Tying a Caddis made of hackle with a clinch knot around a hook may sound like a foreign language to some, but if you're a true fly-fisher, it's probably as understandable as plain english. And you'll have plenty of opportunity to use those words in Colorado. Our waterways are laden with quick-darting and hard-fighting trout. Here’s a list of fly-fishing locations in Southwest Colorado that are sure to fill your quota.
Where to Fish
First-Time Fly-Fisher
Knowing Your Trout
Buying a License
State Records
WHERE TO FISH
Southwest Colorado
Northwest Colorado
Blue Mesa Reservoir: Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout
Damming the Gunnison River in 1965 created the Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water, and a fly-fisher’s playground. With more than 96 miles of shoreline, finding a shady spot to cast a line is easy. Or, if you prefer, explore the acres of the pristine blue reservoir by boat. Deep-water areas are best for landing lake trout and brown trout. Brook trout tend to stay away from the deep open waters, but are often found feeding near the mouths of rivers and streams that flow into the reservoir. Rainbow trout are the most abundant in these waters and can be found in the reservoir and river areas.
Directions: From Gunnison, take Highway 50 west for nine miles.
Animas River (Gold Medal Waters): Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
The section of river flowing from Durango to the New Mexico border has been classified as Gold Medal water, easily supporting populations of rainbow and brown trout 14–18 inches in length. The bends, log jams, boulders and eddies are prime spots to kiss the surface of the water with nymphs or streamers. One thing to keep in mind before you go: the Animas River runs through Southern Ute Indian Reservations land in the south, and special permits are required to fish this section. Contact the reservation for more information on their requirements.
Directions: Take Highway 550 South from Durango runs alongside the river. Southern Ute Tribe Division of Wildlife Resource Management: 970-563-0130
Grand Mesa Lakes: Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat, Brown Trout, Brook Trout
The Grand Mesa Lakes are comprised of more than 100 natural lakes and reservoirs with pristine alpine water. These bodies of water offer a wide variety of trout and are ideal if you want to try landing an array of species. Boating is allowed on some, but not all, of the lakes. Be sure to read posted signs before putting in. Dozens of fish-laden streams that also bisect the area are a good way to enjoy a piece of solitude when angling for your next big catch.
Directions: From Delta, head north along Highway 65.
Gunnison River (Gold Medal Waters): Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat
The Gunnison River, which eventually feeds into the Blue Mesa Reservoir, teems with trophy-worthy trout, and you'll have some of the best luck with nymphs. Drop a well-placed cast behind a boulder, or look to eddies and strainers for a good chance to pull out a 16-inch trout. Due to these consistently large fish, the river has been give Gold Medal status—so be sure to pack your larger net. Historically, trout have been exceptionally large within the stretch of river between Crystal Creek and its confluence with North Fork. But you’ll have to hike in a little ways, as there isn’t a road to this section. Before it reaches the dam, the Gunnison River runs through the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, so even if you leave empty handed, the scenery alone makes the trip well worth it.
Directions: From the town of Delta, take Highway 92 East for 11 miles until it intersects the river.
Taylor River and Reservoir: Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat
Public access to the river is found interspersed between tracts of private land, where fishing is by permission only. Be aware of the areas you traverse when fishing this river and please respect property rights. Some public stretches are also “catch and release” only—posted information will keep you informed of this distinction. Caddis and mayfly-type flies work well in many Taylor River tributaries. The Taylor Reservoir is ideal for fishing from a boat and offers boat ramps for those who prefer to float.
Directions: Northeast of Almont along Highway 742.
NORTHWEST COLORADO
Steamboat Lake State Park (Gold Medal): Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat
This crystalline lake is defined by the scene-stealing quality of the needle-like Hahn’s Peak towering over the northeastern shore. But even this mass of earth can be forgotten when you're reeling in one of the lake’s many hard-fighting rainbow trout. A drift boat is prime for accessing the deeper sections of this 1,050-acre body of water. For those without flotation, fishing along the miles of easily accessed shoreline is a popular and effective option.
Directions: From Steamboat Springs, travel west on Highway 40 for two miles to CR 129. The park entrance is 26 miles north along CR 129.
Trappers Lake: Cutthroat
Located just off the Flat Tops Trail Scenic and Historic Byway, Trappers Lake is a piece of easily accessible wilderness, where pines ring the lake in thick swaths of deep greens. Gnats and the occasional mosquito are the food of choice for the lake’s native cutthroat trout—touted as the largest population of its type in the world. The lake itself is Colorado’s second-largest natural lake, providing plenty of room for fish to roam. Non-motorized floats are the way to fish this serene body of water. Because many of the insects emerge during dusk, try casting a gnat-shaped fly in the late-day sun.
Direction: From Meeker, take Highway 132 (also known as the Flat Tops Trail Scenic and Historic Byway) east for roughly 45 miles.
Wolford Mountain Reservoir: Rainbow Trout
Imagine a placid body of water bathed in sunshine over the Colorado Plateau. Now envision your rod bending until it nearly breaks as you struggle to pull up a 16-inch rainbow trout. These scenes happen nearly every day here. Make use of the manicured boat ramp for easy put-ins, then speed over 66,000 total surface acres. When you’re all fished out, retire to your campsite—Wolford Mountain has 48 full-service sites, complete with electricity, trash removal, fire grates, picnic tables, a dump station, shelter and bathrooms.
Directions: From Kremmling, take Highway 40 north for six and a half miles.
Yampa River State Park: Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat
One of the most prolific trout fisheries in Colorado is found just upstream of Yampa River State Park—a testament to the area’s fantastic ability to foster fish. The eastern portion of the park, from Hayden to Craig, is well known by anglers as being a treasure trove of trout. If you found you’ve met your quota of trout, which is common, look to the western end of the river from Craig to Maybell, where warm-water fish—including small-mouth bass, northern pike and catfish—can all be caught. For catfish, consider trading in your fly rod for a bottom troller.
Directions: From Craig, take Highway 40 east for five miles to the turn off to the park toward Elkhead Reservoir.
Fryingpan (Gold Medal Waters), Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers: Rainbow Trout, Whitefish
The section of river between the high-mountain and tree-encompassed towns of Basalt and Aspen are loaded with trout, nearly begging to be plucked out of the water by a well-placed cast. These four miles of riverbank are home to rainbow trout whose monstrous size requires a cooler, not a creel—ten-pound behemoths have been known to appear at the end of lines cast here. Test your skill with a rod on this section of river, and don't worry. If one gets away, there are many more willing to take the bait.
A never-miss site is the spillway side of the Ruedi Reservoir Dam. The force of expelled water from the dam forces large insects to the bottom of the river. Fish in the area have learned to gorge themselves on these hapless critters, which makes for perfect cover when casting your own fly or lure.
Directions: From Glenwood Springs, take Highway 82 south to any accessible and public section of river between the towns of Basalt and Aspen.
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Gold Medal Waters Defined
“Gold Medal Waters” sound promising (and they are), but what exactly does the phrase mean? The official Colorado Division of Wildlife definition is “a lake or stream that supports a trout standing stock of at least 60 pounds per acre, and contains an average of at least 12 quality trout—14 inches or longer—per acre.” Put in simpler terms: big fish are found here.
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To the uninitiated, fly-fishing may seem a bit intimidating. While the sport is certainly wrapped in its own vocabulary, getting a fly on the line and arching a sweeping cast is something nearly everyone can do.
Teaching Yourself
If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, the first step is getting equipped. A fly-fishing package can be easily obtained at many local sporting good shops, and they usually include the essentials: pole, lines, reel and an assortment of flies. A fly rod is longer, thinner and usually more flexible than lure-fishing rods and with larger guides along the shaft. Then comes practice—it’s not uncommon to see someone in their front yard or at a park practicing their cast (hook not attached of course.)
The Cast
The basic cast, known as false casting, is what we usually imagine when we envision the perfect cast. The basic movement is a simple flick of the wrists and forearm from a 2 to 10 o’clock position. This motion “loads” the weight toward the fly until it eventually becomes an extension of your arm. When properly mastered, an angler whips the line above their head in arching patterns that seem to always be on the verge of a tangle. The end purpose is to draw the fly to within a hair of the water’s surface enticing the trout. It sounds a bit whimsical, but control of the fly makes the experience exponentially more enjoyable.
Choosing a Fly
When you feel ready to cast a line into the river, fly selection is important. A quick tip on choosing the right fly is to be aware of your surroundings. If you notice a mayfly skimming the surface of water, tie on a fly that looks similar. Adapting your lure to the environment is an easy way of selecting the proper fly—and attracting the fish. This way, you’re giving the fish the food they’ve already come to count on.
Professional Instruction
If you'd prefer a little expert direction, take advantage of Colorado’s numerous fishing outfitters that cater to first-time fly-fishers. Whether on a float trip down a river, or along the banks of a grand reservoir, guides are sure to help you muster the skill to land your first trophy trout.
Suggested Checklist
- Fly rod
- Flies
- Reel
- Fly line
- Waders or float tube
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Potable water
- Net
- Tackle box or pocketed vest
- Stringer or fishing creel
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Brown Trout
Brown trout can be found darting through aquatic worlds everywhere from crisp high-mountain waters to the more expansive rivers that cut through the eastern plains. Brown trout differ from other trout in Colorado by having large dark spotting patterns and reddish dots along their bodies.
Cutthroat Trout (Catch and Release)
The greenback cutthroat is Colorado’s state fish. There are a variety of subspecies of cutthroats, but only the greenback, Rio Grand and Colorado cutthroats are truly native. All cutthroat trout have a very distinguishable characteristic that their name speaks to, two bright crimson slashes below their jaw. Spotting near their tail also differentiates them. You can find these fish in high-mountain waterways.
Brook Trout
Perhaps the most abundant trout in Colorado, the brook trout is defined by fins outlined in three colors: orange, black and white. They also sport white “worm-shaped” spots on their dorsal side. Look to the cold, clear waters of high-mountain lakes and streams for your chance to land a trophy “brookie.”
Lake Trout
As the largest trout in North America, lake trout (also know as Mackinaw) are highly coveted catches. Thanks to their size, these fish have found their way onto a number of trophy mounts. Living in the deeper areas of mountain lakes, they can be tough to land. Look for a fork in the tailfin and white spots on a dark background to tell these trout from the others.
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are the poster children of trout fishers. Millions of these fish are stocked in most of Colorado’s mountain lakes, streams and reservoirs. Dark spots on their relatively light bodies and a rainbow-toned stripe across the length of their skin set these fish apart.
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BUYING A LICENSE: COST AND LOCATIONS
Colorado Fishing License Fees
Annual Resident: $26, Annual Nonresident: $56
One Day: $9, Five Day: $21, Extra Rod Stamp: $5
Where to Buy a Colorado Fishing License
Colorado Division of Wildlife Main Office and Headquarters
6060 Broadway, Denver, 80216; 303-297-1192
Northeast Region and Denver Service Center
6060 Broadway, Denver, 80526; 303-291-7227
Southeast Region Service Center
4255 Sinton Rd, Colorado Springs, 80907; 719-227-5200
Northwest Region Service Center
711 Independent Av, Grand Junction, 81505; 970-255-6100
Southwest Region Service Center
151 E 16th St, Durango, 81301; 970-247-0855
Colorado fishing licenses are also available over the counter at more than 700 license agents across the state, including most sporting goods stores.
Colorado Division of Wildlife
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STATE RECORDS
Rainbow Trout
2003: Morrow Point Reservoir (Gunnison County), 19 pounds 10 ounces, 34 inches
Brook Trout
1947: Upper Cataract Lake, (Summit County), 7 pounds 10 ounces, no length recorded
Brown Trout
1988: Roaring Judy Ponds, (Gunnison County), 30 pounds 8 ounces, 36.4 inches
Cutthroat — Native
1964: Twin Lakes (Lake County), 16 pounds, no length recorded
Cutthroat — Introduced
2005: Blue River, 17 pounds 2.6 ounces, 33 inches
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ONE FISH, TWO FISH, BROWN FISH, CUTTHROAT: DISTINGUISHING ONE TROUT FROM ANOTHER
GETTING STARTED: DEMYSTIFYING FLY-FISHING FOR THE FIRST-TIMER
SOUTHWEST COLORADO