The Roaring Fork River – One of the many Gold Medal waters in Colorado. It’s early fall and The Macaron Mayfly team head out to Glenwood Springs for a much-needed soak and superb fall fishing.
The drive was spectacular. We took Independence Pass to Glenwood Springs. We got stuck for almost an hour. There was a bottleneck on one stretch of the road which only allows alternate traffic from both directions. It was a slow drive going down the mountain, but the scenery was majestic and exquisite. We passed by beautiful mountain streams as if we were in the backcountry of New Zealand. I welcomed the idea of stopping at one of the pull-offs and maybe doing a few casts, but I knew my wife would not let me.
After four hours of driving, we finally reached our destination. We could not wait to go to the hot springs and relax after the long drive. After a quick late lunch at our hotel, Best Western Antlers, we decided to hit the pool. Just a quick note about Best Western Antlers; They are a dog-friendly facility! We took our 5-month-old golden retriever on our trip, and he had a blast. The staff at the hotel is very accommodating and friendly. Our room was very spacious, and we also had a view of the mountains. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone who wants to explore Glenwood Springs. Especially to fly fishers who wish to fish the three Gold Medal waters in the area – the Colorado River, Roaring Fork River, and the Frying Pan River.
Glenwood Springs is a fly-fishers paradise. This little resort city is not only surrounded by imposing mountains but also features rivers and streams that constantly produce consistent fishing. During our stay, we decided to fish the Roaring Fork River only. Fishing this body of water during the fall season is just fantastic. There is one thing that was unique about this trip is; we were able to fish a stretch of the Roaring Fork River that was situated on private land. Thanks to the tip that we got from Roaring Fork Anglers fly shop. Their staff is friendly and knowledgeable. It’s a one-stop shop for all your fly fishing needs. They also carry a wide variety of trusted brands in fly fishing.
I admire and respect property owners who open their lands to the fly fishing community. As responsible anglers, we too, have to return the favor to them. We have to be co-caretakers and stewards of their lands. Our bootprints are the only thing we should leave, and memories are the only thing we take with us. These opportunities are getting rarer. We have to maintain them.
