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.