Roaring Fork River, Colorado

Roaring Fork River

Roaring Fork River Fly Fishing Overview

Roaring Fork Fly Fishing float trips and wade trips are an excellent choice for anglers of all ability levels. If you are looking for technical pocket water or slow meandering run, fly fishing the Roaring Fork River will offer it all.

The Roaring Fork is about an hour drive from our location and offers excellent wade and float fishing opportunities. Much like the Eagle River there is a variety of water types available for fly fishing on the Roaring Fork making it a great river for novice and experienced anglers alike. From the top of Independence Pass this Freestone River drops over 6000 feet in elevation before meeting the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. The top sections are narrow with an abundance of boulders and pocket water to wade fish. The river starts to widen near Carbondale, Colorado where many of our Roaring Fork fly fishing float trips start their journey.

Roaring Fork River Hatches & Seasons

The Roaring Fork sees a lot of insect hatches, but it is well know for its Green Drake hatch which comes in July. Referred to as the lightning round these large Mayflies hatch right at dusk bringing many fish to the surface giving anglers the opportunity to catch aggressive trout on adult Drake Fly Patterns. Caddis, Yellow Sallies and PMDs take over after the Drakes march up the river continuing the dry fly season until August when Hoppers become the preferred dry fly.

Roaring Fork River rainbow trout

During the Winter, Spring & Fall the Roaring Fork has incredible Midge and BWO hatches that bring many fish to the surface. Presenting these smaller insect patterns can be challenging but well worth the reward. Watching a trout slowly rise to a #20 dry fly is about as technical as is comes but will make you a better angler in trying.

The streamer bite can also be fantastic in the Spring, Summer and Fall months. Quickly moving streamer patterns and watching trout chase them is some of the most exciting fly fishing  you can do in Colorado.

Take a look at our fly fishing photo gallery and see some of the Colorado Trout you can expect to find in the Roaring Fork River. We offer fly fishing wade trips as well as float trips on the Roaring Fork River and both offer incredible fly fishing opportunities.

Get your Colorado Fishing License here.