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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!


 
 
 

Roaring Fork and Frying Pan Fishing Report

Run off is here and peak flows likely happened yesterday in the lower Roaring Fork at 7,800 CFS. During Runoff, river flows are high and fast, resulting in dirty water conditions. Most fish will be hiding near the banks and in any available softer water. We like to fish near banks and behind eddies, but caution is advised. Nymphing is suggested as the most effective fishing technique, with streamers also being viable in off-color water. Stonefly Patterns such as Pats Rubber Leg or 20 Incher are effective, followed by Hares Ear or Caddis Pupa. Additionally, switching to a Barr Emerger or Zebra Midge below a Stonefly can be beneficial. For streamers, try Sculpin patterns. Fish have to eat everyday and you can catch them, this time of year in the Roaring Fork. Please be careful and watch for floating debris and fast water. I typically only fish the bank during high flows and leave the waders at home.


Roaring Fork Flow Chart:



The Frying Pan is currently flowing at 540 CFS. Expect flows to stay elevated this week as the inflows on the upper Frying Pan are peaking. Midday Blue Winged Olive and midge hatches have significantly improved recently. It's important to pay attention to these hatches as they can vary in intensity and location. Adjusting your approach according to the changing hatches is key. With elevated water levels and slightly off color water this is your opportunity to throw bigger nymphs and heavier tippet on the Frying Pan! Some big fish always seem to appear out of the wood works at these flows. Fish oftentimes will gorge themselves on these bigger flows. Worms have been productive as well as stone flys and drake nymphs. Keep your drifts short to avoid spooking fish. Downstream dry fly presentations are recommended for effectiveness. Fishing on the Pan from 6 until dark can yield good results, especially with another midge hatch near dusk under the dam. We had a one gentleman catch 4 20+ inch rainbows on 3x and a pats rubber leg at these flows, not you typical Frying Pan rig.



Frying Pan Flow Chart:

 
 
 
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