared. As we approach the week of April 21, 2025, there are several key factors to consider for a successful fishing experience. First, understanding the current river conditions is crucial. This week, flows are reported between 174 and 225 CFS (cubic feet per second), which can significantly influence access points and fish behavior. Higher flows can make certain areas more accessible while pushing fish into varied holding spots, so it's worth adjusting your strategy accordingly.Timing is everything when it comes to fly fishing. The ideal times to cast your line typically align with the activity of the insect hatches. This time of year, the Blue Winged Olive hatch is particularly active, meaning that having the right flies on hand is essential. Top patterns that have proven effective include RS2s, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Zebra Midges, Barr’s Emergers, and Parachute Adams. Each of these flies mimics the natural food sources that trout are feeding on right now, increasing your chances of a catch.When constructing your fishing setup for spring, consider using two-fly rigs or dry-dropper configurations, which allow you to cover more water effectively. Additionally, there will be moments when streamers can work wonders, especially when targeting more aggressive fish. Access points are also critical; the recommended spots this week are Deckers Bridge, Trumbull pullouts, Schoolhouse, and Scraggy View. Each of these locations offers unique opportunities and challenges, providing various environments to explore and increase your chances for success.Beyond just the fly and setup, gear selection in April plays a vital role in your fishing experience. Pay attention to tippet selection as well: using 5X and 6X tippet can adjust your approach depending on the visibility conditions and the size of the flies you're using. Finally, nymphing strategy takes center stage as we discuss how time of day affects fish behavior and where they might be holding as the spring flows push food through the river system. By understanding the flow patterns and fish movements, you can position yourself more effectively for those bites.For anyone eager to enhance their spring fly fishing skills, this episode is packed with insights and strategies. It’s part of a larger series in the Rise Beyond Fly Fishing podcast, which not only brings you weekly river reports for Deckers and other popular Colorado fishing locations but also features insights from local anglers and guides who know the waters intimately. Be sure to hit follow for continuous updates to keep your fishing game strong!

The Yampa River near Steamboat Springs is heating up, and so is the spring fly fishing. If you're fishing in or around the Yampa Valley this April, this episode is your full tactical download.

We cover:

• Current flows between 600–800 CFS and how that affects clarity, wading, and fish movement

• Which hatches are happening now: Blue Winged Olives, early Caddis, and midges

• Top fly patterns for April including Barr’s Emergers, Elk Hair Caddis, RS2s, and Mini Leeches

• How to rig for success — double nymph rigs vs dry-dropper setups

• The best times of day to fish based on sunlight, water temp, and insect activity

Plus:

• The top access points near Steamboat: Rotary Park, Fetcher Park, and the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area

• A breakdown of the best spots for streamer fishing deep runs

• A side-by-side comparison of this stretch of the Yampa vs Stagecoach and tailwater alternatives

Whether you’re hiking in before work, planning a spring weekend trip, or guiding new anglers, this episode is loaded with actionable tips to make the most of your time on the Yampa.

Brought to you by Rise Beyond Fly Fishing, this podcast is designed for modern anglers who want up-to-date river conditions, fly pattern insights, gear tips, and honest info from those on the water.

🎧 Subscribe for weekly reports on Colorado’s best rivers.

Looking for a dialed-in fly fishing report for Waterton Canyon? This episode breaks down the April 2025 conditions on one of the most technical and rewarding stretches of the South Platte River, just outside of Denver, Colorado.

We cover:

• Flow conditions (currently 45–60 CFS)

• Water clarity and temperature trends

• The best times of day to fish in April

• Current Blue Winged Olive hatch windows

• What flies to use (like RS2s, Zebra Midges, and Mini Leeches)

• The best access points from the trailhead to Mile 5

• A quick gear breakdown for success (leader length, tippet, and more)

Whether you're heading out solo or want to prep before guiding a buddy, this episode gives you everything you need to succeed on one of the South Platte’s clearest and most technical tailwaters.

Plus:

• When to bike in vs hike in

• How Waterton stacks up against Deckers and Cheesman Canyon

• Why stealth fishing is critical and how to do it

This is part of our weekly series of Colorado fly fishing reports built for the modern angler — paired with gear tips and real-time strategies from Rise Beyond Fly Fishing.

🎧 Hit play. Tight lines. Trout await.

Looking for a dialed-in fly fishing report for Waterton Canyon? This episode breaks down the April 2025 conditions on one of the most technical and rewarding stretches of the South Platte River, just outside of Denver, Colorado.

We cover:

• Flow conditions (currently 45–60 CFS)

• Water clarity and temperature trends

• The best times of day to fish in April

• Current Blue Winged Olive hatch windows

• What flies to use (like RS2s, Zebra Midges, and Mini Leeches)

• The best access points from the trailhead to Mile 5

• A quick gear breakdown for success (leader length, tippet, and more)

Whether you're heading out solo or want to prep before guiding a buddy, this episode gives you everything you need to succeed on one of the South Platte’s clearest and most technical tailwaters.

Plus:

• When to bike in vs hike in

• How Waterton stacks up against Deckers and Cheesman Canyon

• Why stealth fishing is critical and how to do it

This is part of our weekly series of Colorado fly fishing reports built for the modern angler — paired with gear tips and real-time strategies from Rise Beyond Fly Fishing.

🎧 Hit play. Tight lines. Trout await.

If you're planning to fish the Colorado River near Grand Junction this April, this podcast is your real-time river rundown for early spring success. From Palisade to Connected Lakes and all the seams in between, this stretch of the Colorado is waking up—and so are the trout. With flows in the 1,000–1,400 CFS range and hatches ramping up, we’re entering one of the most productive windows before full runoff hits. Whether you're wading the back channels or floating the Kokopelli stretch, we’ve got everything you need to know to fish smarter—not harder.

🎧 In this episode, we dive into:

✅ Current River Conditions
• Flows: 1,000–1,400 CFS and slowly rising with spring melt
• Water Temps: 50–55°F
• Clarity: Clear in the morning, slightly tinted by afternoon
• Wind: Mild in the mornings, gusty later in the day
• Best Fishing Times: Late morning to mid-afternoon, especially during BWO activity

✅ What’s Hatching Now
• Midges: Still active, especially early and late in the day
• Blue Winged Olives: Prime time—look for hatches between 11 AM–2 PM, especially on cloudy days
• Caddis: Just starting to make an appearance, mostly lower in the system
We’ll tell you when and where to target these hatches and which patterns are converting best.

✅ Top Fly Patterns
• Dry: Blue Wing Olive Parachute (#18–22)
• Nymph: JuJu Baetis (#18–20), Zebra Midge (#20–24), and Pat’s Rubber Legs (#10–12)
• Streamer: Sparkle Minnow and Olive Slump Buster – fished slow and deep near structure
We cover how to rig for each tactic and what gear will give you the edge.

✅ Access Point Deep Dive
• Connected Lakes State Park: Great wade access, perfect for sight-fishing and slow water seams
• Corn Lake: Awesome for both boat launches and bank fishing. Diverse water types from riffles to deep eddies
• Palisade Riverfront Trail: Less pressured water, especially in the early morning. BWOs love it here
We break down what each section offers, how to fish it, and when to hit each spot for maximum results.

✅ 🔥 Hot Spots Unlocked
• Confluence Pool near Riverbend Park – stealthy dry-dropper gold
• East Orchard Mesa Back Channel – BWO emergences and spooky risers
• Below the 29 Road Bridge – textbook nymph water with dependable trout holding patterns

✅ Tactical Tips for April Fishing
• Use 4X–5X fluorocarbon to handle changing clarity
• Fish long leaders when dry-fly fishing slow water seams
• Target transitional zones where fast water meets slow for your best shot at active trout
• Streamer retrieves should be slow and deliberate—trout are feeding, not chasing

✅ Regulations & River Etiquette
We cover landowner boundaries, local city/county park guidelines, public access zones, and why this is a great time to go catch-and-release only.

🎯 Perfect for:
• DIY anglers visiting western Colorado
• Locals planning their weekend on the water
• Floaters and waders alike looking to fish with purpose
• Anyone tired of vague, outdated shop reports—this is the no-fluff version

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🎣 For more reports like this, head to RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com for real-time river conditions, hatch charts, fly picks, and expert advice across Colorado’s top trout waters.

🎧 Hit play, tie one on, and rise beyond.

Welcome to the Rise Beyond Fly Fishing Podcast — your no-B.S. guide to Colorado’s most iconic waters. This week, we’re diving deep into the April fly fishing conditions on the Blue River, from the tailwater below Dillon Dam in Silverthorne all the way down to the inlet of Green Mountain Reservoir.

Whether you're chasing picky tailwater rainbows on mysis shrimp or hunting wild browns in the pocket water below, the Blue demands a technical approach — and this episode breaks it all down.

🎯 In This Episode:

• April conditions update: flows, temps, clarity & wind

• Real-time hatch report (Midges, Baetis, and early Caddis)

• Top 3 flies for the week (with exact sizes and how to fish them)

• Section-by-section access with 🔥 hot spot callouts

• Local regulations, landowner tips, and fly shop-free honesty

• When to bring the 5X and when to bring patience instead

We also highlight recent Blue River conservation projects, including the efforts of:

• Blue River Watershed Group

• Colorado Trout Unlimited - Gore-Ten Mile Chapter

• Town of Silverthorne Recreation

This is the episode for you if:✅ You’ve been burned by the Blue before and want redemption
✅ You’re tired of fly shops feeding you fluff to sell $400 rods
✅ You want to fish smart, fish light, and maybe even out-fish the guy in Patagonia head-to-toe

We’ll walk through each stretch:

• Silverthorne Public Access — mysis shrimp city and risers on cloudy days

• Blue River State Wildlife Area — deeper runs, fewer crowds

• Green Mountain Inlet — pre-spawn fish and streamer potential

✨ Stealth, small bugs, and timing are everything this month. If you’ve got the patience, the Blue will reward you with gorgeous, hard-fighting trout and solitude just minutes off the highway.

🎣 Mentioned Gear:

• Zebra Midge (#20–24)

• RS2 (#20–22)

• Blue Wing Olive (#18–20)

• Mini Leech Streamers (#10–12)

• Shop these flies at RiseBeyondFlyFishing.shop

🚗 Access Maps & Photos:
Visit the full blog report at RiseBeyondFlyFishing.shop

In this episode of Rise Beyond Fly Fishing, we share 16 essential fly patterns and expert hacks for tackling the Colorado River. From iconic tailwaters to wild stretches, the Colorado River offers a diverse and rewarding fly fishing experience.

Tune in to learn:

• The must-have flies for different sections of the Colorado River
• Seasonal strategies for choosing and fishing these patterns
• Insider hacks for improving your presentation and technique
• Tips for navigating this legendary river and finding the best spots

📲 Follow us for more fly fishing insights and tips:
Website: RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com
Instagram: @RiseBeyondFlyFishing

Whether you’re planning your first trip or refining your strategy, this episode has everything you need to make the most of the Colorado River.

If you're heading to the Colorado River near Kremmling this April, this is the real-time river report you need in your ears before you wade, float, or swing your first fly. From Pumphouse through Radium to State Bridge, this section of the Upper Colorado is fishing strong as spring hatches begin to ramp up. Flows are holding in the 850–950 CFS range, clarity is good, and fish are feeding actively on midges, Blue Winged Olives, and early stonefly nymphs. Whether you're walking the banks with a hopper-dropper or launching the raft for a full-day float, this episode gives you a full tactical breakdown of what’s working now.

🎧 In this report, we cover:

✅ Current Conditions:
• Flows at 850–950 CFS
• Water temps from 42–46°F
• Mild wind, great clarity, and steady afternoon activity
• Moderate pressure—weekends busier than weekdays

✅ Hatch Activity & Timing:
• Midges (all day) – great for early morning action
• BWOs – popping around 11 AM–2 PM, especially on cloudy days
• Early stoneflies – no adult hatches yet, but nymphs are moving
We cover fly selection, leader/tippet strategy, and how to read water in April when trout are shifting out of their winter lies.

✅ Top Fly Patterns for April:
• Nymph: Pat’s Rubber Legs (#10–12), RS2 (#20–22), Zebra Midge (#20–24)
• Dry: Blue Wing Olive Comparadun (#18–22), Parachute Adams (#18–20)
• Streamer: Slump Buster (#8–10), Olive Mini Dungeons, Sparkle Minnows
You’ll learn how to fish each fly type depending on time of day, light conditions, and flow clarity.

✅ Access Points & Where to Fish:
We break down the river mile by mile, highlighting:
• Pumphouse Recreation Area – great walk-wade water and launch point
• Radium Campground – ideal for soft seam targeting and emerging BWOs
• Sheephorn Creek Confluence – underrated structure and productive nymph water
Plus, we give you three hot spots: where to find risers, where streamers produce, and where to get away from crowds.

✅ Techniques for Success:
• How to rig your nymph setup for fast and slow water transitions
• What streamer retrieves are working (hint: swing-and-hold beats strip-and-rip right now)
• Where to find trout holding zones between riffles, runs, and tailouts as water warms

✅ Regulations & Etiquette:
We touch on private land concerns, high-water mark laws, barbless hook use, and recommended conservation practices for this heavily-fished but resilient section of the Colorado River.

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🎯 This episode is perfect for:
• Local anglers looking to get the most out of a weekend trip
• DIY visitors planning a float or walk-in trip near Kremmling
• Fly fishers seeking real conditions—not vague shop talk
Whether you're swinging streamers at dawn or sight-casting midges at lunch, this episode helps you fish with purpose, insight, and confidence.

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🎣 Get more no-fluff, real-time Colorado river reports at RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com, and follow us on Spotify for new weekly conditions, hatch info, and expert breakdowns for fly fishers across the Rockies.

🎧 Hit play, tighten your loop, and rise beyond.