Colorado River - Below Shadow Mnt Reservoir | Overview
Just below Shadow Mountain Reservoir, the Colorado River begins its journey as one of the West’s most iconic waterways. In this upper section near Granby, the river flows clear and cold, fed by releases from the reservoir and the surrounding snowmelt of the Rockies. It’s a diverse and productive stretch of water, offering everything from riffles and pocket water to deep, slow pools that hold strong, healthy trout. This section of the Colorado is home to impressive brown and rainbow trout populations, with fish that grow fat on a steady diet of midges, mayflies, caddis, and the occasional terrestrial. The mix of public access points and scenic meadow settings makes it one of Grand County’s must-fish destinations, especially during late spring and early fall when flows and clarity align perfectly.
Colorado River - Below Shadow Mnt Reservoir – Discharge (CFS)
Current Conditions
March 2026: Flows below Shadow Mountain Reservoir remain low, but this stretch is now largely ice free compared to earlier in the winter. Fishing here continues to be fairly technical due to the low water and clear conditions, so expect to work a bit for your fish. Trout are mostly holding in the slower, deeper winter water where they can conserve energy. The best opportunity right now is focusing on open water where the river flows into Lake Granby, where fish tend to stack up this time of year. As always with this stretch, a little patience and careful presentations tend to go a long way.
Recommended FLies
NYMPHS: Pats Rubber Legs (coffee, olive) 10-14, Flashback Pheasant Tail 16-18, 2 Perdigons 16-18, Thread body Frechie (olive) 16-18), Poison Tung 18, Mercury Black Beauty size 18-22, Zebra midge black or olive size 18-22, Barr's Emerger BWO 18-22, Copper Ribbed RS2 20-22
DRIES: Parachute Adams 18-24, Para Wulff 18-24, Chubby (gold) 8-14, Griffith's Gnat 18-22
STREAMERS: - Leach (black, olive), Rusty T, Double Thin Mint, Goldie
