Vail Valley: Middle Colorado rates 9/10 as the Roaring Fork clears after a blowout

Colorado River Outfitters' Oct. 26 Vail Valley fishing report says fall fishing is still excellent across the area. Recent rain added some water and shifted clarity on several rivers.

The Middle Colorado from Catamount to Dotsero is the guides' top pick this week, rated 9 out of 10 at about 696 cfs with roughly 2.5 feet of clarity. The shop says the Thin Mint has been the clear standout streamer, followed by a white Crystal Bugger. Nymphing has been strong along drop-offs and deeper runs with Pat's Rubber Legs, crawfish patterns and worms. Cloudy days bring a few blue-winged olives and midges, and a size 20 Parachute Adams works on risers.

The Roaring Fork was muddied by the Crystal River on Oct. 22 and is coming back into shape. The Eagle is fishing well after a small bump in flow. Below Glenwood Springs, the Lower Colorado has cleared and offers good nymphing and streamer fishing. The outfitters had no recent firsthand report from Pumphouse to Catamount.

Brown trout are spawning, and the guides ask anglers to give spawning fish and their gravel redds plenty of room.

Photo: A guide with a rainbow trout. Credit: Colorado River Outfitters.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Colorado River Outfitters — Colorado Fishing Report: Vail Valley and Beyond, October 26, 2026 (Oct. 26, 2026).