Rifle Question

[Reel Addiction]

what is considered the "lower" and what is considered the "Upper"

Thanks

[Bull Market]

The Rifle is NOT my home water, but it seems to me that M-55 is the line. Let's hear from some east-side anglers on this one.

[jellybread]

Since the river is barrier-free, I've never really considered a distinct "upper" and "lower" but, checking the fishing guide, the river is broken into two different categories at Sage Lake Rd. You can fish year-round downstream of this line but upstream has the standard trout season closure.

The Sage Lake Rd. entrance to Rifle River Recreation Area is a good place to put in for your fall floats. There is plenty of room to put in and a good area to park the vehicle/trailer. Just make sure that you don't put any lines in the water until after you are downstream of the bridge.

[HarleyDHawger]

Since the river is barrier-free, I've never really considered a distinct "upper" and "lower" but, checking the fishing guide, the river is broken into two different categories at Sage Lake Rd. You can fish year-round downstream of this line but upstream has the standard trout season closure.


I fish the Rifle, and the above statement is right. The parking area is pretty good but when the Salmon are in you wont find a place to legally park, so try some of the side rd. to the south, you cant get into the back side of the state park on some of those rd.

[riflerivertroutchaser]

If you want to think of the split in terms of geology then I would put it at or around the m-55 bridge. Up stream from here we have faster moving water, an abundance of gravel runs and fast moving deeper water. Down stream, although there are still nice runs and nice holes,the river banks are mostly clay along with the river bottom. I think that after you get passed skidway the Rifle is a totally different river than what you will find north of m-55.

[Ralph Smith]

Myself, I've always thought of greenwood rd.(Alger area) There's alot more gravel upstream, and alot sandier downstream. There used to be a closure upstream on browns at the old M-70 (Melita rd.) bridge by Whites canoe livery. That kind of divided it for the extended season. That changed when they came out with the stream designation guidelines.

[Reel Addiction]

Perfect. Thanks everyone. i appreciate the feedback.

[ridgewalker]

I have live on the Rifle or fished it most of my life and the boundaries that I hear most about is M55 or Greenwood. However I have caught fish nearly the entire length of it as long as there was not a canoe invasion. Enjoy the color is pretty nice right now.