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There are a number of fine rivers to fish in the Aspen area, but the two that are the most famous are the Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan.
The Roaring Fork River begins as a small creek at an elevation of over 12,000 feet, high  in the Rocky Mountains above the resort town of Aspen. “The Fork” is a freestone river (no dams) and runs 70 miles through the region that bears its name – the Roaring Fork Valley – before it joins with the majestic Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. Home to the famous natural hot springs that, in Wild West days, beckoned the likes of Doc Holiday and other “takers of the medicinal waters,” Glenwood Springs flourishes alongside the Colorado and boasts the largest, outdoor, natural-hot-springs swimming pool in the world.
The Fork gains volume as it flows through the valley, picking up the Frying Pan, the Crystal, and several small streams before it joins the Colorado. In fact, the Fork boasts the longest contiguous stretch of designated Gold Medal water in Colorado - roughly 35 miles. Plain and simple, this is one of the finest trout streams in the American West!
The Frying Pan is born in the high mountains as a crystal-clear stream before entering Reudi Dam (“Ruu-di”), twelve miles above the town of Basalt. The “tailwater” stretch below the dam offers unique opportunities to catch huge rainbows on tiny dry flies and nymph imitations.”
The Frying Pan has been one of my favorite rivers for over 35 years. It has a lot of classic trout water – smooth and slow flowing. Most all of the river can be waded, and starting at the dam, there is plenty of “blue ribbon” water to be fished.
This is about as fine as trout rivers get. The Frying Pan is fast most of the year, but plenty of pockets, holes, and “stretches,” give one some mighty fine fishing.
Area Fly Shops With Guides
The Taylor Creek Fly Shop, located less than 30 minutes from Aspen on the banks of the Frying Pan River in Basalt, and also in Aspen, Location at the Base of Ajax Mountain. Taylor Creek Fly Shop, Basalt, Colo., (970) 927-4374, www.taylorcreek.com Alpine Angling, Carbondale, Colo., (970) 963-9245, A very good selection of guides for day trips.
Frying Pan Anglers, Basalt Colo, (970) 927-3441, www.fryingpananglers.com
Located just as you come into Basalt in the strip mall. Complete with guides. Taylor Creek Cabins: Taylor Creek cabins are situated 5 miles from Basalt on the Frying Pan Road at the confluence of the Frying Pan River and Taylor Creek.
There is immediate walking access to the Frying Pan River from the cabins. Occupants of the cabins have priority access to this private water.
The cabins are fully self-contained. Each has 2 bedrooms with a queen size and 2 single beds. There is a full kitchen and the ample living area has satellite television and telephone. The rate is $140 per night.
Flies: Red and black chironocones #20, brassie's #18 - #22, midge larva patterns #18 - #22 and garcia's rojo midges # 18 - #22. Carry a range of dry patterns such as the z-wing real midge, suspended midge and any similar dry black patterns in sizes from #20 through to #26.
 “Winter is one of our favorite times to be on the water here in the Roaring Fork Valley. You are guaranteed to have the river to yourself and the fishing is exceptional!
The weather during the winter is warmer than you would think, a typical day is 40-45 degrees and sunny, but we are more than happy to reschedule or cancel if we do get an unusually cold stretch.
The fish tend to stack up in deeper runs during the winter and it is not uncommon to hook a dozen fish without taking a step. The seasoned angler can spend all day putting fish in the net, yet it is the perfect time of year for the novice angler to learn about our sport. We recommend starting a 1/2 day trip (4 hours) around 11 AM, this will be the warmest part of the day and the fish will be the most active.
A day on the river is a perfect break during a ski trip, or you can log a few hours on the mountain in the morning and spend the afternoon catching trout.”
Happy traveling, and great fly fishing.
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