Roaring Fork River
Upper (Above Carbondale)

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 100 cfs below Maroon Creek (Woody Creek Canyon)
WATER CLARITY: Low and clear. We are seeing some color here and there as we start to warm up.
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO adults and nymphs, Midges, winter stones, sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: BWOs and Midges are the main food source, but leading with a stonefly or prince nymph could get fish looking. When fishing the upper Fork, especially at these low flows, sight fishing can be key. Also lighter tippet such as 5 and 6x will prove to get more eats. Make sure to wear some studded boots or bring a walking staff, fishing from the middle of the river opens opportunities for multiple drifts and picking off every pocket a trout could hold.

Be mindful rainbow trout are spawning, so there is a good chance you will see their beds (redds) in this section. Please avoid fishing/stepping on the beds, rather put the rod down and watch the magic of nature take place.
HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, Midges 20-24, winter stoneflies 16-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Sparkledun BWO 18-22, Hackle Dun Baetis 20-22, Morgan's Para 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: BLM 18-20, Tungsten Bead Baetis 20, 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: Weir's Sculpin 6, Autumn Splendor 6, Zuddler 6, Slumpies 6-8
HINTS: Skip the blah water and focus on the deeper open runs and pools.

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 100 cfs below Maroon Creek (Woody Creek Canyon)
WATER CLARITY: Low and clear. We are seeing some color here and there as we start to warm up.
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, winter stones, BWO nymphs, sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: Spring is here. Water is just starting to open up on the upper stretches of the Roaring Fork. We are already seeing midges hatching all the way up to Aspen, so the dry fly fishing is turning up!

Midges are still the main food source present, but leading with a stonefly or prince nymph could get fish looking. When fishing the upper Fork, especially at these low flows, sight fishing can be key. Also lighter tippet such as 5 and 6x will prove to get more eats. Make sure to wear some studded boots or bring a walking staff, fishing from the middle of the river opens opportunities for multiple drifts and picking off every pocket a trout could hold.

Be mindful rainbow trout are beginning to spawn, so there is a good chance you will see their beds (redds) in this section. Please avoid fishing/stepping on the beds, rather put the rod down and watch the magic of nature take place.
HATCHES: Midges 20-24, winter stoneflies 16-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Morgan's Para 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: BLM 18-20, Tungsten Bead Baetis 20, 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: Weir's Sculpin 6, Autumn Splendor 6, Zuddler 6, Slumpies 6-8
HINTS: Skip the blah water and focus on the deeper open runs and pools.