Fishing Report

UPPER FRYING PAN
                         
FLOW: 325 cfs out of the dam. Flows are varying very slightly with Rocky Fork Creek that also enters the river right below the dam. 353 cfs below Rocky Fork Creek along the Frying Pan.

WATER CLARITY: Clear.

THE SHORT AND SWEET:  Flows were raised over a month ago to the now present 325 cfs level. Though this is certainly not ideal flows, it does make for some superb mysis "hatches" and great nymph fishing. The water is perfectly clear/green, just a bit on the high side. The dry fly fishing is picking up now that the fish have become accustomed to theses flows. Look for mostly BWO's along with sporadic hatches of Midges and a few Caddis. Fishing pressure is steadily increasing with most fisheries across Colorado being high and muddy. Still light traffic on weekdays though. The best fishing has easily been later in the day from 12pm on down. In fact, from 6pm until dark the river has been very solid with the fish feeding quite hard.

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Mysis Shrimp (16-20), BWO's (20-22), Midges (20-24), Eggs (14-18), Caddis (16-18)

IN DEPTH REVIEW: These higher flows have really been pushing loads of Mysis Shrimp out of the dam for the past six months. You'll notice that the fish you catch are turning into those famous football shaped fish that were once common along the upper Pan in the 80's until the mid 90's. Due to the heavy mysis "hatch" the Toilet Bowl has been almost void of fish. We attribute this to the higher water flows, as Mysis Shrimp patterns are fishing well all the way down to the Bridge Pool, thus the big fish are spreading out more as their diet is flushing further down the river. Heavier tippets of 5x and 6x can be fished along the river. The Flats are now holding plenty of fish in these flows. In addition this is also the easiest section of river to wade in these flows. Don't just focus your efforts along the bottom end of the Flats as a few large 10lb. plus fish have been seen along the upper section of the Flats also. A very few spawning rainbows will begin to move into the Flats and we encourage you to not disturb these fish. We all know how tempting it is to cast to large fish in shallow water though please leave these fish alone. May is the big spawning month for the rainbows along the Pan. With these spawning fish, eggs will litter the river and the non-spawning fish will eat egg patterns with wreckless abondon at times. Our Mini Flashtail Hot Eggs are a deadly pattern. With the warm up of Spring weather lately, the BWO hatch is increasing weekly. Count on seeing more fishable numbers of BWO's as we progress further into the month, and into May. Keep in mind that the BWO's on the Pan have unique colorations. The BWO nymphs are very dark, almost black in color, while the emergers and duns have gray bodies. Size 20-22 patterns are best. Micro Mayflies, Black Poxyback Baetis, P-Tails, and STD's are killer subsurface flies. It is still crucial to be fishing light fluorocarbon tippets of 6x and 7x whether you are nymphing or dry fly fishing. Seaguar Grand Max tippet is bar-none the best on the market and we all recommend and fish it religiously. Your usual midge patterns are still of importance along the upper river also, and should include all stages of the midges life cycle. Thus, TC Red Midge Larvas, Jujubees, RS-2's, Morgans Para Midge, Bills Midge Emergers, and Capt. Hooks are all fishing well in sizes 20-24. The benefit of fishing now is that crowds are still light and the fishing is pretty kick butt. The streamer fishing is picking up with these higher flows too! Don't rule out swinging some streamers to the Pans browns and rainbows. There's no need to move them real quick, but we are moving them faster than what we were doing with lower flows.

Appropriate Patterns  Dries: *new* Flag Dun Emerger BWO, *new* Sparkle Stacker Emerger BWO, Befus Para. Emerger BWO, *new* Morgan's Para Midge, Bill's Midge Emerger, Sprout Midges, *new* Transitional Midge, *new* Para. Poodles, *new* Stillborn Midge, *new* Outrigger Caddis, Pearl and Elk Caddis Nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Poxyback Baetis, Jujubee Midges, TC Red Midge Larva, Pure Midges, Sparklewing RS-2's, Bead Wing Midge, Mercury Brassie, Flashtail Mini Eggs, Epoxy Mysis, Tims Mysis, *new* Pulsating Emerger, *new* Red Headed Step Child, *new* Capt. Hook, *new* Mojo Midge, *new* Freestone Emerger, *new* Chironocones Streamers: Tan and Olive Stingin' Sculpins, Black and Olive Slump Busters, *new* Stingin' Clousers, *new* EP Conehead Streamers, *new* EP Micro Minnow Hints:  Remember to dress in layers as the weather can go from 60'f one day to snow and 25'f weather the next day. Stay mobile. If you aren't catching fish in a given area after 15 minutes, move on and fish another area. Fish can be active in one pool and not in the pool directly below or above.

MIDDLE RIVER FRYING PAN

WATER CONDITIONS:  Clear down to Seven Castles Creek.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO's (18-22), Midges (20-24), Caddis (16-20), Huevos (16-18), Caddis (16-18)
THE SHORT AND SWEET: Like the Upper Pan, BWO's and Midges comprimise the majority of the hatches and insect life. Eggs and Beatis nymphs will also pick up numerous fish. No longer is the Middle River hit and miss fishing. The best dry fly fishing and the heaviest hatches are occuring on the middle stretches of river right now. Mile markers 4, 6 and 8 are all yielding some great hatches of midges and bwo's. Often both of these insects are hatching during the same time period thus two fly rigs are the best way to go. A size #20 Sparkle Stacker or Flag Dun trailed with a Stillborn or Bills Midge Emergers is the hot setup. Look for the fish to begin rising anywhere from 11:00 up to 3pm. Keep in mind that with these higher water flows, the fish will stack up in the soft pockets of water. In other words, fish close to the banks and in other slower moving water. The same tactics one would employ along the upper river will apply equally well here. The biggest differences are that you can get away with fishing slightly larger flies (18-22's) and tippets (5x and 6x). Don't get us wrong, you might on occassion have to drop down to 7x tippet especially when fishing dries in soft water. If you want to avoid the crowds of the upper river, this is a great area. Some surprisingly large fish in the 16" - 22" inch range have been landed in the middle river lately. Like the upper river, if you stumble across spawning fish, please let them spawn undisturbed. Shallow nymph rigs are deadly prior and there after the hatches. In general, place your indicator about 4-5' feet above your split shot. Focus on the well defined seams and bubble lines. Keep in mind that as hatches progress, fish will move into shallower water. Thus don't over look even shallower nymph rigs or dry/dropper rigs just prior and during the hatches. Some decent hatches of Caddis are being seen along the middle river also, especially during the heat of the day. Carry a few sz. 16-18 Caddis dries in your flybox to round things out.
The In Depth Review:
For goodness sakes, get out there and fish! Plenty of solitude and great fishing, not to mention the awesome weather. Appropriate Patterns Dries:  Frying Pan Emergers, Bill's Midge Emerger, *new* Morgans Para Midge, *new* Transitional Midge, *new* Para Poodle, *new* Flag Dun Emerger, *new* Sparkle Stacker BWO, Little Yellow Caddis, *new* Outrigger Caddis Nymphs: STD Baetis and PT, Tungsten Bead Baetis, Pheasant Tail, Poxyback Baetis, Sparklewing RS-2, Zebra Midges, Flashtail Mini Eggs, *new* Red Headed Step Child, *new* Chironocones, *new* Freestone Emerger, *new* Bad Habit, 20 Incher, Red Copper John, Electric Caddis, *new* Yuba Pupa Hints: Break out the streamer box during lulls in the fishing. Stoneflies and Caddis Larva are also producing some fish here and there.

LOWER  FRYING PAN :   
WATER CONDITIONS:  Currently poor below Seven Castles Creek. Very weather dependant. Sediment from Seven Castles Creek is present along the lower river, and with warm weather and snow melt, the river below the creek will become unfishable. Currently the lower river below mile marker 4 is blown out and rendered unfishable.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO's, Caddis, Stoneflies and Attractor patterns.
THE SHORT AND SWEET: With the sediment of last summer's Seven Castles mudslide, the lower river has been hit or miss and not carrying the clarity of the upper river especially on warm days. Subsurface patterns have worked well mid-day to dusk with the dry fly fishing being variable at best. THE IN-DEPTH REVIEW: If in doubt, the upper and middle river is the place to be. If you want solitude though and the lower river is clear, by all means, hit-it-up!. The fishing has certainly been good here, just variable. Nymph fishing is certainly the ticket down here. Small stones, caddis larva and the usual midge and baetis patterns are productive. Don't hesitate to toss out some larger attractor patterns is the fish don't see to be patterned to anything in particular. Larger size #12-16 Red Copper Johns and Beadhead Pheasant Tails have been picking up quite a few fish. Larger, spring midges have been seen in good numbers, especially on those nicer days. Size #18-20 midge dries such as Bills Midge Emerger, Para Morgans Midge, and Stillborn Midges have all been accounting for some fish. BWO's will be out in decent number as well and often hatch in unison with the Midges. Look for the caddis hatch to continue increasing in numbers weekly.
  Appropriate PatternsDries: Same as Middle River

Nymphs: Same as Middle River 
 
 
UPPER Roaring Fork - Aspen Downstream to Basalt     
                     
FLOW: 222 cfs .

WATER CLARITY: Till further notice we are in runoff conditions. With the recent cold front this week the Upper Fork has cleared to a fishable level. There is still a lot of water in terms of volume in the river though. On warmer days expect anywhere below Castle Creek along the Roaring Fork to be too high and discolored to fish effectively. The river will then become brown, and not very fishable. The edges, banks, and inside seams are still fishing, but you're having to work for fish using larger attractor patterns like Stones, Caddis, Worms and Eggs. You'll want to cover water and fish the soft pockets thoroughly. In the meantime conditions are ideal along the Frying Pan River, with solid hatches of BWO's, Caddis, Midges and Mysis.

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, BWO's, Stonefly Nymphs, Caddis Larva, Huevos

IN DEPTH REVIEW:Appropriate Patterns 

Dries: Bills Midge Emerger, FP Emerger, *new* Transitional Midge, *new* Para Poodles, *new* Stillborn Midge, Rogue Stones, Royal Stimulators

Nymphs: STD Baetis, BH Pheasant Tails,Tung Bead Baetis, Red Copper Johns, Zebra Midges, Flashtail Mini Eggs, San Juan Worms, *new* Pulsating Emergers, *new* Red Headed Step Childs, *new* Freestone Emergers, *new* Chironocones, *new* Capt. Hook, *new* Yuba Pupa, *new* Spanflex Stone, 20 Inchers

Streamers: Stingin' Sculpins, Slump Busters, Black or Pumpkin Tungsten Buggers, Autumn Splendors, *new* Stingin' Clousers, *new* EP Micro Minnows, *new* EP Trout Streamer
Hints:  Many of our fly patterns have been custom tied and developed for the Roaring Fork. Custom tying materials in local colors are available as well. Check in with our staff when you pass through our area and we will happily show you what the hottest flies and areas are when you drop in... Tight Lines!


MIDDLE Roaring Fork - Basalt Downstream to Carbondale

FLOW: 1,640 cfs in Basalt

WATER CONDITIONS: Currently unfishable.

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: BWO's, Stonefly Nymphs, Caddis, and Huevos
THE SHORT AND SWEET: Again, the fishing will be variable from now until July so keep in tune with our website, or simply give us a call for daily water conditions.
THE IN DEPTH REVIEW: It's runoff time. As conditions change, we'll keep you posted. In the meantime, head on up to the Frying Pan.
Appropriate Patterns Nymphs: San Juan Worms, Princes, 20 Inchers, PT's, BLM's, STD's, Copper Johns, Tungsten Bead Baetis,RS-2's, Biot Midges, Mercury Brassie, Zebra Midges, Buckskins, Beadwing Midges, *new* Spanflex Stone, *new* Pulsating Emerger, *new* Freestone Emerger, *new* Bad Habit, *new* Diamond Caddis, *new* Mojo Midge, *new* Chironocones
Dries: Frying Pan Emergers, CDC Midge Adults, Bills Midge Emerger, *new* Para Poodle, *new* Transitional Midge

Streamers: Tan Stingin' Sculpins, Tan Ziwi's, Autumn Splendors, Black Lightnin' Buggers, Northern Lights, White Clousers, White Zuddlers, *new* EP Trout Streamers, *new* EP Micro Minnow

Hints: Dress in layers and expect anything at this time of year. One day could be 60'f and the next could be snow in the 20's.

LOWER  Roaring Fork - Carbondale Downstream to Glenwood

FLOW: 3,540 cfs in Glenwood Springs

WATER CONDITIONS: Muddy and unfishable. A few brave anglers are fishing the banks out of boats or wading and are catching a few fish here and there on various caddis patterns. The hatch has been thick, unfortunatley the river is quite discolored.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT:  Lots of Caddis are hatching through the mud.

THE SHORT AND SWEET:  Grab your kayak. It's too bad it's dirty because some good hatches are taking place
Hints: Head on up river where conditions are more favorable.  
 
 
Colorado River at Glenwood Springs
FLOW: 13,900 cfs

WATER CONDITIONS: Muddy.

FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Lots of Caddis and Stones 

THE SHORT AND SWEET: It's looking pretty ugly out there. As conditions change we'll update this report. Don't get us wrong, there's a ton of caddis hatching right now, and skilled anglers can go out there and catch a few fish, but in general the fishing is very sub-par.

THE IN DEPTH REPORT: Head on up to the Frying Pan where conditions are more favorable.

Crystal River-

FLOW: 1,400 cfs The Short and Sweet:It's runoff time. We'd have to imagine that the only people reading this report are kayakers! Head on up to the Frying Pan river where conditions are ideal.

The In Depth Review:
A true fishermans river. The Crystal River easily ranks as one of the best fishing tributaries of the Roaring Fork. Sitting at the base of Mt. Sopris, the Crystal offers not only a spectacular backdrop, but superb fishing. It's all about nymphing right now on the Crystal.Note:Do not curse the Whitefish!  Under appreciated, especially here in Colorado.  The mountain whitefish is more of a sub-surface feeder and is usually not thought of as aesthetically pleasing as trout. In other states they readily rise to dries and many anglers are disappointed after "working a pod of rising fish to hook and discover they have been fishing to "Whities"!  Here in colorado they rarely feed on the surface, but take nymphs readily.  Especially for kids and new comers to our great sport, the "whitie" is a great sport fish.  Once you locate them they can provide hours of enjoyment.  They are great to learn proper nymphing techniques, how to set the hook & how to fight, land and properly release fish. Also, on the  Crystal you never know when the indicator hesitates what my have eaten your offering!   Many times a 16 inch rainbow may explode on the surface or a Big Brown may just give you the fight of a lifetime!
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Eggs, BWO's, Stoneflies