Crystal River Report July 8, 2024

WATER CONDITIONS: Still high but clearing and dropping fast

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Caddis, Golden Stoneflies, Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: The Crystal is still running fast but flows have been cut in half this week, a trend that should continue barring any monsoonal weather. A little data analysis shows Avalanche Creek is responsible for about half of the water making it to the Fork, so once you pass Redstone the water, and subsequently the fishing, should get better. 

No need to overthink the Crystal -- attractor patterns fished dry-dropper style are effective and deeper pits are best fished with your traditional nymph rig.

The higher you go, the more cutthroat and brook trout you will encounter, and fewer people. This river is ideal for those seeking a bit of solitude. In-stream work in Carbondale can make the lower mile a bit off-color.

HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, Salmonflies 4-8, Golden Stoneflies 4-8, Blue Winged Olives 20-22, Midges 18-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
NYMPHS: Tungsten Twenty-Incher 10-16, Cat Poop Stone 4-10, Tungsten PMD Redemption 16-18, San Juan Worm, Copper John Chartreuse16-20, Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail 18, Tungsten Split Case PMD Nymph 16-18, Tung Pheasant Tail 16-20, FKA Prince Nymph 14-18, Jerome Baetis 18-20, JuJu Baetis 18-22, Neon Nightmare 20-22

DRIES: Stimulator 12-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Improved Sofa Pillow 4-8, Reed's Rogue Salmonfly 6-10, Henry's Fork Golden Stone 10-14, Harrop's CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, Collette's Quilled Para BWO 18-22, Griffith's Gnat 20-22, Parachute Adams 16-20, TC Sparkledun BWO 18-22, Putterbaugh Caddis Black 16-18 (Fished as a winter stone)

STREAMERS: Lightning Bugger Black 4, Beldar Lemon Drop 4-6, BH Simi Seal Leech 10, Sculpzilla 4-8

HINTS: Right about now fish will congregate in soft water, not in the middle of the river.

Flows: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09081600&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

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