Today, we combine gold medal riding with Gold Medal trout fishing.

The gold medal riding begins in the Town of Basalt, about halfway from Carbondale to Aspen on CO-82.

In Basalt, we turn off CO-82, and onto Fryingpan Road, named for the river that has Gold Medal trout fishing. In fact, Gold Medal trout fishing can be found in both of Basalt’s rivers: the Fryingpan and the Roaring Fork. Basalt is the only town in America with two certified Gold Medal fishing waters.

The Fryingpan, particularly the section below the Ruedi Reservoir, produces trout as heavy as 10 pounds. Serious fishermen (like Dave) can fish the Fryingpan, and the Roaring Fork, all year round.

Yes, it can be cold in December, but suck it up, people. This is world-class fly fishing, and the majority of big fish are caught during winter months.

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Colorado has 6,000 miles of fishable rivers and streams, as well as 2,000 lakes and reservoirs that offer fishing experiences for every angler and every season. The Roaring Fork Valley, where we live, has more than 40 miles of catch-and-release Gold Medal waters on the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers.

Earning Gold Medal status is no simple accomplishment. The Gold Medal designation is the highest ranking for top quality fishing for wild trout that a fishery can achieve in Colorado. The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife identifies Gold Medal waters, based on rivers, streams and lakes providing the necessary water quality and habitat to support healthy populations of large trout.

Numerically speaking, Gold Medal waters must be able to produce 60 pounds of trout per acre, and at least 12 trout more than 14 inches long, per acre. That’s a lot of math, and a ton of awesome fishing.

The Gold Medal waters on the Fryingpan River are from the Ruedi Dam, downstream to the confluence with the Roaring Fork River, about 14 miles in all.

The Roaring Fork River has about 22 miles of Gold Medal waters, from Basalt to Glenwood Springs, offering a great mix of wading and floating water.

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We follow Fryingpan Road, along the Fryingpan River, all the way to the Ruedi Reservoir, where the Gold Medal waters begin.

At the Ruedi Reservoir, we continue riding along the Fryingpan Road until it turns to dirt. Followers of this blog know what that means: time to turn around and head back to Carbondale.

Today’s ride is only about 100 miles, but it includes world-class fishing and world-class riding.

What could be better?

On our way back into Carbondale from fishing, we stop at Marble Distilling. It’s a good transition from the life of an outdoorsman to the life of a gourmand.

Tonight, we’re having ribs in Carbondale. On Main Street. In a very unlikely spot. Curious?

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Day Nine Summary: Gold Medal waters. Gold Medal roads. Life’s good!

Click here to see today’s complete route from Carbondale to Ruedi Reservoir and back to Carbondale.

Glad you’re along for the ride.

Vroom, vroom.

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Today’s Colorado Fun Fact: There are at least seven major rivers whose headwaters begin in Colorado, with the Continental Divide directing each river’s course. On the east side of the Continental Divide, the Rio Grande, the North Platte, the South Platte, the Arkansas, the Cache la Poudre and the Republican rivers all flow toward the Atlantic Ocean. On the west side of the Continental Divide, the Colorado River flows toward the Pacific Ocean.

Today’s Rocky Mountain Rib Rally Fun Fact: The Ruedi Reservoir, which we rode by today, is the home of the Aspen Yacht Club. The Yacht Club has no electricity, no running water, and no cell phone service – so members can fully enjoy sailing during summer months. There are about 80 members of the Aspen Yacht Club.

Today’s Colorado Food Fun Fact: We rode through Basalt on our way to Ruedi Reservoir today. Best food in Basalt: Heather’s Savory Pies and Tapas Bar (according to TripAdvisor), and Free Range Kitchen & Wine Bar (per Yelp). Just sayin …