Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Roaring Fork River Colorado
The Roaring Fork is a fast flowing, high gradient
freestone stream that begins in the snow packed ski
country and high alpine lakes near Independence Pass.
It is a tributary of the Colorado River. It joints the
Colorado, along with the water from the Frying Pan
River, at Glenwood Springs. This river is about seventy
miles long. Twelve miles of it is classified by the state of
Colorado as "Gold Metal" water.
Its headwaters have tributary streams with populations
of brook trout. The main river has both brown and
rainbow trout. The fish are smaller in the upper waters
above Aspen but they are plentiful and fairly easy to
catch. The White River National Forest provides plenty
of public access in the upper part of the river.
McFarlane Creek is a tributary entering the Roaring
Fork above Aspen that is also worth fishing.
From Aspen to Carbondale, what is referred to as the
middle river, is the most popular destination for anglers.
It is still a relatively small stream that can be waded most
places. The stream can be accessed at several points
along the way off highway #82 that runs nearby for
almost the entire length of the river.
At the town of Basalt, the Frying Pan River adds its
water and the stream becomes much more fertile. It can
still be waded in places especially during low water.
Aquatic insect hatches become more diverse and
plentiful.
The lower section of the Roaring Fork from the
confluence of the Crystal River downstream to the
Colorado River, offers great fly fishing and is best suited
for drift boats.
Runoff takes place from about the middle of May to the
middle of June. It means anglers will have to stop fishing
the Roaring Fork for a while and move around the
corner to the Frying Pan River. What a deal!
Seasons:
You can fish the Roaring Fork anytime during the year.
Winter:
Nymph fishing can be good at certain times during the
winter.
Spring:
With the exception of the runoff period, fishing is good
during the spring season.
Summer:
Summer is probably the best time to fish the Roaring
Fork.
Fall:
Early autumn can be very good for fly fishing the
Roaring Fork River.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Roaring Fork:
The seventy-mile long Roaring Fork River offers a wide
diversity of fly fishing opportunities ranging from its small
stream brook trout headwater tributaries to its larger drift
boat waters its lower section.
(Click Here to Continue)
The Roaring Fork is a fast flowing, high gradient
freestone stream that begins in the snow packed ski
country and high alpine lakes near Independence Pass.
It is a tributary of the Colorado River. It joints the
Colorado, along with the water from the Frying Pan
River, at Glenwood Springs. This river is about seventy
miles long. Twelve miles of it is classified by the state of
Colorado as "Gold Metal" water.
Its headwaters have tributary streams with populations
of brook trout. The main river has both brown and
rainbow trout. The fish are smaller in the upper waters
above Aspen but they are plentiful and fairly easy to
catch. The White River National Forest provides plenty
of public access in the upper part of the river.
McFarlane Creek is a tributary entering the Roaring
Fork above Aspen that is also worth fishing.
From Aspen to Carbondale, what is referred to as the
middle river, is the most popular destination for anglers.
It is still a relatively small stream that can be waded most
places. The stream can be accessed at several points
along the way off highway #82 that runs nearby for
almost the entire length of the river.
At the town of Basalt, the Frying Pan River adds its
water and the stream becomes much more fertile. It can
still be waded in places especially during low water.
Aquatic insect hatches become more diverse and
plentiful.
The lower section of the Roaring Fork from the
confluence of the Crystal River downstream to the
Colorado River, offers great fly fishing and is best suited
for drift boats.
Runoff takes place from about the middle of May to the
middle of June. It means anglers will have to stop fishing
the Roaring Fork for a while and move around the
corner to the Frying Pan River. What a deal!
Seasons:
You can fish the Roaring Fork anytime during the year.
Winter:
Nymph fishing can be good at certain times during the
winter.
Spring:
With the exception of the runoff period, fishing is good
during the spring season.
Summer:
Summer is probably the best time to fish the Roaring
Fork.
Fall:
Early autumn can be very good for fly fishing the
Roaring Fork River.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Roaring Fork:
The seventy-mile long Roaring Fork River offers a wide
diversity of fly fishing opportunities ranging from its small
stream brook trout headwater tributaries to its larger drift
boat waters its lower section.
(Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Brook Trout (Wild) Rocky Mountain Whitefish (Native) Size Medium Location Central Colorado Nearest Towns Aspen, Colorado Glenwood Springs, Colorado Season Year-round Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Colorado Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data (Glenwood Springs) |
 | |  | |  |
Roaring Fork,
Colorado
Colorado
Free Shipping Continental U. S.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Photo Courtesy of David Knapp Photography
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Thumbnail Image of
headwaters by David
Knapp Photography
headwaters by David
Knapp Photography
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |