It’s Artificial Lure checking in with your Colorado River fishing report for October 21, 2025. Sunrise hit at 7:19 AM and sunset’s lined up for 6:16 PM, giving anglers a solid fall window to wet a line. We’re coming off a chilly start to the week—snow dusted the mountains Monday according to Vail Daily, and that cold snap is lingering. Expect highs in Grand Junction to touch the upper 60s, but mornings are downright brisk. Keep an eye out: Denver Gazette forecasts some scattered storms mid-to-late week, maybe even snow at elevation, but for now, the skies are mostly clear and water temps are dropping, which gets those trout on the move.

There’s no tide to worry about this far inland, but river levels have been inching up and the Colorado is running right for October. Kirk’s Flyshop reports the river’s fishing strong—topwater bites are steady with chubby Chernobyls, PMDs (Pale Morning Duns), and caddis dries all producing for fly anglers. If you’re running nymphs, a hopper-dropper rig tight to the bank or classic fall patterns like Hares Ear, Pat’s Rubberlegs, Blue Poison Tung, Thin Mints, and Sparklewing RS2 have been landing fish steadily. Streamer junkies, the evening and low-light periods are perfect for working Dungeons and Woolly Buggers slow and deep—brown trout are aggressive and pre-spawn, so don’t be shy with oversized patterns.

Recent catches include healthy browns and rainbows, mostly in the 12-18 inch range, with a few larger slabs reported below Pumphouse and near Radium. Word is, folks are picking up numbers on nymph rigs but switching to streamers or large dries near structure or under overhanging brush can tempt out those big, solitary browns. For the bait crowd, head to the public access spots and try salmon eggs or nightcrawlers—just double-check the regs, as some areas are artificial-only. According to FishingReminder’s solunar tables, today’s an excellent window for fishing—activity should be high during late morning and early evening.

Best baits and lures this week:
- **Fly anglers:** Chubby Chernobyls, PMDs, Blue Winged Olives, Hares Ear nymphs, RS2s, Thin Mints, and Woolly Buggers.
- **Spin anglers:** Panther Martin spinners, Rooster Tails, and Rapala minnow baits—all in natural or gold/olive colors.
- **Bait:** Salmon eggs, nightcrawlers where permitted.

A couple of hot spots:
- **Pumphouse to Radium stretch**: Productive flows and easy access, lots of holding water and deep pools where browns are stacking up.
- **State Bridge area**: Warmer pockets; streamer bite is hot right before sunset, and nymphers are doing well in the afternoons.
- For bank anglers, try working the seams near Gore Canyon or just below the confluences where side creeks enter—fish are hunting for drifting nymphs and late-season hatches.

With nights dipping below freezing, the mornings can be slow ’til the sun hits the water, so time your approach: late morning through afternoon has been the prime bite window. Layer up, watch for those unpredictable mountain gusts, and keep one eye on evolving weather—October in Colorado will keep you guessing.

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