Roaring Fork River Report November 24, 2025
UPPER ROARING FORK - ASPEN DOWNSTREAM TO BASALT
FLOW: 16 CFS near Aspen
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Midges, Blue Winged Olives, Eggs
THE LOWDOWN: It's an interesting time to fish the upper section of the Fork. Flows are about as low as they get, at the same time we're not yet concerned about snow and ice on the banks. This means you can really hunt and target specific fish in the often-narrow channel, something that's not always possible at higher flows.
Hatches aren't prolific, but expect to see midges and possibly smaller Blue Winged Olive mayflies on warmer days. Fish this stretch almost like you would fish the Fryingpan, meaning smaller flies and careful presentation.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, Blue-winged Olives 20-22
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
DRIES: Dorsey's Midge Emerger 22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Quill Midge 20, Solitude Hatching Midge Black 22, Bill Fitzsimmons Trailing Shuck Midge 22-26, TC Sparkledun BWO 20-22, HOH CDC Thorax BWO 20-22, Uber-realistic Baetis 20-22, Taylor Creek Custom Collette's Parachute BWO 20-22
NYMPHS: Stott's Raisinette 20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph 18-20, Jigged Hot Orange Bead CDC Pheasant Tail 18-20, Tungsten Rainbow Warrior 20-22, BTS Baetis 20-22, Sparklewing RS2 20-22, Beadwing Midge Emerger Grey 20-22, Pulsating Midge Emerger 20, Freestone Emerger Olive 22, Tailwater Tiny Midge Red 20-22, Flashtail Mini Egg Orange 18
STREAMERS: Craven's Swim Coach, Barr's Slump Buster, Carlton Banks, Craven's Baby Gonga, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor
HINTS: Fish the soft water along the banks before you cast into the middle of the river
MIDDLE ROARING FORK - BASALT DOWNSTREAM TO CARBONDALE
FLOW: 245 CFS at Basalt
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Sculpins, Eggs
THE LOWDOWN: With low, stable flows, it's fairly straightforward fall fishing around these parts. For best results, focus your attention on deeper runs and pools where fish can find cover and expend less energy. Keep flies tiny (exception: egg patterns) and watch that bobber for lazy, subtle strikes.
HATCHES: Midges 18-24, Blue Winged Olives 20-22
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS
NYMPHS: Jigged Tungsten Red-Tie PT 18-20, Tungsten 2 Bead Nymph Olive 18, Jigged Iron Lotus 18, Jigged Hares Ear 16-18, Stott's Juggernaut 20, Stott's Raisinette 20, Barr's Emerger 18-22, Neon Nightmare 22-24, Bling Midge Charcoal/Tan 20-24, Flash Egg 18
DRIES: Traditional Adams 18-22, TC Custom Colette's BWO 20-22, Quasi No-Hackle BWO 20-22, TC Custom Sparkle Dun BWO 18-20, Sprout Midge 20-22, Antonio's Hi-Vis Midge 22-24
STREAMERS: Tungsten Double Mint, Tungsten Thin Mint, Craven's Baby Gonga, Carlton Banks, Circus Peanut, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor
HINTS: Fish the banks first- trout are lazy!
LOWER ROARING FORK - CARBONDALE DOWNSTREAM TO GLENWOOD
FLOW: 445 CFS in Glenwood Springs
WATER CLARITY: Clear
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Blue Winged Olives, Midges, Stonefly Nymphs, Sculpins
THE LOW DOWN: Spawning closures are now in effect 50 yards up- and down- stream of both Threemile and Fourmile creeks on the Fork. Help protect our precious resource by reeling up and letting the fish do their thing!
Things are fishing a lot like the mid-river. Eggs and tiny shiny bugs in the centerline are very effective. Cold water, low water, big fish. What else do we have to say?
Streamers can still be effective, but generally the fish are going to be less aggressive/reactive as water and air temps drop substantially.
HATCHES: Blue Winged Olives, Midges
APPROPRIATE PATTERNS:
NYMPHS: Cat Poop Stonefly 8-12, Rust Murder She Wrote 18-20, Tim Heng's BLM 18-20, Tungsten Two Bead Nymph Black 18-20, Stott's Raisinette 20, Stott's Mercury Bad Carl Grey 20, BMW Foam Top RS2 Black 20-22, Mercury Bead RS2 Grey 22, Pandemic BWO Emerger 20-22, Freestone Emerger Olive 22, Internal Wire Tube Midge Black/Red 20, Desert Storm Midge Fluor. Orange 22, TC Custom Midge Red/Clear 20-22, Flash Egg 18
DRIES: TC Custom Collette's BWO 20-22, TC Custom Sparkledun BWO 20-22, Parachute Adams 18-24, Bill Fitzsimmons' Trailing Shuck Midge Emerger 22-24
STREAMERS: Craven's Swim Coach, Circus Peanut, Grease Monkey, Barr's Slumpbuster, Devourer of Souls, Hansen's Meal Ticket, Tim Heng's Autumn Splendor,
HINTS: Generally, cloudy days tend to produce the best hatches.
Upper Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09076300&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Middle Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09081000
Lower Roaring Fork: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?09085000
