Late Fall Fishing on the Colorado River

Artificial Lure here, reporting from the banks of the Colorado River on Friday, November 21, 2025. It's another picturesque late fall morning—bluebird skies, crisp air, and the kind of scenery that makes you glad you brought an extra thermos of coffee. The sun rose at 6:53 a.m., and we're watching it paint the canyon walls with gold. Sunset will hit fast around 4:47 p.m., so plan your afternoon sessions accordingly. Weatherwise, we're seeing a cold start. Early morning temps hovered near 25°F, climbing to the low 40s by midday. Light winds out of the west and bright, clear skies—great for spotting and stalking fish, though the bite can be a little stubborn on these bluebird days. No precipitation in the forecast. Tides aren’t a major factor up here, but flows are—it’s a classic shoulder season pattern. According to the Snoflo Colorado River Flow Report, water at Lees Ferry is running average for late November, just shy of 9,500 cfs, with stable and clear conditions. That bodes well for both drift boaters and walk-waders, especially as water levels are predictable and access is solid. Now, the bite: if you’re looking for trout, you’re in luck. Rainbows and browns are most active in the cool, steady flows, especially near riffles and tailouts just below deep runs. Word is, according to local outfitters, several rainbows pushing 18–22 inches came to net this week, with browns in the 15–18 inch range mixed in. This is classic streamer and nymph season—think olive or black Woolly Buggers, small leeches, and egg patterns. For nymphing, go with a two-fly rig: a size 16–18 pheasant tail or zebra midge behind a larger stonefly or scud. Action often picks up after the sun warms the water a touch, so linger on those nymph runs later in the morning. If you’re after smallmouth or even a stray largemouth, focus on slower eddies, below rock piles, and backwater sloughs. Dean Rojas, who knows these waters well, swears by crawfish-pattern crankbaits this time of year, since bass tend to key in less on shad and more on bottom-hugging snacks as water temps drop. Vibration baits and chatterbaits fished with a lift-and-drop retrieve can get you that reaction bite, particularly in shallow rocky cover. Pike are quieter now, but a few reports of follows on big white streamers keep it interesting for folks tossing meat on a big rod. Recent catch reports point to a solid mixed bag on the lower stretches near Rifle—rainbows, browns, the odd cutbow, and smallmouth all in play. Clarity is good, so don’t be afraid to downsize your tippet if the fish get picky. If you're chasing numbers or looking to avoid crowds, hit the Cottonwood Island area above Grand Junction—plenty of good structure, deeper holding water, and a reliable late-season bite. Another hotspot is Pumphouse, where the river’s diversity and access shine brightest this time of year. The Farmers’ Almanac rates today’s fishing as "poor" in the evening, but I’ve seen enough over the years to know that if you This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.