Roaring Fork River Fishing Report

Roaring Fork River Fishing Report
August 20, 2024 manager
In River Reports

Roaring Fork River

Flow: 182cfs/Aspen, 583cfs/Basalt, 748cfs/Glenwood Springs

Conditions: Cooler weather and the return of our monsoonal rains have dropped water temperatures and fishing has noticeably picked-up. Prolific hatches of PMDs, caddis, yellow sallies, BWOs and hoppers are all being seen. The hopper bite, especially in pocket water has been better than we’ve seen in a few years. It should be noted that we’ve had more success fishing actual hopper patterns lately than we have generic patterns like Chubby Chernobyls. Midday hatches of PMDs and yellow sallies are keeping the fish occupied while the return of BWOs sets the stage for late August and fall fishing. Nymph fishers tend to focus on the deeper and slower pools and are doing well running tiny and shiny. Don’t overlook shallower waters that are rich in oxygen and insect life and generally devoid of other anglers. The streamer fishing has also really come on strong lately with the cooler weather and the changing of the seasons.

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. 

Also of note – The Three Mile Creek Shoreline Restoration Project begins Aug.5 and may impact river users through November.

 

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, Royal Wulff Cripple, Para. Ants

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, Tung Sparklewing 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)