CRYSTAL RIVER REPORT January 25, 2018

FLOW: 69 cfs in Carbondale 

WATER CONDITIONS: Clean and low.

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Midges

THE LOW DOWN:  The Crystal can produce in winter, you just need to be plying the appropriate places to be effective. Some sections will be frozen over, others still are open and fishing pretty well.  Just like the Roaring Fork, focus on deeper pools and pits to find willing fish, and skip the shallow stuff.  

The lower river has remained pretty ice-free, and you'll find open water almost anywhere that is getting steady sunlight and has good flow going through it.  As a general rule, the higher you go, the icier it gets.  Please give spawning beds a wide berth.

HATCHES: Midges 20-22

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:

NYMPHS: Copper John 18-20, Tung Pheasant Tail 18-20, Prince Nymph 16-18, Jerome Baetis 18-20, JuJu Baetis 18-22

DRIES: Flag Adams 18-22, Hi Vis Griffiths Gnat 18, Skittering Zelon Midge 20, CDC Transitional Midge 22

HINTS: Skip the average-looking water and focus on deep pits and runs.

Flows: http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/data/detail_graph.aspx?ID=CRYDOWCO&MTYPE=DISCHRG

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