Crystal River Report May 20, 2025

WATER CONDITIONS: Blown out after hot days, cleaner but high after cool days

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10 if clean

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue winged olive nymphs, emergers and adults, midges, caddis larvae, golden stonefly and salmonfly nymphs, Sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: Like the rest of the valley's rivers, flows on the Crystal have actually been dropping as we make our way through May. We may not see the extreme, roaring blowouts we'd usually expect this time of year, but next week's hot spell will be the real test. If you see some muddy water, try going upstream and getting above the creeks pumping in the color. If there is heavy rain in the forecast, skip the Crystal that day.

BWOs and midges are the hatch, and we'll see some caddis in the coming weeks. The higher you go, the prettier it gets, and pressure on the Crystal has been near non-existent. The Crystal River is considered the local's stash, especially for those that abhor seeing other anglers. Don't forget to throw some stonefly nymphs in the faster water, that's where they live!

HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, Midges 18-26, Blue winged olives 18-20

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stone 6-10, San Juan Worm, Copper John Chartreuse 16-20, Jigged CDC Pheasant Tail 18, Tungsten Pheasant Tail 16-20, FKA Prince Nymph 14-18, Jerome Baetis 18-20, JuJu Baetis 18-22 

DRIES: Missing Link Caddis 14-16, Puterbaugh's Caddis 16, Royal Wulff 14-16, H&L Variant 14-16, Parachute Adams 18-22, TC Custom Sparkledun BWO 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Quill Midge 20-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24

STREAMERS: Sculpzilla, Craven's Double Gonga, Craven's Swim Coach, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor, Hansen's Meal Ticket, Barr's Slump Buster

HINTS: Skipping the blah water and focusing on where the fish are is key!

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

Get social with us! Find us on Facebook@taylorcreekflyshops, Google+@taylorcreekflyshops and Instagram@taylorcreekflyshops