Roaring Fork River Report 2-2-22

February 2, 2022

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT   

FLOW: 7.5 CFS

WATER CLARITY: Low and Clear, iced up in the shade

OVERALL RATING: 1 out of 10 (very iced up for the most part)

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Midges

THE LOW DOWN: CAUTION! WARM DAYS AFTER PROLONGED COLD CAN RESULT IN ICE DAM RELEASES. KEEP AN EYE UPSTREAM AND FISH WITH A FRIEND UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE!

The upper Fork above Basalt is low and clear, and wade-ability is tough in the shade but better in the sun. Midges are now hatching all the way up to Aspen on the Roaring Fork.

Small flies like RS2s and Pheasant Tails have been productive behind larger flies such as stones and worms. Stripping a streamer can be fun, too. There is a slight chance that you'll see some late afternoon midge action on calm and cloudy days also.

HATCHES: Midges 20-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  
DRIES:  Mole Midge 20-22, HOH Hanging 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: 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

STREAMERS: Autumn Splendor 6, Carlton Banks sz 4, Cousin It Sculpin sz 6, Grease Monkey sz 4, Beldar Lemon Drop sz 8

HINTS: Fish the soft water where your flies have time to get down in front  of the fish.

MIDDLE ROARING FORK- BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE 

FLOW: 216 CFS in Basalt

WATER CONDITIONS: Clean and clear, iced up in the shade. Slushy on the surface after cold nights and clearing by afternoon

OVERALL RATING:  5 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges

THE LOW DOWN: CAUTION! WARM DAYS AFTER PROLONGED COLD CAN RESULT IN ICE DAM RELEASES. KEEP AN EYE UPSTREAM AND FISH WITH A FRIEND UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE!

Basalt down to Carbondale has been fishing well. Like the upper Fork, lead with a heavy point fly and follow it with something tiny and shiny if you are nymphing.

Local spots like behind Crown Mountain Park and Catherine's Store are good for the wading angler. 

HATCHES: Midges 20-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS
NYMPHS: Freestone Emerger 20, BH Polywing Emerger 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Imposter 20-22, Lil Foamy 18-20, Neon Nightmare 20-22 

DRIES: Bill's Midge Emerger 20-22, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24, Hatching Midge 20-22, Morgan's Para Midge 20-22

STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint sz 4-8, Hansen's Meal Ticket sz 4, Baby Gonga Black sz 8, Home Invader sz 2

HINTS: Find some deep water where you can and keep an eye out for risers too

LOWER ROARING FORK- CARBONDALE TO GLENWOOD 

FLOW: 374 CFS in Glenwood Springs 

WATER CONDITIONS: Low and clear, slushy after cold evenings. Will typically clear by afternoon.

OVERALL RATING:  6 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges

THE LOW DOWN: CAUTION! WARM DAYS AFTER PROLONGED COLD CAN RESULT IN ICE DAM RELEASES. KEEP AN EYE UPSTREAM AND FISH WITH A FRIEND UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE!

Gone are the big bugs, but there is some excellent streamer fishing to be had on the windy and cloudy days, and fish are still surface feeding on smaller midges.

HATCHES: Midges 18-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 
NYMPHS: Prince Nymph 16-20, Tung Torin's Soft Hackle 16-18, Copper John 14-16, BLMs 18-20, Freestone Emerger 22, RS2s 20-22, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, Soft Hackle BWO 20-22, Imposters 20-22, TC Poxy Biot Baetis 22, Jerome Baetis 20-22, RIP Midge 22

DRIES: Roy's Special Fryingpan Emerger 20-22, Hatching Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24, Morgans Midge 18-20, Sprout Midge 18-20, Griffiths Gnat 20

STREAMERS: Double Dirty Hippy sz 2, Beldar Lemon Drop sz 2, Grease Monkey sz 4, Galloup's Dungeon sz 2

HINTS: Generally, cloudy days tend to produce the best dry fly action.

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