UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 1000 CFS
WATER CLARITY: Runoff is here!
OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 10 (this will be the best section of the Fork for the brief time being conditions-wise)
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, BWOs, Caddis, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Runoff is officially here, and will steadily increase once we get hot. Don't write off the upper reaches of the Roaring Fork just yet, but choose your battles. The easiest access is in Jaffe Park, which offers multiple miles of public access.
The bug menu is super-simplified, all you need are some worms, cranefly and stonefly nymphs as the river rises. Stealth is no longer paramount as the clarity becomes poor. There hasn't been a ton of surface activity, but if you see risers, tie on your favorite caddis emerger or adult.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, BWOs 20-22, Caddis (sporadic) 16-20
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Pearl and Elk Caddis 16-18, Missing Link Caddis 16-18, HOH CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun BWO 20-22, Massacre Midge 22-24, Mole Midge 20-22, HOH Hanging Midge 20-22, HOH CDC Midge Adult 24, HOH CDC Spent Midge 22-24, Sprout Midge 20-24, Skittering Z-Lon Midge 20-22
NYMPHS: Poundmeister Cranefly Nymph 10, Barr's Cranefly Nymph 10, Cat Poop Stone 4-8, San Juan Worm 12, Copper John 16-18, BTS Baetis 20-22, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Freestone Emerger 20, BH Polywing Emerger 20, Kingrey's Cap'n Hook 20-22, Bead Wing Midge 20-22, Rojo Midge 20-22
STREAMERS: Autumn Splendor 6, Carlton Banks sz 4, Cousin It Sculpin sz 6, Grease Monkey sz 4, Beldar Lemon Drop sz 8
HINTS: Fish the soft water where your flies have time to get down in front of the fish.