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River guide · Colorado

Fly Fishing the Roaring Fork River

One of Colorado's premier freestone fisheries, the Roaring Fork tumbles out of Independence Pass and winds through Aspen and Carbondale before hitting the Gold Medal water near Glenwood Springs: big browns and rainbows, world-class dry-fly hatches, and a river that fishes well in every season.

  • 23 shops nearby
  • freestone
  • Year-round
  • Colorado
  • 6 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Roaring Fork River is Year-round. Key hatches include Green Drake, Golden Stonefly, Caddis, Pale Morning Dun. 23 fly shops near the Roaring Fork River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Roaring Fork River

Shops and guides that fish the Roaring Fork River. See all 122 Colorado shops →

Taylor Creek Fly ShopFrying Pan AnglersGone Fishing ColoradoSOPRIS FISHING OUTFITTERSAspen Outfitting CompanyCrystal Fly ShopAlpine AnglingWild Willow OutfittersAspen Outfitting CompanyAspen Trout Guides,Inc.Aspen Flyfishing IncGlenwood Springs Outdoors
12 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassPikeRedfishTarponTrout

Nearby towns

BasaltWoody CreekCarbondale

Rivers nearby

Frying Pan RiverCrystal RiverColorado RiverEagle River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Roaring Fork River

River typefreestone
Best seasonYear-round; prime fishing March and July–October
AccessThe Rio Grande Trail parallels much of the river, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife maintains several fishing access sites from Aspen through Carbondale to Glenwood Springs. The lower Gold Medal stretch from the Crystal River confluence to the Colorado River is popular for both walk-wade and float trips.
Key hatches
  • Green Drake (late June–early July)
  • Golden Stonefly (July)
  • Caddis (spring–summer evenings)
  • Pale Morning Dun (summer)
  • Trico (late summer)
  • Blue-winged Olive / Baetis (fall)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Roaring Fork River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

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Gear up

Gear up on the Roaring Fork River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Roaring Fork River

Find the most effective patterns for where you're fishing — and learn to tie them yourself, step by step.

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Updated June 2026