Roaring Fork River
Lower (Below Carbondale)

LOWER ROARING FORK - CARBONDALE DOWNSTREAM TO GLENWOOD
FLOW: 368 CFS in Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Stonefly Nymphs, Sculpins, Eggs
THE LOW DOWN: Be a Pain in the A.N.S.! Clean Your Gear | Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Things are fishing a lot like the mid-river. Eggs and tiny shiny bugs in the centerline are very effective. Cold water, low water, big fish. What else do we have to say?

Streamers can still be effective, but generally the fish are going to be less aggressive/reactive as water and air temps drop substantially.
HATCHES: Midges
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 8-12, Rust Murder She Wrote 18-20, Tim Heng's BLM 18-20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph Black 18-20, Stott's Raisinette 20, Stott's Mercury Bad Carl Grey 20, BMW Foam Top RS2 Black 20-22, Mercury Bead RS2 Grey 22, Pandemic BWO Emerger 20-22, Freestone Emerger Olive 22, Internal Wire Tube Midge Black/Red 20, Desert Storm Midge Fluor. Orange 22, TC Custom Midge Red/Clear 20-22, Flash Egg 18
DRIES: Parachute Adams 18-24, Bill Fitzsimmons' Trailing Shuck Midge Emerger 22-24, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24
STREAMERS: Craven's Swim Coach, Circus Peanut, Grease Monkey, Barr's Slumpbuster, Devourer of Souls, Hansen's Meal Ticket, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor,
HINTS: In the winter, things reverse -- the best hatches should be seen on warmer, sunny days.

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

MIDDLE ROARING FORK - BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE
FLOW: 200 CFS at Basalt
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Stonefly Nymphs, Sculpins, Eggs
THE LOWDOWN: Be a Pain in the A.N.S.! Clean Your Gear | Colorado Parks and Wildlife

With low, stable flows, it's fairly straightforward winter fishing around these parts. For best results, focus your attention on deeper runs and pools where fish can find cover and expend less energy. Keep flies tiny (exception: egg patterns) and watch that bobber for lazy, subtle strikes. Best time to fish is in the afternoon especially when night time temps drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your eyes open for upstream ice dam releases.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS
NYMPHS: Jigged Tungsten Red-Tie PT 18-20, Tungsten 2 Bead Nymph Olive 18, Jigged Iron Lotus 18, Jigged Hares Ear 16-18, Stott's Juggernaut 20, Stott's Raisinette 20, Barr's Emerger 18-22, Neon Nightmare 22-24, Bling Midge Charcoal/Tan 20-24, Flash Egg 18
DRIES: Traditional Adams 20-22, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24
STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint, Tungsten Thin Mint, Craven's Baby Gonga, Carlton Banks, Circus Peanut, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor
HINTS: Get your flies down -- heavy shot, small flies

MIDDLE ROARING FORK - BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE
FLOW: 200 CFS at Basalt
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Stonefly Nymphs, Sculpins, Eggs
THE LOWDOWN: With low, stable flows, it's fairly straightforward winter fishing around these parts. For best results, focus your attention on deeper runs and pools where fish can find cover and expend less energy. Keep flies tiny (exception: egg patterns) and watch that bobber for lazy, subtle strikes. Best time to fish is in the afternoon especially when night time temps drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep your eyes open for upstream ice dam releases.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24

APPROPRIATE PATTERNS
NYMPHS: Jigged Tungsten Red-Tie PT 18-20, Tungsten 2 Bead Nymph Olive 18, Jigged Iron Lotus 18, Jigged Hares Ear 16-18, Stott's Juggernaut 20, Stott's Raisinette 20, Barr's Emerger 18-22, Neon Nightmare 22-24, Bling Midge Charcoal/Tan 20-24, Flash Egg 18
DRIES: Traditional Adams 20-22, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24, McCannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22-24
STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint, Tungsten Thin Mint, Craven's Baby Gonga, Carlton Banks, Circus Peanut, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor
HINTS: Get your flies down -- heavy shot, small flies