At Colorado Angling Company, we're on the water 24/7, 365 days a year!
No matter the season, there's always incredible fishing to be had on our rivers. The action never stops, with no closed seasons to hold you back.
Dec, Jan, Feb
Winter
Winter fly fishing in Colorado offers a unique and thrilling experience. During these months, midges and baetis take center stage, with midges reigning as the kings of winter bugs. While nymphing and sub-surface fishing are popular techniques, the afternoons bring some exceptional dry fly hatches that provide an exciting challenge.
One of our favorite winter activities is the Ski n' Fish or the “Double Dip.” Start your day with early morning groomer runs on Vail or Beaver Creek Mountain, then join us in the afternoon for an unforgettable fishing session under the sunshine. February and March often bring temperatures in the 50s, making it the perfect time to combine a day of skiing and fishing.
In winter, trout tend to gather in deeper, slower pools, so once our expert guides put you on the fish, you’re likely to hook several throughout the day. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, winter fishing in Colorado can be spectacular, offering both a serene environment and some impressive catches.
Mar, Apr, May
Spring
Spring in Colorado is a fly fisher’s dream, as it marks the much-anticipated “ice-off” season, signaling the start of some of the most underrated fishing of the year. This is when the river comes back to life, and after a long winter spent in slower pools, trout begin to move into faster, shallower waters, feeding aggressively on the abundant new insect life hatching with the rising river temperatures.
In March and April, the blue-wing olives (also known as baetis) hatch in impressive numbers on the Eagle and Roaring Fork Rivers, offering exciting dry fly opportunities. After a slow winter, the trout are eager to feast on these smaller insects. Streamer fishing also picks up significantly, as fish move into ambush zones, hunting for sculpin and baby trout. This is the perfect time for trophy hunters, particularly on float trips on the Roaring Fork and lower Colorado Rivers.
May ushers in the legendary "Mother’s Day" caddis hatch, marking the beginning of the larger dry fly hatches that dominate the coming months. But the true highlight of spring is the salmon fly hatch. The last week of May through the first week of June is when the Upper Colorado River comes alive with these giant insects, and the trout follow suit. This is one hatch every angler should experience—it’s a moment I personally mark on my calendar every year!
Jun, Jul, Aug
Summer
Summer is prime-time for fly fishing in Colorado, offering the best conditions and the most abundant bug life of the entire season. It’s also the busiest time on the river, but for good reason—the fishing is at its peak.
During June and July, we spend the majority of our time on the Eagle River, starting with an epic caddis hatch, followed by yellow sallies and PMDs. CAC’s private takeout on the Eagle is in the heart of Colorado’s best dry fly fishing, making these months some of the most exciting of the year. As the Eagle’s flow drops and we’re unable to float, we shift to the Upper Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, continuing the pursuit of surface-feeding trout and the bugs they’re after.
In July and August, caddis, PMDs, and Tricos keep the dry fly action going, while terrestrials like grasshoppers, beetles, and flying ants start to capture the fish's attention. These larger, high-flying insects offer an exciting opportunity to target big, surface-feeding trout with some exhilarating dry fly action.
With long days, warm weather, and a river teeming with life, summer is a time to embrace the full spectrum of fly fishing in Colorado.
Sep, Oct, Nov
Fall
Fall is the time to embrace big bugs and big fish in Colorado. As the temperatures cool and the water conditions change, streamers and hoppers become the go-to options for targeting trophy-sized trout. The Roaring Fork River is often the most consistent for solid action, while both the Upper and Lower Colorado Rivers deliver some of the largest fish of the season.
Streamers are incredibly effective throughout September, October, and November, with the cooler weather encouraging fish to feed aggressively. Terrestrials, like grasshoppers, are still on the menu until mid-October, along with blue wings and Tricos offering great dry fly opportunities on the surface.
As we move into November, the fishing takes a turn toward the exceptional, with the Lower Colorado providing some of the year’s best opportunities for catching large rainbow trout. A late fall day filled with sunshine, particularly around Newcastle, is the perfect setting for hooking your biggest rainbow of the season.
Fall in Colorado is a time to chase big, hungry fish and enjoy the beauty of the changing season, all while casting streamers, terrestrials, and hatching insects.