Glenwood hooks Top 10 Fishing Ranking

9/24/2009

GLENWOOD SPRINGS — Well, Glenwood Springs snagged another top 10 ranking when it comes to fishing.

With all its beauty, and close proximity to some of the most popular trout rivers in the nation, and arguably the world, the rural western Colorado town made the top 10 trout fishing towns published by Forbes.com.

The article lists the Roaring Fork, the Frying Pan, Colorado and Crystal Rivers as the reasons for Glenwood being among first-class trout fishing destinations such as Missoula, Mont. and Mountain Home, Ark.

One reason given for consideration was that the fishing is open to the public and is easy to access.

The ranking was no surprise to Steve DiCampo, a local fisherman whose been fishing the waters around Glenwood Springs for close to a quarter of a century.

“I like to fish the (Roaring) Fork,” DiCampo said.

According to DiCampo, who is also part of Roaring Fork Angler's shop staff, while the obvious great river fishing is what gets Glenwood on the list, there are numerous other opportunities for anglers looking to hook a trout.

“Of course there are the four rivers around here,” he said. “But the high country lakes and streams, I've been here for 25 years and there are still some lakes that I've not been to. You could spend a lifetime exploring the entire area.”

Glenwood was also ranked No. 1, as the nation's top fishing town to live in by Field & Stream Magazine in Jan. 2008.

DiCampo remembered that list as well. And while he doesn't know exactly how the people who decide how the lists are determined, he has a theory.

“You know, it's probably someone who comes into town, it's surrounded by rivers, and they figure that they'll go fishing for a couple of days. Then they probably say that it was the greatest place they have ever gone fishing,” DiCampo said.

While DiCampo didn't have exact figures, he estimated that most of the shop's customers who come for guided fishing trips, have been from out of state, as well as out of town. He said also that the majority of anglers booking trips in the past three years have been new customers.

“The majority have been new customers,” he said. “But we do have the customers that have been coming from out of state for the last 10 to 15 years, and they request the same guide every time.”

DiCampo said that the local shop also has a steady stream of Denver residents because the area also provides good fishing opportunities, all year-round.

“It's amazing,” he said. “Fishing is good all the way to mid November. And there is good fishing all year-round on the Pan.”

Just some of the factors not considered in this list. But then again, just more reasons for yet another list next year.

jgardner@postindependent.com