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Colorado Blue River

Characteristics updated 12 months ago
Flow updated about 3 hours ago

Discover the Blue River in Colorado: A Pristine Fishing Destination


Introduction

Welcome to the Blue River, a pristine fishing destination nestled in the heart of Colorado. This comprehensive guide provides concise and informative information about the Blue River, covering challenges, the preferred season, the ideal flow rate, river access, and more. River stewardship, sustainability, and conservation take top priority, emphasizing the practice of Leave No Trace principles. We highlight a few local and Denver fly shops and guides, ensuring novice and experienced anglers can access timely and accurate information for their fishing adventures.

Challenges

While the Blue River offers exceptional fishing opportunities, anglers should know certain challenges. The river's fast and technical nature demands precision casting and careful fly presentation. The presence of numerous obstructions, such as fallen trees and boulders, requires skillful navigation. Additionally, the river's popularity can result in increased angler pressure, necessitating strategic planning to find secluded 

Preferred Season

The Blue River showcases its true allure during the prime fishing season from late spring to early fall. This period offers ideal conditions for abundant insect hatches, attracting trophy-worthy trout, including browns, rainbows, and cutthroats. The mild temperatures and scenic beauty of this season make it the perfect time to immerse yourself in the serenity of the Blue 

Ideal Flow Rate

To optimize your fishing experience on the Blue River, an ideal flow rate ranges between 50 and 150 cubic feet per second (CFS). This flow rate provides a balance between manageable water conditions and active fish feeding patterns. Troutleader.com offers mean temperature and CFS rates, ensuring anglers have access to reliable and up-to-date information to plan their fishing trips effectively.

River Access Issues

While the Blue River promises exceptional angling opportunities, awareness of potential river access issues is crucial. The river flows through public and private lands, limiting access points in certain areas. Respect any signage or regulations, and be mindful of private property boundaries to ensure a positive fishing experience while preserving the river's natural beauty.

Local Fly Shops and Guides

  • Mountain Angler - Discover the wonders of the Blue River with experienced guides at Mountain Angler. Their commitment to conservation and sustainable practices ensures a memorable and responsible fishing adventure.
  • Trouts Fly Fishing - Trouts Fly Fishing provides a top-notch angling experience on the Blue River, guided by passionate experts. With a focus on river stewardship and conservation, they offer comprehensive knowledge and services for anglers of all levels. 

River Conservation

River stewardship, sustainability, and conservation are paramount when enjoying the Blue River. To deepen your understanding and contribute to ongoing conservation efforts, we encourage you to visit the nonprofit organization Running Rivers. They are dedicated to preserving and protecting rivers for future generations. Learn more about their initiatives and how you can get involved by visiting their website here or below in the stewardship area.

Remember, whether you're a novice or an experienced angler, practicing Leave No Trace principles is crucial to preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of the Blue River. Let's ensure this remarkable fishing destination remains a haven for generations.

Please note that Troutleader.com provides essential river flow data, including mean temperature and CFS rates, enabling anglers to make informed decisions and plan their fishing trips accordingly.

Characteristics & Metrics

Headwater
Dam
Reservoir
Clarity
⋅ May 15, 2023
Probably slightly off-color due to run off.
GPS
39.45582067,-106.0316849
Caught
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Current Flow

Blue River - Colorado
Gage Station Temp
Flow
(ft ³/s)
Mean
(ft ³/s)
blue river at blue river, co. n/a 11.3 3.58
blue river near dillon, co 47 26.3 83.5
blue river below dillon, co. 40 90.5 100
blue river below green mountain reservoir, co 40 179 172
* Mean data is from Tuesday - April 23, 2024
** Updated about 3 hours ago
*** streamflow is the volume of water flowing past a given point in the stream in a given period of time.(USGS)

Historical

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* Based on YTD -- 2024
** Toggle legend names for an uncluttered view

Additional Resources

River and steam flow data are acquired from multiped sources. This feature is only available in select states (Colorado only). Flows are updated multiple times a day. Data might be unavailable due to ice or other objects obstructing the gage.

Images

Notations

Known Fish

Known Fish of the Blue River
Type Species Up To
Trout Rainbow 20 in.
Trout Brown 20 in.
* Fish likely to be found. Size is a approximation.