Taking the time to get out and explore can offer some incredible rewards. Recently I spent a couple of days checking out a couple nice hikes in the area and came across two new places to find some great fishing. While some friends were visiting, we camped just outside of Sylvan Lake State Park and hiked along the Iron Edge Trail from the Peter Estin Hut to Lake Charles. We wrapped up the hike at the trailhead for Fulford Cave. The second excursion brought me to a nice stream around the Flattops Wilderness area where I hiked solo a couple of miles to the river. Both experiences require your hiking boots and plenty of water.
Once we got to Lake Charles, we set up on some nice rocks for lunch. It did not take long until the urge to fish took control as the 8-14" brookies and cutthroats were rising all over the cove in the lake. While shoving some bites of sandwich into my mouth, I rigged up the three weight with a dry-dropper rig. It did not take long for the opportunistic guys to notice the Royal PMX floating on the surface and crush it with impressive acrobatics. After landing (and missing) plenty of fish, I took off near the outflow and focused my attention to the stream sections and small plunge pools cut into the HUGE rocks. Almost immediately I was able to land some of the most brilliantly colored cutthroats I have ever seen.
After my dad left town, I had an afternoon to go explore. I chose to go to a creek which will remain unnamed near the flattops wilderness area. I had heard about this mythical place through a couple of friends and chose to risk hiking down the wrong unmarked trail toward the river. Thankfully I managed to park at the right location and after a brief two mile hike I found myself in a small backpacking camping spot next to the river. I wanted to hike further downstream but figured I would test the waters immediately. WHAM, on the first cast a small cuttroat inhaled my attractor dry and I knew it was on! I finished fishing the one hole with a few more fish and headed about a mile down stream.
Once I got a little lower, I found some nice water and plenty of brookies and cutts to keep me busy. I slowly worked my way up the river with my dry fly leading the way. I received a strike in EVERY imaginable spot you would think could hold trout. Fly fishing heaven! The entire time I fished under the bright blue skies without seeing one other person.
Get out there and explore on your own. You will be blown away by the amount of water that gets little to no attention by anglers. The rewards for your efforts will come in the form of numerous trout, most of which will be the most beautiful fish you have ever caught, rising to your dry fly with impressive gusto.
Things to keep in mind:
- Tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back
- Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and bug spray
- Pack a light rain jacket for the inevitable Colorado afternoon storm
- Have a backup bottle of dry fly shake (after releasing that many fish you will need it)
- Only tell your most trusted fishing buddies about your new spots. Make them earn it on their own too!
