Insects are hatching, runoff has yet to hit in full force, it's offseason and there are generally no crowds. If you're a fly fisherman, these are good days.

The Frying Pan River is fishing exceptionally well right now, with blue wing olives hatching in abundance, according to Will Sands of the Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt. And the elbow room is apparently wide - or at least wider than it is during the summer months - especially along the middle and lower stretches of the Pan.

The Roaring Fork River is getting muddy and is generally unfishable below the confluence of the Crystal River, which according to Sands is already blown out.

"The lower Fork is see ya," he said.

But between the Airport Business Center and Brush Creek, anglers can expect good water and action.

"The fish have been very active," Sands said.

There are just two or three weeks left before the entire Fork gets too muddy, so take advantage of this opportunity. The uncrowded banks don't just offer solitude, but easy fishing, as the fish have yet to develop their finicky caution that intensifies with increased angler activity in the summer.

The Pan is a tailwater - fed by a reservoir - and will therefore fish well through the runoff period.

Aside from the blue wing olives, midges are also coming off on both rivers. A good tactic is to fish a dry fly with a dropper. A Hi Vis Griffiths Gnat with a trailing emerger is apparently deadly on the Pan right now.

Taylor Creek is still running float trips on the Fork from Basalt to Carbondale, and will continue to do so until the river gets blown out.

"It's really good, because it doesn't see too much pressure," Sands said.

For a more comprehensive report of the hatches and conditions on both rivers, visit taylorcreek.com.