If you're planning to hit the Colorado River in Colorado today, here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

First off, the weather is looking pleasant with clear skies, a high of around 68°F, and a low of 45°F. Sunrise is at 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at 5:15 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to cast your lines. There are no tidal changes to worry about since this is a freshwater environment.

The Colorado River, particularly the sections from Gore Canyon to the town of Rifle, is experiencing favorable conditions. The water levels are continuing to drop, but there is still plenty of cool, clear water. As of recent reports, the river has been fishing well, although it tends to shut down a bit after 3:00 PM.

Fish activity has been robust, with anglers catching a variety of species. Yesterday saw good catches of brown trout, especially during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk. For dry fly fishing, smaller flies like Blue Wing Olive (BWO) Comparadun and Christiansen's BWO have been highly effective. Nymphing with patterns such as Chubby to Perdigon to RS2 or Magic BWO has also been reliable. If you're looking to throw streamers, articulated patterns like the Cheech Leach or Mini Dungeon could lure in a big aggressive brown trout.

For those preferring bait, there are no specific bait recommendations for this section of the river, but generally, nymphs and streamers have been the go-to choices.

Hot spots include the sections below Glenwood Springs, which are available early in the season for float fishing, and the stretches around State Bridge and just below Gore Canyon. The Pumphouse boat launch is another excellent spot, offering more remote stretches of water and a slower pace.

Remember to keep an eye out for any river closures due to the brown trout spawn and always follow the "Keep Em Wet" philosophy to ensure the fish remain healthy. Enjoy your day on the Colorado River