Colorado Pumphouse Area
UPDATED: 10/07/2026
Flow: 330 cfs at Kremmling River Graph
Guide Tip of the Week:
Flows have been dropping this week, as less water is being released from Williamsfork, and Green Mountain Reservoirs. Experienced oarsmen can still float the river at these flows, but it will be very skinny. Pulling over and wade fishing can be effective at these flows. Concentrate on fishing riffles into shelf drop offs, or rapids with good current breaks like large boulders.
Also be on the look out for redds as we get into brown trout spawning season, and do not wade on, or fishing near them.
Current Conditions:
RIVER FLOW:
330 cfs
WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F):
50-60s
WATER CLARITY:
3 feet or more, barring heavy precipitation.
CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:
Small Fish | Leeches | Caddis Larva | Stonefly Nymphs | Midges | Baetis |
Flies to Try
NYMPHS:
| Black, olive, or coffee Pat's Rubber Legs size 10 - 14 | Mercer's poxyback Micro stone dark size 14-18 | TDJ Golden Stone size size 14-18 | Tungsten Flashback Pheasant Tail or Hare's Ear size 14-20 | Tungsten Sparkle wing RS2 grey or pearl 18-22 | Radiation Baetis Peacock 18-22 | Crystal Hunchback Baetis size 20-22 | Zebra midge black, or olive 18-22 | Chocolate Foam Wing size 18-22 |
DRIES:
| Copper Haze 14-16 | Cubby Chubby Black size 14 | Eagan’s Bionic Ant 2.0 brown 16 | Parachute Extended Body BWO size 16-22 | Antonio’s Adult BWO 19 | Morgan's CDC Midge 20-24 | Snowshoe Midge size 18-22 |
STREAMERS:
Baby Gonga in Brown Trout colors | Barely legal white/olive or grey/white | Sparkle Minnow sculpin, white, brownie, or craw | Home Invader tan or white | White Wooly Buggers size 8 - 12 | Articulated Goldie | Slump Buster olive/black, olive, and natural size 2-6 | Leeches in wine or black
Pump House Recreation Area offers campsites with amenities, fishing access, and boat ramps to the general public. For the wade fisherman Pumphouse holds miles of river both downstream, and upstream of the parking area. Downstream of the parking area the Colorado River winds through a large meadow, featuring braids, riffles, and undercut banks. Hiking upstream of the parking area will gradually lead the angler into the mighty Gore Canyon, which contains breathtaking spires, powerful rapids, and some first class trout fishing.
For the float fisherman Pumphouse is the first viable put in for angling on the Upper Colorado. Below Pumphouse there are miles upon miles of fishable river to be floated, and numerous boat ramps for loading and unloading.
The Colorado River in this area has very healthy and diverse aquatic insect life. Prominent hatches include Giant Golden Stoneflies, Salmonflies, Yellow Sallies, Skwala Stoneflies, PMDs, Red Quills, Baetis, Tricos, and midges. This diverse bug life provides the angler with both nymph, and dry fly fishing opportunities. Streamer fishing can also be a productive technique here, as the Colorado contains baitfish such as sculpin, whitefish, and juvenile trout.
Despite the low flows, The upper C is fishing surprisingly well. We have been finding fish on the good ole Pats Rubber legs, zebra midges and various Baetis nymphs. Throwing streamers off the boat is also a great call!
RIVER ACCESS
OTHER LOCATIONS
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