Fryingpan River

Flow: 192 CFS

Short and Sweet: There is a lot going on up the Fryingpan these days, dry-fly fishing at its finest is officially here. Crowds are thick, but there is a good reason for so many people on the river right now. Green Drakes are coming off more heavily with each passing day, and the Pale Morning Duns are hatching prolifically, too. Localized seratella and blue-winged olive emergences are happening here and there as well. The streamer bite is very good early and late in the day, or any time there is sufficient cloud cover. Mysis shrimp are pouring out of the dam in the bowl and flats, be sure to carry a few clear as well as white shrimp patterns. The Drakes and PMDs get going around 11 a.m. on cooler, cloudy days, and closer to 2 p.m. on hot, bright days. On the lower river, caddis and PMDs are the hatch.

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Recommended Patterns: Film Critic Drake 12, Flava-Flav Cripple 12, BDE Drake 10-12, Drake Crippler 10-12, Stott’s KGB Drake 10-12, TC Pink PMD Sparkledun 16, AK’s Melon Quill 16-18, Quigley’s Sparkle Flag 16-18, CDC Rusty Spinner 16-18, PMD Sparkle Stacker 16-18, Red Quill 14-18, Split Wing PMD 16-18, Perfect Baetis 20-22, Parachute Adams 12 and 20, Lawson’s EZ Caddis 16, Medallion Caddis 16, Red Copper John 16, Rusty PMD Halfback Emerger 16, Stott’s USD Drake Nymph 12, Twenty-Incher 10-12, Black or Gray RS2 20-22, Tim’s Mysis 16-18, Will’s Mysis 16-18, Autumn Splendor 6-10

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Roaring Fork River

Flow:Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText Color 148 CFS in Aspen, 540 CFS in Glenwood Springs

Short and Sweet: The dry fly fishing is slowing up a bit, there has been some decent caddis and PMD action early and late in the day. Drakes are starting to fall off in Aspen, but there are still a few more twilight hatches in store for us before they peter out completely. Tiny BWOs are popping mid-day on the lower river and we are still seeing fair amounts of golden stones flapping about as well. Nymphing has been rock-solid with tiny and shiny baetis nymphs following a worm or stonefly nymph. Streamers become more and more significant as the month comes to an end, these fish will start sensing the shorter days and cooler temperatures and start packing on the pounds for a long, dark winter.

Recommended Patterns: Ripcord Caddis 16, Parachute Caddis 14-18, Outrigger Caddis 16-18, Ethawing Caddis 14-16, CDC Comparadun PMD 16, Hackle Stacker PMD 16-18, Umpqua Green Drake 10-12 (only on the upper) Collett’s BWO Adult 18-22, In the Zone Stone 6-8, Cat Poop Stone 6-10, Barr’s Tungstone 6-10, San Juan Worm 10, Juju Baetis 18-22, Freestone Emerger 20-22, Angel Case BWO Nymph 20-22, Barr’s Cased Caddis 14-18, Z-Wing Caddis 14-18, Red Copper John 16

Crystal River

Flow: 94 CFS in Redstone, 20 CFS in Carbondale

Short and Sweet: Attractor dry patterns and nymphs are all that you need, and perhaps a few small streamers for early and late in the day. Dries should consist of stonefly, caddis, PMD and BWO patterns, nymphs for the same. The Crystal fishes very well this time of year and is a good back up plan for those who abhor crowds. Between miles 50 and 60 are some of our favorites, as well as the Staircase in Carbondale.

Recommended Patterns: Stimulator 10-18, Pearl and Elk Caddis 14-16, Renegade 12-16, BC Hopper 8-10, Parachute Adams 14-22, Yellow Humpy 14-18, Beaded Prince Nymph 14-18, Beaded Pheasant Tail 14-18, San Juan Worm 10, Sands’ STD Dark 16-18, Slumpbuster 6-8, Sculpzilla 6-8

Colorado River

Flow: 2170 CFS in Glenwood Springs

Short and Sweet: The Colorado has been in fairly decent shape over the last week, if there are two feet of visibility, game on. There are still very decent hatches of PMDs, caddis, golden stones and sallies, as well as tiny BWOs in the size 22 range. As with the other rivers, streamers are really starting to become effective again as the fish sense winter around the corner. This water is obviously best approached from the boat, although there are wading spots here and there for the physically fit angler. Check out Grizzly and Canyon Creeks, Dino Truck Stop and New Castle bridge if you are on foot.

Recommended Patterns: BWO Sparkledun 22, BDE BWO 20-22, Lawson’s EZ Caddis 16, Medallion Caddis 14-16, Melon Quill 16-18, Sprout PMD 16, Stimulator 10-18, Outrigger Sallie 16, Spanflex Stone 6-8, Cat Poop 6-10, San Juan Worm 10, Beaded Prince 14-18, RIP PMD Nymph 16, Sparklewing RS2 18-22

— This report is provided every week by Taylor Creek Fly Shops in Aspen and Basalt. Taylor Creek can be reached at (970) 927-4374 or taylorcreek.com.