Like so many of the river guides I have met this year, Chris Thomsen is a multi-talented individual. Not only does he put in the long hours of a guide, he is a sommelier and manager of an Aspen restaurant called Pinon’s, which has received rave reviews.
Chris accommodated me at the last minute after some changes needed to be made with another guide. Instead of his expected day off, he spent his day on a river where he has spent almost every day this summer and did it with enthusiasm.
I had tried to float the Roaring Fork earlier in the year but run-off had been late and slight, so I had to cancel that trip. This time, the river floated well, albeit a little low, and the fishing was good. Fall is such a great time of year to fish because you oftentimes have the river to yourself and the fishing is so varied. You usually have a chance to fish both on top of the water and under the water with nymphs and streamers. And, in fact, we did all three, although the dry fly fishing was not productive as a storm approached right when the hatch should have occurred. No worries because Chris knew every hole on the river and rowed us back through them several times.
His pretty wife, Serena, shuttled the truck and trailer for us and we spoke of teaching and her job as an English teacher in Aspen. Chris works for Frying Pan Anglers in Basalt. This is the same guide shop I worked with on the Frying Pan River earlier this year. If you’re in the area, be sure to give them a call. Thanks so much, Chris!
