Crystal River –
Flow: 103 cfs/Redstone, 57 cfs/Carbondale
Conditions: The Crystal very well might be the seeing the best fishing in the Valley right now – with much less crowds than the Frying Pan. Flows have finally come down and soft water now abounds throughout the river. Typical western dry/dropper rigs are pretty standard fare. High floating, bushy dry flies like Chubby Chernobyls, PMXs, Stimis, Tarantulas and Dry Humpers are guide favorites in sizes #8-14. PMDs, caddis and small hoppers are the main hatches being seen. Beaded attractor patterns like Princes, Pheasant Tails and Copper Johns are old-school favorites for dropper flies. New-school Euro/Jig flies like Perdigons, Bullets and Frenchies are equally successful in sizes #14-18. Small streamers in darker colors are good searching patterns when the light is low. Our private waters in Redstone and Marble are both fishing better than anyone deserves. The Darien Ranch (Marble) in particular has been seeing superb dry fly fishing and wild fish! Meanwhile a few fish over 20″ inches have been caught over the past week in our Redstone Preserve water. Our guides know the Crystal River intimately – let us give you the highlight of your vacation!
As always, feel free to give us a call for daily river conditions at 970.963.5741
Flies
Dries: Royal Stimi’s, Chubby Chernobyls (yellow/tan), Tarantulas, PMX (yellow), Dry Humper (yellow), Foam Elk Hair Caddis (tan/brown), Ginger Variant, Royal Wulff Cripple, Melon Quill, Sparkle Flag PMD (yellow)
Nymphs: 20Inchers, Pats Rubberlegs, Jig Prince, Jig Breadcrust, TB Electric Caddis, Tung PTs, Rainbow Warriors, BH Barr Emerger PMD, BH Swiss Straw Emerger, Guides Choice, Jig Frenchie, Bullet (purple), Gum Dropper (black), Cold War Caddis
Streamers: Slump Busters, Thin Mints, Sculpzillas, PSLs, Skully Bugger, Royal Coachman Bucktail, Mickey Finn
