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With over 70 miles of Gold Medal Waters, the Roaring Fork Valley is a renowned destination for the fly fishing enthusiast
Both the Roaring Fork River (which runs straight down the valley from Independence Pass) and the Fryingpan River (which travels down from Ruedi Reservoir and connects to the Roaring Fork in Basalt, Colo.), have been designated Gold Medal Waters by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Only 168 miles of Colorado's 9,000 miles of trout streams have made the cut, ensuring anglers will find outstanding opportunities to catch that big trout while in town. Whether you're heading up the valley to the headwaters of the Colorado River or down valley to sample these gold medal stretches, Snowmass is ideally situated as a convenient starting point.
Local outfitters and shops can provide any level of service from gear rental and advice on what's biting to full-day guided tours and floats. A fishing license is required in Colorado, and the Roaring Fork River is catch-and-release only. For a local river report, click here.
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Yes. Local outfitters offer everything from gear and advice to guided outings and full-day river floats. Blazing Adventures Snowmass is a local outfitter that can help arrange fishing experiences. Guided trips can be particularly useful for first-timers who want casting instruction or experienced anglers trying to understand local water.
The waters of the Roaring Fork River, located approximately 7 miles from Snowmass, are gold-level rated waters and contain rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Local fly shops can advise you on flies according to location, season and current conditions.
Yes. Trout Hook Fishing Pond sits in the forest at the top of the Elk Camp Gondola. It's the closest fishing option to the resort area. Other rivers are approximately 7 miles away. The pond contains trout and provides a very different outing from wading a larger river. Fishing here is catch-and-release.
Yes. A fishing license is required to fish in Colorado. Licensing requirements apply whether you're an experienced angler or trying fly fishing for the first time. Check the current fishing report before heading out, because river conditions and what's biting change. The Roaring Fork River is catch-and-release only.
Yes. For anglers willing to put some miles under their boots, Snowmass Lake is one of the regional high-alpine waters known for fishing. Alpine lakes can hold sizable cutthroat trout. You'll need to carry your fishing equipment along with your normal hiking gear. Bigger flies may be useful for bigger alpine fish, and local shops can advise on current patterns.
Absolutely. Snowmass and the surrounding region are great for both first-time casters and accomplished anglers. A guide can provide equipment, casting instruction, and local knowledge. Gold Medal waters give experienced anglers plenty to sink their teeth into. Conditions range from shallow riffles and slow bends to deeper pools and faster-moving water, allowing for different styles of fishing.
