Roaring Fork River Report 2-25-2020

February 25, 2020

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT     
                  
FLOW: 70 cfs below Maroon Creek

WATER CLARITY: Clear but significant anchor and edge ice. 

OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 (Most improved award this week!)

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Midges, golden stonefly nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: The upper Fork is in its winter mode; low, clear and iced up in the shady spots. Be safe out there and aware of ice dams breaking, always keep an eye upstream. Considering the time of year, there actually is a lot of open water- the downside is that the snow is deep and mobility is challenging.

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 midges.

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

HATCHES: Midges 20-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  
DRIES: 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: 267 cfs in Basalt

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear but significant anchor and edge ice. 

OVERALL RATING:  7 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, golden stonefly nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: Ice is becoming 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 mostly 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: 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: 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: 415 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear 

OVERALL RATING:  8 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midge adults, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: FYI: Two Rivers boat ramp in Glenwood is closed for repairs until April, so plan accordingly. Nights below 20 degrees yield slushy conditions, the warmer nights present excellent float and wade conditions the following day.

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:  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: 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