Fly Fishing for Big Rainbows on a Gold Medal River in Colorado

Some of the best trout fishing in Colorado doesn't require a long backcountry hike or a remote mountain stream. Sometimes, the biggest rainbows are swimming right through town — on gold medal waters that are easy to access and absolutely loaded with fish.

That's exactly what z is on the river discovered on a late June morning in 2025, finally checking a bucket-list stretch of gold medal river off the list — and getting rewarded with an incredible session targeting big rainbow trout.

What Makes a Gold Medal River?

If you're not familiar with the designation, Colorado Parks and Wildlife classifies certain stretches of river as Gold Medal waters. To earn the label, a section must meet strict criteria:

• At least 60 pounds of standing trout stock per acre
• A certain number of trout measuring 14 inches or longer per acre
• Healthy, self-sustaining fish populations

In short, gold medal means you're fishing water with large, plentiful trout. Colorado has a number of these designated stretches, many of which run right through or near towns, making them surprisingly accessible for anglers of all experience levels.

The Setup: Dry Dropper on a 5-Weight

For this outing, the rig of choice was straightforward and effective:

• Rod: Echo Carbon XL, 9ft, 5-weight
• Tippet: 4x/5x
• Method: Dry dropper setup

The dry dropper is one of the most versatile techniques for Colorado rivers. Here's why it works so well:

1. The dry fly sits on the surface, acting as both a potential meal and a strike indicator.
2. The dropper nymph hangs below the surface at a set depth, targeting fish feeding subsurface.
3. You're effectively covering two parts of the water column with one rig.

If you're newer to fly fishing, a dry dropper setup is a great way to build confidence. You get the visual excitement of a surface eat while still capitalizing on the fact that trout feed subsurface the majority of the time.

Tips for Fishing Gold Medal Water Near Town

Urban or semi-urban gold medal stretches come with their own set of considerations. Here are a few practical tips:

• Go early. A morning session often means fewer anglers on the water and more active fish, especially in late June when summer crowds pick up.
• Don't overlook the obvious spots. Fish in accessible stretches see plenty of pressure, but they still need to eat. Focus on seams, current breaks, and deeper runs.
• Downsize your tippet. Pressured fish can be leader-shy. Dropping to 5x — or even 6x — can make the difference on clear water.
• Respect the resource. Gold medal waters often have special regulations like catch-and-release or artificial-only rules. Always check current regulations before you fish.
• Use a rubber net. It's better for the fish, especially when you're practicing catch and release on these managed waters.

Why Late June Is Prime Time

Late June in Colorado is a sweet spot for trout fishing. Runoff is typically winding down, water clarity is improving, and insect activity is ramping up. Dry fly opportunities increase, and fish are aggressive as they take advantage of abundant food. It's one of the best windows of the year to target big trout on the surface or just below it.

The Takeaway

You don't always need to venture deep into the wilderness to find quality trout fishing. Colorado's gold medal rivers — including stretches that run right through populated areas — hold genuinely big rainbows that will test your skills and your gear. A simple dry dropper rig on a 5-weight rod is all you need to get in the game.

Want to see the big rainbows and the full morning session? Check out the video from z is on the river to watch it all unfold on the water — and be sure to follow along on Instagram for more Colorado fly fishing content.