The Roaring Fork in Colorado 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 and it joins 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 and you can fish these gold medal waters right from our vacation rental home, Aspenwood House.
Fly fishing the Roaring Fork River can be challenging but also very productive. 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’s 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.
The water temperatures can vary drastically at any one time depending on where you are fishing. This has a big influence on the timing of the hatches. If you prefer drift boat fishing, then by all means fish the lower section. It you prefer wading and good size trout, fish the middle section. If you prefer the high altitude streams, its beautiful scenery and lots of easy to catch wild trout including brook trout, fish the headwaters.
Fishing Lower Roaring Fork – Carbondale To Glenwood Springs
This is the most popular stretch of the Roaring Fork River. On this stretch, you will watch the most amount of boat traffic – especially in the summertime on the deck of our vacation rental home, Aspenwood House. You can easily navigate a raft or a drift boat down the lower Fork with some rowing experience. The lower Roaring Fork is pretty much floatable year round. As long as it’s about 400 cfs or higher, it can be floated. Prime summer flows are between 1500-3000 cfs. This is usually when the trout are very active and have started feeding heavily, after runoff has ended. Carbondale to West Bank (Iron Bridge) is the top section, and it is about 7 miles long. There is lots of fishy water in here, and it’s pretty easy to row. If you are newer to rowing and want to get a feel for it, I would do Carbondale to West Bank. There is some good wade fishing in this stretch, but a lot of water is still private so we can direct you where to access the river. There is also some good stretches downvalley to Glenwood Springs, including the Ironbridge, 27th st bridge, and Veltus Park. Or just stay home and fish out your front door!
Insect Life (Flies) On The Roaring Fork
The Roaring Fork River is known for its prolific bug life. There are healthy hatches of most river bugs throughout the year, which keeps the trout well fed. Since the water is so clean and clear, it provides a great environment for insects to thrive. The trout in the Roaring Fork really key in on certain bugs throughout the year. If there is a good hatch going on, you’ll need the correct imitation in order to catch fish. This is especially true for the big Green Drake and Caddis hatches. Make sure to have the right fly patterns so you don’t get skunked.
Spring Insects
In the spring, we focus on larger midges and Blue Winged Olives. The midges get larger in the spring, so I like sizes #16 and #18. For the Blue Winged Olive hatch, I usually throw an #18. Once late April rolls around, the Roaring Fork gets a big Caddis hatch which can be very fun to fish. This goes through May and into runoff – some of the best Caddis fishing is around Mothers Day in mid May. Having an array of Midges, BWO’s and Caddis will keep you covered through spring. The Rs2’s pictured above are one of my favorite flies for spring time on the Roaring Fork. They can be sunken as a nymph or fished in the surface film.
In the spring, we focus on larger midges and Blue Winged Olives. The midges get larger in the spring, so I like sizes #16 and #18. For the Blue Winged Olive hatch, I usually throw an #18. Once late April rolls around, the Roaring Fork gets a big Caddis hatch which can be very fun to fish. This goes through May and into runoff – some of the best Caddis fishing is around Mothers Day in mid May. Having an array of Midges, BWO’s and Caddis will keep you covered through spring. The Rs2’s pictured above are one of my favorite flies for spring time on the Roaring Fork. They can be sunken as a nymph or fished in the surface film.
Summer Insects
Lower Roaring Fork Brown Trout (Green Drake Hatch). When it comes to summer fishing on the Roaring Fork, lots of bugs are on the table. After the Caddis start to come out, Green Drakes are the next big hatch. Usually in late June (summer solstice) you will see Green Drakes start to hatch in the evenings. They start on the lower Roaring Fork and work their way up. Most Green Drake adults hatch during twilight and into the darkness, so make sure to stay on the river late. PMD’s and Yellow Sallies are also abundant in the summertime. Both nymphs and adult imitations will fish quite well. Barr’s PMD Emergers work great, as well as Melon Quills for the adult PMD imitation. For Sallies, I like to fish an Iron Sally Nymph or a Kyles Sally Nymph. For Sally dry flies, I like to fish a yellow Foam Stone or a Chubby Sally. There are also lots of Stoneflies around in the summertime. For Stonefly nymphs, a Pats Rubber Legs usually does the trick. For dries, I really like fishing a Chubby Chernobyl or a Stimulator. Below these, I will put a nymph (or two) to fish a dry-dropper setup. Later in the summer, Tricos can become quite prolific as well. This is usually when the water has dropped and the fish are getting picker. The hopper bite can also pick up later into the summer. A Morrish Hopper or a Parachute Hopper can fish well near the banks. However, during recent low water years, the hopper bite hasn’t been as good.
Lower Roaring Fork Brown Trout (Green Drake Hatch). When it comes to summer fishing on the Roaring Fork, lots of bugs are on the table. After the Caddis start to come out, Green Drakes are the next big hatch. Usually in late June (summer solstice) you will see Green Drakes start to hatch in the evenings. They start on the lower Roaring Fork and work their way up. Most Green Drake adults hatch during twilight and into the darkness, so make sure to stay on the river late. PMD’s and Yellow Sallies are also abundant in the summertime. Both nymphs and adult imitations will fish quite well. Barr’s PMD Emergers work great, as well as Melon Quills for the adult PMD imitation. For Sallies, I like to fish an Iron Sally Nymph or a Kyles Sally Nymph. For Sally dry flies, I like to fish a yellow Foam Stone or a Chubby Sally. There are also lots of Stoneflies around in the summertime. For Stonefly nymphs, a Pats Rubber Legs usually does the trick. For dries, I really like fishing a Chubby Chernobyl or a Stimulator. Below these, I will put a nymph (or two) to fish a dry-dropper setup. Later in the summer, Tricos can become quite prolific as well. This is usually when the water has dropped and the fish are getting picker. The hopper bite can also pick up later into the summer. A Morrish Hopper or a Parachute Hopper can fish well near the banks. However, during recent low water years, the hopper bite hasn’t been as good.
Fall Insects
Fall fishing on the Roaring Fork is pretty simple. Blue Winged Olives come back into play, so be sure to have some in your fly box. There are also Midges around, and some Caddis as well. There can still be some stray PMD’s around as well. However, as fall progresses into winter, Midges become the #1 food source.
Fall fishing on the Roaring Fork is pretty simple. Blue Winged Olives come back into play, so be sure to have some in your fly box. There are also Midges around, and some Caddis as well. There can still be some stray PMD’s around as well. However, as fall progresses into winter, Midges become the #1 food source.
Winter Insects
The main winter insects on the Fork are Midges and winter Stoneflies. I like to lead with a smaller Pats Rubber Leg and trail a Zebra Midge behind it. This 2 fly nymph rig works quite well throughout the winter.
On overcast days, there can be prolific Midge hatches, and the dry fly action can be great. A Sprout Midge or a Griffiths Gnat can work well for these hatches in sizes #20 and #22. The nice thing about winter on the Fork is the simplicity of rigging. You don’t have to worry about matching the hatch like you do in the summer. Small Stones and Midge patterns will catch fish all winter long.
The main winter insects on the Fork are Midges and winter Stoneflies. I like to lead with a smaller Pats Rubber Leg and trail a Zebra Midge behind it. This 2 fly nymph rig works quite well throughout the winter.
On overcast days, there can be prolific Midge hatches, and the dry fly action can be great. A Sprout Midge or a Griffiths Gnat can work well for these hatches in sizes #20 and #22. The nice thing about winter on the Fork is the simplicity of rigging. You don’t have to worry about matching the hatch like you do in the summer. Small Stones and Midge patterns will catch fish all winter long.
Gear You’ll Need For The Roaring Fork
Fish the Roaring Fork with a fast action 5 weight rod. With this setup you can nymph, throw dries, and dry dropper rigs with ease. For streamer fishing on the Fork, a 7 weight rod with a sink tip fly line is a good option. We throw a lot of articulated streamers and a 7 weight rod has enough backbone for that. In the winter, you’ll see a lot of 5x and 6x fluorocarbon tippet. In the summer, you can get away with 3x and 4x most of the time. Once the river drops after runoff, we start sizing down our tippet throughout the summer.
Fish the Roaring Fork with a fast action 5 weight rod. With this setup you can nymph, throw dries, and dry dropper rigs with ease. For streamer fishing on the Fork, a 7 weight rod with a sink tip fly line is a good option. We throw a lot of articulated streamers and a 7 weight rod has enough backbone for that. In the winter, you’ll see a lot of 5x and 6x fluorocarbon tippet. In the summer, you can get away with 3x and 4x most of the time. Once the river drops after runoff, we start sizing down our tippet throughout the summer.
Wading vs. Floating
Wading is the easiest option and it is more accessible for most anglers especially at Aspenwood House.
It is nice to hop around the Roaring Fork and wade fish different spots. Wading through Glenwood Springs has a much different feel than wading through Aspen. The river changes a lot as it goes down valley, with more flow and a wider basin.
Wading is the easiest option and it is more accessible for most anglers especially at Aspenwood House.
It is nice to hop around the Roaring Fork and wade fish different spots. Wading through Glenwood Springs has a much different feel than wading through Aspen. The river changes a lot as it goes down valley, with more flow and a wider basin.
Floating the Roaring Fork is a great way to fish it. However, you’ll need access to a raft or a drift boat and some friends to go with. If you don’t have access to a boat, then hiring a guide is an incredible way to experience the Fork.
There are many wonderful outfits in the valley who would be happy to take you out for a float, and we can personally recommend you the best guides when you BOOK A STAY AT ASPENWOOD HOUSE