Roaring Fork River
Lower (Below Carbondale)
Recent Guide Reports
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- Green Drake
- Pat's Rubberlegs
- PMD
- Royal Wulff
- Chubby Chernoble
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Sculpzilla
- Golden Stonefly
- Pheasant Tail
- 20 Incher
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Jul 18
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
LOWER ROARING FORK - CARBONDALE DOWNSTREAM TO GLENWOOD
FLOW: 1200 CFS in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Low and clear now
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Golden Stones, Blue Winged Olives, Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, PMD Rusty Spinners, Craneflies, Caddis, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: The flows are way down from just a week or two ago, and the river is low and clear. Best approached by boat, the lower Fork has a ton of different hatches happening right now. (Not to say you can't wade it, just swing by and we'll show you some wade access on the map we sell)
Drakes have (almost) fizzled out as they move up-valley, but the fish are still looking for them. Heaviest hatches this week consist of Yellow Sallies, caddis, Pale Morning Duns and PMD Rusty Spinners.
Twilight is a great time to fish down here, especially if you work for a living and don't have a lot of time. Think green drakes, Rusty Spinners and especially caddis if you're seeing angry takes out there in the dying light.
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12, Pale Morning Duns 14-18, PMD Rusty Spinners 14-18, Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Golden Stones 4-10, Craneflies 10-16, Midges 18-26
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: NYMPHS: Jigged Duracell 16-18, Cat Poop Stone 4-10, Griffin's Twenty-Incher 10-14, Jigged and Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14-18, Mercer's Jigster PMD 16-18, Jigged Frenchie 16-18, Spanflex Brown Stonefly 8, Rust Murder She Wrote 18-20, Guide's Choice Hares Ear 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Copper John 14-16, Tim Heng's BLM 18-20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph 18-20, Tungsten Redemption 16-18, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Stott's Raisinette 20DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl 6-10, Reed's Rogue Mustard Chubby 8-12, Egg Layer Golden Stone 8, Improved Sofa Pillow 4-8, Cloud Nine Golden Stone 8-10, H&L Variant 10-12, Royal Wulff 10-12, CDC Comparadun PMD 16-18, Yellow Comparadun PMD 16-18, Para PMD Rusty Spinner 14-18, Yellow Humpy 14-18, Stimulator 12-18, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Improved Sparkle Dun BWO 18-22, No Hackle BWO 20-22, Roy's Special Emerger 20
STREAMERS: Swim Coach, Circus Peanut, Grease Monkey, Slumpbuster, Devourer of Souls, Meal Ticket, Heng's Autumn Splendor,
HINTS: Generally, cloudy days tend to produce the best mayfly action, but caddis prefer the high, bright sun. Don't overlook the magic of fishing dawn and dusk.
Upper Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09076300&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Middle Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09081000
Lower Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09085000
FLOW: 1200 CFS in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Low and clear now
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Golden Stones, Blue Winged Olives, Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, PMD Rusty Spinners, Craneflies, Caddis, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: The flows are way down from just a week or two ago, and the river is low and clear. Best approached by boat, the lower Fork has a ton of different hatches happening right now. (Not to say you can't wade it, just swing by and we'll show you some wade access on the map we sell)
Drakes have (almost) fizzled out as they move up-valley, but the fish are still looking for them. Heaviest hatches this week consist of Yellow Sallies, caddis, Pale Morning Duns and PMD Rusty Spinners.
Twilight is a great time to fish down here, especially if you work for a living and don't have a lot of time. Think green drakes, Rusty Spinners and especially caddis if you're seeing angry takes out there in the dying light.
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12, Pale Morning Duns 14-18, PMD Rusty Spinners 14-18, Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Golden Stones 4-10, Craneflies 10-16, Midges 18-26
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: NYMPHS: Jigged Duracell 16-18, Cat Poop Stone 4-10, Griffin's Twenty-Incher 10-14, Jigged and Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14-18, Mercer's Jigster PMD 16-18, Jigged Frenchie 16-18, Spanflex Brown Stonefly 8, Rust Murder She Wrote 18-20, Guide's Choice Hares Ear 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Copper John 14-16, Tim Heng's BLM 18-20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph 18-20, Tungsten Redemption 16-18, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Stott's Raisinette 20DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl 6-10, Reed's Rogue Mustard Chubby 8-12, Egg Layer Golden Stone 8, Improved Sofa Pillow 4-8, Cloud Nine Golden Stone 8-10, H&L Variant 10-12, Royal Wulff 10-12, CDC Comparadun PMD 16-18, Yellow Comparadun PMD 16-18, Para PMD Rusty Spinner 14-18, Yellow Humpy 14-18, Stimulator 12-18, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Improved Sparkle Dun BWO 18-22, No Hackle BWO 20-22, Roy's Special Emerger 20
STREAMERS: Swim Coach, Circus Peanut, Grease Monkey, Slumpbuster, Devourer of Souls, Meal Ticket, Heng's Autumn Splendor,
HINTS: Generally, cloudy days tend to produce the best mayfly action, but caddis prefer the high, bright sun. Don't overlook the magic of fishing dawn and dusk.
Upper Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09076300&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Middle Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09081000
Lower Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09085000
Jul 18
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
MIDDLE ROARING FORK - BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE
FLOW: 866 CFS in Basalt
WATER CONDITIONS: Clear but we are seeing a bit of color once in a while from various feeder creeks after rain
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, PMD Rusty Spinners, Yellow Sallies, Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Caddis, Golden Stoneflies, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: The fish are hungry and willing to eat after runoff, and there are plenty of good-to-excellent hatches happening now.
Believe it or not, the Green Drakes are up to to and even past Basalt as of this week. These big bugs love the rougher, turbulent water we see in this stretch. If you don't see drakes, there should be some caddis, sallies, PMDs and craneflies out there to keep you and the fish busy.
There's not a lot of public access mid-valley, but local favorites are Catherine Store, behind Crown Mountain Park, and the section along Two Rivers Road here in Basalt.
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12, Yellow Sallies 16-18, Caddis 12-18, Pale Morning Duns 14-18, PMD Rusty Spinners 14-18, Craneflies 10-16, Golden Stoneflies 4-10, Blue Winged Olives 20-22, Midges 18-24
APPROPRIATE PATTERNSNYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-10, Griffin's Twenty-Incher Nymph 10-14, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Stott's USD Drake Nymph 12, PMD Trigger Nymph 16-18, Spanish Perdigon 16-18, Stott's Good Carl 20, Stott's Good Carl 20, Jigged Tungsten Red Tie PT 18-20
DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl 6-10, Royal Wulff 10-16, H&L Variant 10-16, TC Custom Green Drake Sparkledun 12-14, Traditional Adams 16-20, Yellow Humpy 14-18, No Hackle PMD 16-18, Melon Quill PMD 16-18, TC Custom PMD Sparkledun 14-18, Stimulator 12-18, Outrigger Caddis 16, Putterbaugh Caddis Black 16-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22,
STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint, Tungsten Thin Mint, Baby Gonga, Carlton Banks, Circus Peanut, Autumn Splendor,
HINTS: Fish the banks first- trout are lazy!
FLOW: 866 CFS in Basalt
WATER CONDITIONS: Clear but we are seeing a bit of color once in a while from various feeder creeks after rain
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Green Drakes, Pale Morning Duns, PMD Rusty Spinners, Yellow Sallies, Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Caddis, Golden Stoneflies, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: The fish are hungry and willing to eat after runoff, and there are plenty of good-to-excellent hatches happening now.
Believe it or not, the Green Drakes are up to to and even past Basalt as of this week. These big bugs love the rougher, turbulent water we see in this stretch. If you don't see drakes, there should be some caddis, sallies, PMDs and craneflies out there to keep you and the fish busy.
There's not a lot of public access mid-valley, but local favorites are Catherine Store, behind Crown Mountain Park, and the section along Two Rivers Road here in Basalt.
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12, Yellow Sallies 16-18, Caddis 12-18, Pale Morning Duns 14-18, PMD Rusty Spinners 14-18, Craneflies 10-16, Golden Stoneflies 4-10, Blue Winged Olives 20-22, Midges 18-24
APPROPRIATE PATTERNSNYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-10, Griffin's Twenty-Incher Nymph 10-14, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Stott's USD Drake Nymph 12, PMD Trigger Nymph 16-18, Spanish Perdigon 16-18, Stott's Good Carl 20, Stott's Good Carl 20, Jigged Tungsten Red Tie PT 18-20
DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl 6-10, Royal Wulff 10-16, H&L Variant 10-16, TC Custom Green Drake Sparkledun 12-14, Traditional Adams 16-20, Yellow Humpy 14-18, No Hackle PMD 16-18, Melon Quill PMD 16-18, TC Custom PMD Sparkledun 14-18, Stimulator 12-18, Outrigger Caddis 16, Putterbaugh Caddis Black 16-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22,
STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint, Tungsten Thin Mint, Baby Gonga, Carlton Banks, Circus Peanut, Autumn Splendor,
HINTS: Fish the banks first- trout are lazy!
Jul 08
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
LOWER ROARING FORK - CARBONDALE DOWNSTREAM TO GLENWOOD
FLOW: 2000cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Starting to clear and dropping steadily
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Golden Stones, Blue Winged Olives, Green Drakes, Caddis, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: Though the water is high, Caddis are still coming off later in the evening when the temperatures begin to turn and the clarity improves slightly. Green Drakes are here and ripe for the picking. Remember, this is a late evening hatch so be sure to pack a headlamp and dry shake for a fighting chance at keeping those flies visible.
Wading still isn't ideal but the float fishing is great by all accounts. Everything from streamers to dries to droppers are killing right now, so call your friend with the boat, pack the cold snacks and grab your go-to rig.
Streamers are usually effective on the lower Fork, but we'd suggest smaller flies and natural colors for the most part. Keys tarpon eat size 8 flies, so don't feel like you have to throw a 3/0 double articulated fly to be "streamer fishing."
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12, Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Midges 18-26, Golden Stones 4-10
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: NYMPHS: Jigged Duracell 16-18, Cat Poop Stone 4-10, Tungsten Twenty-Incher 10-14, Mercer's Jigster PMD 16-18, Jigged Frenchie 16-18, Spanflex Brown Stonefly 8, San Juan Worm, Foam Top RS2 18-20, Murder She Wrote Rust 18-20, Guide's Choice Hares Ear 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Copper John 14-16, BLMs 18-20, Freestone Emerger 22, RS2s 20-22, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Soft Hackle BWO 20-22, Imposters 20-22DRIES: Reed's Rogue Mustard Chubby 8-12, Egg Layer Golden Stone 8, Improved Sofa Pillow 4-8, Cloud Nine Golden Stone 8-10, H&L Variant 10-12, Royal Wulff 10-12, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Improved Sparkle Dun BWO 18-22, Quasi-No Hackle BWO 20-22, Roy's Special Emerger 20, Perfect Baetis 20-22, Hatching Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, Morgans Midge 18-20, Griffiths Gnat 20
STREAMERS: Beldar Lemon Drop 2, Grease Monkey 4, Slumpbuster 6-8, Devourer of Souls 6, Tim's Splendor 6-8
HINTS: Generally, cloudy days tend to produce the best mayfly action, but caddis prefer the high, bright sun. You'll see the heaviest drake activity near dusk; fish faster water than you're used to!
Upper Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09076300&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Middle Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09081000
Lower Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09085000
FLOW: 2000cfs in Glenwood Springs
WATER CONDITIONS: Starting to clear and dropping steadily
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Golden Stones, Blue Winged Olives, Green Drakes, Caddis, Midges, Sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: Though the water is high, Caddis are still coming off later in the evening when the temperatures begin to turn and the clarity improves slightly. Green Drakes are here and ripe for the picking. Remember, this is a late evening hatch so be sure to pack a headlamp and dry shake for a fighting chance at keeping those flies visible.
Wading still isn't ideal but the float fishing is great by all accounts. Everything from streamers to dries to droppers are killing right now, so call your friend with the boat, pack the cold snacks and grab your go-to rig.
Streamers are usually effective on the lower Fork, but we'd suggest smaller flies and natural colors for the most part. Keys tarpon eat size 8 flies, so don't feel like you have to throw a 3/0 double articulated fly to be "streamer fishing."
HATCHES: Green Drakes 10-12, Caddis 14-18, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Midges 18-26, Golden Stones 4-10
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: NYMPHS: Jigged Duracell 16-18, Cat Poop Stone 4-10, Tungsten Twenty-Incher 10-14, Mercer's Jigster PMD 16-18, Jigged Frenchie 16-18, Spanflex Brown Stonefly 8, San Juan Worm, Foam Top RS2 18-20, Murder She Wrote Rust 18-20, Guide's Choice Hares Ear 16-18, Double Down CDC PT 16-18, Copper John 14-16, BLMs 18-20, Freestone Emerger 22, RS2s 20-22, Polywing Emerger 18-20, Soft Hackle BWO 20-22, Imposters 20-22DRIES: Reed's Rogue Mustard Chubby 8-12, Egg Layer Golden Stone 8, Improved Sofa Pillow 4-8, Cloud Nine Golden Stone 8-10, H&L Variant 10-12, Royal Wulff 10-12, Elk Hair Caddis 14-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Improved Sparkle Dun BWO 18-22, Quasi-No Hackle BWO 20-22, Roy's Special Emerger 20, Perfect Baetis 20-22, Hatching Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, Morgans Midge 18-20, Griffiths Gnat 20
STREAMERS: Beldar Lemon Drop 2, Grease Monkey 4, Slumpbuster 6-8, Devourer of Souls 6, Tim's Splendor 6-8
HINTS: Generally, cloudy days tend to produce the best mayfly action, but caddis prefer the high, bright sun. You'll see the heaviest drake activity near dusk; fish faster water than you're used to!
Upper Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09076300&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Middle Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09081000
Lower Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09085000
Jul 08
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
MIDDLE ROARING FORK - BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE
FLOW: 1500cfs in Basalt
WATER CONDITIONS: High but clearing up significantly
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Caddis, Green Drakes, Stoneflies, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: While the water can still look intimidating to the wade-fisher, the float fishing has been prime. We've seen a day-over-day decrease in flows that has brought multiple feet of clarity. The fish are hungry and willing to eat after a whirlwind runoff.
Believe it or not, the Green Drakes are up to to and past Carbondale as of this week. These big boys love the fast, turbulent water we see in this stretch. Get out there and fish the valley's favorite hatch while it's hot.
There's not a lot of public access mid-river, but local favorites are Catherine Store, behind Crown Mountain Park, and the section along Two Rivers Road here in Basalt.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, Golden Stoneflies 4-10, Blue Winged Olives 20-22, Midges 18-24
APPROPRIATE PATTERNSNYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-10, Tungsten Twenty-Incher 10-14, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Stott's USD Drake Nymph 12, San Juan Worm 10-12, PMD Trigger Nymph 16-18, Spanish Perdigon 16-18, Stott's Good Carl 20, Stott's BH Drama Rust 20, Jigged Tungsten Red Tie PT 18-20, Freestone Emerger 20, BH Polywing Emerger 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Imposter 20-22, Lil Foamy 18-20, Neon Nightmare 20-22
DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl 6-10, Rubber Legs PMX 12, Royal Wulff 10-12, H&L Variant 10-12, Traditional Adams 16-20, Mole Fly Baetis 20-22, Perfect Baetis 20-22, Befus' Para Emerger 18-22, Putterbaugh Caddis Black 16-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, Hatching Midge 20-22
STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint 4-8, Hansen's Meal Ticket 4, Baby Gonga Black 8, Home Invader 2
HINTS: Fish the banks - trout are lazy!
FLOW: 1500cfs in Basalt
WATER CONDITIONS: High but clearing up significantly
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Caddis, Green Drakes, Stoneflies, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: While the water can still look intimidating to the wade-fisher, the float fishing has been prime. We've seen a day-over-day decrease in flows that has brought multiple feet of clarity. The fish are hungry and willing to eat after a whirlwind runoff.
Believe it or not, the Green Drakes are up to to and past Carbondale as of this week. These big boys love the fast, turbulent water we see in this stretch. Get out there and fish the valley's favorite hatch while it's hot.
There's not a lot of public access mid-river, but local favorites are Catherine Store, behind Crown Mountain Park, and the section along Two Rivers Road here in Basalt.
HATCHES: Caddis 14-18, Golden Stoneflies 4-10, Blue Winged Olives 20-22, Midges 18-24
APPROPRIATE PATTERNSNYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-10, Tungsten Twenty-Incher 10-14, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Stott's USD Drake Nymph 12, San Juan Worm 10-12, PMD Trigger Nymph 16-18, Spanish Perdigon 16-18, Stott's Good Carl 20, Stott's BH Drama Rust 20, Jigged Tungsten Red Tie PT 18-20, Freestone Emerger 20, BH Polywing Emerger 18-20, Biot Baetis 18-20, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Imposter 20-22, Lil Foamy 18-20, Neon Nightmare 20-22
DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl 6-10, Rubber Legs PMX 12, Royal Wulff 10-12, H&L Variant 10-12, Traditional Adams 16-20, Mole Fly Baetis 20-22, Perfect Baetis 20-22, Befus' Para Emerger 18-22, Putterbaugh Caddis Black 16-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-18, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, Hatching Midge 20-22
STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint 4-8, Hansen's Meal Ticket 4, Baby Gonga Black 8, Home Invader 2
HINTS: Fish the banks - trout are lazy!