Roaring Fork River Report May 2020

May 2020

Be sure to click the links at the bottom of this report for real-time flows on the Roaring Fork. We have limited access to computers due to Covid-19 and are not able to update our reports as often as you would usually see. 

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT     
                  
FLOW: 40 cfs below Maroon Creek

WATER CLARITY: Beginning to see some discoloration as we ease in to runoff. Look for real changes in flows and clarity by mid-month.

OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, Midges, golden stonefly nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: COVID-19 Update: The health and well-being of our guests and employees is of utmost importance. We will be closed beginning 3/15 until further notice. We will use that time to reassess future opening dates. Please keep an eye on our social accounts for updates.

Fishing is still allowed in Colorado, but here are some suggested guidelines:

• Anglers are encouraged not to travel far to fish, try to stay close to home.
• Travel by yourself, and meet your friends on the river
• Floating is discouraged right now in regards to Covid guidelines
• Maintain social distancing guidelines on the river

Like we talk about in our Fryingpan River Report, the overnight temperatures affect our rivers much more than daytime temps. You'll notice the river is now open from bank to bank and most ice has dissipated as of this week.

Dry fly action is picking up, and streamer fishing and nymphing has been quite productive. Small worms, stones and princes make great lead flies and follow them up with RS2s or various midge larva. 

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

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:  
DRIES: Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Ethawing Caddis 16-18, Perfect Baetis 20-22, No Hackle BWO 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, Spanflex Stone 10-12, Tungsten Split Case PMD 16-18, PMD Halfback Emerger 14-18

STREAMERS: 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: 525 cfs in Basalt and climbing

WATER CONDITIONS: Starting to get off-color, look for significant changes by mid-month.

OVERALL RATING:  7 out of 10

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, blue winged olives, golden stonefly nymphs, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: Fishing is still allowed in Colorado, but here are some suggested guidelines:

• Anglers are encouraged not to travel far to fish, try to stay close to home.
• Travel by yourself, and meet your friends on the river
• Floating is discouraged right now in regards to Covid guidelines
• Maintain social distancing guidelines on the river

The river looks great around Basalt this week, and has been fishing well to boot. Don't fret if you see a little discoloration in the coming weeks, this is just your cue to tie on a San Juan Worm or stonefly nymph!

Like the upper, we're not seeing a ton of dry fly activity, but the nymphing has been terrific once you get your appropriate fly in the right kind of water. The fish are fat and seem to have fed well through the winter months, and where you find one fish there is bound to be more.

Treat the Fork like you would the Fryingpan for a little while longer- as in small flies and light tippets. Covering water is a great idea versus standing in one spot all day.  If it's a cool day, start on the Fork down-valley and work your way up as the day warms. If you are daunted by the Fork, swing in, get a map, and we'll show you our public access "secret" stashes we fish on our off-days.

HATCHES: Blue Winged Olives 18-20, Caddis 14-18,  Midges 20-24

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: EC Caddis 16-18, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, 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 deep water where you can and keep an eye out for risers too

LOWER ROARING FORK- CARBONDALE TO GLENWOOD 

FLOW: 1200 in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS: Clear 

OVERALL RATING:  7 out of 10 

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO adults, Midge adults, golden stonefly nymphs, caddis, sculpins

THE LOW DOWN: 

Fishing is still allowed in Colorado, but here are some suggested guidelines:

• Anglers are encouraged not to travel far to fish, try to stay close to home.
• Travel by yourself or only those in your household
• Floating is discouraged right now in regards to Covid guidelines
• Maintain social distancing guidelines on the river

FYI Tow Rivers boat ramp in Glenwood Springs is closed for repairs until April, so plan accordingly. 

In a nutshell, the lower Roaring Fork is on fire! April and early May are special times here before runoff gets in gear. Lots of dry fly opportunities are to be had, as the river rises and cools off, this can put the bugs down here and there,

Caddis and Blue Wings are blanket-hatching, plus some thick midge hatches below Carbondale as we warm up around here. Like always, overnight temperatures are more of a "fishiness factor" than daytime temps. Hot days can provide off-color the next day as well.

Nymphs of note are worms, Princes, Twenty Inchers and Cat Poops trailed with something tiny and shiny.

HATCHES: Caddis 16-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-20, Midges 18-26

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: 
NYMPHS: 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: Perfect Baetis 20-22, No Hackle Baetis 20-22,  Ethawing Caddis 14-16, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, 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: Watch out for some pretty good hatches, especially when warm and cloudy.

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