Crystal River Report November 20, 2024

WATER CONDITIONS: Low and clear

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: She's running low, clear, and perfectly fishable. There's a good chance that some larger fish are running up from the Fork this time of year, so the lower river could be a great option. Snowmelt tends to blow the river out but with the cold week ahead it shouldn't be too much of a worry.

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. We say it all the time --skip the blah water and focus on the zones where fish have cover and food.

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: Blue Winged Olives 20-22, Midges 18-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stone 4-10, 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: Parachute Adams 18-22, TC Custom Sparkledun BWO 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Quill Midge 20-24, McChannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Pearl and Elk Caddis 16-18

STREAMERS: Sculpzilla, Double Gonga, Swim Coach, Autumn Splendor, Meal Ticket, 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

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