Winter Fly Fishing along the Upper Colorado & Williams Fork Rivers – A Late Season Fly Fishing Adventure
Winter fly fishing in Middle Park isn’t for everyone. It can be cold (sometimes very cold), wading is tough (slippery and slimy rocks), and access often requires a bit of effort—and occasionally can be strenuous. But if you’re up for an adventure, you’ll be rewarded with solitude, stunning water that could be straight out of a fly fishing magazine, and plenty of fish. So check the forecast, dress appropriately, and let’s go!
Grand County, where the Upper Colorado and Williams Fork rivers flow, is known for its rugged beauty and offers a range of outdoor activities year-round. Located at an elevation of around 8,000 feet, this mountainous region features pristine landscapes and dramatic winter scenery. The area is a haven for winter sports enthusiasts, with opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Grand County also offers access to nearby Winter Park Resort, a popular spot for downhill skiing. The combination of high elevation, majestic scenery, and minimal crowds (in comparison to Summit County or Vail Valley) creates a peaceful and pristine environment for outdoor adventurers. Whether you’re after solitude on the river or looking to explore the backcountry, the region provides a perfect winter escape.
For tips on staying warm when winter fishing, check out my previous blog here:
https://5280angler.com/stay-warm-out-there-how-to-be-comfortable-when-fishing-in-cold-weather
Parking
Park about 2/3 mile west of the small town of Parshall on the river side of Highway 40. The parking areas near the barns and kid’s pond are typically not plowed in winter, so they aren’t available until the snow is gone
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The Fishing
Williams Fork Reservoir has a bottom-release dam, which allows for warmer water to flow downstream, keeping sections of the river open and promoting hatches throughout the winter. In addition to the Williams Fork below the dam, you can also fish a mile or two of the Colorado River downstream from the confluence.
The area supports a healthy population of wild browns (average 10-14 inches) and rainbows (average 15-17 inches), with occasional whitefish. While trout in the low 20-inch range are not uncommon, I’ve seen/landed even bigger ones!
The Colorado is a wide river, so focus on runs with deeper water that hold fish in colder months. Williams Fork is much narrower, which makes it easier to figure out where the fish should be. However, the challenge there is getting your flies down quickly, as the river transitions from shallow to deep in a hurry and the deeper sections are often short.
Colorado (Close to Parking):
A short walk upstream or downstream from the parking area will bring you to some good water, including the Parshall Hole. Since these areas are close to access, they tend to get fished more frequently.
Colorado (Further Downstream):
Around the kid’s pond parking area, there are several excellent spots. Continuing downstream below the bridge, you’ll find recently completed stream improvements that have created better holding water, especially at lower winter flows. In this section, you’ll also encounter more shelf ice along the shore as the water gets colder further from the dam.
Williams Fork / Colorado Confluence Area:
For the true adventure-seeker, this is the real gem. From the parking area, walk upstream and cross the Colorado at the lower end of the Parshall Hole. Continue through the turnstile, walk upstream along the fence line to past where the private water ends, and follow the trail to the river. Normally, the ‘trail’ is packed – Middle Park doesn’t get a lot of snow- but after a big snowstorm, you may find yourself breaking trail and postholing. The hike usually takes about 30 minutes to reach the confluence area.
There are three or four fishable sections of the Colorado below the confluence and above the private water. The Williams Fork has some excellent water close to the confluence and is public all the way up to the dam which is about 2.5 miles upstream. The further you go upstream the less people the fish will have seen.
Streamflow in Winter
- Colorado River: Typically flows at 125-200 cfs.
- Williams Fork: Typically flows at 50-100 cfs, but I’ve fished it as low as 15 cfs with good results.
Hatches
Midge hatches are common throughout the winter, with Blue Wing Olive (BWO) mayflies appearing when water temperatures warm up to the mid-40s in March. As with most winter fisheries, the best time of day tends to be between 10 AM and 3 PM, when the water warms slightly, but before the sun starts to set.
Salmonflies inhabit the Colorado and normally take three years to grow, so they’re present year-round. Additionally, you’ll find leftover eggs from the fall brown trout spawn, and rainbows usually begin spawning in early March.
Fly Selection
Nymphing:
- Lead with an attractor pattern like eggs, worms, princes or other stonefly nymphs, sowbugs, or leeches.
- Follow with match-the-hatch options, typically in sizes 20-24: Black Beauty, Zebra Midges, Tan Midges (sometimes as large as 16s), Rainbow Warrior, Mercury Midge, Jujubeatis and RS2 (when BWOs hatch later in the winter).
Dries:
Though it’s cold, dry fly fishing can be excellent during strong hatches. Small Parachute Adams and various midge dry patterns work well when the fish are looking up.
Final Thoughts
It’s certainly not for everyone, but for those willing to brave the elements and put in the effort, the Upper Colorado and Williams Fork in winter offer an unforgettable adventure. You’ll escape the crowds, fish in a beautiful setting, and have a real chance at catching some great fish.
To book author and guide Tom Caprio or any of our ORVIS ENDORSED GUIDES for a trip along the Upper Colorado or Williams Fork, please CONTACT US today!
