Spring runoff in Roaring Fork Valley makes for ‘fabulous’ fishing

Spring fishing along the Roaring Fork, Fryingpan, and Crystal rivers offers a dynamic and rewarding experience, shaped by seasonal runoff, spawning cycles, and new conservation designations. 

As snow begins to melt in the high reaches of the Elk Mountains, the Roaring Fork swells with cold, fast-moving water, signaling the beginning of spring’s fishing season. For those who can time their outings before peak runoff, the early weeks of spring — from early March through mid-May — bring stable flows and aggressive trout feeding behavior, making it one of the most productive windows of the year.

As temperatures rise and runoff increases in late May and June, the river transforms. Turbidity and velocity both surge, reducing visibility and complicating wading conditions. Yet these same conditions stimulate aquatic insect hatches and concentrate trout in slower margins — behind boulders, along seams, and in eddies — where skilled anglers can still find success. 

Local fisherman Jeremy Bernstein described the rhythm of the Roaring Fork in three parts. 

“There is early spring, which is going on right now, and the river is flowing nicely. Then there is runoff, and I cannot fish that,” he said. “After the runoff, you watch the river slowly go down until fall, and fall is just a fantastic time to be on the river.”

Andy Motell, also fishing along the upper Roaring Fork, echoed the sentiment. 

“The fishing is fabulous, and this is such a great time of the year. We are very, very lucky to live here,” Motell said. 

Chris Lemons, owner of Aspen Flyfishing Guide Service, noted that while runoff may limit the number of fishable spots, it doesn’t necessarily make fishing more difficult. 

“When the water is dirty, the fish do not know that you are there because they cannot see as far in the water,” Lemons said. “What runoff does is limit the number of spots that you have to fish. So there are fewer spots to go during high water than with low water.”

His guide service, which has operated in the area for 25 years, offers both wade and float trips on the Roaring Fork. During runoff, he said fishermen and women can pivot to the Fryingpan River, a tailwater fishery that remains clear and stable due to its dam release structure. 

“The Fryingpan is always an option. That’s an easy one because the river is right next to the road,” Lemons said. 

Recent reductions in the Fryingpan’s flow have made conditions especially favorable. 

“It will be running low and clear. Their goal is to fill the reservoir so low flows will continue until the reservoir is at capacity,” he said.

Safety remains a top priority as flows rise. He advised anglers to stay close to shore during high water. 

“Obviously, you do not want to wade into the middle of the river when the water is high and fast, so just keep it to the banks,” he said. “The banks are where the fish are at this time of year anyway.”

Adding to the Roaring Fork’s stature is a new “Quality Waters” designation, conferred by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

This section stretches from the confluence with Maroon Creek in Aspen to the confluence with the Fryingpan River in Basalt. The designation reflects the river’s ecological integrity, stable water quality, and thriving trout populations. 

While “Gold Medal” status emphasizes fish size and biomass, “Quality Waters” recognizes sustainability and ecosystem health.

The Roaring Fork retains its long-held Gold Medal designation, as well, from its confluence with the Crystal River in Carbondale to the Colorado River in Glenwood Springs. The Fryingpan River also carries Gold Medal status. This means these waters support at least 60 pounds of trout per acre, with frequent catches over 14 inches — a criteria met by only a select group of Colorado rivers.

With these accolades come important protections. 

During two key spawning periods — March 15 through May 15 and Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 — fishing is prohibited within 50 yards upstream and downstream of the confluences with Four Mile Creek and Three Mile Creek. These closures safeguard spawning beds and help sustain healthy trout populations. 

“It’s pretty obvious,” Lemons said of identifying spawning areas. “You’ll see a cleared area of gravel with a fish sitting on it, so just avoid those areas if you see them.”

Additional gear restrictions also apply. From McFarlane Creek, located above Aspen, to the Upper Woody Creek Bridge, fishing is limited to artificial flies and is strictly catch-and-release. Between Upper Woody Creek and the Colorado River, anglers may use artificial flies and lures only and are allowed to keep two trout per day, each at least 16 inches long.

Despite these limitations, the Roaring Fork remains remarkably accessible. The Rio Grande Trail parallels much of the Quality Waters section between Aspen and Basalt, offering ample access points. Public fishing areas near Carbondale and Glenwood Springs — such as Sunlight Bridge and Veltus Park — open up stretches of Gold Medal water to the broader angling community.

Spring fishing on these rivers demands attentiveness and adaptability. Nymphing with weighted flies, streamer fishing along cutbanks, and casting into slow-moving eddies can be effective strategies in murky conditions. On clearer, calmer days, hatches of blue-winged olives bring trout to the surface, especially during late mornings.

Fishing the Roaring Fork, Fryingpan, and Crystal rivers in spring is a chance to engage deeply with Colorado’s most cherished trout waters. It calls for patience, skill, and stewardship, offering not only memorable catches but a deeper connection to the living waters of the Roaring Fork Valley.