Williams Fork River
Rob Herrmann Photography

Williams Fork River

Difficulty Intermediate/Advanced
Ideal Days To Fish 11/2 through 11/4

Weekly Report

Report DateNov. 2, 2023

Note: This will be the last report update that will be provided. We’ve loved every minute of this journey and value the relationships we’ve made and the community that we’ve built but unfortunately, it’s time for us to focus on other priorities. Flows on the Williams Fork have come down slightly in recent days, but remain within the ideal range for this time of year. Trout have more room to spread out, but there remains plenty of structure to the river and reading the water is still relatively straightforward. That being said, the weather is really starting to cool down. As such, come prepared for comparatively slow mornings and sluggish trout. Look for trout to hold along the banks and in the slack water during the early hours of the day. As things warm up and hatch activity materializes, however, trout will move into their more prominent feeding lies. Think outer seams, tail outs, transitions and riffles. Water clarity remains on the upper end and trout are growing increasingly skittish and selective. Midges and BWOs remain the primary hatches and while surface action can be hit or miss you’ll want to come prepared to fish dry flies in the late morning through the early afternoon. Otherwise, nymphing with smaller imitations will do most of the heavy lifting, but don’t hesitate to mix in some smaller searchers/attractors. Smaller streamers, especially on the lower stretches near the confluence have been and will continue to be an effective route to go as well.

Recommended Flies

River Flow

Flow Region

Detailed River Info

Background

The Williams Fork River a.k.a Willy's Fork, is a two mile tail water below the Williams Fork Reservoir that feeds into the upper Colorado River. The most common access point to the river requires a 20 minute walk but trust us, the serenity and beauty is well worth the hike. The Willy's Fork provides a more peaceful outing compared to the other tail water options in Colorado.The Cotton Wood Tree lined river consists of deep runs, pools and pocket water. If you're looking to spend some time on the river make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and beer. 

Angling

Let us start off by saying this is hands down one of the most beautiful rivers that we've ever fished. A bad day on this river (which isn't likely), is still an amazing day because of the scenery. The Willy's Fork provides anglers with a wide variety of fishing options due to its abundance of deep runs and pools as well as pocket water and undercut grass banks. If you're fishing for numbers, targeting the banks will be your best bet. If you're searching for the 20 - 24 in. trout, add some weight and get down deep in the pools and runs. Besides the typical Caddis and Mayfly hatches, the Willy's Fork experiences a solid Stonefly hatch similar to the Colorado River. The most common trout found in this stretch are Browns and Rainbows. 

River Access

The tailwater section of the Williams Fork is located in the town of Parshall, CO. Anglers can access the river from two locations. You can park at the Williams Fork Division of Wildlife parking lot located at the intersection of county road 3 and county road 36. Parking at this location will require a 20 minute hike to the water. If you're looking to fish from the confluence, park in the town of Parshall off of Highway 40 and wade across the Colorado River.