As of November 17, 2024, the Colorado River in Colorado is offering some excellent fishing conditions, especially for those familiar with its diverse and dynamic waters.

### Conditions
The river flow near the Pumphouse area is currently at 556 cubic feet per second, which is relatively stable and favorable for both wade and float fishing[1][4][5].
The water temperature is in the 40s, and the clarity is about 3 feet, making it suitable for a variety of fishing techniques[1].

### Weather and Light
Today, the sunrise is at around 6:45 AM, and the sunset will be at approximately 4:30 PM. The weather is expected to be cool, with partly cloudy skies, which is ideal for fishing, especially with streamers and nymphs.

### Fish Activity
The fish are quite active, particularly the brown trout which are in their spawning season. It's crucial to respect the redds and avoid disturbing these areas to protect future fish populations[4][5].
Trout are holding in the eddies and slow seams, and the pre-spawn browns are actively feeding to build up their energy reserves[5].

### Types and Amounts of Fish
The Colorado River is home to a healthy population of brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brook trout. Recently, anglers have been catching a good number of brown trout, with some large specimens reported[3][4][5].

### Best Lures and Bait
For this time of year, streamer fishing has been highly productive. Small flashy streamers like the Baby Gonga in brown trout colors, Barely Legal in white/olive or grey/white, and Sparkle Minnows in sculpin or white patterns are working well[1][4].
Nymphing deep and slow water with tiny midge nymphs, egg patterns, and small stonefly imitations such as Pat's Rubber Legs, Mercer's Poxyback Micro Stone, and Tungsten Flashback Pheasant Tail is also effective[1].
Dry fly fishing can be successful with patterns like Parawulff PMD, Sparkle Dun PMD, and Elk Hair Caddis in olive, brown, or yellow[1].

### Hot Spots
One of the best spots is the Pumphouse Recreation Area, which offers miles of river both downstream and upstream. Downstream, the river winds through a large meadow with braids, riffles, and undercut banks. Upstream, it leads into the Gore Canyon, known for its powerful rapids and excellent trout fishing[1].
Another hot spot is the confluence with the Roaring Fork and the areas around the Dino Boat ramp, both above and below the ramp. These spots are popular for wade-fishers and offer good access to the river[5].

Overall, the Colorado River is in great shape for fishing right now, with plenty of opportunities for both wade and float anglers. Just remember to respect the spawning areas and enjoy the beautiful scenery and challenging fishing that this river has to offer.