Roaring Fork River
Upper (Above Carbondale)
Recent Guide Reports
Forecast
Trending Flies in Recent Reports
- PMD
- Hopper
- Green Drake
- Yellow Sally
- Prince Nymph
- Parachute BWO
- BWO
- Golden Stonefly
- Baetis Nymph
- Sparkle Dunn BWO
Current Conditions
Gauge Flow
High Water Warning
Gauge Height
Water Temperature
Water Temperature Over 68°F
Condition Graphs
Fly Shop Directory
Recent Guide Reports
Jul 29
Taylor Creek Fly Shop - Aspen
UPPER ROARING FORK- ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 990 cfs below Maroon Creek
WATER CLARITY: Big and clear but dropping quickly
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10 due to the higher than "normal" flows. Some spots are tough, others are easier.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO adults and nymphs, midges, golden stoneflies, caddis, PMDs, green drake adults and nymphs, yellow sally nymphs, sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: In general, this will be a big water year here in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Green Drake hatch is happening pretty much all over the Fork this year at once. The upper river is still higher than normal, but the flipside is that there's no mystery where the fish are hanging out....right in the soft stuff and near the banks.
BWOs, caddis, PMDs, golden stones, green drakes 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: Green Drakes (sporadic) 10-12, BWOs 18-22, midges 20-24, caddis 16-18, golden stoneflies 6-10, PMDs 14-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: TC Sparkledun Green Drake 12-14, Green Drake Cripple 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Rogue Foam Golden Stone 6-8, 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: 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.
FLOW: 990 cfs below Maroon Creek
WATER CLARITY: Big and clear but dropping quickly
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10 due to the higher than "normal" flows. Some spots are tough, others are easier.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO adults and nymphs, midges, golden stoneflies, caddis, PMDs, green drake adults and nymphs, yellow sally nymphs, sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: In general, this will be a big water year here in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Green Drake hatch is happening pretty much all over the Fork this year at once. The upper river is still higher than normal, but the flipside is that there's no mystery where the fish are hanging out....right in the soft stuff and near the banks.
BWOs, caddis, PMDs, golden stones, green drakes 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: Green Drakes (sporadic) 10-12, BWOs 18-22, midges 20-24, caddis 16-18, golden stoneflies 6-10, PMDs 14-18
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: TC Sparkledun Green Drake 12-14, Green Drake Cripple 10-12, H and L Variant 10-12, Egg Laying Golden Stone 8, Rogue Foam Golden Stone 6-8, 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: 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.