Don't Let High Water Get You Down!

Even in the middle of runoff season Colorado is an anglers dream.  Offering a plethora of water types and fish species there is never a time when fishing is impossible in our great state.  If you have watched the rivers rise with a heavy heart have no fear where there is desire there can be fish.  From new waters to new techniques here is a list of places you can use to quench your summer time need to rip some lips or up your game.  

**** To learn more about any of these places please go to the new CPW Angler’s Atlas at:  http://ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu/fishingatlas/   or stop by the shop and let us tell you all about it!

Creeks:

It is said that when a boy becomes a man he puts away childish things and as fisherman we absolutely disagree.  Many a young fisherman’s first experiences were on a small local stream.  There on tiny shrub lined waters packed to the brim with wild Brookies a dry fly was taken by a non-wary trout and a passion was sealed.   As we transition into “serious” fisherman however many of us wonder away from the very experience that got us “hooked” (pun intended) and leave behind the small creeks and streams.  These are the exact types of places we recommend now for those have been feeling the itch of dry fly fever and wish to reclaim the excitement of youthful fishing.  Here is a list of The Drifts Favorite Creeks:

Beaver

Badger

Opher

St. Charles

Grape

Purgatoire (River by name but creek in size)

Huerfano

Lakes:

Lakes are a great opportunity for a fly fisherman to gain new experiences while not leaving behind the sport we love.  With a wide variety of lake types Colorado has so much to offer when it comes to still water fishing.   From large to small and high to low no matter what your desire Colorado can meet it and while many of us take advantage of these waters some hesitate believing they will need to purchase a lot of special gear, but this is not always the case. 

Here is a list of lakes which hold trout, are fishable from shore, and can be reached without a hike.  With the addition of a few new flies can be fished with the river gear you already have.  These are a few of our favorites:

San Isabel Lake

North Lake (Cuchara)

Monument Lake (Cuchara)

Wahatoya

Anticline

Beckwith

If climbing summer temperatures leave you with the yearning to retreat into higher climates here is a list of lakes to keep you cool:

Hermit

Horseshoe

Silver

Lake of the Clouds

Water Dog

Bear / Blue

Lake of the Clouds

Boss Lake

Ptarmigan

 Pueblo Reservoir:

The spice of life is variety and the same holds true in Fishing.   Pueblo Reservoir offers a variety of species and experiences just waiting to be had.  Wiper, Carp, Small Mouth, Large Mouth, and Trout are only a small list of the creatures just waiting to be landed.   If you are ready to learn new skills and check new fish off your list the Reservoir would be an exceptional and close place to do this.   

 We hope this article gives you some inspiration to try something new or  to return to an old passion. Where ever your summertime adventures take you we wish you Luck, Fun, and Many Fish to the Net!