Scott Spooner

What happens next determines the outcome of this much-sought-after scenario. Most big fish have gotten that size because they have figured a few things out in regards to their survival. They are not afraid to roll like an alligator, swim straight into a brush pile, saw your leader back and forth over sharp rocks, or simply dump your reel as they swiftly relocate to another area code.

Seven Castles Creek on the lower Fryingpan River. The status of our local rivers, streams, and lakes have presented challenges as well as opportunities this past week.

Tim Heng with a Roaring Fork River rainbow trout. Taylor Creek Fly Shop/Courtesy photo

The always-popular Fat Albert Grasshopper fly pattern.

Anglers floating on the river. Louis Cahill Photography/Courtesy photo The first day of fall is on our doorstep, so we’re once again seeing leaves begin to turn and donning our jackets again after sunset. As the days begin to get shorter and cooler, we will begin to notice some not-so-subtle changes while out on the water. The first change of note is the resurgence of some aquatic insects and the dissipation of others. Blue winged olives (BWOs) are already on the scene again, as we typically see them in strong numbers in spring and fall. These small mayflies vary from size 18 down to 22 here in the Roaring Fork Valley.

If you’ve been casting flies on local streams lately, then you’ve most likely seen a few looks (followed by refusals) from those wary trout. When we see the fish refusing real insects in addition to our...

As dry fly hatches begin to ebb, we will need to focus below the river surface to remain effective. Complex summertime hatches will narrow down to only midges and blue winged olives after Halloween, so...

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The Western Slope chapter of Casting for Recovery (CR) hosted their annual retreat this past Sunday at the Redstone Inn on the Crystal River. The mission of CR is to enhance the lives of women...

We’ve seen it many times here at the shop: A new tyer tries to create super-complicated fly patterns right out of the gate, gets frustrated, and ultimately gives up. When meeting new fly tyers, we...