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On the Fly: Things are looking up

Twin fishing guide brothers Christian and Colin Hill on the Roaring Fork River.
Scott Spooner/Courtesy photo

If you’re thinking about wetting a line in the valley this week, there have been some major improvements in fishing conditions out there. Most rivers (including the upper Fryingpan, lower Roaring Fork, and Colorado west of Glenwood) have been experiencing an awakening in regard to insect hatches and dissipation of ice shelves along the banks. On the middle-to-lower Roaring Fork, for example, the edge ice has mostly disappeared this past week, and the river is looking pretty good! The deep snow doesn’t make access easy, but once you fight your way to the river, you’re in the clear.

Anglers on the Fryingpan River have enjoyed much-improved dry fly hatches lately that have been starting earlier in the mornings and lasting later into the afternoon. We’re only seeing midges aloft right now, but stocking up on blue winged olive dries (for the next hatch around the corner) is a good idea. The lower Fryingpan remains stubbornly locked up, but I’d bet it will open up soon with the warm-up headed our way.

It’s always a little warmer down-valley, and this past week has been no exception. Most anglers in the know would tell you this is the best fishing part of the valley lately (if they like you, that is). Whether you float or wade the lower Roaring Fork or Colorado west of Glenwood Springs, the bite down there has been getting stronger.



Anglers and fish alike are getting spring fever, yet we all know we’re not out of the winter woods quite yet. Choose your battles out there for a while longer — fishing when it’s warm and plying the right areas in the river are key for a successful day astream. It’s time to dust off those waders, clean up your fly line, tie on a fresh leader, and go find a few fish this week. 

You’ll be glad you did!

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