front range colorado

[jschmeiler]

I'm headed to the front range of CO. tomorrow thru the weekend to vist with friends in longmont . I will be able to fish every day . If someone can make suggestions as far as routes to take(with fishing along the way, hwy 40 , I-80 east, ect...) and what to fish while i'm in the area (poudre , big t , rocky mtn nat. park ?) would be very helpful .
thanks in advance ,
Jeff

[Juke]

US 40 is definately "fishy." Side trips to the Green at FG, look for public access points near Hayden for chances to fish for pike in the sloughs and backwaters along the Yampa. Closer to Steamboat will yield good trout opportunities on the Yampa again(do not be afraid to fish right in town, hopper/copper/dropper rigs I hear are the ticket. Further along US 40 offers many public access points along the Colorado River (The Kemp Breeze Unit is a good choice, near Parshall). The Williams Fork is also a good chioce. Going into RMNP(trail ridge road was closed last week due to 2 ft of snow- be prepared) at the Grand Lake entrance will allow chances to catch beatiful Colo River Cutthroats on the west side of the divide, and Brookies and greenback cutthroats on the east side). Greenbacks are harder to find, and will require a hike. Lilly lake on highway 7 towards Allenspark also has Greenbacks, easy access, the fish are very leader shy.

Once in Longmont, you have the chance to fish the Big Thompson, Pudre, and St. Vrain. Expect crowds and relatively small fish compared to the Provo or Weber. Other considerations during your trip should include Pinewood lake(near Carter lake) for Tiger Musky(smaller Tigers, but numerous-maybe a 1:3000 cast fish here), and Union reservoir (just east of Longmont) for wipers, about 18". The wipers are boiling from what I have heard from friends who fish it regularly with a fly rod. 20+ fish afternoons are common.

A trip back to SLC through the Walden/North Park area could also offer...

[Sutah]

I concur with Juke on these venues and I would definitly recommend the Big Thompson and the White River near Craig/Meeker. Sounds like a good road trip......

[stout_trout]

You mention many of the spots I fished when I was living there.

This time, a couple years ago, I threw steamers in the Breeze/Kemp area... then proceeded to have an amazing time throwing streamers on William's Fork...which seem kinda funny because everone else was fishing teeny stuff. :)

I would recomend the Big Thompson for a quick run from Longmont... below Estes Lake (I won't say how far below. ;) became my favorite place. The bow are SO strong...and there are enough browns there to keep it interesting too.

Lilly lake... my nemesis...

by the way jschmeiler...Stay out of "my" Park... you will never want to leave. :)

(sigh)...I miss that area.

Have a great time!

[jdubya]

one thing i might add (cause i did it a few weeks ago) is to hike up into a greenback cutt stream and catch some of those bad boys. beautiful fish! there is a brochure (i picked one up with my license in estes park) that gives a nice listing of greenback streams and lakes....

[jschmeiler]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their advice . I did'nt get to check any of the responses after my inital post before i left , so i had to wing it . I ended up doing a big loop starting on hwy. 40 . Hit Rock creek on my way out
of state , then the colorado outside of kremmling , then down to the blue outside of silverthorne , then down to Red Rocks to meet friends for the Yes 35th aniversary tour concert . A night of rest in longmont . Up to the Big t for a few hours before another Yes show at the bud event center in loveland . Then up poudre canyon for a final day of fishing . Whew! A whirl wind tour . Great trip . It was kind of nice to catch so many rainbows instead of the browns i'm used to on provo and web. I'll have to go back soon . So many great spots in that state , maybe Durango by the end of the month?????

Once again ,thanks all !