Crystal River –
Flow: 360cfs/Redstone, 380 cfs/Carbondale
Conditions: Spring has sprung and the Crystal is day to day with runoff conditions. Above the town of Redstone and Coal Creek, the river is more than fishable. Cold spells can slow and minimize the runoff effect while warmer temps will have the opposite effect. Small attractor nymphs are standard fare on the Crystal. Cover and focus on the deeper sections of water. For you Euro/Czech nymph geeks out there, you won’t find a more ideal trout stream than the Crystal. BWO hatches have been commonplace with late afternoons into the evenings yielding the most risers. Caddis are also hatching in increasing numbers. There has been virtually no pressure on the river lately as other valley waters are generally more reliable at this time of year. The local Crystal fishing contingent fan club has been ranting and raving about how good the upper river has been lately – especially the streamer fishing. If you despise the crowds on the Pan and Fork, the blue-collar Crystal is ripe for the pickin’.
Flies
Dries: Roys Special Emerger, Flag Dun BWO, Sparkledun BWO, Para. Purple Haze, Foam Elk Hair Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Stimi’s
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, BH Electric Caddis, Breadcrusts, BH Princes, BH Poxybiot Golden Stone
Streamers: P3 Buggers, Thin Mints, Mini Jig Buggers
