Roaring Fork River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/4/2026
ROARING FORK RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Aspen → Basalt → Glenwood Springs (Colorado)
Report Date: January 4, 2026 | Next Update: January 11, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter fishing is on. Low, clear flows make the Fork technical and rewarding — think midges, BWOs on warm moments, small nymphs and targeted streamer work in soft water. Ice at access and along banks is common; plan for slick approaches.
Flows & Clarity
Upper (Aspen → Basalt): ~16 CFS — very low, clear
Middle (Basalt → Carbondale): ~245 CFS — low & clear
Lower (Carbondale → Glenwood Springs): ~445 CFS — low & fishable
Note: Flows are seasonally low; always re-check USGS or local shop updates before launching.
Upper (Aspen → Basalt): ~16 CFS — very low, clear
Middle (Basalt → Carbondale): ~245 CFS — low & clear
Lower (Carbondale → Glenwood Springs): ~445 CFS — low & fishable
Note: Flows are seasonally low; always re-check USGS or local shop updates before launching.
Water Temperature
Current: ~36–40°F (2–4°C)
Trend: Cold-stable; fish are holding deeper and in soft, slow edges.
Current: ~36–40°F (2–4°C)
Trend: Cold-stable; fish are holding deeper and in soft, slow edges.
Weather & Daylight
Forecast: Cold mornings, occasional afternoon sun; brief mild spells can trigger insect activity.
Wind: Typically light to moderate — micro-conditions matter for dries.
Forecast: Cold mornings, occasional afternoon sun; brief mild spells can trigger insect activity.
Wind: Typically light to moderate — micro-conditions matter for dries.
Access & Safety
Most public access open but icy; wear studs or sticky wading soles and use a wading staff. Expect frozen banks and slushy entries. Respect any posted spawning or closure signs on tributaries (e.g., Threemile / Fourmile).
Most public access open but icy; wear studs or sticky wading soles and use a wading staff. Expect frozen banks and slushy entries. Respect any posted spawning or closure signs on tributaries (e.g., Threemile / Fourmile).
Hatch Chart & Insect Activity
| Insect | Size | Activity Level | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midges (dominant) | #18–24 | High ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | All day (esp. calm, sun-warmed pockets) |
| BWO / Small Baetis | #18–22 | Light to Moderate ⭐⭐⭐ | Warmer afternoons; short-lived rises |
| Stonefly & Salmonfly nymphs | #6–12 (nymphs) | Present (nymphing target) | Anytime — focus on riffles and tails |
| Sculpin / Baitfish activity | Streamer-sized | Low–Moderate (opportunistic) | Low light — early/late |
| Eggs & Worms | egg / small worm imitations | Spotty — very effective near banks | Calm, slow days |
Recommended Flies
Dry Flies / Terrestrials (use on warmer pockets & soft seams)
- Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black — great hopper/ant profile when fish key on terrestrials or small foam lines.
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan — perfect for low, picky caddis activity and slow evening rises.
- Parachute - Blue Wing Olive — reliable small mayfly imitation for BWO windows.
- Stealth Link Mercer - PMD — soft, high-visibility emerger/parachute for winter PMD windows.
Nymphs & Jigs (primary winter tactic)
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive — fast-sinking jig for indicator or Euro rigs; exceptional in soft seams.
- Tungsten Dart - Red — point fly for depth; works as a dropper or anchor.
- Tasmanian Devil Hare's Ear — classic, durable profile; fish love the natural silhouette.
- Olsen's Straggle Stone - Brown — stonefly-style nymph for heavier, deeper pockets and stonefly runs.
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten — versatile mayfly nymph with tungsten for quick descent.
Midges / Chironomids / Eggs (go-to for clear, cold conditions)
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — small, weighted midge for deep, clear takes.
- Egan's Frenchie Chironomid — superb chironomid pupa imitation for slow, clear runs.
- Bling Midge - Black — slim, reflective midge that triggers cautious winter trout.
- EZ Egg (Flesh / Apricot options) — for egg-suckers and fish keyed on spawned trout prey.
Streamers & Sculpin Imitations (for aggressive strikes & larger fish)
- Egan's Poacher - Olive — a top streamer/jig pattern to fish along submerged structure and deep tails.
- Egan's Poacher - Black — darker option that excels in low light and winter contrasts.
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin — sculpin profile for hungry browns and broader trout.
- Sculpzilla - Olive — articulated sculpin for big fish in deeper runs.
Tactics & Tips
Winter is a search-and-present game. Make each cast count.
Primary Approaches
- Nymphing: Long leaders, small indicators or Euro rigs. Fish long drifts through soft seams, tails and inside currents. Use a tungsten point to get flies into fish zones quickly. Try a Frenchie or a Tungsten Dart as your point and experiment with a soft bead nymph or emerger as a droppers.
- Midge/Chironomid Tactics: In very low, clear water fish tight to seams and edges. Small, slim profiles (Zebra Midge, Frenchie Chironomid) on light tippets (5–6X) often produce the most takes. Work short drifts and small subtle twitches.
- Streamer Work: In low light or when fish show aggression, strip streamers along boulders, deep seams and near cut-banks. Pause between strips. Larger articulated sculpin or poacher patterns are excellent for winter browns and hold in deeper runs.
- Dry Fly Windows: On warmer afternoons, watch foam lines, slow edges and pocket water for sporadic BWO activity. Present small parachutes and CDC caddis with long, fine tippet for reluctant takes.
- Rods: 4–7 wt depending on target (4–5 wt for nymphs/drys, 6–7 wt for bigger streamers).
- Leaders: 9–12 ft tapered for dries; 10–14 ft for Euro/nymph setups; fluorocarbon 3–6 lb for discrete presentations.
- Tippet: 5X–7X for tiny midges and BWOs; 3X–5X for streamers/large nymphs.
- Footwear & Safety: studs or felt with caution. Use wading staff and dress warm in layers; bank ice can be deceptive.
- Upper Fork (Aspen → Basalt): fish tight pockets, narrow seams and structure — smaller water means pickier takes and big reward for precise presentation.
- Middle Fork (Basalt → Carbondale): longer runs, nice riffles and tailouts; good for nymph strings and targeted streamer pulls.
- Lower Fork (Carbondale → Glenwood Springs): deeper water and more room to swing streamers; soft banks and foam lines hold winter trout.
Quick Fly Box for the Day
Essentials
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig (olive)
- Black Zebra Midge / Bling Midge
- Egan's Poacher (olive/black)
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC Tan)
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig (olive)
- Black Zebra Midge / Bling Midge
- Egan's Poacher (olive/black)
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC Tan)
Backup Patterns
- Tungsten Dart (red)
- Coffey's Sparkle Minnow Sculpin
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten
- EZ Egg (apricot / flesh)
- Tungsten Dart (red)
- Coffey's Sparkle Minnow Sculpin
- Pheasant Tail Tungsten
- EZ Egg (apricot / flesh)
