Roaring Fork Fishing Report

 

 

Fly Fishing Report for the 4 main rivers in the Roaring Fork Valley, the Roaring Fork River, Frying Pan River, Colorado River and the Crystal River. The fishing report is updated regularly so check back often for current information. If you have any questions call us or contact us for the most current conditions and fly fishing report. We also have a hatch chart available for general bug hatch information.

Frying Pan River Fishing Report

May 5, 2013

Spring fishing is ON! Flows are a bit over 100 CFS on the Frying Pan River. Dry fly fishing has been heating up on warmer days. Baetis (BWO), Caddis and try an occasional Stimulator on your rig. You will be most sucessful nymphing with midges, eggs, caddis and mayfly patterns.

Call us for current conditions or stop by to find out more before wading.

Flies:
Dries:#20-22 Rubber legged Stimulator, Morgans Para, Spent & Hi-Vis Para Midges; #16-22 Para Adams, CDC Compara Dun AK's Olive Quill
Nymphs: Eggs, #18-22 Disco, Midge Modger, Black Beauty, flashback hares ear, flashback pheasant tail, RS2, Magnymphico; Mysis Shrimp (up by dam)
Streamers:  Look, no one talks about streamers on the Frying Pan, but they work! Try em.

Frying Pan River Flows

 

Roaring Fork River Fishing Report

May 5, 2013

REMINDER, 4 Mile Creek and 3 Mile Creek closures are in effect until May 15th!!

No fishing within 50 yards of creek mouths and no fishing 1/2 mile up the creek.

The Roaring Fork River is clear and very fishable above the confluence of the Crystal River and upvalley. Midges, BWOs, Caddis and Squallas are all around and Dry fly fishing can be had all the way from Carbondale up to Aspen. BWOs and Mothers Day Caddis in the afternoon. Fish are active and you will find them spread out in all kinds of water. Stones are molting, so be sure that you have some golden stone patterns in your box. Move around often to locate active fish and take note of the depth and current speed when you start to catch fish. Fish all current speeds until you find active fish, and don't forget to look for heads!

The Roaring Fork River below Carbondale is mostly muddy.

We are getting lots of calls about floating the 'Fork. Its tough & flows are still low. Just because you think you can get a raft down the Fork doesn't mean you should. Rafting when the water is too low is like a boater dragging the anchor as they drift along. Bugs die and their habitat is ruined.

Call us for current conditions or stop by to find out more before floating or wading.

Flies:

Dries: 16-20 AK's olive quill, Slate and olive Thorax, Puterbaughs BWO, Mothers Day Caddis Stimies.
Nymphs: #8-14 20 incher, Gold Bead Epoxy Stone, Pats Rubber Legs; #16-20 BH Pheasant Tail, Beer Head Beatis, pocket water beatis: BH Prince, Disco Midge, Red, black, zebra midge, Chart and Oregon cheese eggs.
Streamers: Sculpzilla, clousabou, zonker, Spring Splendor

Roaring Fork River Flows

 

Crystal River Fishing Report

May 5, 2013

You have to head up above Redstone to find clearer water. Small hares ears, and small attractor nymphs are the ticket subsurface. By the way, If you find a good white Fish hole, let me know. I want to fire up the smoker.

Flies:

Dries: Adams, Para Adams, olive gulper caddis, stimies.
Nymphs: 10-14 Stones, BH Prince, #14-16 yellow sally, 14-18 Pheasant Tail, 14-18 BH Hares ear, 16-18 Baetis.

Crystal River Flows

 

Colorado River Fishing Report

See the Colorado River on the Wave Park Webcam.

May 5, 2013

REMINDER, Grizzly Creek, No Name Creek, and Canyon Creek Closures are in effect until May 15th!

No fishing within 50 yards of creek mouths and no fishing 1/2 mile up the creek.

The Colorado River is mostly muddy and has been unfishable for the last week. We don't know if this is a temporary spring thing or if it will keep going and become our full blown runoff for 2013. We are hoping for another 'window' or 2 but Mother Nature has her own agenda. We are glad for the water and hope it keeps on coming anyway.

Call us for current conditions before you come up.

Flies:

Dries:
Nymphs: big & ugly #2/0
Streamers:

Colorado River Flows

 

Still Waters

May 2013

The lakes and ponds at this altitude are warming up nicely. A few bugs are popping off and occasionaly some bass are hitting them. The Bluegills are protecting their beds and will hit just about anything you put over them. Try a caddis dry fly with a FFKA on a 2 to 3 foot dropper.

Drys: Small Poppers, Caddis, Adams, Damsels & Dragons
Nymphs: FFKA, Prince, Pheasant tails, Electric Caddis, Damsels & Dragons

 

Stop by and stock up on flies or just check out some of our new patterns. Please see our Hatch Chart and contact us for fly recommendations or to book a guided fly fishing trip.

If you are planning a fishing trip out in Colorado, we encourage that you purchase your license online. Please visit the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website to buy your license online from CPW.