Species / Brown Trout / Colorado
Trout & Salmon
Brown Trout Fishing in Colorado
Wary, long-lived trout of rivers and tailwaters. Browns feed most aggressively at low light and turn to streamers and big flies in fall before spawning.
Best Months: Mar to May, Sep to Nov
Plan by Month
Best Flies, Lures & Bait for Brown Trout
8 picks for October.
Parachute Adams #12-20
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyBlue-Winged Olive #16-22
FlyDry Fly
Shop This FlyPheasant Tail Nymph #14-20
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyPat's Rubber Legs #4-10
FlyNymph
Shop This FlyWoolly Bugger #2-10
FlyStreamer
Shop This FlySculpin Streamer #2-6
FlyStreamer · Low light and fall.
Shop This FlySuspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait
Shop This LureInline Spinner 1/16 to 1/4 oz
LureSpinner
Shop This Lure
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Rod & Reel
Brown Trout Setup
Brown Trout
Fly 9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.
Spin / Cast 6.5 to 7 ft light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line. Jerkbaits and inline spinners.
Colorado
Where to Catch Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Arkansas River
Tailwater browns below Pueblo Reservoir and a long wild section through the Buena Vista valley.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Blue River
Tailwater below Dillon Dam with big mysis-fed trout below the dam. One of the most technical waters in the state.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Lakes & Reservoirs · Colorado
Eleven Mile Reservoir
High plains reservoir at about 8,600 feet. Rainbow and brown trout from shore and boat, ice fishing in winter.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Frying Pan River
A tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir known for big rainbows feeding on mysis shrimp.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Gunnison River
A Gold Medal river through the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge with a famous salmonfly hatch.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Roaring Fork River
A freestone with Gold Medal water from Basalt to Glenwood Springs that fishes well from drift boats.
Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
South Platte River
Tailwater gold medal water at Deckers and Cheesman Canyon. Tiny flies, big trout.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Colorado
Yampa River
Runs through Steamboat Springs, with Colorado River cutthroat in the upper reaches.
Colorado River Cutthroat · Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Colorado
Shops to Stock Up
11 Mile Marina
Lake George, Colorado
This marina operates a retail fishing-tackle store serving Eleven Mile Reservoir anglers.
Boat access
Angler's Covey
Colorado Springs, Colorado
This fly shop carries fly-fishing equipment and tying supplies and has outdoor casting ponds.
Fly tying
Anglers All
Littleton, Colorado
Established in 1954, this fly shop sells rods, reels, wading gear and flies.
Recommended
Gear for Brown Trout
Fly Rods
Redington Classic Trout Fly Rod
A smooth, moderate-action rod that is forgiving for new casters and protects light tippet.
Check PriceFly Rods
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit
A complete rod, reel, and line outfit that covers most trout water and small-stream bass.
Check PriceFly Reels
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A strong, sealed drag at a modest price, made in sizes from trout to saltwater.
Check PriceFly Lines
RIO Gold Fly Line
A trout line that casts dries delicately and turns over nymph rigs.
Check PriceFly Lines
Scientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line
A smooth-shooting, all-around freshwater line.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Fluorocarbon Tippet
Low-visibility tippet for nymphs and wary fish in clear water.
Check PriceLeaders & Tippet
RIO Tapered Trout Leaders
Nine foot tapered leaders in 3X to 6X for dries and nymphs.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable waders that hold up to seasons of wading.
Check PriceWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive boots with good grip on slick rock.
Check PriceNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
Check PriceSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceFlies
Trout Fly Assortment
A starter mix of proven dries and nymphs for Western and Eastern trout water.
Check Price