Flows and Water Clarity

The Roaring Fork is running low and clear. Flows are approximately 75 cfs below Maroon Creek and 201 cfs at Emma. Water temperature remains in the mid thirties. 

Overview

If you didn’t get a chance to do some fishing this past week, get out there this weekend! We have another front moving in at the beginning of next week, but the weekend is shaping up to be warm, sunny and glorious. Water temperatures should be on the rise, and the fish will be active. On sunny days with low water make sure you’re being stealthy, downsizing tippet and wearing sunscreen! 

Midges and baetis continue to be productive staples this time of year, but larger patterns have also been productive in muted and natural colors. Fish are moving aggressively to those bigger flies–bobbers are swimming! Leading with Two Bit Hookers, Pat’s Runt Stones (size 14-18), 20 inchers and Hare’s Ears while trailing small midge and baeits imitations has been our go to set up this past week. As always, focus on getting a good, drag free drift! 

The Spring Spawn

Spring isn’t in full swing yet, but it’s time to start thinking about the Rainbow Trout Spawn. We know that for the most part the fly fishing community is educated and thoughtful about responsible use of the resource and protecting future generations of fish, but we think that it is still worth reminding everyone to be considerate of spawning fish as we move into spring.

Trout create spawning beds or “Redds,” which are generally found in shallow, moving water. Identifying these redds is an important skill as an angler and helps us fish ethically. Redds are generally composed of smaller rocks and gravel that are lighter in color than the rest of the river bottom due to spawning fish brushing the rocks as they mate and clearing them of algae and other organic material. These beds provide safety for the eggs and alveins (fry) that are a result of the spawn and the next generation of fish!

Stay away from redds, fish deeper water where trout are actively feeding, and use good fish handling practices. If you are hitting the water with someone who is new to the sport, please use this time of year as an opportunity to share how to fish ethically and be a steward of the resource. To learn more about fishing during the spring spawn, click here and share!

Common Hatches and Food Sources 

Midges, Baetis, and Stoneflies.

Midge Larvae and Baetis nymphs are the standard sources of food present in the upper fork during the winter and late spring, but as the weather warms we are seeing larger patterns produce well. Try the Element Flies Pat’s Stone Runt (size 16, black) or a Two Bit Hooker (size 16, black).

We’re still seeing some fish rise intermittently to eat hatching midges, so make sure you have some size 18-22 midge imitations in your box!

We haven’t really been seeing them yet, but the caddis should start moving around soon. We’re having some success on generalist patterns (like size 16 Hare’s Ear) that imitate caddis well, so fish might be starting to key in on caddis larva. 

Hot flies & Techniques

Nymphs 

Midges and Baetis 

Hot Flies: Foamback RS2 (gray, size 20), Chocolate Thunder (black, size 22), Mayhem Midge (black, size 22)

Zebra Midge (black, gray, size 18-22), WD40 (black, gray, size 18-22), Miracle Midge (gray, brown, size 18-22) RS2’s (cdc, crystal wing, black, gray, size 18-22), crystal midge (gray, olive, size 20-22), Juju Baetis (red, olive, black size 18-22), Pheasant Tail (natural 18-20).

Point Flies

Hot Flies: Pat’s Stone Runt (black, size 16), Two bit Hooker (black, size 14-16), Perdigon (pearl, size 16), 20 incher (size 14, natural).

Tungsten jigs with hot collars (yellow, brown, pink, size 14-18), Bead Head Rainbow Warrior (classic, purple, red, size 16-20), Eggs (chartreuse, peach, white). Perdigons (olive, black, 16-18).

Dries: 

Hot Flies: Griffith’s gnat (classic or hi-vis, 18-22)

Element Hi-Vis Midge (black, size 20) Parachute Adams (18-20), BWO Hackle Stacker (18-20)

Streamers: 

Motor Oil (black, size 6), Slumpbuster (natural, size 8-12), Thin Mint (size 6-10). 

Techniques

Nymphing is the most productive technique during this time of year. Finding deep holding water and using weight to get your flies down will be crucial to success. Longer leaders and heavy split shot will help you get your flies in front of more fish. Leading with larger jig style or tungsten patterns has been a very productive technique for helping smaller flies get down deeper. 

Small midges and baetis are the staples when fishing this time of year, but don’t be afraid to try something out of the ordinary. Small stoneflies are working surprisingly well right now! If you’re not finding success, get creative with your point flies– larger bugs have been producing occasionally too!

Dry fly hatches are intermittent, but always keep an eye out for pods of rising fish. Winter dry fly hatches can be few and far between, but are incredibly fun and rewarding to fish. Midges are the predominant hatch right now, so switching to small dry flies and fine tippet is your best chance at fooling fish. 

As we move into spring, streamers will become important in your rotation! Small streamers tend to be best during early spring, and be sure to focus your efforts on deep pools and structure. 

Information About The Roaring Fork

The Roaring Fork River is a freestone river that runs 70 miles from Independence Pass through Aspen, Basalt, and Carbondale until it reaches its confluence with the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. The cold, clean waters of this famous river support an incredible array of aquatic life including brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. The Roaring Fork is designated as a “Gold Medal” fishery, meaning it offers some of the best trout fishing in the nation to beginners and seasoned anglers alike.

Written by AOC Shopstaff, Photo by Jarrod Hollinger