[Campbejo]

Good morning! So, I started fishing just two weeks ago as a way to spend some good times with my son. I don't really know what I am doing but we managed to pull a number of trout out of the South Platte the past couple weekends, and had a great time doing it!

Now, we are interested in fishing for something bigger...something that has a good fight in it. Can any of you recommend a place for us to go where we can beach fish with the chance of pulling in something bigger than 10" trout? We live in Parker and have considered going to Eleven Mile, but are there better places for novices like us?

Thanks!

 

[Thenewguy76]

Hi. I'm just 3/4 of a year ahead of you and in the same shore fishing boat...well no boat, but yeah. here's my 2 cents

Barker res - a really nice place to fish, but loaded with tiny fish and can be frustrating getting around them, but an enjoyable day every time (get some BBQ from the dude with the stand right at the entrance to town on 119 or pizza from back country pizza)
Chatfield - enjoyable days but really low right now. caught lots in spring and lots of variety
Cherry creek - exclusively a place for grown frat boys to be drunken idiots with their expensive boats
South Platte Ponds - really nice fishing, a bit of a walk, fish are wise so you gotta show them something they haven't seen or get lucky
Granby - lots of big trout, beautiful camping, expensive campgrounds but worth it (clean toilets, clean area, really really pretty). go for a walk up the shore from the arapaho bay campground past the roaring fork inlet - just keep walking, the whole shore is nice.
Shadown Mtn Dam - lots of jumping trout, mountains of assholes, the trout have seen everything and you can fish your entire tacklebox and not catch anything except a douchebag fly fisherman who waded out to stand where you were casting.
There is supposed to be good bass fishing in the Pinery pond/lake, I haven't been yet to check it out. it's stocked and managed. I keep meaning to ask if they're edible (anyone)??
Wyoming - worth the drive. no people, good fish, lots of access. Don't speed if you have green license plates.

good luck. we have really had some nice family time that doesn't involve a TV since we started fishing this year.

 

[Campbejo]

Awesome, thanks so much for the reply. We will be going out Saturday...really looking forward to it! Will check out the spots you mentioned. Thanks again!

 

[Oyey]

For trout I think Spinney is easier than 11 mile and the fish are big and hungry. The lake is artificial fly and lure only, so no bait or scent is legal. I assume you are teaching your son that the rules are meant to be followed!

At spinney, try casting a wooley bugger behind a clear bobber and reeling it in very slow, occasionally twitching it. To do this, you put your main line through a clear bober, then tie on a swivel. on the other end of the swivel, tie on about 4-5' of leader. I recommend 6lb fluorocarbon, but 4lb is better if you are capable of controlling a fish and not breaking it off. I would start with heavier leader until you learn to fight fish (loose drag helps, but not too loose, you should be able to pull line and drag let line out at medium tension). Tie on a brown or olive wooley bugger and cover a lot of water!

 

[Thenewguy76]

For trout I think Spinney is easier than 11 mile and the fish are big and hungry. The lake is artificial fly and lure only, so no bait or scent is legal. I assume you are teaching your son that the rules are meant to be followed!

bag and possession at spinney is 1 trout 20" or bigger....that sucks a lot when you make a 2.5 hour dirve for one fish that you get to keep.

 

[kpetro]

bag and possession at spinney is 1 trout 20" or bigger....that sucks a lot when you make a 2.5 hour dirve for one fish that you get to keep.

Nothing against you keeping fish or fishing to eat. I eat fish myself. That being said; not everyone's in it for the meat. A lot of people fish for the experience, and catching a bunch of large trout can be a great one, whether or not you're keeping them. He may think the drive's worth it, depending on his goals.

 

[Campbejo]

I appreciate the replies...thank you! Yes, Oyey, we have read up on the rules for the areas we fish and abide by them.

 

[Oyey]

bag and possession at spinney is 1 trout 20" or bigger....that sucks a lot when you make a 2.5 hour dirve for one fish that you get to keep.

Try FXR.... You don't need to keep those big fish.. if you want meat, go eat stockers. Realize how important C&R is and you will become a better fisherman.

 

[zebco]

Also try to listen to Terrys Radio show saturday mornings.

Very helpful for beginners.
I remember calling the DOW recorded fishing report hotline LOL.