Jun 01
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
Rating: 2/5
UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 920 CFS near Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Off-color, likely all week
OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Blue Winged Olive nymphs, emergers, & adults, Golden Stonefly nymphs, Caddis larvae, small Green Drake and PMD nymphs, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Flows are almost double what they were last week (again) due to some warm days and precipitation, but we're still well below what we'd usually expect this time of year. Off-color has become a regular occurrence, but this stretch is the most fishable section of the Fork throughout Spring. With our ultra-light snowpack, we're unsure how much runoff will really affect upper river conditions -- honestly, it's a blessing that we're a few weeks behind on runoff 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. As the water rises, don't be afraid to throw some larger nymphs in the deeper and faster water and trail them with something smaller.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, Blue-winged Olives 20-22
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, Quasi-no-hackle 20-22.
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
May 27
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
Rating: 3/5
UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 435 CFS near Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Some color now that flows are bumping up
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Blue Winged Olive nymphs, emergers, & adults, Golden Stonefly nymphs, Caddis larvae, small Green Drake and PMD nymphs, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Flows are almost double what they were last week due to some warm days and precipitation, but we're still well below what we'd usually expect this time of year. Slight off-color has become a regular occurrence, but this stretch is the most fishable section of the Fork throughout Spring. With our ultra-light snowpack, we're unsure how much runoff will really affect upper river conditions.
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. As the water rises, don't be afraid to throw some larger nymphs in the deeper and faster water and trail them with something smaller.
Like we always preach, fish the upper Fork like you would the Pan, especially in the shallow and clear areas. Small indicators and trailing flies, light tippets, and stealth come first.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, Blue-winged Olives 20-22
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, Quasi-no-hackle 20-22.
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
May 20
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
Rating: 3/5
UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 254 CFS near Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Usually clear, with some color after especially warm days
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Blue Winged Olive nymphs, emergers, & adults, Golden Stonefly nymphs, Caddis larvae, small Green Drake and PMD nymphs, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Slight off-color has become a regular occurrence, but this stretch is the most fishable section of the Fork throughout Spring. With our ultra-light snowpack, we're unsure how much runoff will really affect upper river conditions. Numbers might suggest we peaked last week, but we're all hoping that's not the case. It's an unusual year across the board for the state's water.
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. As the water rises, don't be afraid to throw some larger nymphs in the deeper and faster water and trail them with something smaller.
Like we always preach, fish the upper Fork like you would the Pan, especially in the shallow and clear areas. Small indicators and trailing flies, light tippets, and stealth come first.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, Blue-winged Olives 20-22
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, Quasi-no-hackle 20-22.
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
