Rivers of the Roaring Fork Valley
The Roaring Fork Valley provides unparalleled opportunities for the fly fishing enthusiast. It offers four great rivers and hundreds of miles of trout water; 42 of which are classified as “Gold Medal Water” by the Colorado Division of Wildlife! The area also offers an abundance of small streams and high alpine lakes surrounded by four wilderness areas and the massive White River National Forest.
Roaring Fork River
The Roaring Fork River begins life at 12,000 ft. and roars 70 miles on its way down to the Colorado River. From its alpine beginnings, downstream to Glenwood Springs, four species of trout can be caught: Cutthroat, Brook, Rainbow, and Brown Trout.
Upstream of Aspen the Fork is a small stream flowing through a spectacular mountain setting. The long summer days offer unsurpassed dry fly fishing to eager trout in this high altitude environment.
As the river passes through Aspen to Basalt, it increases in size as it picks up water from the surrounding mountains. Much of this stretch is state designated WILD TROUT WATER. There is no stocking in this portion of the river, and special Fly Fishing/Catch and Release only regulations apply. Wading is the best way for individuals to access this stretch of the river. Hatches are diverse and prolific, providing an excellent opportunity to test your hatch matching skills.
The Frying Pan River flows into the Roaring Fork in the small town of Basalt. This marks the beginning of 28 river miles that the state designated as GOLD MEDAL TROUT WATER, the highest classification of waters in Colorado. This increase in size affords float-fishing opportunities throughout the summer months. Spring, late summer, fall, and winter are excellent times to wade fish this reach. This stretch of river offers strong hatches from spring through fall, and excellent nymphing opportunities throughout the year.
When the Roaring Fork reaches Carbondale, the Crystal River is added to the mix and changes the Fork into a classic large western river. The river here is a mix of large riffles, long runs, and deep pools that hold some of the largest trout in Colorado. The most effective way to fish this awesome stretch of water is in a drift boat with a local guide. Except during spring runoff, this stretch of river offers excellent wade fishing throughout the entire year. The Roaring Fork River finally adds its flow to the Colorado River as it passes Glenwood Springs.
Check River Flow at Glenwood Springs
Check
River Flow near Emma
Check River Flow near Aspen
Colorado River
The 1,450-mile long Colorado River begins its journey in Rocky Mountain National Park and finally ends up in the Gulf of California. Along its way it carves though the breathtaking Glenwood Canyon then continues onto the Colorado Plateau. Populated with Brown and Rainbow trout, the Colorado River ranges from rough and tumble canyon water, to huge riffle-run-pool water.
In Glenwood Canyon, public water abounds with a bike trail that runs the entire 18-mile length. Below Glenwood Springs, the Colorado is best fished out of a drift boat, working the shorelines, riffles, and huge current seams for the river’s large Brown and Rainbow trout. Hatches are variable in this section of the Colorado; nymph and streamer fishing are typically the most productive way to hook into these large fish.
Frying Pan River
The Frying Pan River is one of the most recognized fly fishing destinations in the west. Its reputation as a world class tail water is right on the money. Supplied by the rich waters of Ruedi Reservoir, this is one of the few destinations in the state where you can land all four species of trout in the same day from one reach of river. All 14 miles below the dam are designated Gold Medal waters and are capable of producing trophy fish. The Frying Pan is a wading river with year round hatches making dry fly opportunities possible every day of the year. If "Matching the Hatch" is your passion, the Pan will put you to the test.
Crystal River
From its headwaters above the town of Marble, the Crystal River flows unobstructed to its rendezvous with the Roaring Fork in Carbondale. Although not as famous as its neighboring rivers, the Crystal has many of the same hatches found on the Pan and Fork, without the crowds. An intimate river for the wade fisherman, it fishes best during early spring, summer and fall. This small river has good populations of Brown and Rainbow Trout along with the Mountain Whitefish. While matching the hatch will surely be successful, attractor patterns in both nymphs and dries are usually all that's needed to fool these strong fish.