Roaring Fork River
Upper (Above Carbondale)

UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 14 CFS at Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Very Low and Clear, mostly ice in the shady zones
OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Blue Winged Olive nymphs, Sculpins
THE LOWDOWN: Conditions are improving in regard to icy conditions and deep snow near the river, but winter is coming back this week. What little water you may be able to access will still have to be worked for.

In general, these fish won't tolerate a noisy approach or a sloppy presentation. We're sticking to our small flies -- almost exclusively midges -- and short rigs. With these cold mornings, afternoons have tended to be the most buggy.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Quill Midge 20, Solitude Hatching Midge Black 22, McChannel's Massacre Midge 22-24, Bill Fitzsimmons Trailing Shuck Midge 22-26, TC Sparkledun BWO 20-22, HOH CDC Thorax BWO 20-22,
NYMPHS: 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, Chartreuse Egg
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