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Roaring Fork River Report
March 8 , 2010
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UPPER Roaring Fork - Aspen Downstream to Basalt
FLOW: 24 cfs in Aspen.
WATER CLARITY: Gin clear, low and cold.
|OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10
THE SHORT AND SWEET: The upper river has began to fish quite well. A few recent guide trips have yielded good fishing with some surprisingly large fish being caught. The more consistant fishing is definately taking place along the middle and lower Fork, though during stints of warmer weather the upper Fork has been solid.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:
Stonefly nymphs (10-14), BWO's (18-22), Midges (20-26), Eggs (14-18)
IN DEPTH REVIEW: Get ready to make some fresh tracks along the river as there has been very little fishing pressure up here. Many of the otherwise inaccessible prime pools and seams ARE accessible during the winter. Ice shelves along the river are built up to enable you to walk out across the river and fish the open prime deeper pools. Some of the largest fish caught along this section of river are commonly hooked during the winter. Winter stonefly patterns like 20Inchers, Cat Poops and Princes are fishing well as point/lead flies, as our egg patterns. There's still a handful of browns that are in spawn mode and many of the resident rainbows are coloring up and in prespawn gearing up for late February and March. Successfull dropper patterns have included Jujubees, RS2's, Freestone Emergers, BH Polywing Emergers, and TC Red Midge Larva's.
Appropriate Patterns
Dries: Frying Pan Emergers, Sprout Midges, Bills Midge Emerger, Hatching Midges, Spent Midges
Nymphs: PT's, BLM's, STD's, Tungsten Bead Baetis, Sparklewing RS-2's, Johnny Flash, Barr Emerger BWO, Biot Baetis, Biot Midges, Jujubees, Zebra Midges, Freestone Emergers, Eggs (14-18).
Hints: Many of our fly patterns have been custom tied and developed for the Roaring Fork. Custom tying materials in local colors are available as well. Check in with our staff when you pass through our area and we will happily show you what the hottest flies are and the best areas to fish... Tight Lines!
MIDDLE Roaring Fork - Basalt Downstream to Carbondale
FLOW: 224 cfs in Basalt
WATER CONDITIONS: Ideal winter conditions, low and clear and fishing MUCH better than the Upper river.
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10. The fishing could be ranked even higher except for the fact that the river is too cold in the mornings to produce many fish. You'll find your best fishing on the middle Roaring Fork after 1pm. You're earning fish but catching plenty providing you're fishing good, slow, deep water. Our favorite areas at this time of year include: Buddah, Red Car, Two Stumps, Trestle and the Bypass Bridge. Stop in the shop and we're gladly point you in the right direction and go over a map with you to highlight these areas.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Baetis (18-20), Midges (18-22), Caddis Larva (14-18), Eggs (14-18), Winter Stones (8-12)
THE SHORT AND SWEET: Check out our blog for an in depth recent fishing report. Nymphing the deeper pools and seams are critical to success.
THE IN DEPTH REVIEW: Winter is all about having the river to yourself and sticking many and big fish as you giggle to yourself feeling like it's a secret should take to your grave. Two or three fly nymphs rigs fished in the deeper slots, seams and pools will yield the most fish provided you are getting your flies down to the bottom with a good dead drift. Smaller (#14-18) attractor nymph patterns like Flashtail Mini Eggs, Princes, Red Copper Johns and BH Pheasant Tails are ideal lead/point flies. Follow these up with little (#18-22) bwo/midge imitations such as: Freestone Emergers, STD's, Boogers, Blings, Red Zebra Midges, RS2's, and Halfback BWO's. The majority of the fish are making the transition back to deeper water thus congregating the fish. The streamer fishing is only rated as decent at best, though at times will still yield a few fish. Just make sure it's a warm day to prevent ice build-up in your guides.
Appropriate Patterns
Nymphs: Flashtail Eggs, P-Tails, Princes, RS2's, Johnny Flash, Boogers, Freestone Emergers, STD's, BLM's, Tungsten Bead Baetis, Pulsating Emerger, Biot Midges, Barr Emerger BWO, Thread Body Baetis, TC Red Midge Larva
Dries: Frying Pan Emergers, FP Emergers, Sprout Midges (don't expect much in the way of dry fly fishing right now, if at all though)
Streamers: Autumn Splendors, Ziwi's, Sacrilege's, Stingin' Sculpins, Stingin' Clousers, Buggers, Slump Busters, Sculpzillas
Hints: Fish lighter tippets of 5x, and 6x as we are now focusing on smaller insects. For streamer fishing we recommend using heavy tippets of 02x and 03x (20-25lb) as the fish really don't care and it'll keep lost flies to a minimum.
LOWER Roaring Fork - Carbondale Downstream to Glenwood
FLOW: 409 cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Go big and deep.
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10 The river has been fishing well, and at times very well, but the river is definately weather dependant. If you get a warm day out there, by all means go fish. You'll net plenty of fish. On cold days though, you'd be better off to head up the Frying Pan where conditions are more favorable. The weather is supposed to be ideal (warm) for the next two weeks!
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO's (18-22), Midges (20-24), Eggs (14-18), Caddis Larva (16-20), Winter Stones (8-12)
THE SHORT AND SWEET:This is the time of year for solitude, screaming fly reels and bent rods. Eggs are still on the menu as an attractor but most fish are being caught on Midges, small Baetis, and some Stoneflies. Flashtail Hot Eggs and 20Inchers are a killer attractor patterns and will be "the" flies to have on at all times through the winter and spring. Like the Middle and Upper Roaring Fork, in general the fishing is all about dredging nymphs and slingin' streamers though some sporadic dry fly fishing is taking place during warm, overcast days.
THE IN DEPTH REVIEW: Pick a warm day. That's the key along the Roaring Fork right now. Thankfully, warm weather is expected all week. Downsize those nymphs for droppers! For shots at larger fish use shorter, heavy, two and three fly nymph rigs. An average distance from split shot to indicator should be about 5-7'ft. Tippets of 5x and even 6x on occassion will be needed given the low, clear water conditions coupled with smaller flies. A surprising number of people are inquiring about float fishing possibilities. Yes, floating is possible. It's just weather dependant. Look for warm overnight low temps in the teens and twenties to yield the best float fishing opportunities. The best stretch of river to float is from Cabondale to Westbank as this stretch will have the most sunlight. You absolutely have to have a good 4WD vehicle to access boat ramps and if in doubt, slide in your boat over the snow.
Appropriate Patterns
Nymphs: Same as middle and upper Fork
Dries: Same as middle and upper Fork
Streamers: Same as middle and upper Fork
Link to the USGS Real Time Flow Chart for the Fork @ Aspen
Link to the USGS Real Time Flow Chart for the Fork @ Basalt (Emma)
Link to the USGS Real Time Flow Chart for the Fork @ Glenwood
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