Today
62°F
Partly Sunny
NNW 0 to 5 mph · 0% precip
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Today’s verdict
Current River Conditions
As of (10 days ago)
This intel is a couple of weeks old — conditions may have shifted.
As of ~1 week ago, the river was fishing well.
The Yampa is running clear and at a normal level right now, which sets up a solid fall fishing window. Early fall is historically one of the better times to be on this river, with big brown trout active in their pre-spawn mode. The Stagecoach tailwater remains the standout stretch — good-sized rainbows and browns in classic pocket water.
Good hatches are happening right now. Blue-winged Olives are in their fall cycle through October, and Spotted Sedge caddis are still going through mid-month. Midges are always in the mix year-round and worth having on hand regardless of what else is popping.
Hatches
97 CFS is on the low side for October — this stretch typically runs 99–172 CFS.
With flows lower than usual, wading is generally easier and more forgiving — but beds still shift and cold water saps strength fast, so read the water, stay within your limits, and check conditions on-site. You remain responsible for your own safety.
At 50°F, the water is in the prime range for trout — cold enough to fish and to handle fish safely.
Weather
63°F
Wind N 5 mph
Sunrise 7:34 AM · Sunset 6:06 PM
Observed (2 hours ago)
NWS / weather.gov · fetched 15:01
Today
62°F
Partly Sunny
NNW 0 to 5 mph · 0% precip
Tonight
36°F
Mostly Cloudy
ESE 0 to 5 mph · 4% precip
Tomorrow
53°F
Chance Rain Showers
WNW 0 to 5 mph · 50% precip
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Size #16
Size #16-18
Size #20/22
Conditions are estimates from USGS data. Always assess on-site conditions and use your own judgment.
The Steamboat Springs gauge reads the Yampa right in town — the in-city trout water and the freestone and tailwater reaches anglers fish above and below it. It carries both flow and water temperature, the read you need on a river whose summer flows and temperatures swing widely.
Location
© OpenStreetMap contributors · © Geoapify
Helpful Links
Colorado fishing resources
Other Colorado rivers with live conditions
Colorado river ranging from a Stagecoach tailwater and Steamboat town water to remote freestone canyon reaches. Target species include Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, plus pike in some lower areas. Good access near Stagecoach and Steamboat; remote lower reaches favor boats and longer trips. Productive timing is Year-round below Stagecoach; freestone sections are best after runoff through fall. Major hatches and foods include Midges, BWOs, caddis, PMDs, green drakes, yellow sallies and terrestrials. Common approaches are Small nymphs and dries on the tailwater; dry-dropper rigs and streamers downstream. Regulations, access rules and water conditions vary by reach, so anglers should review current agency information and the linked local reports before fishing.
Tactics
97 CFSFlow
50°F−1°Water temp
62° / 36°WeatherSize #20/22
Size #14-16
Size #6/4
Size #4/6