Colorado Pumphouse Area
UPDATED: 4/18/26
Flow: 450 cfs at Kremmling River Graph
Guide Tip of the Week:
The Colorado River at Pumphouse has seen an increase in flows due to bumps in the Lower Blue, Muddy Creek, and William’s Fork upstream. If you planned on floating, be aware that flows are still very low for this time of year so plan accordingly. We have been seeing some BWO's and caddis hatches recently, but nymph rigs are going to be the most productive way to catch fish. Small stoneflies, egg patterns, and leeches will be good attractors with small baetis and caddis pupa being the most productive as your smaller nymph.
Current Conditions:
RIVER FLOW:
450 cfs
WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F):
45-55
WATER CLARITY:
Clear unless rain or very warm temperatures are in the forecast
CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:
Small Fish, Leeches, 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 | Squirmy Worms | Chronic Caddis Tan or olive 14-16 | Sparkle wing RS2 grey or olive size 18-22 | Zebra midge black, or olive 18-22 | Chocolate Foam Wing size 18-22 |
DRIES:
Parawulff PMD 16| Sparkle Dun PMD 18| Copper Haze 14| Parachute Adam's size 12-22 | Elk Hair Caddis size 12-18, olive, brown, or yellow | Extended Body PMD #16 | Reed's Rogue Chubby 6-10 | Parachute Extended Body BWO size 16-22 | CDC Baetis Dun size 18-22 | 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.
RIVER ACCESS
OTHER LOCATIONS
Weather data provided by 
