Roaring Fork River Report 5-23-22

May 23, 2022

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT   

FLOW: 147 CFS

WATER CLARITY: High with fluctuating clarity.

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Midges, BWOs, Sculpins

THE LOWDOWN: This March has brought us plenty of moisture and low temperatures, which is much needed after the last two bone-dry winters.

Midges and winter BWOs are moving around and the fish are starting to get on them. Most of you know to fish the upper Fork like you would the Fryingpan, as in small flies and light tippets.

The fishing will be best on days following colder nights.  Warm nights will bring high and off-colored water.  When the water is stained, feel free to beef up your tippet and fly sizes.

HATCHES: Midges 18-24, BWOs 18-22

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: 895 CFS in Basalt

WATER CONDITIONS: Runoff is in effect

OVERALL RATING:  2 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Caddis, Midges, Winter Stones, Sculpins

THE LOWDOWN: Changes are afoot, and we are seeing fluctuating flows now, but off-color water isn't a deal breaker.  As a general rule, the water will be more off colored in the morning and clear up substantially by late afternoon. 

Do not be afraid to seriously beef up your tippet and fly size when fishing in these runoff conditions.  Fish will tend to look for pockets of slower water to conserve energy so focus your efforts on these areas.

Expect to have the best clarity on days following cooler nights. 

HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Midges 18-24, Winter Stones 16-18

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: Harrop's CDC Biot Dun BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun BWO 18-22, Harrop's CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, Missing Link Caddis 16-18, Olive Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, 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 

CLOSURES IN EFFECT AT 3 MILE AND 4 MILE CREEKS ON THE LOWER ROARING FORK RIVER.  PLEASE RESPECT SPAWNING TROUT. 

FLOW: 1950 CFS in Glenwood Springs 

WATER CONDITIONS: We are seeing consistent runoff conditions on the lower Fork.  Clarity may improve on days following colder nights.

 Please observe annual spawning closures at the mouths of 3 and 4 Mile Creeks.

OVERALL RATING:   1 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, BWOs, Winter Stones, Midges

THE LOW DOWN: The first waves of caddis and baetis (BWOs) have begun! Baetis on the lower Fork tend to be gray and vary from size 18 down to 22. Midges are prolific, and the streamer bite has been pretty savage! Caddis are sproradic, but getting strong on days with bright sun.

The lower Fork came up 1,000 CFS last week and is currently rising and falling depending on nightly temps.

Do not be afraid to seriously beef up your tippet and fly size when fishing in these runoff conditions.  

HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, 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: Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Tan Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Lawson's No Hackle BWO 20-22, Befus Para Emerger BWO 20-22, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, 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