Kickin' Off Winter Trout Season on the Colorado River with Artificial Lure
·2 min
The episode begins with Artificial Lore introducing the show as a fishing report for the Colorado River in Colorado. He states the date is February 8, 2026, and time is 8:27 a.m. Weather conditions are described with temperatures in the low 40s morning side, climbing to upper 50s by afternoon under partly cloudy skies, citing Western Water Assessment. River flows are reported as steady around 150 to 200 CFS in the Deckers Stretch near Cheesman Canyon, based on South Platte Fly Shop reports, with low snowpack statewide. Water temperatures are warmer than average in the mid-50s, which is noted as perfect for trout activity. Sunrise and sunset times are given, providing 10 hours of daylight for fishing. Fish activity is picking up due to above normal heat, easing drought conditions, with trout keying in subsurface and rising occasionally on BWOs and midges. Recent catches include solid numbers of rainbow and brown trout, some up to 20 inches, mostly on nymphs. Drain stream anglers report resident trout hammering scuds and worms, while Deckers sees decent bags of 10 to 15 fish per rod on technical setups. Best lures are recommended as nymph rigs, with small number 18 to 24 midges in black to purple, betas pheasant tails, San Juan worms in red, and scuds or stoneflies as attractors. Advice includes doubling them up with extra weight for deeper winter pools. For live bait, worms or eggs are suggested for spinning. Fly anglers are advised to check nymphs, eggs, leeches, and up top trailed by tiny midges, switching to Adams or Griffiths gnat number 18 to 22 on rises. Fluorocarbon 5X tippet is emphasized as a must with clear water. Hot spots include the Decker section below Cheeseman Dam, with instructions to nymph the slower pools and banks at 147-200 CFS flows, or slide down to Dreamstream at $89.
