[VolFan]

First time poster, long time lurker...
I'm from East Tennessee and wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for small creek/river or beaver pond type fishing within a couple of hours of Denver. I fish Quincy and the Arsenal mainly lately and have been jonesing to get back to my small creek roots. I was looking at the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area but can't seems to find any decent maps.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

BTW..Not to hold out but I think I may have worked out a long-rod pattern on those few Quincy muskies if anybody's a little crazy.

 

[rottal]

Welcome to the board...its good to see new faces, especially here on the flyfishing forum.

east tennessee....hah, you must be familiar with the Watauga and S. Holston...ive been around those parts a bit...but honestly most of my trout fishing in that region has been across the border in western N.C....or in Virginia...

the best bet for small streams and beaver ponds around Denver? i would say Rocky Mountain National Park. its crowded in the summer, yeah, but if you are willing to get out a map and hike in a mile or two you will be amazed how few people there are. A few of the areas i like to walk into this time of year are Loch Vale, Spratt Lake, and the Mills Pond area. a bit more of a walk, and its uphill, but the fishing and scenery are excellent. there are many creeks to fish there too, and will give you an opportunity to fish for Greenback Cuttthroats...which are still rare outside the park, if available at all.

now until fall should offer some awesome dry fly fishing....if you want any details on where to go, how long it takes to get in, what gear to take ect, ect PM me...ill fill you in.

 

[roadkill]

for a map try your closest BLM office or forrest service office they useually have some decent maps showing the steams and high mountain lakes even trails it is a good place to start i got the map of the Sangre de christo mountainsand it has been an excelent guide to get names of streams and lakes then do a little talking and searching and then hit the hills.

good luck and welcome to the site

 

[kpetro]

Volfan, welcome!  Indian Peaks is a great area, as are any of the branches of the St. Vrain River west of peak to peak highway.  That would include Indian Peaks, as well as the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park, and Camp Dick.  Another spot I like is South Boulder Creek near the east portal of the Moffat tunnel.  As far as maps go, a good general source is the Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer, published by DeLorme.  You should be able to find it at most book stores and sporting goods stores, I would think.  resourceanalysis.com has some more detailed maps and directions for Indian Peaks destinations.  Hope this helps.

 

[VolFan]

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen. Anybody going out tomorrow?

 

[rogscuba]

There is a great book put out by Colorado Division of Wildlife / Colorado Outdoors that is called "Fishing Close to Home" ~ $7.  The 60-page book lists just about every front range lake, pond and stream from Deckers to Loveland, it describes how to get there, access, and fish species.  I picked mine up at Wal-Mart a couple of years ago at the fishing / hunting counter.  It has been great for identifying lots of small mountain steams and lakes that I would have never considered going to.

 

[Guest]

BTW..Not to hold out but I think I may have worked out a long-rod pattern on those few Quincy muskies if anybody's a little crazy.

Okay, you've got my attention! Any hints??

 

[left_turn56]

Sounds interesting...I am listening...er reading!

 

[VolFan]

Is there a way I can tell you two without posting it on the website? Not to be stingy or anything but there's not many muskies in Quincy and I'd hate for them to be even more pressured.

 

[Guest]

Is there a way I can tell you two without posting it on the website? 

Yes. I just sent you a private message. Up at the top of the main page there should be a little header that tells you how many total messages you have and how many are new. If you click on the word "messages" it should take you to your private messages. Thanks!!

 

[roadkill]

when you score on them will we get to see the pics?

 

[fishbum]

I fished the middle fork of the south platte yesterday, and it was great. We caught lots of browns about 10"-12". They were a lot of fun to catch. What a beautiful area.

It was a good day.