Fall Fishing the Roaring Fork Valley: Woody Kiehl’s October Update

It is October 22nd, and if you aren't out on the water, you are missing the best window of the year. The air is crisp, the crowds have thinned, and the big browns are getting territorial. Here in the Roaring Fork Valley, we are seeing those aggressive fall behaviors that turn a good day into a legendary one. I am Woody Kiehl, and after 30 years guiding out of Aspen Angling Company, I can tell you that when the leaves start turning, the bite turns on. Whether we are launching my new Clackacraft drift boat on the Roaring Fork or scouting the Colorado, we are putting clients on big rainbows and trophy trout consistently. On the Fork, we are seeing some solid BWO hatches on those overcast afternoons. If you are hitting the water near Basalt or Carbondale, keep a box of tiny RS2s and Pheasant Tails handy. If you want to pull the big boys out of the deep runs, it’s time to commit to the streamer game. I have been putting my clients on Sage fly fishing setups paired with Hardy fly fishing reels, and the sensitivity is unmatched when you are feeling for that subtle take. We are covering water from the access points near Aspen all the way down to the confluence in Glenwood Springs. If you are headed to the Colorado, the stretch below Grizzly Creek is fishing lights-out. For those looking for something different on the Eagle, the water below Edwards and the fairgrounds is holding some aggressive fish that are looking to pack on weight before winter. Driftboat fishing isn't just about efficiency; it is about accessing the private pockets and deep pools that the waders-only crowd just cannot reach. It makes for the perfect scenic float fishing experience. Speaking of which, we have been hosting a lot of bachelor and bachelorette parties lately looking for a unique Colorado adventure. Nothing bonds a group quite like net-man duty on a 20-inch brown. If you want to learn the secret pools and sharpen your technique, stop settling for luck. Book a trip with Aspen Angling Company, get in the boat with me, and let’s put you on the fish of a lifetime before the ice sets in. The river is calling.