UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT   

FLOW: 16 CFS near Aspen

WATER CLARITY: Clear

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Eggs

THE LOWDOWN: The upper Fork is at an icy trickle this time of year, but that doesn't mean it's unfishable. It's actually an awesome time to search the deeper holding pools along this stretch with deep nymph rigs. Flies should stay tiny and strikes will be subtle, but don't let that discourage you -- you'll be amazed what hides down low when there's nowhere else to go.

There haven't been many reported hatches, but midges are always a possibility on warmer, sunnier days.

HATCHES: Midges 18-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  
DRIES: Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Quill Midge 20, Solitude Hatching Midge Black 22, Bill Fitzsimmons Trailing Shuck Midge 22-26

NYMPHS: Stott's Raisinette 20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph 18-20, Jigged Hot Orange Bead CDC Pheasant Tail 18-20, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior 20-22, BTS Baetis 20-22, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Beadwing Midge Emerger Grey 20-22, Pulsating Midge Emerger 20, Freestone Emerger Olive 22, Tailwater Tiny Midge Red 20-22, Flashtail Mini Egg Orange 18

STREAMERS: Craven's Swim Coach, Barr's Slump Buster, Carlton Banks, Craven's Baby Gonga, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor

HINTS: Fish tend to be down in the slowest, deepest water they can find right now.

MIDDLE ROARING FORK - BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE 

FLOW: 200 CFS at Basalt

WATER CLARITY: Clear

OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Stonefly Nymphs, Sculpins, Eggs

THE LOWDOWN: With low, stable flows, it's fairly straightforward fall fishing around these parts. For best results, focus your attention on deeper runs and pools where fish can find cover and expend less energy. Keep flies tiny (exception: egg patterns) and watch that bobber for lazy, subtle strikes.

HATCHES: Midges 18-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS
NYMPHS: Jigged Tungsten Red-Tie PT 18-20, Tungsten 2 Bead Nymph Olive 18, Jigged Iron Lotus 18, Jigged Hares Ear 16-18, Stott's Juggernaut 20, Stott's Raisinette 20, Barr's Emerger 18-22, Neon Nightmare 22-24, Bling Midge Charcoal/Tan 20-24, Flash Egg 18

DRIES: Traditional Adams 20-22, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24

STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint, Tungsten Thin Mint, Craven's Baby Gonga, Carlton Banks, Circus Peanut, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor

HINTS: Get your flies down -- heavy shot, small flies

LOWER ROARING FORK - CARBONDALE DOWNSTREAM TO GLENWOOD  

FLOW: 390 CFS in Glenwood Springs

WATER CLARITY: Clear

OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Stonefly Nymphs, Sculpins, Eggs

THE LOW DOWN:

Things are fishing a lot like the mid-river. Eggs and tiny shiny bugs in the centerline are very effective. Cold water, low water, big fish. What else do we have to say?

Streamers can still be effective, but generally the fish are going to be less aggressive/reactive as water and air temps drop substantially. 

HATCHES: Midges

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 8-12, Rust Murder She Wrote 18-20, Tim Heng's BLM 18-20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph Black 18-20, Stott's Raisinette 20, Stott's Mercury Bad Carl Grey 20, BMW Foam Top RS2 Black 20-22, Mercury Bead RS2 Grey 22, Pandemic BWO Emerger 20-22, Freestone Emerger Olive 22, Internal Wire Tube Midge Black/Red 20, Desert Storm Midge Fluor. Orange 22, TC Custom Midge Red/Clear 20-22, Flash Egg 18

DRIES: Parachute Adams 18-24, Bill Fitzsimmons' Trailing Shuck Midge Emerger 22-24, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24

STREAMERS: Craven's Swim Coach, Circus Peanut, Grease Monkey, Barr's Slumpbuster, Devourer of Souls, Hansen's Meal Ticket, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor,

HINTS: In the winter, things reverse -- the best hatches should be seen on warmer, sunny days.

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