Aspen Peak - Niche Media - Aspen living at its peak
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/129660
This scenic stretch of the Roaring Fork River sits one mile below the the confluence of the Valley's two Gold Medal waters: the Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan. Standing knee-deep in the icy, emerald-green water careening over a kaleidoscope of polished rocks, I am once again reminded of the magic of rivers. It's early spring, and I'm a few yards upstream from longtime Aspenite and friend Andy Mill. We're both quietly studying a deep trough in a "secret spot" near the Woody Creek Tavern. The current is folding upon itself in mesmerizing repetition, while eddies on either side dance a ballet with ripples and bubbles. The afternoon sun beams through the water, but the channel in front of us hides in the shadow of evergreens on the far bank. The only sound is the consistent gurgle of snowmelt moving downstream, and we both know there are some "lunkers" lurking before us. It's the ideal afternoon at a sweet fishing hole on our childhood river—the Roaring Fork. "See him, right there, by the rock?" Andy asks over the cigar clenched in his teeth. He quickly points with the end of his fly rod, his eyes laserfocused on the shadow line. "Got him," I respond softly, seeing the pink flash of a rainbow trout 15 feet in front of us. "Old Sam," I mutter under my breath. "Get him." Andy casts his line slightly upstream. The two flies—a blue wing emerger and a prince nymph, tied 16 inches apart and roughly a foot below a small lead weight—disappear into the crystal, burbling water. Our eyes follow the line as it drifts with the current. "Come on… come on, baby. Bam! There ya go!" Andy exclaims, grinning, teeth still clenching his half-smoked cigar. "Gotcha!" The water in front of us quivers and then explodes. The fly rod arcs skyward and a fat fish leaps from the shadows, its belly plump with a bright streak of rust red, pink, and sapphire green. Black freckles cloak its back. Fish on! ASPENPEAK-MAGAZINE.COM 122-129_AP_FEAT_Outdoor_SUM_Fall_13 copy_V2.indd 123 123 5/7/13 11:22 AM