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River guide · Colorado

Fly Fishing the Crystal River

Colorado's last major dam-free freestone river in the Roaring Fork Valley, the Crystal runs 35 miles through White River National Forest from its headwaters above Marble to its confluence with the Roaring Fork at Carbondale, holding wild rainbows and browns to 18 inches alongside a robust whitefish population in clear, boulder-studded water.

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When to fish

Late June through October

Best months: June–October

  • Best
  • Off-peak
Today's conditions

Where to fish

Along the Crystal River

Highway 133 parallels the river from Carbondale south through Redstone toward Marble, with roadside pull-offs and walk-in points including Staircase Park in Carbondale and the CPW Fish Hatchery on Hwy 133 about one mile south of town. The majority of the river flows through White River National Forest, providing extensive public water with minimal private-land interruption.

The water

Freestone

Key hatches

  • Midges
  • Blue-winged Olive
  • Pale Morning Dun
  • Caddis
  • Golden Stonefly
Hatch calendar

Conditions

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6-day forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service ↗

Key hatches

  • Midges — year-round, most critical September through April
  • Blue-winged Olive — September through April, especially on overcast days
  • Pale Morning Dun — June through mid-September
  • Caddis (olive, tan, brown) — May through October
  • Golden Stonefly — June through August
  • Green Drake — August through early October, the marquee summer hatch

Fly shops near the Crystal River

Shops and guides that fish the Crystal River. See all 114 Colorado shops →

5 fly shops shownCrystal River

Species on this water

TroutRedfishTarpon

Nearby towns

CarbondaleBasalt

Rivers nearby

Roaring Fork RiverFrying Pan RiverColorado RiverEagle River
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Crystal River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

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Gear up

Gear up on the Crystal River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

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The flies that work on the Crystal River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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