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Fly Fishing Report On The White River, Colorado

White River Colorado

White River Colorado Fishing Report Updated 03/20/24

Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.

We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.

Type of Stream
Freestone

Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Brook Trout
Mountain Whitefish
(Wild)

Size
Medium – 47 miles long

Location
Northwestern Colorado

Nearest Towns
Meeker

Season
Year-round

Access:
Average

Non-Resident License
State of Colorado

Weather
National Weather Service Link

Fly Fishing Gear and Trout Flies

Stream Flow Data:
Real Time USGS Data (Near
Meeker)

Season:
The fishing season runs year-round
Winter:
It is possible to catch fish during the winter season but the fishing is usually trough.
Spring:
The river provides great fishing starting about the first of April up until runoff.

Summer:
Summertime provides some very good mayfly and numerous caddisfly hatches.
Fall:
Terrestrials provide action on into the early fall season. Streamers work great for the larger trout at this time.

Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or  6X Nymphing:  
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X

Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X

Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six

Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators

Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.

Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:

Email us  at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.

Copyright 2016 James Marsh

Fly Fishing The White River Colorado
The White River is one of the top streams in the state of Colorado but for some reason, it gets little attention. Fly fishing the White River provides as much opportunity as any stream in the state of Colorado.

This beautiful freestone stream starts out from its North and South Forks. The North Fork flows into and out of Trappers Lake. Near Buford it joins the South Fork to form the White River. The river flows for miles through ranch land and finally through the little town of Meeker where the Mule Deer and Elk season is the highlight of the year.

Since the White River is several miles from any major highways, it sees few people. The river flows through  hundreds of long riffles, runs and pools that are rarely fished. Several areas of public access provide an opportunity for anglers to catch large rainbow and brown trout. Numerous small, tributary streams have smaller wild trout that add to the diversity.

The headwaters have ample access with plenty of smaller cutthroat and brook trout. Although brown and rainbow trout exist in the headwaters, the larger trout are in the larger, lower end of the river.

Fly Fishing Guide to the White River:
Fly fishing the White River is not a complicated affair. The action starts out in April and except for the spring runoff, doesn’t cease until the snow gets deep along the banks.

The first two pictures of the White River on your left  shows a smaller, middle upper area and the larger, lower section of the river near Meeker. It seems like the fish range in size in direct proportion to the size of the stream. I don’t know if it’s the lack of fishing pressure, a prime source of food for the trout, or maybe both of the above, but the trout seem to grow larger than they do in the normal Colorado freestone stream. The White River is one of the best streams in the state of Colorado, yet it receives less fishing pressure than most any of its size.

One reason for the lack of pressure is the lack of anglers. The stream lies in a very remote area of Colorado. There’s more elk there than anglers. Although much of the stream flows through private property, there’s still plenty of public access water for the number of anglers that fish this river. You rarely see another angler except during the prime season. We have fished the stream’s public access areas during the month of April for a long a three straight days without seeing another anglers.

The headwater of the stream have plenty of access. The North Fork flows mostly through USFS property. The South Fork flows mostly through private property but there is some access in the park that’s inside the Flats Top Wilderness.

There are also some areas located on private property that allow you to fish for a fee and some that you can obtain permission to fish just by asking. Quite frankly, there’s no shortage of water because of the lack of pressure and miles of public access. The headwaters have plenty of cutthroats, rainbows and brook trout. You can usually catch large numbers of these fish but
they do average smaller than the trout in the lower sections of the river.  

White River Colorado Hatches

Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the White River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call.  We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else.
1-800-594-4726.

As with most trout streams the most important aquatic insect is the Blue-winged Olives or baetis species. That’s because of the overall length of time they hatch. They are bi-brooded, hatching in April and about the first two weeks of May and then again in September until about the middle of October.

Pale Morning Duns would be the next most important insect. They hatch starting about the first of June. The hatch last through the month of July. The water levels can affect the benefits of the PMDs during the early part of the hatch.

During the same time period, starting a week or two after the PMDs, you will find Dark Red Quills hatching. The Red Quill hatch last until about the end of July.

The mayfly that gets the most attention on the White River is the Western Green Drake. It starts to hatch about the same time as the PMDs and the Dark Red Quills or around the first of June.

The Salmonflies begin to hatch around the first to the middle of May and last until the first or second week of June. The runoff can mess this hatch up at times.

Within a week or two of the end of the Salmonfly hatch in early July, you will usually find Golden Stoneflies beginning to hatch. The hatch last into the month of August, depending on the location on the river. Both the Salmonflies and Golden Stoneflies start hatching in the lower section and move upstream as the days go by.  

The first caddisflies to hatch are the Little Black Caddis, called the Mothers Day hatch in most places in the West. This hatch starts in the lower section of the river in late April and last about a month. In late June and early July, there’s plenty of Spotted Sedges that begin to hatch. These are the most plentiful of the caddisflies and the different species hatch throughout most of the Summer.

The next most important caddisfly hatch are the Green Sedges. They hatch from May through August, depending on the species. Imitations of the Green Rock Worms, or their larvae, work year-round.

In late June, usually before the runoff ends, Pale Morning Duns will start hatching. There are a few Green Drakes that hatch but the numbers are usually fairly low. There are also some Flavs, or Small Western Green Drakes, but the numbers of them are relatively low. The PMD hatch will last most of the summer and is the most consistent mayfly hatch. In some areas of the fast water you will find some Pink Ladies that hatch in late August and September.

Late Summer, in August and September, terrestrials will play an important role in the trout’s diet. Don’t forget imitations of grasshopper, ants and beetles.01/14/21 Stream levels are normal and the river is good shape. Fish the lower sections near Meeker. Midges, BWOs, and winter stoneflies are hatching.

Fishing Report

01/29/21 Fish the lower elevation near Meeker. Fish the lowest section of the river in slack water in holes in the bottom out of the current.

02/24/21 Trout are being caught in town according to one of our customers. Midges are hatching good.
03/19/21 The stream levels are in good shape except stained where snow is melting. Fish the lower section near town

05/01/21 The river is near a normal level and in good shape. There are some very good hatches taking place. Little Black caddis, Little Brown stoneflies, March browns, and BWOs.

05/09/21 Conditions remain good. There are good hatches and we are getting good reports from customers. Green Sedge Caddis are starting to hatch.

05/17/21 Salmonflies are starting to hatch. There are several other insects hatching. We are getting good reports from our customers. Send us an email or call us for a recommended fly and gear list.

05/25/21 The steam is still at a good levels and we continue to get good reports. There are Western Green drake, salmonflies, Green sedges, BWOs and other hatches taking place.

06/01/21 The stream level is still in good shape and the water clear. Runoff has yet to start but should anytime now. We are still getting a few good fishing reports.

06/10/21 The stream is on the way up due to the beginning of runoff. It is okay not, not too high to fish, but will be very soon. Keep in touch and we will keep you informed.

06/22/21 The stream is in good shape with good hatches. We are getting some good reports from customers. Email us  at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.

07/05/21 The stream is a little low but we are getting good catch reports from customers. Fish the upper middle and uppermost sections of the stream where the water is the coolest.

07/15/21 The stream is even lower and you have to use caution to stay hidden from the trout. We are still getting some very good reports from customers. Fish the upper middle and higher elevations for the best results.

7/22/21 Stream levels are still low. Wed recommend fishing the upper middle and higher elevations where the water is a little cooler. There are some very good hatches.

07/29/21 The river is still low, so staying low, dressing to match the background and making good presentations are essential. Fish the upper elevations for the best results.

08/04/21 The stream is up a little better shape thanks to some rain but still below normal level. We did receive three good reports from the past week. Good hatches continue to take place.

08/13/21 The stream is back down low again but still turning out trout for our customers. Good hatches continue. You just have to stay hidden from the trout.

08/20/21 Stream levels are still low but on the rise thanks to some recent rain. We are still getting good reports from customers in spite of the low levels.

08/23/21 The stream is in good shape in all respects. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.

09/06/21 The stream is low flowing at 101 cfs at 1.88 ft. There is still enough water to fish in much of the stream. We are still getting some good reports from customers.

09/16/21 The stream level is still low but we continue to get good reports from customers. We recommend fishing the upper sections of the river. You just have to use caution to stay hidden from the trout. They still eat in low water levels.

09/20/21 We received two more good reports from customers this past week in spite of the low water levels.

09/30/21 The stream levels are up to near a normal level and it is in good condition. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

10/12/21 The river is still in good shape with normal levels and clear water. There are good fall hatches taking place. We received one good report from a customer this past week.

10/23/21 The stream is in excellent shape flowing just a little below normal level with good hatches taking place. We received two good reports this past week from customers fishing near the Meeker area.

11/01/21 The stream is in good shape in all respects. We are getting good reports from customers. All sections of the river are turning out good catches. There are good midge, blue-winged olives and Mahogany dun hatches.

11/09/21 The river is flowing a little below normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers this past week.

11/17/21 The stream is flowing just a little below a normal level in good shape. There are good BWO, blood or red midges hatching and our sculpin streamers are catching some nice ones.

11/25/21 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.

12/05/21 The river is flowing just a little below normal levels in good shape. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.

12/13/21 Conditions remain good. Stream levels are okay and midge and little BWO hatches continue. The water is much colder but still okay.

12/21/21 The stream levels are okay and the water very cold with some slush ice in the upper sections. We didn’t receive any reports this past week.

12/29/21 The stream is okay level wise but very cold. Midges is about the only feasible choice but they do work. We still didn’t get any reports from the past Xmas week.

01/06/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level but cold. Midges are hatching. We received one report from a customer fishing in Meeker.

01/14/22 The stream is still in okay shape, just cold but with no ice from Meeker downstream. We didn’t get any reports from anyone this past week.

01/22/22 Stream levels are still okay but again most all the middle and upper sections of the river has some slush ice. We still didn’t get any reports but you should be able to catch trout below Meeker.

01/30/22 We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. Again, winter conditions are okay in the Meeker area and downstream from there.

02/07/22 The stream okay level wise but very cold. It is possible to catch trout on midges but be sure to fish at Meeker or downstream where the water is slightly warmer.

02/15/22 Skwala stoneflies are starting to hatch. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.

02/23/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this last week but you should be able to catch trout in the lower sections of the river.

03/03/22 The stream is still at a normal level and clear. We received one good report from a local customer fishing this past week.

03/11/22 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. Fish the lower section near Meeker. We didn’t receive any reports from last week. Good midge, BWO and Skawla stonefly hatches are taking place.

03/19/22 The stream is still just a little below normal level in good shape. The water is a little warmer and that should help. We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday.

03/29/22 The stream is still in good shape near normal level and a little warmer. Good hatches of Skwalas, BWOs and Midges are taking place.

04/04/22 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customers this past weekend.

04/12/22 The stream is a little warmer and flowing just below a normal level. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.

04/20/22 The stream level is up to near a normal level and the water clear. We are getting good reports from customers. Little Black caddis, March Browns, Blue-winged olives, Skwala stoneflies and Cream midges are hatching.

04/28/22 Conditions remain good. Good hatches are still taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

05/05/22 It is getting near runoff time but the river is still in very good shape. You better get it while the getting is good.

05/14/22 The stream levels are normal and the water clear. We are still getting good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.

05/22/22 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. Runoff has yet to begin. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good at all.

05/29/22 The stream is still okay and runoff isn’t happening yet. We receive one good report from a customer this past week.

06/05/22 Stream levels are up and the water dingy. It is a moderate to low runoff condition.

05/13/22 The stream is up some more in what I would call a moderate runoff stage. The water is very dingy.

06/20/22 The stream is down flowing just a little above normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Good hatches are taking list. Shoot us an email for a fly list.

06/28/22 Stream levels are still in good shape and the water clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.

07/05/22 We received three more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Conditions remain very good.

07/13/22 The stream is in good shape from the headwaters to Meeker. We received five good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.

07/20/22 We received five good reports again this past week. They range from customers fishing the upper headwaters and the main stream through Meeker. Very good hatches are still taking place.

07/27/22 The stream is just a little below normal level in good shape. Good hatches continue and our terrestrial patterns are also working.

08/03/22 The stream is still in very good shape with flows near the normal level. All sections are turning out trout. Good hatches continue to take place.

08/10/22 The stream is down a good bit below normal. You should be careful to make good presentations and stay as low as you can. We received some excellent reports customers fishing the past two weeks.

08/17/22 The stream is well below normal. You have to stay low and as hidden from the trout as possible. There are still good hatches taking place. We received one good report from a customer the past week.

08/24/22 The stream is still well below normal. We are still getting a few good reports. The trout still eat in low water. You just have to stay hidden from them.

09/01/22 The stream is still a little below normal level but okay. We are still getting good reports.

09/08/22 The stream is well below normal but still okay. You just have to use caution to stay hidden from the trout. They still eat in low water. There are good BWO, Mahogany duns, spotted sedge caddis and other insects hatching and our terrestrials also work good.

08/22/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches including October caddis which are just starting, are taking place.

09/08/22 The stream is flow a little below normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to come off. We received two good report from customers fishing this past week.

10/18/22 The stream is still flowing a little below normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week near Meeker. Lots of October Caddis.

11/18/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. The water is about 41 degrees and higher. We are getting a few good reports from customers fishing near the Meeker area. Good late season hatches are taking place.

01/03/23 Stream levels are running slightly below normal. There is rain and snow forecast for the first of the week, then clearing. Fishing should be better later in the week. Good winter hatches are continuing.

02/13/23 Conditions are fair. Of course the water is cold and some slower moving water has some slush ice. Fish the lowest end the river in and below Meeker.

02/27/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are good winter stonefly and midge hatches taking place. We received one good report from a customer recently.

03/10/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are good midge hatches taking place. Skwala stoneflies are also starting to hatch.

3/23/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. There are good hatches taking place and we are getting good reports from customers.

04/04/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches including Skwala stoneflies are taking place.

04/16/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

04/26/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing the past week. Fish the lower end of the stream near Meeker.

05/09/23 The stream is high and stained from runoff. We will keep you updated.

05/19/23 Runoff is underway and the stream level very high. Check back with us. We will keep you informed.

05/30/23 The stream is still well above normal. Give it a little more time to drop and clear.

06/11/23 The stream is blown out from runoff. Check back with us.

06/18/23 The stream is still well above normal from runoff. It should be in good shape very good.

06/27/23 The stream is still high from runoff. Surely, we will see a drop this coming week.

07/04/23 The White is still high. It shouldn’t be very much longer. When it does get down to normal, it is usually red hot. Keep in touch and we will keep you informed.

07/12/23 The stream is still a little high. There are a few places it can be waded near the banks and some places it can be fished from the bank. Good hatches are taking place.

07/19/23 The stream is still flowing a little above normal levels. It can be fished from the bank and waded in some places. Very good hatches are taking place. We received three good reports from customers this past week.

07/30/23 The stream is still flowing just a little above normal which is good. We are getting several good reports from the past week and from all sections of the river. Good hatches are still taking place.

08/06/23 The stream is still just a little above normal but that is actually a good level. Average summertime levels are low. There are very good hatches taking place. We received three good reports from customers fishing it this past week.

08/17/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and in good shape. There are good hatches taking place and our terrestrial fly patterns are also working good.

08/23/23 The stream is just a little below normal level and clear. We continue to get good reports from customers.

08/29/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received four good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Very good late season hatches are taking place.

09/06/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. We are getting some excellent reports. Good hatches continue to come off. It doesn’t get much better than this.

09/13/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. Trout are being caught in good numbers from the lower to the uppermost sections of the river.

09/20/23 The stream is still in good shape in all sections. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.

09/27/23 The river is flowing just a little below normal and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing it this past week.

10/11/23 The stream is just a little below normal in good shape. Good late season hatches are taking place. We received two more good reports from customers this past week.

10/27/23 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. There are still good hatches taking place including BWOs and Midges.

11/04/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are good Cream and Red or blood midge hatches as well as Blue-winged olives.

11/11/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.

11/18/23 The stream is still flowing at a good level with clear water. Very good Cream and Red midge hatches are taking place along with Blue-winged olives on warmer, cloudy days. We are still getting good reports from customers.

11/28/23 We received a good report from a customer this past week. Stream levels are just a little below normal and the water clear. Good midge and BWO hatches are taking place.

12/11/23 Stream levels are still normal and the water clear. There are good midge hatches taking place.

12/31/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and about 39 degrees F water temperature. Light green and red or blood midges will work good.

01/15/24 The stream is flowing just a little above normal and clear. Midges and Winter stoneflies are hatching good. Fish the lower end near Meeker.

01/24/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good Winter stonefly and Light Green and Red or blood midges continue to hatch.

02/06/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to come off. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.

02/20/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good light green and red, or blood midge hatches are taking place as well as Winter stoneflies.

02/27/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. Fish the lower section of the river near Meeker. Good midge and Winter stonefly hatches continue to take place.

03/06/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. The lower section near Meeker has slightly warmer water than the upstream sections.

03/13/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. Thee are good Good Midge and Skwala stonefly hatches taking place.

03/20/24 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level and mostly clear. Good hatches continue to take place. Fish the lower sections of the stream where the water is warmer.

Email us  at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.