Crystal River –
Flow: 48 cfs/Redstone, 69 cfs/Carbondale
Conditions: Winter is here – which means the best fishing will take place along the lower river in Carbondale. Keep an eye on the weather for the best fishing. Ideally you want a warm overnight low temperature above 20’f. for the fishing to be very doable the following day. Fish the obvious deep 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. We often find that the larger fish on the Crystal are frequently prone to rising and caught on dries! 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.
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
