Crystal River –
Flow: 76cfs/Redstone, 24 cfs/Carbondale
Conditions: WOW!!! — This is THE time of year to experience the Crystal River. The river is low, clear and easily accessible with the fishing conducive to a variety of techniques and flies; dries, nymphs, streamers, Euro, swingin’ wets – all are capable of producing fish on the Crystal right now! Overall, the best fishing has been taking place along the upper river from Redstone to Marble. These forgiving fish like to eat a well presented fly and rewards anglers with opportunities for the Colorado Trout Slam (catching a cutthroat, brook, rainbow and brown trout). As an added bonus, the Crystal is also one of the last strongholds for Mountain Whitefish in Colorado (Super Slam!).Cover water and practice stealth when approaching these fish. Caddis, PMDs, BWOs and hoppers/ants will be the majority of encountered hatches.
Our private waters on the Redstone Preserve and Darian Ranch are fishing at their absolute peak right now! Each is a little bit different from another and we frequently have clients fish them all over the course of their stay. Our wildly popular Crystal Mill outings are back on and the fishing has been nothing short of sensational up here lately! All truly wild fish on one of Colorado’s last truly wild freestone rivers! The scenery is absolutely breathtaking for the next six weeks – take advantage.
Flies
Dries: Foamulator Yellow, Dry Humper, Mini Chubby Yellow, Stimi ChewToy, PMXs, Foam Elk Hair Caddis, Melon Quill, Flag Dun PMD, Silhouette Dun PMD, Parachute Hopper, Tarantulas, Foam Ant, Flying Ant
Nymphs: French Dips, Perdigons, Rain Drops, Gum Drops, BH Electric Caddis, Breadcrusts, BH Princes, Poxybiot Golden Stone, SanJuan Worm, Tung PTs, Mexican Flag, BH Barr Emerger PMD, Swiss Straw Emerger, Halfback Emerger PMD, Sparklewing RS2, Bubble Up Mayflies
Streamers: P3 Buggers, Thin Mints, Mini Jig Buggers
