[garaffer]

Hey BIRDMAN, just realized you post-in from Longmont CO. Let me know if you are willing to chat more privately about Front Range streams. I had a great trip on the Upper Poudre last fall and am interested in some of the other medium-sized streams in your area. Please contact me: garaffer (at) aol.com

[shortbus]

I'm sure he'd be happy to. If he doesn't respond in a day I'll give him a call. I know he's pretty busy with work and he's pretty new to the "daddy" business so he's got his hands full at times.

[birdman]

Garaffer,
Not a problem, i'll help in any way i can. I'll initially post here on the open forum in case it helps others. If you have additional questions, just shoot me a PM here.

The front range offers many spectacular medium sized fishing streams. My personal favortie is the Big Thompson. This tailwater is almost entirely public from the headwaters in RMNP and below Olympus dam in Estes to Loveland. Latest fish surveys report more than 2500 catchable trout per mile. I highly suggest hitting this stream during the week as it gets heavy pressure on weekends. The upper stretches are located in RMNP and passes through a large meadow section (Beaver Medows). Fishing in the meadow section can be off the hook or difficult. It's sight fishing at it's best. Fish are generally in the 12-14" range with possibility of hooking up an 18-20" fish.

A lessor known stretch which holds great fish is the North Fork of the St Vrain. This requires a good hike down into the Canyon (appx 1.75 mile). Access is very limited, but you won't run across a sole all day. Depending on time of year you'll be here, this river could be unfishable if you can't cross the stream. The headwaters are from the south end of RMNP (Wild Basin Area - Longs Peak) and is free stone from the high country to Longmont's water supply reservoir (Ralph Price). The upper stretch (Wild Basin) is in RMNP and offers OK fishing; however, the fish are on the smaller size. Below the peak-to-peak hwy to Ralph Price is the best area. If you're interested, let me know and i'll have to give you very precise directions as there's only one access point for probably 10 miles of river.

These two are what I consider my home waters. If you're up for a hike, the small alpine lakes in RMNP are some of the best water to fish in this area. Typically, best times are right after ice-off (early to mid- June). You'll have good chance fishing to our native Colorado Greenback Cutthroat Trout. These fish are eager to take most presentations since fishing pressure is low and once ice comes off, feed bag goes on.

If you want to travel a bit further south and west of Denver, the South Platte offers some of the best fishing on the front range. This area can also see quite heavy pressure. I generally fish Cheeseman Canyon or the Deckers area. Cheeseman is known for the hogs it holds, but these fish are very educated and hold PHD's in poor fly presentation. Don't expect numbers here, but the potential for a big one is quite good.

Other than what's listed, Boulder Creek (Boulder, Co) Clear Creek (Golden, Co) also offer good fishing.

If you can narrow down where you want to head and when you're planning on coming, let me know and i'll tell you what flies to bring. Also, I would be more than willing to play guide for a day.

Let me know,
Cheers,
Birdman

[garaffer]

Thanks Shortbus...thanks Birdman. I plan to fish Clear Creek enroute to the Eagle and Colorado in two weeks...hopefully the snow will stop by then!

Since you don't mind sharing on the public forum, my specific areas of interest are:

1. North Fork of the St. Vrain above Button Rock Res. Is it worth the hike? Sounds like you think it is. Where is the best access point?...from Button Rock?...or from Hwy 7?
2. Boulder Creek below Gross Reservoir. Have you fished it? Is it a tailwater?...is it productive and worth the hike?
3. Buckhorn Creek. What do you know about this small stream south of Poudre Canyon and west of Fort Collins? I saw a pic in one of the regional sportsman mags with a young man holding a 20" rainbow caught in Buckhorn Creek. Probably a stocker?
4. The fly shop owner in Idaho Springs told me Clear Creek is easy to fish with foam caddis and beadhead dropper. Do you have any specific advice or access points along I-70?

BTW, fished the Sante Fe, NM area last month. It has some decent fishing for stocked and wild trout.

[birdman]

Garaffer,

I think the N. fork of St. Vrain is definitely worth the hike. The trip in is a piece of cake as you're walking down into the canyon the whole way. If you go, make sure and pack a snack and water because at the end of the day, the hike out can be taxing. Also, I suggest packing in your fishing gear as wearing waders / boots will become burdensome. Elevation gain is somewhere around 700-900'. It's a moderate workout at best. The access point is off of hwy 7 and you'll need a truck / SUV to drive all the way to trail head. To access, you'll turn N (rt if going up hwy 7 from Lyons) immedietely before riverside drive. Riverside drive (well marked) is where the Middle. St. Vrain leaves hwy 7. You'll notice quite a few houses on the right hand side of hwy 7 before you get to Riverside (several hundred yards seperates these two). Your turn will be marked by a huge row of mailboxes along hwy 7. Turn right here. You'll start going up a hill and you'll want to take the 2nd right I believe (less than 1/8 mile). This road will wind you through the forest for several good miles. Make sure and stay on the most traveled road. You'll eventually come to a gate that is almost always closed. This is a single pole swing gate that has no bypass. Immedietly to the left, a sign marks a Forest Service Road. If you have decent clearance on your vehicle, drive down this road. The road is only about 1/4 mile, so if you're concerned, just park at beginning and walk. Once you travel the 1/4 mile or so down this road, you'll meet up with the official trail head / parking lot. Start your hike here, following the most traveled trail (not difficult to figure out). Once you get to the river bottom, I highly suggest making your way downstream a ways before starting in (600 yards at least). Focus on pocket water, riffles, and deep holes. I would definitely have some small midges on hand (size 18-20 Olive RS2's, Black midge, Gold Ribbed Hare's ear, PT Prince, Pheasant Tails, etc.). If you're running a dry / dropper rig, mix up your dry choice. If fish start rising, throw very small parachute's, BWO's, or Griffins Gnat (as small as you have). Also, think stones!! I don't have the road numbers at work with me, but if you're interested, let me know and I can dig them up.

S. Boulder Creek below Gross is a decent tailwater. You should catch plenty of fish, but they'll be on the smaller side. This tailwater sees big fluctuations in water flows throughout the year. Gross is managed by Denver water, and as you can immagine, they don't exactly manage the water as a fishery. Winter flows can be next to nothing. It's fairly easy to access and a good map will lead you right to it. Use same flies as mentioned before.

Never fished Buckhorn creek....

Clear Creek is another great stream. I don't particullary like fishing the stretches along I70 for obvious reasons and I generally key in on the canyon section (hwy 6). Dry dropper rig will be your best bet. Most important aspect here this time of year is weight. Make sure your presenting your flies at the correct depth. Don't be afraid to play around with different weights to find out what the fish want.

Since your heading up to the Eagle and Colorado, you might want to hit up the Blue in Silverthorne and North of town. Fishing should be pretty good during this time.

Cheers,
Todd

[garaffer]

Great detail. I will save your information/advice on the North Fork for another trip...maybe this fall (2009) or next spring (2010). The Blue is a possibility next week, unless it is crowded, then I will head straight to the Eagle. Gary R.

[birdman]

Gary,

If you find the Blue too busy, you might want to hit up the Williams Fork below the Williams Fork reservoir. I fished there in early March and did very well. This is probably an hours drive north of Silverthorne. This short tailwater (appx 2 mi) dumps into the Colorado near Parshall. Should be a great time to fish right now, as the spawners will move out of the Colorado and upstream in the Fork since the tailwater is several degrees warmer. This section requires about 20 minute hike in.

[garaffer]

If the Blue below the dam is too crowded, we will press to Gore Creek or the Eagle (we have a cabin near Carbondale that evening). Williams Fork is too far out of the way for this trip. I hope sometime in the future to commit a whole summer week to the Upper Colorado and its tribs. I drove through there about 10-years ago and only had time for two hours of (good) fishing on the main river.

Gary

[garaffer]

Forgot about this conversation from over a year ago! I actually did fish the Aspen / Basalt area last Spring. All the freestones were blown out due to the rain, so had to focus on the tail waters and feeder creeks. River highlights were Fryingpan and Roaring Fork just below the Fryingpan. The rest of the Fork, the Colorado, and the Eagle were blown out. Small stream highlights were Clear Creek near Georgetown, Brush Creek near the town of Eagle and Deep Creek near Dotsero. Not great numbers or sizes of fish...but a welcomed back-up to the murky chocolate rivers which they fed. Fryingpan in Spring has to be one of the top trout streams in America, if not the world. We fished it on Wed / Thurs, so avoided the crowds. Browns, rainbows and a few brookies on nymphs and streamers. The highlight was actually a fish lost near the Pan and Fork confluence (Basalt) that was right on the chocolate line feeding on baetis. 20 to 30 casts from upstream (to get just the right drift for him to take), yielded a gentle strike and hooked 20+ inch rainbow. He hung near the bank and the clear water for about 5 minutes as I tried to coax him to my net. However, once he saw me, he took off into the fast murky water and snapped my 6x tippet. Some of the locals watched the cast, the hook-up and the fight. Great memory. Hope you are well and still checking this site occasionally. GR