Basalt is among the best, if not the best fly fishing town in Colorado. If there is another place where two great trout streams (
Frying Pan and
Roaring Fork) converge smack in the middle of a city center, we’ve yet to find it. What’s more - the mythic Colorado is only a short distance away. Home to friendly people and
an avid fly fishing community, Basalt is a sure pick for a winsome, trout filled adventure. Here are three of the top fishing spots near Basalt to check out.
Frying Pan River – Toilet Bowl to 20 Inch PoolWhen Colorado planners completed the Ruedi Reservoir and Dam, they inadvertently created a fisherman’s paradise. (heh, not all side effects are bad!) In addition to creating a great tailwater, Mysis shrimp were introduced into the reservoir in anticipation of building a Kokanee salmon fishery. Well the fishery was never built, but the shrimp stayed on and thrived. The result – over fed, gargantuan trout.
The 14-mile stretch between Basalt and the reservoir is one of the best places to fish on this river. After the Frying Pan merges with the Roaring Fork, an unbroken, extraordinary 40-mile stream of Gold Medal water follows.
Roaring Fork River Between Carbondale and Glenwood SpringsImpressed by the river’s rushing waters, the Ute Indians called it Thunder River, a tribute to its tumultuous rapids and powerful flow. Starting high in the Sawatch Range and close to the Continental Divide, this exciting river drops over 7,000 feet, generating speed, turbulence and lots of “roaring” rapids throughout its 70+mile, unencumbered, dam-free run. Large sections have been designated by the state as Wild Trout and Gold Medal fisheries, adding to its draw and appeal.
The stretch between Carbondale and the Colorado confluence at Glenwood Springs, is the river’s famed Gold Medal run. This lower end is where the river opens up and is great especially for float trips. Because the rapids can be challenging, choosing to fish with an experienced guide is highly recommended. Similar to the Frying Pan, hatches here are numerous and plentiful. Fall BWO, Green Drake, Caddis and Hoppers are particularly enticing, making autumn a great time to pack your gear and go.
Crystal RiverOften overlooked by visitors to the area,
the Crystal is an undiscovered gem worth finding. Lacking a “Gold Medal” designation, anglers tend to favor the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork, but don’t let that keep you away. This river has much to offer - terrific fishing in a quiet, crowd-free setting. What’s more, locals consider fall an ideal time to fish this wading river.
One reason locals think this is the autumn spawn, when brown trout come up from the Roaring Fork River to mate. The state stocks rainbow and cutthroat in the public sections between Marble and Redstone because hatches tend to be lower here than in other parts of the river, but this is the only section that is stocked. As you move toward the river’s confluence with the Roaring Fork, higher concentrations of rainbow are found.
Because this is a swift moving river, the fish are reputed to be cagey, holding out in current seams and banks where it’s possible for them to feed without exerting too much energy. Between Crystal City and Marble, the river works its way through the Crystal River Canyon, a beautiful but narrow valley with a challenging landscape. Fishing is known to be good here but the terrain is rugged and access can be difficult due to seasonal mudslides, snow slides and rock falls.