Roaring Fork River Report 5-7-19

May 7, 2019

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT     
                  
FLOW: 450 cfs below Maroon Creek (Woody Creek Canyon) 

WATER CLARITY: Getting big and brown, early runoff is here. You'll find clearer water conditions in the afternoons

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 10 but if it's clear, 7 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  BWO adults and nymphs, Midges, winter stones, sporadic caddis, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: 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, especially at these flows, focus on the soft water near the banks. We're starting to fish some larger bugs on heavier tippet, but you may need to revert to small flies and tippet if the river is running clear.

Make sure to wear some studded boots or bring a walking staff, fishing from the middle of the river opens opportunities for multiple drifts and picking off every pocket a trout could hold. 

Be mindful rainbow trout are spawning, so there is a good chance you will see their beds (redds) in this section. Please avoid fishing/stepping on the beds, rather put the rod down and watch the magic of nature take place. 

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-24, winter stoneflies 16-18, sporadic caddis 16-18

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  

DRIES: Pearl and Elk 16-18, Peacock Caddis 16-18, 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

STREAMERS: Weir's Sculpin 6, 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: 680 cfs in Basalt 

WATER CONDITIONS: A foot or so of visibility. Clarity is going to yo-yo a bit going forward, we have a historic snowpack this year!

OVERALL RATING:  5 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, Midges, winter stones, BWO adults and nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: The Fork around Basalt has been pretty darn good one day, blown the next. We are seeing the first waves of the caddis swarm up here, and BWO hatches have been darn good when conditions allow. Midges tend to hatch out of the slower water, so key in on the holding water on the side of the riffles. 

Nymph fishing is still most productive in the deeper holes, with tiny and shiny flies being the main producers. We are also starting to fish more stonefly nymphs. You might see a few molting on the side of the banks, and it's a great lead fly to get the fish's attention, be sure to get your flies DOWN.

Be mindful rainbow trout are beginning to spawn, so there is a good chance you will see their beds (redds) in this section. Please avoid fishing/stepping on the beds, rather put the rod down and watch the magic of nature take place. 

HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-24, winter stoneflies 16-18

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

DRIES: Elk Hair Caddis 16-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 16-18, 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: 4x and 5x tippet is more productive right now with lower flows and clear water. 

LOWER ROARING FORK- CARBONDALE TO GLENWOOD 

FLOW: approximately 1420 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS: Pretty blown out this week....

OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 10 when clear and 2 out of 10 when the Crystal spikes

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

THE LOW DOWN: Despite the few days of blow out we had from heavy rains and snowmelt, this section has been fishing pretty well some days and not-so-much on others.  BWOs and midges are hatching in large numbers, especially on the more overcast days. You'll see stronger caddis hatches on the bright days. Find a good foam line, and you will find rising fish. 

Nymphing has still been the most productive during non-hatch periods, and we are finally starting to fish with some larger flies. Worms and stones have been great lead flies as of late. 

Be mindful rainbow trout are beginning to spawn, so there is a good chance you will see their beds (redds) in this section. Please avoid fishing/stepping on the beds, rather put the rod down and watch the magic of nature take place. 

Give a call to the shop for all updated reports on fishing and water clarity, we have a historic snowpack and it will be a big water year!

HATCHES:  Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, Midges 18-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 

NYMPHS: Tung PT 18-20, 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: Missing Link Caddis 14-18, Tan Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, 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: Watching an indicator got you down? Try busting out some streamers on the cloudy days. 

Upper Roaring Fork: http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/data/detail_graph.aspx?ID=ROABMCCO&MTYPE=DISCHRG

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

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

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