Williams Fork: Below Williams Fork Reservoir
Williams Fork Tailwater — Fishing Report for April 24, 2026
Quick Stats
Flow: 152 CFS | Trend: Stable | Fishability: Fair | Weather: Sunny, High 53°F
The Bite
With every freestone in Grand County starting to color up and push toward runoff, the Williams Fork is doing exactly what it does best — holding clear, cold, and fishable while everything else goes sideways. At 152 CFS, flows are right at the upper edge of the fishable window, which means wading will feel a bit pushy in the faster runs and presentation angles matter more than usual. The good news: dam filtration keeps clarity excellent regardless of reservoir inflows, and stable releases mean fish aren't displaced or stressed.
Today's sunny skies and a high of 53°F set up a classic spring afternoon window. The BWO-midge overlap that defines April on this river should fire between noon and 4 PM — look for subtle sipping rises in the slower pools and tailouts as cloud shadows roll through. Morning sessions are better suited to nymphing; the cold overnight low (28°F tonight) will keep water temps on the lower end of the seasonal range through mid-morning, and surface activity is unlikely before 11 AM. Water temps aren't available from this gauge today, so watch fish behavior as your real-time thermometer — if they're tight to the bottom and unresponsive, give it another hour before switching to dries.
One note on the broader picture: snowpack across the Colorado headwaters basin is running well below normal this year — roughly 19% of average — which means the spring runoff pulse will likely be shorter and milder than usual. That's actually good news for the Williams Fork's shoulder season; expect flows to stabilize earlier than a typical year rather than pushing higher through May.
What to Fish
- San Juan Worm (red or wine) #12-14 — anchor point for a morning nymph rig; let it drag-free along the bottom through deeper runs
- Ray Charles (scud) #16 — trail 12–16" behind the worm; fish near weed beds and slower current seams
- Juju Baetis #20-22 — swap in as the dropper once you start seeing BWO shucks or early risers around midday
- Sparkle Dun BWO #18-20 — top dry fly choice for the afternoon hatch; low-profile and deadly in flat, clear water
- Griffith's Gnat #18-20 — when fish are keying on midges or sipping in a mixed hatch, this is your fallback dry
- RS2 (gray) #20-22 — effective as a midge emerger dropper below a Parachute Adams when surface activity is scattered
Tactics & Rigging
For the morning, rig a San Juan Worm on point with a Ray Charles or Juju Baetis trailing 14" above on 5X fluorocarbon. Add enough split shot to keep the rig ticking bottom through the deeper pools — at 152 CFS, the current has more push than usual and you'll need to stay in contact. Focus on the inside seams and slower water along cut banks where fish can hold without fighting the flow.
When the hatch comes on, switch to a single Sparkle Dun BWO on 6X fluorocarbon and work rising fish with a reach cast to avoid drag on this clear, flat water. If you're seeing mixed midge-BWO activity, try a Parachute Adams in #18 as your anchor dry with an RS2 dropped 16" below on 6X — the Adams floats well enough to support the small nymph and gives you a visible indicator in low light. Stealth is everything on this intimate water; approach rising fish from downstream and keep your silhouette low.
Access & Logistics
Plan on roughly a mile walk in from the trailhead — that hike is what keeps pressure light and the experience quality high. Wading will be manageable but watch your footing in the faster runs at current flows; felt soles or studs are worth it. The trail and access areas should be in good shape given the dry conditions this spring.
Stop by Riverside Anglers in Parshall for current flies, local intel, and to support the shops that keep these fisheries healthy.
Looking Ahead
Saturday brings a slight chance of thunderstorms and Sunday looks wetter with rain and snow showers likely by Sunday night — that cloud cover could actually extend the BWO window and improve dry fly conditions if you can work around the precipitation. Flows should remain stable through the weekend given dam-controlled releases, but verify conditions before heading out.