Roaring Fork River Report 12-28-19

December 28, 2019

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT     
                  
FLOW: 150 cfs below Maroon Creek

WATER CLARITY: Clear but significant anchor and edge ice

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  BWO adults and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: The upper Fork is starting to settle in to winter conditions, with recent cold temperatures ice is beginning to build up. Be safe out there and aware of ice dams breaking, always keep an eye upstream. 

BWOs and midges are the main food source, but leading with a stonefly or prince nymph could get fish looking. When fishing the upper Fork, focus on the deeper pools and pits. Hatches have dwindled down to primarily baetis, but keep a few midges handy on your adventures out there.

The river is low and clear, so get stealthy out there and utilize your smaller flies and tippets. 

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, midges 20-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  

DRIES: Sparkledun BWO 18-22, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, Morgan's Para Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, Sprout Midge 20-24, Skittering Z Lon Midge 20-22

NYMPHS: BLM 18-20, Tungsten Bead Baetis 20, BTS Baetis 20-22, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, BH Polywing Emerger 20, Kingrey's Cap'n Hook 20-22, Bead Wing Midge 20-22, Rojo Midge 20-22, Spanflex Stone 10-12, Tungsten Split Case PMD 16-18, PMD Halfback Emerger 14-18

STREAMERS: Autumn Splendor 6, Zuddler 6, Slumpies 6-8 

HINTS: Skip the blah water and focus on the deeper open runs and pools.

MIDDLE ROARING FORK- BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE 

FLOW: 300 cfs in Basalt

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear

OVERALL RATING:  7 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, BWOs, worms, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: Ice is becoming a little of a factor, but with some warmer overnight temps we should see some great fishing. Be safe out there and aware of ice dams breaking, always keep an eye upstream. 

Daytime hatches are consisting of BWOs and midges.

Like the upper river, it's time to add stealth factor to your presentations and movements along the banks. Where you find one fish (usually deep) there should be a few more willing to eat.

Make sure to use appropriate amount of weight, if you are not bumping bottom you are probably not deep enough. 

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS

NYMPHS: BLMs 18-20, Prince Nymphs 18-20, Pheasant Tails 18-24, Freestone Emerger 20, BH Polywing Emerger 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Tailwater Assassin 20-22, Imposter 20-22, Lil Foamy 18-20, Neon Nightmare 20-22, Cat Poop 8-12, 20 Incher 10-14

DRIES: Collett's Parachute BWO 18-22, Perfect Baetis 20-22, No Hackle BWO 20-22, Bill's Midge Emerger 20-22, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24, Hatching Midge 20-22, Morgan's Para Midge 20-22

HINTS: Find some deep water where you can

LOWER ROARING FORK- CARBONDALE TO GLENWOOD 

FLOW: 505 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear 

OVERALL RATING:  7 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midge adults, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: FYI: Two Rivers boat ramp in Glenwood is closed for repairs until April, so plan accordingly.

Like the upper and middle, most fish have abandoned the shallow riffles (for now) and are found in the deeper pits with more oxygenated water and cover.

Stones, worms, and egg patterns can be great lead flies on the lower stretch, with trailing your small baetis and midge offerings. Time to start downsizing your tippet as well, 5x should be your go-to. 

HATCHES:  BWOs 18-20, Midges 18-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

NYMPHS: BLMs 18-20, Freestone Emerger 20, RS2s 20-22, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, Thread Body Baetis 18-20, Soft Hackle BWO 20-22, Imposters 20-22, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10

DRIES: Perfect Baetis 20, Collett's Para BWO 18-22, No Hackle BWO 20-22, Roy's Special Fryingpan Emerger 20-22, CDC Comparadun 18-20, Hatching Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24, Morgans Midge 18-20, Sprout Midge 18-20, Skittering Zelon Midge 20-22, Griffiths Gnat 20

HINTS: Watch out for some pretty good hatches, especially when warm and cloudy.

Upper Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09076300&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060

Middle Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09081000

Lower Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09085000