Roaring Fork River (Glenwood) — October Fly Fishing Report: BWOs & Fall Flows

The Roaring Fork River is the place to be this October! With flows around 410 cfs in the middle section and cool, clear water, the trout are active and hungry. Fall weather is ushering in the season of aggressive brown trout, especially on streamers. You’ll find great hatches of BWOs, caddis, and midges, keeping the fish feeding throughout the day. Whether you’re drifting flies through riffles or targeting the deeper runs with nymphs, the fishing conditions are top-notch, and the fall colors make it even more enjoyable.

The Fork is rolling at 480 CFS near Glenwood Springs—clear, cold, and in its fall rhythm. Blue Winged Olives are the stars, with midges filling the gaps and October Caddis buzzing sporadically at dusk. Flows are perfect for wading, though trout are picky in the flat glides. Bring long leaders, lighter tippet, and keep your casts soft. Cloud cover turns the river into a BWO buffet.

• Flow Rate: ~480 CFS — textbook fall flow, plenty of holding water
• Water Temp: ~46 °F, cold and steady
• Clarity: clear — trout are spooky, technical presentations needed
• Best Times: late morning through afternoon (BWOs); dusk for October Caddis and streamer swings
• Primary Hatches: Blue Winged Olives, midges, October Caddis (sporadic)
• Crowds: low — steady action, less pressure than mid-summer
• Confidence: 75% — BWOs are reliable, but match conditions
• Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — great fall fishing if you play it smart

 

 

Midges — ⭐⭐⭐
Blue Winged Olives — ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October Caddis — ⭐⭐
Caddis (tan #16–18) — ⭐

Note: BWOs shine under cloud cover; midges are the steady filler food source.

 

Dries / Terrestrials

• October Caddis (#14) — skated or twitched at dusk
• Parachute BWO (#18–20) — go small, soft presentation
• Griffith’s Gnat (#20–22)

Nymphs / Emergers

• Flashback Pheasant Tail (#18)
• RS2 (gray/olive, #20–22)
• WD-40 (#20–22)
• Two-Bit Hooker (#16) — Pro pick

Streamers

• Brown Bugger (#10)
• Thin Mint (#8–10)
• Mini Sculpzilla (olive #8)

• Cloud cover: BWO dry/emerger combos shine—downstream reach casts essential.
• Dry-dropper all day: Caddis or small attractor dry up top with PT/RS2 dropper below.
• Midges: Griffith’s Gnat or WD-40 in slower slicks and tailouts.
• Streamer run: Early AM or dusk, swing buggers or sculpzillas tight to banks.
• Rig Note: 9–12 ft leaders, 5X–6X tippet, fluorocarbon for nymphs.

• Westbank Bridge: easy access, strong riffles.
• Two Rivers Park (Glenwood): urban access, deeper holding runs.
• Carbondale stretches: more BWO-friendly side channels, lighter pressure.

1. Is 480 CFS wadeable? Yes, excellent wading conditions.
2. What hatch is strongest now? BWOs under clouds, midges otherwise.
3. October Caddis showing? Spotty—best around dusk.
4. Streamer fishing worth it? Yes, especially low-light bank runs.
5. What leader setup works best? 9–12 ft, 5X–6X with fluorocarbon nymph rigs.
6. Best daily fishing window? 11 AM–3 PM (BWOs); dusk for caddis/streamers.
7. Crowds? Low, especially compared to summer.
8. Best access for beginners? Westbank Bridge—easy entry and diverse water.