Scoring & Ratings
Every river in River Ranker gets a 1–5 bubble rating based on real-time conditions. The score combines flow, temperature, and distance to tell you at a glance whether it's worth the drive.
The 5-Bubble Rating System
Dream Conditions
Perfect — flows, temperature, and weather all aligned. These days are rare. Don't miss it.
Time to Shine
Excellent conditions. Get out there. Fish are active and conditions are favorable.
Worth a Shot
Decent conditions. Fish are present and catchable with the right approach.
Tough Fishing
Challenging. Fish are sluggish or spooky. Bring your A-game and plenty of patience.
Fly Tying Weather
Skip the river, stay home and tie flies. Conditions are poor.
Flow Indicators
Icons on each river show current flow status relative to optimal fishing conditions:
Too Low
Below fishable levels. Fish are concentrated but spooky.
Fishable Low
Below optimal. Exposed rocks, careful wading needed.
Optimal
Within optimal range for wading and fishing. Ideal conditions.
Fishable High
Above optimal. Fast current, reduced visibility.
Too High
Dangerously high. Unsafe wading, poor visibility.
How Rivers Are Scored
The scoring algorithm considers three factors:
Flow Suitability
Compares current flow to optimal range. Too high or too low reduces the score.
Water Temperature
Ideal range is 52–62°F. Trout are cold-water fish — temps above 65°F stress them, and above 70°F can be lethal.
Distance
Closer rivers score higher. Drive time matters.
7-Day Flow Trends
Every river shows a 7-day flow chart so you can see if flows are rising, falling, or stable. This helps you predict where conditions are heading, not just where they are now.
Weather Forecast
With a State Pack, each river includes a 7-day NOAA weather forecast with fishing-specific analysis — which days are prime, wind warnings with fly tactics, and temperature guidance to help you plan your week.