Colorado River Monsters (fishing)

This is just like his pop-up sale. Went by Saturday I get some items from Pete he has good deals. I picked up some new laces and studs for my Simms boots. I got my rod vault from him. Check out his Orvis video on youtube.

 

Ice is off at some of the alpine lakes. Even ones with cutthroats

 

I recognize that place. Got skunked there last year on my first visit. I was just over the ridge on Sunday evening:

 

What elevation is this?

 

11500

 

I was a bit lower at 10,800.

 

N. Fork Cache la Poudre, on #12 Blue Dunn

 

Caught a few with my dad this morning

 

Scratched off a desire of mine today... to fish an alpine lake mostly iced over. I managed only one, though, but I'll take it. The colors were awesome. This lake is just a touch over 12,000 ft. It took some hiking to get to it.

 

This is one of my favorite areas in general

Also back to hiring a guide vs a class.... I've found with the recent growth in the sport (and all outdoor activities) and higher volume of anglers that many shops are booked out for the season. I started looking for something in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone back in March and actually had to call around to find a guide with availability when I'm there willing to go to that area.

I also didn't fish after June last year and with the fire wasn't comfortable locally getting out late in the season. This year I wanted a bit more instruction and found a teacher I had worked with who does guide trips in the summer. He had no availability until late June and we spoke in April....

I was blown away how booked out many of the outfits were this year is my point. I know that discussion was a month ago though so I don't know where you stand or what it looks like for the near future

 

@JDM That fish is gorgeous!

 

I've seen pics of these kinds of colors and wanted to experience it myself. I'm lucky to have done so. It took me 4.5 hours of trying to finally hook up on one. Had several misses and tried all kinds of flies. The irony is that I had reached a point of apathy and tied on this mistake fly I created earlier this year. I'm new to tying and didn't have the right hooks for a midge... all I had was a size 10 shrimp hook so I went with it. The only ribbing wire I had available ended up being too thick and heavy for the foam "air bubble" I made... so instead of floating like I wanted, it slowly sinks. My thought was I won't be upset if I lose this thing in the rocky bottom. LOL Then it got me this fish. The bite was so slow I didn't expect another bite, and I missed a hook set because I wasn't paying attention. Two flops by the fish and it threw the fly. My mistake fly gave me the most action... go figure!

 

A little father's day fun. 22" of fun. Got it on a #18 Parachute Adams that I tied with fat turkey wing tails. The fly looked real good in the water and only would allow it to just barely go under the water. I saw her flash at the #22 gnat and then hit the Adams.

 

smaller creek, but lotsa nice fish - northern Larimer Countty

 

Rio grande natl forest may be my new favorite fishing territory in CO

 

Not sure if anyone caught this and I can't find anything other than video here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_IVxqNRqPA

CPW has issued a voluntary fishing closure for SW state, asking not to fish in afternoon. This is a trout thing and all the warm water fish (Bass, Etc) are not included.

Voluntary for now but Remember a couple of years ago when they officially did this on Yampa River.

 

thanks for posting - I'll be camping along the West Dolores River in two weeks (apparently not affected by voluntary closure) but good to be aware of and keep eye on, this will be my first outing in this part of the state - will be camping something like 10 miles NE of Dolores. ... I usually fish 2 shifts early morning and evening anyway but good to know ..
- Also, would welcome any tips/suggestions / insight on fishing the West Dolores river.

 

If you're staying at the Mavreeso campground say hey to Tim. He was the camp host last summer and said he'd probably be back this year. Good guy...hooked us up with some much needed hot coffee last September when we packed for summer weather but got dumped on for three days, instead.

If you take 38 all the way up to the Navajo Lake Trailhead there's some great brookie fishing up the W. Dolores.

 

Yup thats where I'll be. Appreciate the adivce, will do, looking forward to some brookies

 

Last Thursday on the Arkansas was a Good day.