Roaring Fork River
Upper (Above Carbondale)

UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 370 CFS near Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 9 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Blue Winged Olives, Golden Stoneflies, Caddis, Green Drakes, PMDs, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Now that the upper has lowered, cleared, and warmed slightly, expect better hatches, easier access, and overall top-tier fishing. The Drakes haven't quite hatched this far up, but it shouldn't be more than a couple weeks. Don't be afraid to fish those big nymphs, though! Everything's a bit ahead of schedule this year.

Midges, BWOs and PMDs are most abundant in regard to hatches, but you can start to consider some nymphs for the upcoming emergences, like golden stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae, green drake nymphs, et cetera. Dry dropper can rigs can be very effective on this stretch.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, Blue-winged Olives 20-22, PMDs 16-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Quill Midge 20, Solitude Hatching Midge Black 22, Bill Fitzsimmons Trailing Shuck Midge 22-26, TC Sparkledun BWO 20-22, HOH CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, Uber-realistic Baetis 20-22, Taylor Creek Custom Collete's Parachute BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun PMD 16-18, Melon Quill PMD 16-18. H&L Variant 14-18, Skippy Hopper 8-12, Chubby Chernobyl 6-12
NYMPHS: Twenty Incher Nymph 14-16, Prince Nymph 16-18, San Juan Worm 12, Guide's Choice Hares Ear 16-18, Stott's Raisinette 20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph 18-20, Jigged Hot Orange Bead CDC Pheasant Tail 18-20, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior 18-22, BTS Baetis 20-22, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Beadwing Midge Emerger Grey 20-22, Pulsating Midge Emerger 20, Freestone Emerger Olive 22, Tailwater Tiny Midge Red 20-22
STREAMERS: Craven's Swim Coach, Barr's Slump Buster, Carlton Banks, Craven's Baby Gonga, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor
HINTS: Fish the soft water along the banks before you cast into the middle of the river

UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 468 CFS near Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Blue Winged Olives, Golden Stoneflies, Caddis, Green Drake and PMD nymphs, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Now that the upper has lowered, cleared, and warmed slightly, expect better hatches, easier access, and overall top-tier fishing. The Drakes haven't quite made it this far up, but it shouldn't be more than a couple weeks. Everything's a bit ahead of schedule this year.

Midges & BWOs are most abundant in regard to hatches, but you can start to consider some nymphs for the upcoming emergences, like golden stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae, green drake and PMD nymphs, et cetera. With higher flows, don't be afraid to throw some larger nymphs in the deeper and faster water and trail them with something smaller. Dry dropper can rigs can be very effective on this stretch.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, Blue-winged Olives 20-22, PMDs 16-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Quill Midge 20, Solitude Hatching Midge Black 22, Bill Fitzsimmons Trailing Shuck Midge 22-26, TC Sparkledun BWO 20-22, HOH CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, Uber-realistic Baetis 20-22, Taylor Creek Custom Collete's Parachute BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun PMD 16-18, H&L Variant 14-18, Skippy Hopper 8-12, Chubby Chernobyl 6-12
NYMPHS: Twenty Incher Nymph 14-16, Prince Nymph 16-18, San Juan Worm 12, Guide's Choice Hares Ear 16-18, Stott's Raisinette 20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph 18-20, Jigged Hot Orange Bead CDC Pheasant Tail 18-20, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior 18-22, BTS Baetis 20-22, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Beadwing Midge Emerger Grey 20-22, Pulsating Midge Emerger 20, Freestone Emerger Olive 22, Tailwater Tiny Midge Red 20-22
STREAMERS: Craven's Swim Coach, Barr's Slump Buster, Carlton Banks, Craven's Baby Gonga, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor
HINTS: Fish the soft water along the banks before you cast into the middle of the river