UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 30 CFS at Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Low and Clear
OVERALL RATING: 8 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Yellow Sallies, Caddis, Golden Stoneflies, Terrestrials, Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Craneflies, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: The Fork is low, low, low and clear. These fish won't tolerate a noisy approach or a sloppy presentation. We're sticking to our small flies -- think midges, blue winged olives, and micro-caddis -- and short rigs. As usual in late summer, pay particular attention to riffles where fish can get the oxygen and cover they need to feel comfortable eating.
Dry-dropper fishing and euro-nymphing are two go-to methods on this upper stretch as well.
HATCHES: Craneflies 10-16, Pale Morning Duns 14-18, PMD Rusty Spinners 14-18, Caddis 14-18, Golden Stoneflies 6-10, Blue Winged Olives 18-22, Midges 18-24
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS: DRIES: Chubby Chernobyl 6-10, Amy's Ant 8-10, Craven's Baby Boy Hopper 12, Skippy Hopper 8, Cloud Nine Golden Stone 6-10, Stimulator 12-16, Outrigger Sallie 16, Putterbaugh Caddis Black 16-18, Elk Hair Caddis 18-20, HOH CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun BWO 20-22, TC Sparkledun PMD 16-18, Uber-Realistic PMD 16-18, No Hackle PMD 16-18, Cranefly Adult 10
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 6-10, Prince Nymph 12-18, Soft Hackle Peacock 16, Stott's Raisinette 20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph 18-20, Tungsten Faucci Nymph 16-18, Bead Head Swiss Straw Emerger 16-18, Jigged Hot Orange Bead CDC Pheasant Tail 16-20, Stott's USD Nymph 12, Magnymphico 16-18, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior 18-22, BTS Baetis 20-22, Sparklewing RS2 20-22 STREAMERS: Swim Coach, Slump Buster, Carlton Banks, Baby Gonga, Autumn SplendorHINTS: Fish the soft water along the banks before you cast into the middle of the river