Colorado Parshall Area
Fishing Report
UPDATED: 5/26/23
Flow: 1400 CFS downstream of Parshall
The Colorado River Between the towns of Kremmling, CO and Parshall, CO offers several public fishing accesses along U.S. Route 40. The river gradient is fairly mellow through out this section, and offers slow runs, gentle riffles, and deeper holes. This water is excellent for both nymph, and dry fly fishing. If you don’t see risers, then fish nymphs. Since this water is a little slower, and shallow in spots, a heavy rig is not usually needed.
Current Conditions:
RIVER FLOW (Cubic Feet Per Second:
Flows at Parshall are around 1400 cfs
WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F):
30’s-40’s
WATER CLARITY:
Clarity is off color with runoff conditions
CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:
| stonefly nymphs | Eggs | Baetis | caddis | midges | small fish, leeches, worms etc.
Flies to Try
Guides Choice Dozen $24.99
NYMPHS:
Pat's Rubber Leg's black, brown, or olive size 10 - 12 | San Juan Worm #12 | TDJ Golden Stone 12-16 | Tungsten Flashback CDC Pheasant Tail size 14-20 | Tungsten Hare's Ear size 16-18 | Egan's Jig Frenchie | Sparkle Wing RS2 grey or olive size 18-22 | Mercury Black Beauty size 18-22 | Zebra midge black or olive size 18-22 |
Dries:
| Parachute Adam's size 12-22 | Black Foam Caddis size 16-18 | Quigley's Film Critic BWO size 18-20 | Extended Body PMD size 16 | Extended Body parachute BWO size 18-22 | Matthew's Sparkle Dun BWO size 16-22 | Thorax BWO size 20-22 | Griffith's Gnat 18-22 | Morgan's CDC Midge size 20-22 |
Streamers:
Sculpzilla sunrise, olive, or black size 4-8 | Thin Mint size 2 - 6 | Articulated Goldie size 2 - 6 | Sparkle Minnow White or craw | Slump Busters olive or black size 4-6 | Bead Head Mini Leech olive/black, or wine size 8
Guide Tip of the Week:
Nymph rigs have been the most productive method to catch fish. You will find fish stacked in slow riffles and deep pools. On a good day (sunny and no wind) the dry fly fishing has been phenomenal. Try some tiny midge dries trailed behind a larger dry fly you can see like a Parachute Adams. Baetis, Stoneflies and Midges are all on the menu for the next couple weeks. Clarity may present issues at times on warmer days. Fish closer to Williams Fork confluence if water color becomes unfavorable.
It seems the lower half of Parshall is closed for stream restoration for the foreseeable future.
RIVER ACCESS
Also check out the Town of Silverthorne's Blue River Fishing Access Map