Roaring Fork River Report December 17, 2021

December 17, 2021 

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT   

FLOW: 15 CFS

WATER CLARITY: Low and Clear

OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  BWOs, Midges

THE LOW DOWN: The upper Fork above Basalt is low and clear, and wade-ability is much improved. Midges and BWOs are all now hatching all the way up to Aspen on the Roaring Fork.

Small flies like RS2s and Pheasant Tails have been productive behind larger flies such as stones and worms. Stripping a streamer can be fun, too. There is a slight chance that you'll see some late afternoon BWO and midge action on calm and cloudy days also.

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  
DRIES:  Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, CDC Comparadun BWO 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, Zuddler 6, Slumpies 6-8 

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: 230 CFS in Basalt

WATER CONDITIONS: Clean and clear

OVERALL RATING:  6 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWOs, Midges

THE LOW DOWN: Basalt down to Carbondale has been fishing well. Like the upper Fork, lead with a heavy point fly and follow it with something tiny and shiny if you are nymphing.

Local spots like behind Crown Mountain Park and Catherine's Store are good for the wading angler. 

HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-24

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: Perfect Baetis 20-22, CDC Comparadun BWO 18-22, Hackle Dun Baetis 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 deep water where you can and keep an eye out for risers too

LOWER ROARING FORK- CARBONDALE TO GLENWOOD 

BRIDGE WORK AT WEST BANK BOAT RAMP BEGINS DECEMBER 6TH AND IS EXPECTED TO TAKE 30 DAYS, CPW RECOMMENDS UTILIZING OTHER RAMPS DURING THIS TIME, AND NO FISHING UNDER THE BRIDGE.

FLOW: 427 CFS in Glenwood Springs 

WATER CONDITIONS: Low and clear 

OVERALL RATING:  7 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWOs, Midges

THE LOW DOWN: All restrictions have been lifted and the water has been quite cold in the mornings. We are all keeping an eye on water temperatures, but the warm-water-woes are in the rear view mirror.

Gone are the big bugs, but there is some excellent streamer fishing to be had on the windy and cloudy days, and fish are still surface feeding on smaller BWOs and midges.

HATCHES: Blue Winged Olives 18-20, 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: Perfect Baetis 20, CDC Comparadun BWO 18-20, 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

HINTS: Generally, cloudy days tend to produce the best BWO 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