Crystal River –
Flow: 50 cfs/Redstone, 9 cfs/Carbondale
Conditions: A CPW enacted full-day voluntary closure is in effect from mile marker 64 on Highway 133 downstream to the Roaring Fork confluence. This essentially represents the Crystal River on the lower valley floor (the bottom few miles of river). The remainder of river (30+ miles) is still open to fishing and fishing great – read below.
Low, clear and cold especially along the upper river where fishing is best. Practicing stealth and covering water are paramount to success. The hopper hatch is strong this year and has been making for some exciting surface eats lately. These fish like to eat a well presented fly and reward anglers with opportunities for the Colorado Trout Slam (catching a cutthroat, brook, rainbow and brown trout). As an added bonus, the Crystal is also one of the last strongholds for Mountain Whitefish in Colorado (Super Slam!). Dry/dropper setups are ideal for the majority of the river. Hoppers, PMDs, caddis and BWOs are main hatches being seen. Though it’s not quite fall yet, the cool mornings have made for some good streamer fishing lately too.
Flies
Dries: Panty Dropper Hopper, Carnage Hopper, Split-leg Hopper, Foamulator Yellow, Mini Chubby Yellow, Melon Quill, Flag Dun PMD, Foam Ant, Royal Wulff Cripple, Para. Adams, Purple Haze Para.
Nymphs: French Dips, Perdigons, BH Princes, Tung PTs, Mexican Flag, BH Barr Emergers, Swiss Straw Emerger, Rainbow Warriors, Soft Hackle PT, Mayhems
Streamers: Thin Mints, Mini Jig Buggers, Royal Coachman Bucktail, Mickey Finn
