Roaring Fork River
Upper (Above Carbondale)

UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 144 cfs below Maroon Creek
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO adults and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly nymphs, caddis, PMDs, sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: The upper Fork is looking great.

BWOs, caddis, PMDs, and midges are the main food source, but leading with a stonefly or prince nymph could get fish looking. When fishing the upper Fork, focus on the deeper pools and pits. Hatches have dwindled down to primarily baetis, but keep a few PMDs, caddis and midges handy on your adventures out there.

The river is low and clear, so get stealthy out there and utilize your smaller flies and tippets.
HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, midges 20-24, caddis 16-18, PMDs 14-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Pearl and Elk 16-18, Peacock Caddis 16-18, Sparkledun PMD Pink or Yellow 14-18, AK's Melon Quill PMD 16-18, 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, Spanflex Stone 10-12, Tungsten Split Case PMD 16-18, PMD Halfback Emerger 14-18
STREAMERS: 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: 144 cfs below Maroon Creek
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO adults and nymphs, midges, golden stonefly nymphs, caddis, PMDs, sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: The upper Fork is looking great.

BWOs, caddis, PMDs, 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 flows, focus on the soft water near the banks. We're starting to fish some larger bugs on heavier tippet, but you may need to revert to small flies and tippet if the river is running clear.

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.
HATCHES: BWOs 18-22, midges 20-24, caddis 16-18, PMDs 14-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Pearl and Elk 16-18, Peacock Caddis 16-18, Sparkledun PMD Pink or Yellow 14-18, AK's Melon Quill PMD 16-18, 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, Spanflex Stone 10-12, Tungsten Split Case PMD 16-18, PMD Halfback Emerger 14-18
STREAMERS: Autumn Splendor 6, Zuddler 6, Slumpies 6-8
HINTS: Skip the blah water and focus on the deeper open runs and pools.