Crystal River –
Flow: 59 cfs/Redstone, 71 cfs/Carbondale
Conditions: Winter is still here along the majority of the Crystal River – which means the best fishing will take place along the lower river in Carbondale. Fish the obvious deeper plunge pools for the best success. Small BWO imitations like PTs or a BTS Baetis trailed by a Zebra Midge or RS2 will suffice. Midge hatches are being seen during late afternoons with decent numbers of rising fish being seen. The BWO hatch will begin by months end also. We often find that the larger fish on the Crystal are frequently prone to rising and caught on dry flies! Some of the biggest fish landed in the Valley the past few years have come from the Crystal – and they’re not stupid. Given the low flows and clear water, stealth is of the utmost of importance right now. Light and shallow nymph rigs are best down here if you’re not seeing any rising fish. Pretty soon here we’ll see fish move into the lower Crystal river from the Roaring Fork in efforts to spawn.
Flies
Dries: Mole Fly, Trailing Shuck Emerger, Stillborn Midge, CDC Midge Adult, CDC RS2’s, Roys Special Emerger
Nymphs: Poxyback Baetis, BTS Baetis, Pheasant Tails, Jujubaetis, Barr Emerger BWO, Zebra Midge, Medallion Midge, RS2’s (black and gray), Biot Midge Emerger, PTs, French Dips, Flashtail Mini Eggs
Streamers: P3 Buggers, Thin Mints, Mini Jig Buggers
