I’ve come to expect large fish in these waters, with rainbow and wild browns often measuring over twenty inches. Princes and Iron Sallies are a couple of examples. Most patterns will … Along with the amazing scenery there are several lakes (7 acres, 3.5 acres, and several smaller lakes). If you’ve put your flies in front of a few fish with no results, it’s time to change the bugs before you try out new fish. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. Lastly, we have one of the best fishng, fly-fishing, hiking, camping, Colorado online t-shirt store on the internet. Pine Isle and Ruby Lakes are nearby but difficult to find. The lower Colorado River flowing west from Glenwood Springs to the Town of Rifle stays ice-free during winter months, and is one of my favorite winter fly fishing destination. But being prepared to more closely match the hatch can mean the difference between a good day and a great day. Top Fly Patterns for the Boulder Creek. The lower Colorado River flowing west from Glenwood Springs to the Town of Rifle stays ice-free during winter months, and is one of my favorite winter fly fishing destination. Minturn Anglers is an equal opportunity employer operating under the Colorado River Outfitter License number 472, State of Colorado Outfitter 2597, and numerous special use permits with the BLM, White River National Forest, and the Colorado DOW. The one consistent factor is hoppers and terrestrials. The Best Fly Fishing Trips In Colorado with Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides . Choosing the right fly to use can be a challenge. With a 30 day 100% satisfaction guarantee, if you do not like the quailty or anything about the tshirt they will replace or refund your purchase. Backpacking and fly fishing—they go together like peanut butter and chocolate. The best way to have a successful fall fly fishing trip is to choose the right flies for the time of the year you are heading out. 3. But having the right fly selection can definitely make a difference. Because it’s a large area … Callibaetis and midges are also present. 106 Main Street, Minturn, CO 81645 For me, this is all part of the enjoyment of fly fishing. In addition to trying new bugs, don’t forget to adjust depth. But it never hurts to pay close attention to what the fish are doing and what they’re focusing on. Water temperatures have begun to warm up, and fish are active and hungry. It prolongs ice off and it takes longer for the lake … Copyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. With full lakes plenty of clear, cold water, we are looking forward to a great summer. There are literally many hundreds of different flies available, and, after some friendly guidance from staff at my local Minturn Anglers fly shop in Denver or Minturn-Vail Valley, I have learned to categorize flies into three categories: As I usually do before any Colorado fly fishing trip, Denver or Vail Valley, I drop in to Minturn Anglers fly shops to get the lowdown on current water conditions   ̶   and also to check over new gear and flies to see what I can add to my collection. “The South Platte is impounded six or … Your email address will not be published. Best Dry Trout Flies. Your email address will not be published. PRIVATE HIGH MOUNTAIN COLORADO LAKES PRIVATE HIGH LAKE FLY FISHING IN PARK COUNTY COLORADO. We also recommend bringing a handful of attractor patterns. Minturn Anglers, LLC. The South Platte River- Badger Basin / Tomahawk SWA, Scott Fly Rod Introduces The New Centric Fly Rod, Education, Instructions, Training, Fly Fishing Schools, Nymphs or wet flies are designed to look like immature insects that live underwater for a short time; an “emerger” is a special kind of nymph that looks like a maturing bug that’s moving to the surface; using a nymph fly is the best way to fly fish because most feeding happens underwater; I prefer using Disco Midge flies in sizes 20 and 22, to imitate midge hatches that occur all winter; other favorites are the English Pheasant Tail Nymph and the Flashback Scud, Dry flies float on the water surface and are designed to look like mature insects such as midges, caddis flies and mayflies; fish must be rising for these flies to be successful so they may not be effective later in the afternoon when the water becomes warmer; my favorite dries include Griffith’s Gnat and Cannon’s Bunny Dun, Streamers are larger lures that do their business below the water surface, and are designed to look like leeches or small bait fish such as minnows; learning how to cast and a retrieve a streamer can be difficult and sometimes I use them just for the challenge; my favorite streamer is the Woolly Bugger. Mini Leech: One of the favorite flies to use is the Mini Leech it is a very versatile fly that can be used in both high and low water fly fishing. https://www.planetware.com/colorado/best-lakes-in-colorado-us-co-96.htm Both caddisfly larvae and pupae are useful. South Platte River. My favorite high mountain lake sits nestled below towering peaks that shade it from the sun. (Sizes 4-8) If crayfish are present, you can bet that some of the bigger … Check out our top 3 fall flies to use in Colorado this year. And while caddisfly hatches begin in May on many lower elevation waters, our hatch usually begins around the middle of July. Stimulators, Wulffs, Humpies, and Amy’s Ants are all good choices. The fly fishing guide program includes outdoor classes on headwaters of the Arkansas River, a popular destination for fly fishing enthusiasts around the country. | Sitemap HTML, XML | Privacy Policy | Reservation Policy. Fishing these high country waters isn’t very technical. Colorado is one of the world’s most legendary fly fishing destinations, with hundreds of miles of pristine waterways, spectacular scenery, species that are native only to Colorado, and secluded waters that are reachable only by boat. I believe much of my success depends on the flies I use. Buckskins and Graphic Caddis are two of our favorites. https://blog.vailvalleyanglers.com/best-colorado-lake-flies-for-trout On alpine lakes, be ready with Woolly Buggers, Thin Mints, and other small streamers. Right now, anglers should plan on bringing small blue-winged olive patterns, such as Sparkle Duns, Parachute BWOs, and Parachute Adams. Don’t Hesitate to Change Your SetupIf your setup or fly selection isn’t producing fish, don’t hesitate to change things up. The lakes and stream have brook and cutthroat trout. Your email address will not be published. On most days, you could fish a Yellow Humpy all day and catch plenty of fish. This one is on sale at Patriot Fly Fishing for $2.00. Pay attention to where the fish are feeding in the water column. The South Platte is full of possibilities. Colorado has received a record amount of rainfall through the spring and early summer. Our high elevation waters are absolutely brimming with aquatic bug life...this makes up for the rather short fish growing season. Predominate winter hatches on this stretch of water include midges and blue-winged olives. Grand Lake is a deep blue … This essentially does two things. Required fields are marked *. Regarded as a tough time for fly fishing by some, it is possible to have some incredible days on the river in January. You will want to be ready with a few good attractor nymphs too. Hatches Come Later at High ElevationsIf you haven’t fished in a high-country wilderness area before, it’s important to know that our primary hatches happen later than they do on rivers at lower elevations. All or part of this operation is conducted on public lands under BLM Special Use Permit and under Special Use Permit with the White River National Forest. In the cold tailwaters we find in many areas of Colorado, small midges are the main food source for the trout, so flies such as the Mercury Midge and Black Beauty are fished small, as in sizes 18 to 22. For example, blue-winged olive hatches are common through March and April on many of Colorado’s well known rivers. Fly gear is light and easy enough to stuff in your pack (especially if you have a collapsible rod or minimalist tenkara gear) and Colorado’s high alpine lakes, streams and beaver ponds are chock full of trout of many species. by Tom Caprio, 5280 Angler ® Professional Guide. One of Colorado’s gold medal stillwater fisheries, North Delaney is known … Be Prepared With Attractors and Specific PatternsWhile the fishing in these wilderness waters isn’t very technical, these fish can be surprisingly picky at times. The notion of winter fly fishing in Colorado might conjure up visions of freezing temperatures, iced-over water, ominous weather, and general misery. Beyond the lake and river water there are surrounding trails for a hike or casual walk before and after tossing the line. Nymph selection is usually simple. Water conditions are ideal as we enter the middle of July. Written by: Ryan McSparran, Peak Outfitter Marketing. Fishing these wilderness waters is often very simple. I believe much of my success depends on the flies I use. Spread throughout the Rocky Mountains and the front range is a wealth of land that plays host to some of the best fly fishing waters around, and often looks unexpectedly calm for the large fish that lurk beneath the surface. Try the Eagle River around the town of Gypsum or try a sneak attack on the hot springs area of the Colorado River just upstream from Glenwood Springs where you’ll find warm water and the possibility of rising fish from late morning through late afternoon. Usually, the latter should be done more often. Your email address will not be published. Mountain Home Reservoir. One of the best things about fishing small headwaters streams and alpine lakes is fishing to willing and unpressured fish. The flies-and-lures-only area allows a limit of two fish, 16 inches or larger, but the fly-fishing community and Trout Unlimited encourage catch-and-release. 2. Al Ritt’s Fighting Crayfish. Chaffee County’s high alpine lakes feature spin or fly fishing along with incredible mountain views. Other lakes for a day hike from the road are Skinny Fish, McGinnis, Little Trappers, Big Fish, Mirror, and Anderson Lakes. The worm is just a worm, and it works. Standard Elk Hair Caddis or foam patterns are good choices. Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water! Find deep water and fish it slowly and thoroughly. Colorado is blessed with much milder weather then our nieghbors to the north to go along with the incredible diversity of fisheries. Lone Tree, CO 80124 Click a phone number to be connected directly to one of our locations and an assistant will be happy to help! Colorado Mountain College is located near some of the nation's best fly fishing. Since 1856. Late fall into early winter provides those who know some of the best Fly fishing of the year. Lake of Glass and Sky Pond. Anglers lookin… They are all full of beautiful brook trout from 5-15 inches and rainbow trout from 12-22 inches with beautiful fish being the norm. We’re here to help you book your trip. Loved the article and the photos, thank you! High country cutthroat and brook trout will take hopper patterns anytime, but the terrestrial fishing typically improves as the summer goes on. Summer is a fantastic time to fish rivers and creeks but it also is the perfect time to strap on a backpack and explore some high mountain lakes. Caddisfly patterns will also start becoming effective in the next few weeks. Small stonefly nymphs are also effective. Ryan McSparran operates Peak Outfitter Marketing in Colorado. Overall it’s a great fishery that is often overlooked and that’s why it made our list in this post of Colorado’s best kept fly fishing secrets. 1. Best Lakes for Fly Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park. The best known lake in the region is Trappers at the end of FR 205. Sunday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM, 8353 D Willow St Be sure to cover your bases on mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies. The cutthroat spawn is wrapping up and fish are cruising opportunistically along the shorelines, taking advantage of worms, scuds and early mayfly hatches. For the best alpine fishing, head to high mountain lakes and streams that are filled with brown, brook, rainbow and cutthroat. That moisture is making for excellent wilderness fishing. Here are three tips to remember on your next wilderness trip: 1. There’s often an abundance of stonefly nymphs as well. The 2015 fishing season is off to a great start here in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Grand Lake. Posted on August 17, 2018 by Mike Sherer. Knowing the topography around the lake will yield insight into fish behavior and lake patterns. Best flies for high country lakes, Colorado Most of the high country lakes here in Colorado are clear of ice and the fishing has been outstanding, as usual! When it comes to terrestrials, Morrish Hoppers, PMX patterns, and Hippie Stompers are some of our favorites. Keep changing your rig until you find one that’s effective. is an equal opportunity employer. It’s common to see stonefly hatches on our wilderness waters in August. This river is a long stretch with a wide variety of fish to catch! You can’t go wrong with these 3 patterns below. There’s no use pounding the same flies over and over with no results. When it comes to fly fishing, Colorado is in a league of its own, offering some pristine opportunities to wet a line in a river or reservoir. If you’re looking for a challenge, continue past the Loch for a difficult … A Tungsten Thin Mint trailed by a Hares Ear can often be a deadly combo. Author Orvis Staff Posted on July 21, 2015 April 29, 2020 Categories Fly Fishing Tags colorado fly fishing, fly-fishing tips, tuesday tips Written by: Ryan McSparran, Peak Outfitter Marketing Hiking into the backcountry to catch wild trout is one of the joys of summer in Colorado. North Delaney Butte Lake. Our BWO hatches in the Flat Tops become heavy in June and well into July. View on Google Maps, Monday to Thursday: 9:00AM - 5:00PMFriday and Saturday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM Sometimes, that can be the difference between a good day and an exceptional day. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado! South Platte. Known as: The largest and deepest natural lake in Colorado. Nearby are other highly regarded rivers like the Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, Colorado and the South Platte. I’ve come to expect large fish in these waters, with rainbow and wild browns often measuring over twenty inches. Ark Anglers Fly Shop & Guided Fishing 517 South Highway 24 Buena Vista, Colorado 81211 719-395-1796 www.arkanglers.com Hare’s Ears, Copper Johns, and worm patterns are all helpful. Copyright © 2017, Minturn Anglers, LLC All rights reserved. Required fields are marked *. Colorado has a vast number of high alpine lakes loaded with trout. Mountain Home Reservoir is a 715-acre coldwater lake that sits within the boundaries of Mountain Home State Wildlife Area, which is located about 30 miles east of Alamosa. Mention “alpine lake” and the average Coloradan will generally remember a beautiful photograph in a calendar or a picture hanging in the doctor’s office. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. High Mountain Lakes Fly Fishing. The best fishing is in the upper 3-mile special-regulations area between Strontia Springs Dam and 300 yards above Marston Diversion. Mayfly patterns like Pheasant Tails and other variations are essential. Bring up the subject to serious anglers, however, and they will think of ice-out brookies or summer dry fly fishing at one of Colorado’s high country lakes. All too often, anglers have a tendency to keep covering more water, rather than changing flies. View on Google Maps, Weekdays: 9:00AM - 6:00PMSaturday: 8:00AM - 5:00PMSunday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM. 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