Roaring Fork River
Flow: 434cfs/Aspen, 820cfs/Basalt, 1,130cfs/Glenwood Springs
Conditions: Runoff is well in the rearview mirror now at this point. The river is now low and clear. Green drakes are still lingering along the upper river from Snowmass to Aspen. In fact, some of the best fishing on the entire river is here. This is largely due to the higher elevation and cooler water temperatures. PMD’s, caddis, green drakes and hoppers are the primary hatches. Below Basalt is also very productive for extended periods of the day due to the influence of cooler waters from the Frying Pan. Here at our headquarters below Bonedale’, look for the morning bite to offer up the most productive fishing. Tiny and shiny flies are dominating the fly boxes of our guides again. Water temps have exceeded 65’f in Glenwood the past week during late afternoons/evenings and the mood of the fish has reflected it. It seems to be a matter of time before voluntary river closures are put in place unless if the weather cooperates and monsoonal rains bail us out. There’s still an abundance of great water to fish (that’s part of why we live here), we just all need to be ethically conscious as to when and where we fish at this time of year.
Let our staff of guides show you where and how to properly go fishing this summer. Please be sure to book your guided fishing trip with as much advance notice as possible – especially if requesting your favorite guide. Feel free to call us for daily river conditions – 970.963.5741
FLOATERS – PLEASE BE AWARE!!! From the Colorado Parks & Wildlife:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces the closure of the Sam Caudill State Wildlife Area (SWA) -aka- Westbank – beginning in August for multiple improvement projects. The SWA will be closed beginning Aug. 8, 2024, with an anticipated reopening in March of 2025. During the closure, all public access to the SWA will be prohibited.
Flies
Dries: Chubby Chernobyls (tan/yellow/gold), PMXs (same), Tarantulas, Fat Alberts, Foam Elk Hair Caddis (tan/brown), Rubber Leg Stimi (yellow/orange), Ginger Variant, Flag Dun PMD, Melon Quill, CDC Rusty Spinner, Drake Sparkleduns, Royal Wulff Cripple
Nymphs: Jig Rubberlegs (black/coffee), Cheater Belly (brown/tan), Zirdles (tan/coffee), Jig FKA Prince, Guides Choice, Soft Hackle PT, BH Swiss Straw Emerger, Split Case PMD, BH Barr Emerger PMD, Perdigons (orange/PMD), Translucent Sally, Lime Prince, RS-2’s, Polywings, PTs, San Juan Worm (red/tan/brown), Polywing Emergers, BH Cheesman Emerger
Streamers: Goldie Articulated, Ebony Articulated, Double Bunny (white), Thin Mints, Jig Slum Lord (brown), Aggravator Prince, Wooly Bugger (black/white)
