Roaring Fork River Report 7-9-19

July 9, 2019

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT     
                  
FLOW: 1080 cfs in Aspen

WATER CLARITY: Big but dropping!

OVERALL RATING: 2 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  BWO adults and nymphs, midges, golden stoneflies, caddis, green drake nymphs, yellow sally nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: We think the rivers have possibly peaked here, but the river is still quite high.  Exercise caution throughout the 70 miles on Independence Pass downstream to the Colorado River.

BWOs, caddis 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. 

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, midges 20-24, 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: 3720 cfs in Basalt 

WATER CONDITIONS: Big but dropping!

OVERALL RATING:  2 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, green drake nymphs 10-14, Midges, BWO adults and nymphs, golden stoneflies, craneflies, PMD nymphs, worms, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: The Fork around Basalt has been blown out recently, but you can still bag a few fish in the afternoons along the banks. Short and sweet rigs will fool a few fish, they still gotta eat! 

Nymph fishing is still most productive 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.

HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-24, random PMDs

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: Elk Hair Caddis 16-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 16-18, Sparkledun PMD Pink 16-18, Melon Quill PMD 16-20, 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 soft water where you can

LOWER ROARING FORK- CARBONDALE TO GLENWOOD 

FLOW: approximately 6150 cfs in Glenwood Springs (We think it's dropping..?)

WATER CONDITIONS: Big but improving!

OVERALL RATING:  2 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, green drake nymphs, midge adults, BWO adults, emergers and nymphs, PMD adults and nymphs, worms, craneflies, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: We think the river has peaked, but the water is still high and muddy. Fish could possibly be found hugging the banks in soft water. Nymphing is still most productive until we see a resurgence of caddis.  We're seeing a few drakes, PMDs and Yellow Sallies now that the water is dropping. We're hoping to get back in float business in the coming week.  

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:  Green Drakes 10-12, Caddis 14-18, BWOs 18-20, PMDs 14-18, Yellow Sallies 16, Midges 18-26, golden stoneflies 6-10

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, Jerome PMD 16-18, Tungsten Bruised PMD 16-18, Imposters 20-22, Cat Poop 8-12, San Juan Worm 10

DRIES: H and L Variant 10-12, White Wulff 10, Royal Wulff 10-12, Hairy Sally 16, Garcia's Mini Hot Sally 16, Melon Quill PMD 16-18, Hackle Stacker PMD 16-18, No Hackle PMD 16-18, 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, Egg Laying Golden Stone 6-8

HINTS: Watch out for some pretty good hatches, despite the high flows. Be careful and fish with a friend!

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

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