Roaring Fork River
Flow: 206cfs/Aspen (Jaffe Park), 467cfs/Basalt, 728cfs/Glenwood Springs
Conditions: The lower river from Carbondale to Glenwood Springs has been fishing well in the mornings up until about 2pm or so. Water temps have been getting up to 68’f – because of that, anglers should be carrying a stream thermometer with them and cease fishing when temps meet or exceed 68’f (generally after 2pm). It would not surprise any of us if the CPW places fishing restrictions on the lower river in the coming week(s). The float traffic has been heavy as guides from Summit County and the Vail Valley are now fishing here too with their rivers being shut down. Hatches are consisting of Hoppers, PMDs, caddis and BWOs. With the water dropping, fish are moving off of the banks and into midriver holding areas. The river is at a great level for hopper/dropper/dropper rigs with even a fair amount of fish coming up and eating the dry! The waters from Snowmass to Aspen are in great shape and fishing well at these water levels. Short nymph rigs or dry/dropper fishing has been fishing best. The headwaters of the river up near Independence Pass have really been shining lately too – plus Mother Nature’s air conditioning is awfully nice too. Picking pockets with a single dry fly and catching brook trout is about as much fun as you can have with your Crocs on.
Flies-
Dries: Parachute Hopper, Fat Albert, Chubby Chernobyls, Dry Humpers, Tarantulas, PMXs, Stimi ChewToys, Foam Elk Hair Caddis, Egg Laying Caddis, E/C Caddis, Renegades, Rusty Spinner, Ants
Nymphs: Sunkin Spinner, Red Headed Princes, Electric Caddis, Breadcrust Caddis, Rock Grinders, Jiggy Sally, Halfback PMD, Swiss Straw Emerger, Split Case PMD, Translucent Sally, CDC RS2, Mayhems in Black and BWO, TwoBit Hookers, CDC Pheasant Tails, Purdee John Yellow, Perdigons Orange and Black, Frenchies, Bubble Up Mayflies, San Juan Worms
Streamers: Jig Mini Bugger, Thin Mint, P3 Bugger, Double Bunny, Gongas, Dungeons, Jig Sparkle Minnow
