Upper Colorado: Below Granby to Hot Sulphur Springs
Upper Colorado: Below Granby to Hot Sulphur Springs — Fishing Report for April 24, 2026
Quick Stats
Flow: 79 CFS | Trend: Stable | Fishability: Fair | Weather: Sunny, High 54°F
The Bite
With snowpack sitting at just 19% of normal across the Colorado headwaters basin, this is shaping up to be one of the mildest runoff years in recent memory — and that's genuinely good news for anglers. The river is running crystal clear at 79 CFS and 43°F, right at the lower edge of the fishable band. The low flows mean fish are concentrated in the deeper pools and undercut banks rather than spread across the full channel, which actually makes them easier to locate. Pressure them carefully — in this much water clarity, they'll see you coming.
Today's sunny skies are a mixed blessing. BWOs prefer overcast conditions and typically produce their densest hatches on grey afternoons, so expect a lighter, more scattered emergence today — probably between 1 and 4 PM as temperatures peak. That said, fish will still look up. Midges should be active through the late morning, and with warm midday temperatures, keep an eye out for Skwala stoneflies crawling on sun-warmed rocks near the water. A size 8-10 Skwala dry fished along grassy banks and undercut edges could draw aggressive takes from browns that are actively hunting larger food before runoff arrives.
The low-snowpack year means the runoff pulse will likely be shorter and less severe than normal — but Sunday's forecast of rain and snow showers could nudge flows upward by early next week. Fish this weekend while the water stays gin-clear. A little color in the water actually works in your favor for dry fly fishing, but right now the conditions favor precise presentations and light tippet.
What to Fish
- Parachute BWO #18-20 — Primary afternoon dry. Dead-drift through the slower tailouts and along foam lines during the hatch window.
- Sparkle Dun BWO #18 — Excellent emerger pattern when fish are sipping just subsurface. Trail 12" behind the Parachute Adams as a tandem dry.
- Skwala Dry #8-10 — Fish this along undercut banks and grassy meadow bends midday. Worth a shot before the BWO hatch fires.
- RS2 (olive) #20-22 — Morning nymph anchor. Fish it on a drag-free drift through the deeper slots and pool tailouts.
- San Juan Worm (red) #14 — Reliable all-day producer near the bottom. Pair it as the point fly with an RS2 or Pheasant Tail trailing 14" above.
- Scud (orange/pink) #16 — Work this along weed beds and slower runs near structure. Effective throughout the day.
Tactics & Rigging
With flows this low and water this clear, stealth is your most important tool. Wade slowly, stay low on the bank where you can, and approach pools from downstream. For the morning, rig a double-nymph setup with a San Juan Worm on point and an RS2 or small Pheasant Tail #16-18 trailing 14" above it — add enough split shot to tick the bottom in the deeper runs. Use 5X fluorocarbon to the first fly and drop to 6X for the trailer. Fish the seams where fast water meets slow, and let the rig ride naturally through the full length of each pool.
When the afternoon hatch window opens, switch to a tandem dry setup: a Parachute BWO #18 as your lead fly with a Sparkle Dun or CDC emerger trailed 12" behind on 6X. In this low, clear water, 7X is worth considering if fish are refusing. Focus your casts on the slower tailouts and any foam lines collecting emergers — that's where the fish will be sipping. If you spot Skwalas on the rocks midday, tie on a size 8-10 Skwala dry on 5X and work the bank structure before the BWO hatch takes over.
Access & Logistics
US-40 parallels the river through the Parshall area with multiple pulloffs providing easy access. At 79 CFS, wading is straightforward — this is gentle meadow water with a low gradient. Crowds should be light today, though the weekend may bring more pressure as word spreads about the pre-runoff conditions. Verify current regulations with CPW before fishing — portions of this section near Parshall carry Gold Medal artificial-only restrictions, and boundaries matter.
Stop by Cutthroat Anglers in Silverthorne for flies, local intel, and to support the shops that keep these fisheries healthy.
Looking Ahead
Enjoy the clear water this weekend — Sunday's rain and snow showers could push flows up slightly and add a touch of color by early next week, which may actually improve dry fly fishing as fish drop their guard. With a light snow year in the basin, the runoff window should be shorter than normal, potentially keeping this section fishable well into May.