Colorado trip

[valdesd1]

Hey all,

Heading to Colorado for the week of the 4th and wondering what are my best options for getting into some solid fishing for cutties/browns. We'll be in the areas between Denver and Estes Park.

We're pretty much going into this blind as we don't have much experience fishing out there and we won't be hiring a guide.

Any insight into big deviations from fishing our home waters here in NJ/NY other than we'll be dealing with bigger water? Hatches this time of year?

Any help here will be much appreciated.

 

[lightenup]

I would contact some fly shops in the general area before you go, and buy a topo map...make a plan ahead of time...that's always a good idea unless you know where you are going, or have a knowledgeable travel partner..have fun....

 

[dcabarle]

I would contact some fly shops in the general area before you go, and buy a topo map...make a plan ahead of time...that's always a good idea unless you know where you are going, or have a knowledgeable travel partner..have fun....

I think you ought to stick to making cheeseburgers!

 

[lightenup]

I think you ought to stick to making cheeseburgers!

Ummmm, I don't cook anymore, I delegate, I am upper management now.. So bite me boob, I gotta' a cheeseburger for you, I'll meet ya' at the TP....

 

[dcabarle]

Ummmm, I don't cook anymore, I delegate, I am upper management now.. So bite me boob, I gotta' a cheeseburger for you, I'll meet ya' at the TP....

Every time I pass by, I look for you outside the hop with your roller skates on. lol.

 

[valdesd1]

I would contact some fly shops in the general area before you go, and buy a topo map...make a plan ahead of time...that's always a good idea unless you know where you are going, or have a knowledgeable travel partner..have fun....

Thanks, will do. Figured I would dangle this out there in case anyone had something on this.

 

[flymantis73]

Google hatch charts, and lurk on their forums, productive
western trout flies are usually bigger than the east coast.
Go get 'em!

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Lots of brook trout streams near Estes Park. Bigger water is a bit further of a drive. Don't know your mobility


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[mudbug201]

Fished that same exact area a few years back. Same time of year. I brought my 3 weight and had a ball on the St. Vrain, which is full of wild brookies and cutties. The fish aren't very selective or very big, but they can be spooky, and the water is typically gin clear. Light leaders and tippet and all purpose attractor flies (adams, stims, etc.) do the trick. It's fun fishing once you accept that you're not in for some kind of Hemmingway-esque life or death battle with one of those tiny brookies - it's similar to fishing a small WTS back here in some ways, but the terrain is actually easier because there's way less to snag on - it's mostly canyons and meadows, and the scenery is incredible.

As Rusty says, the big water is further west. Biggest water close to Estes Park is the Big Thompson, which has lots of nice, accessible pocket water between Estes Park and the reservoir. I caught a few decent browns in there but they didn't compare to the browns I catch back here. If I had it to do over again, I'd stick to exploring the little brook trout streams because the scenery is insane and the fish are abundant and fun to catch, even if they're mostly little guys.

 

[valdesd1]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like the terrain is easier to navigate in terms of bushwhacking and such. We'll be camping near Estes for the weekend so I'll try to check out St. Vrain.

In terms of proximity to Denver, I guess the South Platte is another option for me? Mobility wise, I can manage a good two hour drive from Denver to hit some larger water. My understanding is the SP will not provide much in solitude as this river gets a good amount of pressure. Like you mentioned, fishing with some insane scenery is a definite goal.

I don't think i'm gonna go too crazy with buying flies over there. Sounds like I can manage with my share of attractors, general nymphs and streamers.

Fished that same exact area a few years back. Same time of year. I brought my 3 weight and had a ball on the St. Vrain, which is full of wild brookies and cutties. The fish aren't very selective or very big, but they can be spooky, and the water is typically gin clear. Light leaders and tippet and all purpose attractor flies (adams, stims, etc.) do the trick. It's fun fishing once you accept that you're not in for some kind of Hemmingway-esque life or death battle with one of those tiny brookies - it's similar to fishing a small WTS back here in some ways, but the terrain is actually easier because there's way less to snag on - it's mostly canyons and meadows, and the scenery is incredible.

As Rusty says, the big water is further west. Biggest water close to Estes Park is the Big Thompson, which has lots of nice, accessible pocket water between Estes Park and the reservoir. I caught a few decent browns in there but they didn't compare to the browns I catch back here. If I had it to do over again, I'd stick to exploring the little brook trout streams because the scenery is insane and the fish are abundant and fun to catch, even if they're mostly little guys.

 

[dryguy0203]

You should fish the SP at Deckers. I just moved to Denver and it seems to be the best option near by. If your looking for a more scenic location you should try eleven mile canyon which is also on the SP.

 

[emoussa]

Im heading to CO in a few weeks as well. I plan to fish the South Platte at 11 mile canyon for a day then hike into the Sangre de Cristo range to bag a few peaks and fish for some bigger cutthroats in the alpine lakes.

 

[lightenup]

All you young boobs will probably end up in a weed shop and spend your time on the couch saying things like "whoa dude, imagine how cool fishing would be out here", or, "damn, I wish it was snowing, I hear skiing in Colorado is awesome bra"....

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

To be a great nymph fisherman you have to be high.

 

[williamsdp109]

Just hit the San Juan with some solid fish, all fish were caught on dry dropper rigs with 50/50 split. Good water flow throughout pagosa area.


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[valdesd1]

Well, back from our trip. I guess runoff was a larger problem in the front range than I imagined. Most rivers in the area were running too high to fish. We ended up fishing for brookies at Bear Creek and another mountain stream draining from Lake Isabelle near Boulder. A large Adams and royal wulff seemed to do the trick.

Managed to get down to the South Platte in Deckers for half a day and despite getting skunked, it was the prettiest scenery I've had the opportunity to fish in.

I think next time I have to spend a good two weeks out there to really appreciate all the opportunities that state has to offer. Of course, I'm strictly talking about just the fishing!

My buddy is in the film business so he put together this short video of us heading up to the lake. His new border collie, Zeek, got a little lazy and we had to lug him on our shoulders a few times. All in all, a nice day out in the wilderness.

https://vimeo.com/174048456