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Roaring Fork Valley Fly Fishing Report 5/10/2025

We are in an intersting limbo on the Lower Fork and Colorado, after cool night and cloudy afternoon the water is clear and fishing is great. If we get multiple days of sun and high temperatures, the river will be blown out and un fishable. Water above the crystal is is still low and clear and offers great float fishing from a raft and wade fishing. Run off hasn't completely started yet and this is great time to get those last floats in before she goes! Run off will likely happen a little earlier this year, especially coming off last year. I have included a snowpack report at the bottom of the page.






🎣 Roaring Fork River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Upper Fork (Aspen to Basalt): 21 CFS at Aspen

  • Lower Fork (Glenwood Springs): 600–800 CFS

  • Water Clarity: Very low and clear in the upper sections; clearer in the lower sections 

Hatches:

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Parachute Adams #20–22, Mole Fly #20

  • Nymphs: RS2 #20–22, JuJu Baetis #20, Pheasant Tail #18–20

  • Streamers: Mini Dungeon #6–8, Slump Buster, Baby Gonga

Tips:

  • Focus on soft water along the banks before casting into the middle.

  • Cloudy days tend to produce the best mayfly action.

  • Sunny Days produce the best caddis action

🐟 Fryingpan River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Below Ruedi Reservoir: 64 CFS

  • Water Clarity: Clear, occasionally slightly mossy 

Hatches:

  • Midges

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs)

  • Mysis Shrimp (near the dam)

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Parachute Adams #22, Mole Fly #22, Sprout Midge #22

  • Nymphs: RS2 #22, JuJu Baetis #20, Mayhem Midge #22, Top Secret Midge #22, Mysis Shrimp #16–18

  • Streamers: Sculpzilla #8, Slump Buster #8, Mini Dungeon #6

Tips:

  • Late morning to mid-afternoon provides the best opportunities as the sun warms the water and activates feeding.

  • A two-fly rig with a Mysis Shrimp and a Zebra Midge is effective.

  • Use fine tippet and focus on precise presentations in slower runs and deep pools.

🏞️ Crystal River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Near Carbondale: 304 CFS

  • Water Clarity: Blown out after hot days, clean after cool days 

Hatches:

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs)

  • Midges

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Parachute Adams #20, Mole Fly #20, Griffith's Gnat #22

  • Nymphs: RS2 #20, Rainbow Warrior #20, Biot Emerger #20

  • Streamers: Woolly Bugger #10–12, Sculpzilla #8, Thin Mint #10

Tips:

  • A double midge rig with a small indicator like a Palsa is effective.

  • Lead with an egg or small stonefly pattern.

  • Focus on slower water and tailouts, especially during midday.

Note: Be aware of spawning closures on the Roaring Fork River, particularly near Three Mile and Four Mile Creeks. These areas are closed until December 1st to protect spawning fish.

For real-time flow data and further information, you can check the following resources:

  • USGS Upper Roaring Fork Flow

  • USGS Middle Roaring Fork Flow

  • USGS Lower Roaring Fork Flow



Current Snotel information:



These Snotel sites aren't the most accurate, but they give you an idea. We will likely have an earlier run off this year.
These Snotel sites aren't the most accurate, but they give you an idea. We will likely have an earlier run off this year.

Feel free to reach out if you need more detailed information or assistance planning your trip! 970-948-4663 // GoneFishingGuides@gmail.com

 
 
 

Roaring Fork Valley Fishing Report 5/5/2025

🎣 Roaring Fork River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Upper Fork (Aspen to Basalt): 21 CFS at Aspen

  • Lower Fork (Glenwood Springs): 607 CFS and rising

  • Water Clarity: Mostly clear, with potential color changes due to warming temperatures 

Hatches:

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs)

  • Midges

  • Sculpins

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Parachute Adams #20–22, Mole Fly #20

  • Nymphs: RS2 #20–22, JuJu Baetis #20, Pheasant Tail #18–20

  • Streamers: Mini Dungeon #6–8, Slump Buster, Baby Gonga

Tips:

  • Focus on soft water along the banks before casting into the middle.

  • Use 5x or 6x fluorocarbon tippet for these picky trout.

  • Cloudy days tend to produce the best mayfly action.

🐟 Fryingpan River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Below Ruedi Reservoir: 64 CFS

  • Water Clarity: Clear, occasionally slightly mossy 

Hatches:

  • Midges

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs)

  • Mysis Shrimp (near the dam)

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Parachute Adams #22, Mole Fly #22, Sprout Midge #22

  • Nymphs: RS2 #22, JuJu Baetis #20, Mayhem Midge #22, Top Secret Midge #22, Mysis Shrimp #16–18

  • Streamers: Sculpzilla #8, Slump Buster #8, Mini Dungeon #6

Tips:

  • Late morning to mid-afternoon provides the best opportunities as the sun warms the water and activates feeding.

  • A two-fly rig with a Mysis Shrimp and a Zebra Midge is effective.

  • Use fine tippet and focus on precise presentations in slower runs and deep pools.

🏞️ Crystal River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Near Carbondale: 450 CFS

  • Water Clarity: Blown out most days, might be clear up high after a cold night.

Hatches:

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs)

  • Midges

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Parachute Adams #20, Mole Fly #20, Griffith's Gnat #22

  • Nymphs: RS2 #20, Rainbow Warrior #20, Biot Emerger #20

  • Streamers: Woolly Bugger #10–12, Sculpzilla #8, Thin Mint #10

Tips:

  • A double midge rig with a small indicator like a Palsa is effective.

  • Lead with an egg or small stonefly pattern.

  • Focus on slower water and tailouts, especially during midday.

Note: Be aware of spawning closures on the Roaring Fork River, particularly near Three Mile and Four Mile Creeks. These areas are closed until December 1st to protect spawning fish. 

For real-time flow data and further information, you can check the following resources:

  • USGS Upper Roaring Fork Flow

  • USGS Middle Roaring Fork Flow

  • USGS Lower Roaring Fork Flow

Feel free to reach out if you need more detailed information or assistance planning your trip!


Flows and clarity are changing every day this time of year. For a day of report please call the shop and we'll help you out. Float fishing is still good above Carbondale, below Carbondale has been good, but less consistent. Still caddis around and dry fly action mid day.

 
 
 

Fishing Report 4/26/2025

🎣 Roaring Fork River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Upper Fork (Basalt): 410 CFS

  • Middle Fork (Carbondale): 550 CFS

  • Lower Fork (Glenwood Springs): 600–800 CFS

  • Water Clarity: Low for this time of year and muddy below the crystal

Hatches:

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) #18–22

  • Midges #18–26

  • Caddis #14–20 (emerging on warmer days) ​

  • Stoneflys

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: TC Sparkledun BWO #20–22, CDC Biot Comparadun BWO #22, Mole Fly #20, Para Adams #20–22, Elk Hair Caddis #14

  • Nymphs: RS2 #20–22, Rainbow Warrior #18–22, JuJu Baetis #20, Pheasant Tail #18–20

  • Streamers: Mini Dungeon #6–8, Slump Buster, Baby Gonga, Rusty Trombone #4 ​

Tips:

  • Focus on soft water along the banks before casting into the middle.

  • Hot sunny days are best for the Caddis hatch

  • Cloudy days tend to produce the best mayfly action. ​

🐟 Fryingpan River

Flow & Clarity:

  • Below Ruedi Reservoir: 111 CFS

  • Water Clarity: Crystal clear ​

Hatches:

  • Midges #20–24

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) #18–22

  • Mysis Shrimp (near the dam) ​

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Para Adams #22, Mole Fly #22, Sprout Midge #22

  • Nymphs: RS2 #22, JuJu Baetis #20, Mayhem Midge #22, Top Secret Midge #22, Mysis Shrimp #16–18

  • Streamers: Sculpzilla #8, Slump Buster #8, Mini Dungeon #6 ​

Tips:

  • Late morning to mid-afternoon provides the best opportunities as the sun warms the water and activates feeding.

  • A two-fly rig with a Mysis Shrimp and a Zebra Midge is effective.

  • A double midge rig with a small indicator like a Palsa is effective.

  • Lead with an egg or small stonefly pattern.

  • Focus on slower water and tailouts, especially during midday. ​

  • Use fine tippet and focus on precise presentations in slower runs and deep pools. ​

🏞️ Crystal River

Flow & Clarity:


  • Water Clarity: MUD

Hatches:

  • Worms

  • Stoneflys

  • Blue Winged Olives (BWOs) #18–22 (especially on cloudy days) ​

Recommended Flies:

  • Dries: Para Adams #20, Mole Fly #20, Griffith's Gnat #22

  • Nymphs: RS2 #20, Rainbow Warrior #20, Biot Emerger #20

  • Streamers: Woolly Bugger #10–12, Sculpzilla #8, Thin Mint #10 ​

Tips:

  • A double midge rig with a small indicator like a Palsa is effective.

  • Lead with an egg or small stonefly pattern.

  • Focus on slower water and tailouts, especially during midday. ​

Note: Be aware of spawning closures on the Roaring Fork River, particularly near Three Mile and Four Mile Creeks. These areas are closed until May 15th to protect spawning fish. 

For real-time flow data and further information, you can check the following resources:

  • USGS Upper Roaring Fork Flow

  • USGS Middle Roaring Fork Flow

  • USGS Lower Roaring Fork Flow

Feel free to reach out if you need more detailed information or assistance planning your trip!


 
 
 
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