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Aspen Fly Fishing
By Mary Chris from ALLTrips.com
The Roaring Fork River
The Roaring Fork River begins at Independence Pass south of Aspen and merges with the Colorado in Glenwood Springs. With a number of tributaries, this is a perfect fly-fishing or spin fishing destination. You’ll find large fish, too! Get a trophy brown trout, brook or cutthroat. The rainbow trout run thick. Seventy-five miles of river is going to turn up your favorite fishing spot, almost guaranteed. Sixty-five of those rushing miles are great for wading.
This thundering river is one of only a few in the state that is floatable, but you will find you love to wade in with your hip waders. The current is strong and the footing can be somewhat tricky, but the pan-size brookies (12 – 18 inches) will have you stay and try your luck. Go north from Aspen, between Glenwood Springs and Carbondale you’ll discover suckers and whitefish.
Beginning at the headwaters and running downstream to Aspen, you’ll discover the gorgeous White River National Forest, and have a normal limit on trout fishing with no method restrictions. Small dry flies and nymphs are good to use.
Fish the Rio Grande Trail Access downstream from Upper Woody Creek Bridge. The north bank gives over five miles of accessible fishing. And beginning about a hundred feet downstream for Lower Woody Creek Bridge, you’ll find almost a mile of fishing access along the north bank. Moving upstream from the bridge provides another 2 miles of fishing along the south bank.
My favorite spot is from Aspen to Basalt where the river becomes a lovely meadow stream, between Hallam Lake and the Upper Woody Creek Bridge. Although it is a catch-and-release area, it holds some wonderful fishing.
You can fish the whole year through on the Roaring Fork River, but the trout run best during summer and into the fall.
The Frying Pan River
This is one of the best-loved trout streams in the U.S. You’ll find some large wild trout here such as brook, brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. The first waters begin at over 13,000 feet at Deer Mountain on the Continental Divide.
Fall may be best to fish the Frying Pan River as the crowds are less and the fish seem to know it. The hues of changing colors in the fall season make it particularly spectacular to venture out and experience some of the best dry fly-fishing around. The browns and brookies seem especially aggressive during this time. Wading into the waters right below the Ruedi Dam or the small streams in the high country will provide you with low waters (and clear) so you can achieve great sight fishing with dry flies.
Spring runoff makes it somewhat an inconsistent time for trout, but on the Frying Pan River some of the greatest opportunities emerge. The big shrimp-eating rainbows come out of their hideouts and spread along several miles of the upper Frying Pan. The crowds are larger in summer, but during mid-day in the middle of July you’ll find drake hatches, and these can continue on into September. Again, below the Ruedi Dam is the spot to frequent.
The Colorado River
This river is the perfect destination if you like float fishing. You can experience this incredible Rocky Mountain valley and find your prize catch! You may have to do a lot of searching, but you’ll find the fish in large quantities when you find them. Use small nymphs, eggs, attractors and streamers up against the banks.
Crystal River
Two miles below Carbondale, you’ll find the Crystal River, a fast and free flowing river through beautiful terrain. This river and its tributaries boast brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout.
You’ll find the highest quantities of fish near the confluence with the Roaring Fork. But in my opinion, the best spot to find rainbow and cutthroat is the Thompson Creeks area. This is about four and a half miles south of Carbondale.
Hiring a guide
If you want the best wading trip ever, try a guided river wading trip to acquaint yourself with this area as a first step. Later you can come back for your own exploration and discovery pleasure – and some great fly fishing!
Plan your Fly Fishing Vacation
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