Roaring Fork River -Spring fishing.

Once the depths of winter have passed, the snow has melted a little raising the water level, the ice dam risk has receded and the sun sits a little higher in the sky, the fishing and floating starts in earnest. One is not quite sure what it takes to break out the rod, dust off the gear and climb into the waders. As soon as you are on the river, you wonder why you weren't there yesterday. It is in the nature of things. If the skiing has been exceptionally good a skier might postpone that first trip just a little longer. But as soon as you are on the river it all comes flooding back.

It is always wise to check with your local fly shop to find out the risk of ice dams breaking when the weather begins to warm. It can be dangerous anywhere downstream if one is wading and does not take the necessary precautions. Standing in the middle of the river with a wall of water and ice rushing towards you is not one's idea of a peaceful days fishing.

However at this time of year the water level is lower so it is easier to access the river when wading. It also means that the floating is not as comfortable. A raft provides better mobility in the shallow water whereas a hard bottomed boat will bounce your around. So watch the flows and be prepared to float lower down towards Glenwood until the water level rises.

March through June provides excellent fishing on the Fork. We think that the first 2 weeks in April provide some of the best fishing all year. From the middle of March on the lower Fork look for a morning to midday hatch of midges and then in the afternoons BWO's will be coming off. We have had days when clients have taken 70 fish in a float. The nymphing will be great and the baetis will be hatching from April. The stonefiles will be molting and moving about in March and April so carry some lighter colored patterns to emulate the molting nymph as they tumble in the riffles and faster moving water.

From late April the caddis will begin to appear near Glenwood. They will appear further up valley as May progresses. At this time always carry some nymphs and some dry patterns in case you happen on to some early caddis. By mid May you would expect to see caddis well up the Fork towards Basalt.

From 15th March through 15th May fishing is prohibited 50 yards either side of the confluences of Three Mile and Four Mile Creeks for the breeding rainbows so get a map opr a guide and make sure you do as little damage as possible to the next generation.

By June the drakes should start coming up from Glenwood Springs.

Recommended Flies :

Twenty incher stone - #8 - #14;
Prince Nymphs-various sizes;
Flash back Hares ear-#14;
Bead head Pheasant tail-#18;
Try a black biot emerger #20 behind a bead head Prince #18 or #20. The dropper is usually 18” from the Prince;
In the case of very soft sipping rises, try dropping a black Biot emerger #20 or #22, from a parachute Adams #22 or #20 or a special emerger of the same size;
BWO's #18 - #22;
Midges #18 - #22;
Midge pupae red and black #18 - #22;
Dry midge patterns #16 - #22;

When the caddis begin to appear carry some nymphs and some dry patterns. A stimulator with a dropper will begin to work when the caddis are about. Carry cased caddis, sparkle pupa patterns and elk hair or goddard caddis.

Summer

Autumn

Winter

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