Between Snowmelt and Sunsets: The Magic of June Fly Fishing in Colorado

There’s a brief and beautiful window in Colorado when the rivers start to breathe again. Snow still clings to the peaks, but the valleys below are coming alive. The current slows just enough to invite a clean drift. Trout are hungry. Insects are waking up. And for the fly angler, June feels like a long exhale after the wild, rushing runoff of spring.

You don’t need perfect conditions in June. You just need to be present.

Chasing the Edge of Runoff

Across Colorado, June is a season of transition. Runoff doesn’t end all at once—it recedes bit by bit, river by river, basin by basin. This is the time to scout smaller creeks, tailwaters, and edges of high mountain lakes where clarity is returning and trout are shaking off their winter rhythms.

Success often comes not from chasing reports, but from hiking a little farther, watching the water closely, and reading the signs: a swirl beneath an overhanging branch, a mayfly skittering just above the surface, or that subtle flash in a deep run.

Patterns for the Moment

The bugs aren’t waiting anymore. In many waters across the state, you’ll start to see:

Caddis Hatches in the evenings—bringing fish up top and lighting up the last two hours of daylight. Golden Stones beginning to crawl from the banks—especially on freestones and rocky pocket water. Midges and small mayflies lingering on tailwaters—subtle, but deadly in clear, slow flows.

And of course, it’s never too early to toss something big and foamy. Chubbies and stimulators have already started turning heads, especially in the faster seams and riffles.

A good June fly box balances finesse with boldness. One moment calls for a size 20 midge pupa, the next a size 10 hopper dropped on a foam line. Flexibility wins.

The Gift of Long Days

One of the underrated joys of fly fishing in June is time. With daylight stretching well past dinner, you can fish dawn to dusk without a rush. Whether you’re backpacking into alpine lakes or slipping out for an after-work session, June rewards those who linger.

You’ll often find the river to yourself after 7 p.m., with trout sipping dries in the shadows and the wind finally settling. Bring a light jacket, a thermos of coffee (or something stronger), and give yourself permission to stay a little longer.

A Season for Exploration

June isn’t about chasing trophies or ticking boxes—it’s about covering ground and reconnecting with water that was frozen or flooded just weeks ago. It’s about watching as the world reopens and finding your rhythm in it again.

So lace up your boots. Pack that rod in the backseat. Throw a few essentials in the vest and go see what the water has to say.

Sometimes, the best cast of the day happens when you least expect it.

Until next time, keep your flies dry and your campfire stories close.

🎣 Share your favorite June fly fishing moment in the comments, or tag @SummitAndStreamAdventures on Instagram—we’d love to see where the water’s taken you this season.

And if you’re planning a trip soon, subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss our upcoming backcountry gear list and high-elevation hatch guide.

— Summit and Stream Adventures