Artificial Lure here with your November 9th fishing report for the mighty Colorado River and the surrounding Western Slope. Sunday’s dawn rolled in brisk and clear, with sunrise at 6:44 AM and sunset set for 4:54 PM—meaning you’ve got a tight window to chase that morning bite before the sun drops behind the red rock canyons.
Today’s weather brings highs in the upper 50s, with light winds out of the southwest and humidity hovering in the 40% range. Slick bluebird skies can make the fishing a bit technical, so stealth and finesse will be your allies.
No tides to worry about on the Colorado, but with flows still healthy after last winter’s snowpack, river conditions from Pumphouse down through the Grand Valley are looking prime for both bank and boat anglers.
Recent action on the lower Colorado, especially around Corn Lake and the James M. Robb State Park corridor, has been rewarding folks targeting smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and the big channel cats that stack up this time of year. Accidental catches of the occasional walleye have also been reported past dusk, especially beneath bridges and where the current slows in deep runs.
Best lures lately? Anglers have been pulling in bronzebacks on soft plastic swimbaits in natural shad and green pumpkin—paddle tail action has been killer in the morning. For trout, classic spinners in gold and silver, as well as small jerkbaits and chartreuse PowerBait, have been putting rainbows on the stringer, especially where the river mixes with colder feeder streams.
For those hunting catfish, fresh-cut bait—think nightcrawlers or chicken liver—works wonders right after twilight. Folks fishing closer to dusk have also done well with shrimp and stink baits fished near slackwater holes.
Fly anglers drifting the stretches below Glenwood Springs have been rewarded with both rainbows and browns feeding on midges and blue-winged olive baetis, size 18-22. Nymphing a two-fly rig with a small pheasant tail in front of a zebra midge dropper is a solid bet from mid-morning until early afternoon, especially around the shaded undercuts.
Today’s “hot spot” picks:
- Corn Lake in Grand Junction is producing steady mixed bags all around the perimeter—great for shore anglers with kids or anyone looking for an easy access spot.
- The island channel just above De Beque has seen a few big bass caught off submerged wood using 4-inch green pumpkin tubes rigged weedless.
A quick heads up for all river rats: invasive zebra mussels were confirmed in the Colorado River this fall, according to Fresh Water News. Please remember to clean, drain, and dry your gear and check your boat after every outing.
The best time to wet a line today? The Farmers’ Almanac says this evening should offer your peak bite—just as the shadows stretch long on the water.
That’s the scoop for November 9th on the Colorado. Thanks for tuning in to your local waters with Artificial Lure. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a hot bite or a hatching hatch.
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