Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to gal for all things fishing on the Colorado River right here in Southwest Colorado. It's a balmy New Year's Eve mornin', with unseasonably warm temps pushin' into the 50s and 60s—Durango Herald says we smashed records at 60 degrees on Christmas, keepin' rivers ice-free and anglers like us smilin'. No tides to worry 'bout in these mountain waters, but flows are steady, drier than normal December though fall rains juiced up reservoirs like Vallecito to three-quarters full. Sunrise hit around 7:20 AM, sunset 'bout 4:50 PM—plenty daylight to wet a line before the ball drops.
Fish are fired up thanks to this heatwave. San Juan Wranglers reports more guided trips than usual, folks swappin' ski days for rods after thin snow at Purgatory. Midges are hatchin' like crazy along the river trail—Cole Glenn says it's prime time for 'em, swarmmin' daily even in colder snaps, drawin' trout to the surface. Recent catches? Rainbow and brown trout hammerin' nymphs and small streamers, with some cuttbows stockin' nearby spots. Amounts are solid—guides pullin' limits easy on warmer days.
Best lures: Mini spinnerbaits with Colorado blades in 1/8 to 1/4 oz for bass and trout, per XFISHMAN patterns. Clouser Minnow flies shine for trout and smallies. Go green pumpkin vibes—vibratin' jigs, Senkos wacky-rigged, or frogs over grass clumps, adaptin' from Delta pros but scalin' for our clear flows. Live bait? Worms and minnows kill it, especially spring-fall but workin' now too, Snoflo notes.
Hit these hot spots: Animas River trail stretches near Durango for midge feasts and easy access; lower Colorado River pockets below McPhee Reservoir for deeper trout holds with current breaks.
Bundle up light, watch for changin' weather—we need that snowpack. Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai.
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