Category Archives: Fishing Reports

Fishing Reports

Curtain Ponds – 08/25/2026

Time: 1:30PM – 3:30PM

Location: Near Copper Mountain

Curtain Ponds 08/25/2026 Photo Album

I departed Clinton Gulch, and the Curtain Ponds were along the way, and I could not resist the need to stop and try my luck. I parked in the lot provided and hiked along the bike path to one of the ponds along Interstate 70.

Mirror Smooth

I ended my time at Clinton Gulch with a size 14 olive-brown deer hair caddis, so I kept that dry fly on my line, and I began to fan casts toward a shallow cove. I was pleased, when a brightly colored brook trout slammed the caddis, and I was on the board at the Curtain Ponds.

Glamour

For the next two hours I moved along the shoreline and sprayed casts toward the middle of the pond, and I managed to land five brook trout in total. Near the start I noticed a decent brown trout, as it spooked from the shallows to deeper water, but I was unable to connect with any browns during my two hours.

Respectable

I began with the caddis, and then, after I observed two very dainty insects skittering across the surface followed by a few random rises, I found a tiny tuft of a fly with an olive body and a CDC wing. This fly generated one small brook trout that reacted to a strip.

Chowed on the Hippie Stomper

After this success, however, the tiny fly failed to produce, so I decided to go big. A peacock hippie stomper was a star performer on other Curtain Ponds, so why not try it here? I did, and it brought three more brook trout to my net. One was actually quite decent and probably measured eleven inches. I cast the stomper within a yard of the bank, and the brook trout crushed it.

Home of Nice Brook Trout Next to the Bank

Five trout from the Curtain Ponds salvaged my day to some degree. By 3:30 I was in the midst of an extended lull, so I decided to begin my return drive. Lake fly fishing continues to be a bit of a mystery with this fly angler.

Fish Landed: 5

Clinton Gulch Reservoir – 08/25/2026

Time: 10:45AM – 12:30PM

Location: South shore

Clinton Gulch Reservoir 08/25/2026 Photo Album

I visited Clinton Gulch on 06/16/2026, and I was disappointed. An abundant quantity of cutthroat trout were stacked at the inlet, but fishing in the inlet was prohibited, as it should be, and I was unable to tempt any fish elsewhere in the lake. I vowed to return after the cutthroat spawn was complete.

Tuesday, August 25 was the day, when I fulfilled my vow and returned to Clinton Gulch. I arrived at the south parking lot by 10:00AM and quickly geared up including fitting out my Sage R8 four weight. The air temperature was 61 degrees with a stiff breeze, but I decided to roll up my raincoat in order to stuff it in my backpack. Throughout my time on the lake, thick clouds rolled across the sky, and I donned my raincoat several times for added warmth.

I chatted with another occupant in the parking lot who was embarking on a hike with his wife, and he told me that he had fished the lake previously. I asked for a suggested starting point, and he mentioned a spot along the south shore halfway between the dam and the inlet, where there was shelf and drop off.

Lots of Chop

I hiked for .3 mile and then dropped down a very rocky bank to the edge of the lake. The lake at this point was very deep up to the edge of the steep bank, so I suspected it was not the recommended shelf area. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot. I began with a peacock hippie stomper, but the fish were not interested. Some dark clouds moved in and the wind picked up and created small waves on the surface. After fanning casts around the area, I decided to move east a bit, but I placed all my weight on a large round rock. I assumed that its size made it stable, but I was wrong, and the boulder rolled like a bowling ball. My 75 year old body crashed to the rocks, and I dropped my favorite fly rod to avoid breakage. The rod was saved, but I landed on my hip, elbow and finger on my right side, and the pain was rather intense. I flexed my finger, and it bent in the right places. My hip felt fine and my elbow struck the rocks, where I wear my elbow brace. What a break! I sat on a rock and waited things out, until I felt up to more fly fishing.

My Only Fish

I deemed my first stop cursed, so I hiked above the high water mark and boulders for a bit, until I reached a small cove. I could see a light colored shelf or bar forty yards out from the shoreline, so I assumed I found the spot that the parking lot gentleman referred to. The wind was still whipping, but I fired some casts with the hippie stomper, until boredom caused me to reconsider. I decided to try a pair of streamers, although I felt it was a long shot. I knotted a beadhead black woolly bugger to my line in the first position and then added a black mini leech. Guess what? On the fifth strip I felt a grab and strip set and felt myself attached to a feisty trout. I never got a good look, but in the brief tussle, it put up a decent fight. Unfortunately, my line went limp, and it was minus two streamers. Apparently I tied a bad knot to the woolly bugger. As you can imagine, I was deeply disappointed.

A Stunning 14″ Cutthroat on a Beetle

On the plus side, I actually located a fish. The wind abated somewhat, so I decided to try a terrestrial combination. I opted for a size 14 Jake’s gulp beetle in the front position trailing a size 18 black parachute ant. I fired three casts, and the flies floated unmolested, but on the fourth cast, an aggressive smash signaled me to set the hook. This fish was very rambunctious, as it fought me back and forth a few times while thrashing about. Eventually I slid my net beneath a gorgeous cutthroat trout that extended to around fourteen inches. What a prize! I was hoping for cutthroats, and now I held one.

Unfortunately that was the end of the action. I continued stepping down the shoreline and casting, and I eventually decided to go big with a pool toy hopper combined with the beetle. My guess was that the large hopper was more visible in the chop created by the wind. At 12:30 I was executing a long cast toward the deeper area between the shore and the shelf, and I snapped off the two flies on the backcast. I wandered to the area behind me thinking I could spot the large pool toy with a pink wing indicator, but all I managed to find was a chubby Chernobyl with a purple body. A one for two trade was better than none.

Dark puffy clouds rolled in from the west, so I knew that wind and cool temperatures were going to exist for a while, so I hiked back to the car and moved to another lake destination.

I landed my best cutthroat of the year, and it was a very pretty fish, so that made my day, although it barely compensated for my dangerous fall. Will I return again to Clinton Gulch? I am not sure.

Fish Landed: 1

 

Moose Creek – 08/24/2026

Time: 11:00AM – 3:30PM

Location: National forest

Note: In order to protect small high country streams, I have chosen to change the name for a few. This particular creek happens to be one of them. Excessive exposure could lead to crowding and lower fish densities.

My last fly fishing effort was last Tuesday, August 18, 2026 on the Taylor River, and now that Jane and I were back in Denver, I was anxious for another day of fishing. The high temperature in Denver was once again projected to exceed 90 degrees, so I needed either a cold tailwater or cold high country creek. My initial impulse was to spend a day in South Boulder Creek, but when I checked the flows, I learned that Denver Water dropped the releases from 69 CFS to 10.6 CFS. The 10.6 level was in place for four days. I have fished at 10.6 successfully, but those experiences were in September, when the air temperature, especially the nighttime lows, were more favorable to fishing at low flows. I decided to consider alternatives.

My last two visits to Moose Creek were very enjoyable, and the flows in that stream seemed to be holding at decent levels compared to other drainages around Colorado. Moose Creek became my choice.

Brilliant

When I parked near the trailhead, I quickly assembled my Orvis Access four weight. The high temperature in the area was forecast to reach the low seventies, so I opted to wear my waders instead of wet wading. The possibility of showers also existed, so I expected cloud cover to keep things cool.

Prime

I found myself poised along the creek by 11:00AM, and I began my search for trout with a classic Chernobyl ant. Why? The Chernobyl requires no floatant or false casting. If the fish were duped by the Chernobyl ant, I was in for a low maintenance day. Well, the fish rejected my large foam attractor, so I switched to a size 14 Jake’s gulp beetle. The beetle attracted attention in the form of refusals, but it never produced a fish. Next I tried a double dry with a light olive body size 14 stimulator in front and trailing a light gray size 16 deer hair caddis. Finally a trout grabbed the caddis, and I was on the board, but then the two fly combination failed to deliver.

Workhorse Fly

Would a dry/dropper do the trick? I moved to a peacock hippie stomper trailing an ultra zug bug, and the zug bug delivered a nice brook trout. Unfortunately the stomper started generating refusals and distracted the trout from the nymph. I switched the ultra zug bug for a supernova PMD nymph, and the nymph produced, but once again the hippie stomper was a distraction.

Glistening

By 11:50, when I broke for lunch, my fish count was stalled at four, and I was puzzled by the slow action in a creek, where I previously experienced fantastic action. I ate my lunch on the south bank of the creek, and when I looked around I noticed many disbursed camping sites and well worn paths along the creek. I concluded that I was in an area favored by campers and fishermen.

So Colorful

I persisted after lunch with the hope that I would move at a faster pace and advance beyond the suspiciously pressured section of the stream, but the results remained disappointing. I did manage a few long distance releases, but prime spots that yielded multiple fish on my last visit, were seemingly devoid of fish.

First Cutthroat

By 1:30 I had enough, and I decided to move. I found the trail and moved westward by .5 mile and cut to the creek. The change of scenery was my salvation, and I moved the fish count from four to twenty-four, before I called it a day at 3:30PM. I abandoned the dry/dropper and settled on a light olive body stimulator trailing a size 16 tan body deer hair caddis. The caddis really started to produce, but about halfway through my afternoon period after changing locations, I set the hook on nothing and flicked the flies high above into a hemlock bow. There was no hope of rescue, so I broke them both off.

In the Net

I replaced the duo with a size 14 lime green trude and a size 16 olive-brown deer hair caddis. These flies continued to fool mainly brook trout, and I moved upstream at a steady pace. The lime green trude’s white calftail wing was easy to track as an indicator; although it also fooled a few fish. The caddis did the heavy lifting, and likely spots finally began to deliver.

Another Cutthroat

On the day I landed twenty-four wild trout. Twenty-one were brook trout, and three were cutthroat trout. Needless to say, I was quite pleased to net a few cutties. Even more rewarding was scooping a fourteen inch cutthroat into my net, after it smacked the caddis. I also hooked a pair of cutthroats that escaped before I could net them. The cutthroats came from deep, slow-moving areas next to large boulders. In two cases I was able to hide above the tail of the pool, and I sent downstream drifts to the deep areas, where the cutthroats confidently sipped the caddis. The cutthroat eats were the highlights of my day.

I definitely feel that I spent 2.5 hours in a more heavily pressured section of the creek. I need to trust my instincts, when I see evidence of heavy human usage. If I visit Moose Creek again, I will definitely be very selective about where I fish.

Fish Landed: 24

 

Taylor River – 08/18/2026

Time: 11:00AM – 3:15PM

Location: Below Taylor Reservoir

Taylor River 08/18/2026 Photo Album

Jane, Amy Jo, and I made a trip to Crested Butte. Amy Jo had never been there, so we volunteered to show her the sights. Tuesday was my fly fishing day, so I was given access to the Telluride for the day. I dropped Amy Jo and Jane off at the Lower Lower Loop Trailhead and left them dependent on the Crested Butte transportation system and their feet.

Nice Section

I arrived at my chosen pullout along the Taylor River by 10:30AM, and I immediately geared up and assembled my Sage R8 four weight. Have I mentioned that I love this rod? The Taylor was running very low with flows out of the dam at 115 CFS. From the road the river looked very challenging; however, once I arrived next to my chosen section, I realized that the river was very fishable. Of course, I chose a stretch with high gradient and a narrow riverbed, and these features created lots of deep runs and pockets. The tailwater effect was also beneficial, and although I never took the temperature, it felt quite cold. The air temperature was in the sixties, and the dashboard displayed 72 degrees, as I commenced my return drive. Several periods of overcast and near showers had me debating whether to slip on my raincoat.

More Size Here

I spent most of the day tossing a dry/dropper configuration, as the fast and deep water suggested deep nymphing. During the morning and early afternoon I drifted a tan pool toy hopper, a 20 incher, and a salvation nymph. I built the fish count to six, but the action was slow and steady.

Rock Garden

During the afternoon the hopper began to generate refusals, so I made a major change and switched to a double dry featuring a peacock hippie stomper and size 14 olive-brown deer hair caddis. The hippie stomper was largely ignored, so I replaced it with a size 14 Jake’s gulp beetle. Throughout this double dry time I managed to land three trout on the caddis, but it was very slow going.

Far Bank Slick Produced

For the last 1.5 hour I returned to the dry/dropper approach, and the three fly lineup included another tan pool toy hopper, a brown perdigon, and a supernova PMD. I landed two additional trout in my last 1.5 hour, and they grabbed the supernova. The dry/dropper was clearly the preferred fishing technique, and during my second session I experienced quite a few temporary connections.

A Rainbow Visits My Net

I was satisfied with my eleven fish day that included four trout in the thirteen to fifteen inch range, but my results could have been even more impressive. During the morning a large brown grabbed the salvation, as the nymphs began to swing in front of a large exposed rock at the tail of a pool. I fought it for five seconds, at which point my line no longer had any weight on it. The bruiser broke off all three flies at an old surgeon’s knot above the pool toy. I caught a nice view of the brown that broke off, and I estimate that it approached the magical twenty inch threshold.

Rainbow Pocket

During the early afternoon a very fine rainbow smashed the pool toy, and it likewise performed an evasive maneuver to free itself. I suspect the rainbow was in the fifteen inch range.

Release

During the later afternoon two brown trout topped the rainbow in the race for most annoying fish. Both grabbed one of the nymphs in nice riffles over moderate depth, and both turned their head and allowed the hook to spring free. In both cases the pent up energy in my rod released and catapulted the flies high above me in overhanging branches. Other than some foul language directed at the smart ass fish, all was well, as I was able to bend down the branches and unravel my line and flies.

Fish Landed: 11

 

Clear Creek – 08/12/2026

Time: 10:00AM – 12:00PM

Location: Clear Creek Canyon

Clear Creek 08/12/2026 Photo Album

I checked the flows on South Boulder Creek, and they remained at 69 CFS. I knew from prior experience that this level of release was very favorable for fly fishing, and I sincerely desired a day in South Boulder Creek Canyon. Unfortunately the weather report was concerning. A relatively high probability of thunderstorms were predicted from 1:00 PM until the early evening, and I did not wish to risk being caught in the canyon with a challenging uphill exit climb during heavy rain, lightning and thunder.

I shifted my attention to Clear Creek, and thunderstorms were predicted there as well, although the probability was slightly lower. More important from my perspective, the creek runs right along US 6, so a quick exit was a strong possibility. Also, the drive was shorter, and in the event that I cut my day short, I was not wasting as much time or fuel.

Caddis Adult Eater Was a Beauty

I arrived at Clear Creek at 9:30AM after waiting at a construction stop for fifteen minutes. I fit together my Orvis Access four weight, and I chose wet wading, since the air temperature was already at 83 degrees at 9:30 in the morning.

I hiked down US 6 for .2 mile, and then I negotiated a steep and rocky bank to the edge of the creek. Flows were in the 56 CFS range, and the stream was very clear. I took the water temperature at 10:30AM, and it was 62 degrees.

The Path Ahead

I began my fly fishing day with a peacock hippie stomper trailing a salvation nymph. This combination worked well on Tuesday, but it was totally ignored by the trout of Clear Creek. I observed a few flashes to the hippie stomper, but that was the extent of the action in the first thirty minutes. I paused to consider alternative approaches, and I removed the salvation nymph and replaced it with a size 16 deer hair caddis with a tan body. When I resort to a double dry, I usually attach the trailing fly on a twelve to eighteen inch dropper, but in this case I kept the 2.5 foot leader from the dry/dropper in place.

Acceptable

The shift in approach was effective, and I landed three brown trout by 11:00AM. The second fish was a very nice brown in the thirteen inch range, and it smacked the trailing caddis in a nice riffle over moderate depth. In spite of my improved results, I remained dissatisfied with the effectiveness of the flies. The leading hippie stomper was in many cases attracting the attention of the trout as evidenced by refusals or brief looks. I wanted a fly that either resulted in an eat, or one that simply served as an indicator with the caddis becoming the main attraction.

Dwelled Along the Bank

It was around this time that the wind began to gust at high velocity, and I wondered if perhaps terrestrials were a factor. I snipped off the hippie stomper and replaced it with a size 14 Jake’s gulp beetle, and I added a smaller size 16 light gray deer hair caddis as the trailer. These flies would remain on my line, until I paused at noon, and they delivered three very respectable brown trout. All three inhaled the beetle, and I also missed a couple more that escaped, before I could corral them in my net. These three fish were also fine wild fish in the twelve to thirteen inch range. It seems that I’ve been catching larger brown trout on Clear Creek during my last two visits than I caught in previous years. Hopefully this is a permanent trend.

Big Spots

I discovered that fishing a beetle requires constant focus. The beetle rides very low in the surface film, and the trout dart quickly to the surface and snatch it while making minimal disturbance. I was rather pleased with my quick hook sets on the beetle takes.

Little Foam Nook Produced

By noon some dark clouds gathered in the southwestern sky. I was developing a rhythm with the beetle and caddis, and I hoped to delay my lunch until at least 1PM, as I prospected the left bank at a rapid pace. However, the weather had other ideas. A streak of lightning and the sound of thunder added to the black sky, and I decided to exit and climb the steep, rocky bank before the storm rolled in. Perhaps it would pass during my lunch, and I could resume afterwards.

And Yet Another Clear Creek Beast

I downed my lunch in my car, and when I opened the door to inspect the sky, the dark clouds were closer and rain seemed imminent. I decided to call it a day. I removed my wet wading clothes and stowed my rod and gear, and just as I sat down in the driver’s seat, rain drops appeared on my windshield. I once again stopped for a flagman and single lane traffic due to construction, and while idling in line, the rain intensified as if to confirm my decision to quit.

Next to Rock on Left

Six fish in two hours was very respectable, and finding success with a foam beetle was very rewarding. As I mentioned, the average size of the brown trout in Clear Creek Canyon seems to have grown compared to outings in previous years. Hopefully I can return in the near future for a more extended outing.

Fish Landed: 6

 

Moose Creek – 08/11/2026

Time: 10:45AM – 3:15PM

Location: National forest

Note: In order to protect small high country streams, I have chosen to change the name for a few. This particular creek happens to be one of them. Excessive exposure could lead to crowding and lower fish densities.

I planned to make a trip to the Roaring Fork Valley this week, and I eagerly anticipated fly fishing the Frying Pan River with its cold bottom releases during the drought and heat that affected the 2026 summer. My daughter advised checking the flows, before I advanced my plans too far, and her suggestion proved to be prescient. The water managers increased the flows to 509 CFS due to downstream water demands, and prior experience told me that anything above 400 CFS was very difficult to fish. I needed a new plan.

Glistening Brook Trout

On 08/03/2026 I experienced a magnificent day on Moose Creek, so I decided to give it another trial. The flows were strong and the water temperature registered in the fifties. By the time I drove to the parking lot and rigged my Orvis Access four weight and hiked a moderate distance, my watch displayed 10:45AM. I began my day with a peacock hippie stomper, since that was the fly that fueled my fun day on 08/03/2026.

Red Spots Amid Blue Halos

The first hippie stomper was in a mauled state with minimal tail fibers, broken foam and compressed hackles; so I swapped it for another after ten minutes of fishing. The second hippie stomper lasted until lunch, but it was also not in the best of shape. In spite of my dissatisfaction with my hippie stomper choices, I landed five brightly colored brook trout, before I broke for lunch at 11:50AM. Five fish in one hour of fly fishing was a decent morning; however, I sensed that I was passing through attractive areas that failed to yield fish.

Big Jaw

I debated whether to add a second dry fly behind the stomper or try a dry/dropper. The latter won out, and I attached a beadhead salvation nymph on a two foot dropper. It was a small stream, and I suspected that the fish were not hugging the bottom, thus, the short leader.

Tilted to View Belly

The ploy produced beautifully, and I ratcheted the fish count from five to thirty-eight, before I quit on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Initially it seemed that the salvation was the favored fly, but over the course of the afternoon, the hippie stomper rallied, and roughly 70 percent of the added trout grabbed the attractor dry fly. The salvation, however, earned its keep, and it seemed that the nymph eaters were slightly larger brook trout.

Stretched Out

Over the entire day thirty-seven of my catches were brook trout with one twelve inch brown trout joining the mix. One brook trout stretched the tape to twelve inches, but most were in the six to eleven inch range. Six brook trout measured in the upper portion of that range.

Impressive Brook Trout

I covered the creek thoroughly, however, marginal lies were not very effective. It seemed that the trout density in my chosen stretch on Tuesday was lower that that of the previous week, and consequently most of the catches emerged from deep pools and pockets. Depth along the bank or next to large exposed rocks was an obvious feature that yielded trout.

Amazing Body Color

Once again the real story on the day was the vivid colors of the brook trout. Many possessed bright orange bellies, white borders on the fins, and deep gray backs arrayed with dense spot patterns. Catching each gem was truly a thrill.

Fish Landed: 38

 

 

Moose Creek – 08/03/2026

Time: 10:30AM – 2:30PM

Location: National Forest

Note: In order to protect small high country streams, I have chosen to change the name for a few. This particular creek happens to be one of them. Excessive exposure could lead to crowding and lower fish densities.

Once again temperatures were forecast to exceed 100 degrees on Monday, August 3, so the name of the game was finding a cool high country stream. I succeeded.

One of the Better Brook Trout

I arrived at my chosen destination by 9:40AM, and the air temperature was already 71 degrees. I changed into my wet wading clothes, and then I assembled my Orvis Access four weight. I was fishing another high gradient creek in tight quarters, so I favored the short and light rod. I began my hike, and after 1.1 mile I veered off the trail and cut to the creek.

Beast

To begin my day I used a clinch knot to tie a peacock body size 14 hippie stomper to my line. Other than a brief period toward the end of my time on the water, when I tested a parachute green drake, the peacock hippie stomper stayed on my line. There was no reason to switch, because the small stream residents simply craved the hippie stomper.

Best of the Day

I moved upstream for .4 miles and cast the highly visible and buoyant attractor to all likely spots, and it was rare that a fish did not engulf the fly. Between 10:30AM and 2:30PM I landed an abundant quantity of trout. All but two were brook trout, and the outliers were a twelve inch brown trout and a thirteen inch rainbow. As I expected, most of the brook trout fit within the six to ten inch range, but I was pleased to net a monster thirteen inch brookie and quite a few that stretched the tape to eleven inches. Many of these char were brightly colored with orange bellies, white edged fins and an amazing iridescent body sheen. Their natural beauty more than compensated for their lack of size in my estimation.

Cannot Get Enough of These Beauties

Shortly after I began casting, I paused to lower my stream thermometer into the creek. I held it a foot below the surface for 1.5 minutes, and it registered 54 degrees. I was pleased. My hands were actually turning numb. Just before I quit at 2:30PM I once again paused to record the temperature, and the thermometer displayed 58 degrees. This small mountain stream is holding up well during the summer of heat waves, drought and wildfires.

Outlier Brown Trout

Where were the fish? Everywhere. I probably wasted time casting to less than marginal spots, but even those yielded the occasional fish. Moderate riffles were money in the bank, but deep pockets and pools also produced.

Another Surprise. A Rainbow Trout.

What a day! Monday was my new personal best fish count. Of course most of the fish were small, but I still relish the surprise take and the deep bend in my small rod. The only fly I lost was the original hippie stomper which became so mangled, that it began to lose its attraction. The diminished state of the stomper was the reason I replaced it with a parachute green drake, and the drake accounted for one fish, before another brook trout took the leader under a rock. I slowly approached and attempted to free the line, but the fish spooked and darted way and broke off the parachute green drake in the process. Although the green drake was generating some interest, it did not live up to the hippie stomper, so I replaced it with a fresh version. Immediately brook trout began to hammer the new hippie stomper.

Fish Landed: A lot

St. Vrain Creek – 07/29/2026

Time: 11:00AM – 2:30PM

Location: National forest land

St. Vrain Creek 07/29/2026 Photo Album

After a fun day on Monday on South Boulder Creek, I decided to visit another Front Range stream, St. Vrain Creek. The St. Vrain where I fished is a small high country creek, and I was fairly certain that stream temperatures would be conducive to fly fishing.

Nice Spot

Jane decided to accompany me on Wednesday, and she planned to hike and then read, while I explored the nooks and crannies of the high gradient creek. We arrived at the trailhead parking lot relatively early on Wednesday morning, and the air temperature was a comfortable 73 degrees. I decided to wet wade in the small creek to lessen the overheating resulting from the hike. As the day progressed, I was quite pleased with this decision.

Orange Hand Full

By 11:00AM I reached my chosen beginning point, and Jane and I said our goodbyes, as she continued on her way. I was using my Orvis Access four weight, and it was the perfect rod for the narrow creek with numerous overhanging branches and bushes. I began my day with a peacock hippie stomper, and in the first ten minutes I landed four brook trout. Jane paused to observe my start, and she snapped a few photos of my first landed fish.

Caught One in the Corner

For the next three hours I moved up the creek and landed a total of twenty-eight fish. Twenty-five were brook trout and three were cutthroats. I reveled in each cutthroat landed, because they are rare, in spite of being Colorado’s only native trout. The cutthroats were perfectly colored and delicate jewels, while they temporarily rested in my net.

Pink Blush

The brook trout were also colorful fish in the nine to eleven inch range. They were obviously not giants, but they put up feisty battles on my light Orvis Access, and I had a blast prospecting for them.

Orvis Access Was Perfect for Small Stream and Tight Quarters

Perfection

I stayed with the hippie stomper throughout my time on the water, and the fish seemed to savor the attractor fly. I took one of the stompers out of circulation, since it was missing a tail and a leg. Another hippie stomper broke off in the mouth of a brook trout perhaps due to a damaged knot. Two additional hippie stompers were donated to evergreen trees due to errant backcasts. Four lost flies is a small price to pay for a fun day catching mountain trout. It is, after all, the reason I tie flies during the winter months.

Solitary Fireweed

What a Spot

The flows on the creek were outstanding, and since I was wading wet, I was certain that the water temperatures were in the ideal range. Small tributaries remained flush with water, and it was obvious that rainfall refreshed the area on Tuesday. By 2:00PM the western sky darkened, and I decided to pull on my raincoat in anticipation of some rain. Rain did in fact fall, but it was very brief in duration, and I kept the raincoat on just in case, as I exited the stream and hiked back to the parking lot. Jane said that a fairly heavy dumping took place just after she returned to the car.

Best Cutthroat of the Day

Wednesday was an enjoyable day in outdoor Colorado. I shared the day with my wife, and I landed twenty-eight wild trout. Each catch was a vivid reminder of the beauty that Colorado streams have to offer. The scenery was outstanding, and somehow I avoided the steady rain that fell to the east of my position. Another day on St. Vrain Creek would be very welcome.

Fish Landed: 28

South Boulder Creek – 07/21/2026

Time: 10:45AM – 3:00PM

Location: Below Gross Reservoir

South Boulder Creek 07/21/2026 Photo Album

My fly fishing adventure on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 contained some interesting developments. On Monday I experienced an average day on the South Platte River, and in spite of choosing a tailwater for my angling location, the water temperature registered 68 degrees, when I dipped my thermomenter in the river at 1:00PM. Flows of 108 CFS were not enough to buffer the bottom release water against air temperatures in the mid eighties, and it is not even August yet. What is an avid fly fisherman to do?

So Many Speckles

I regularly check the flows on South Boulder Creek, and when I reviewed the graph on Monday evening, I noted that the water was being released from the bottom of Gross Dam at 92 CFS. That was all I needed to see, as the narrow streambed and bottom releases would surely maintain temperatures conducive to coldwater fish. As I prepared to write this blog on Wednesday, I checked the DWR information again, and the flows actually dropped from 92 CFS to 77 CFS, while I was fishing in the tailwater creek.

Doing the Heavy Lifting on This Day

The temperature in the parking lot was in the upper seventies, so I was once again prepared for a hot day. On this stream my feet get numb, even when I wear my waders, so I decided to not wade wet, even though that option would have been advantageous for the inbound and outbound hikes. A little perspiration never hurt anyone. For my rod I chose my Loomis two piece five weight. I like the softer action of the Loomis for throwing dry/droppers and dry flies, and the shorter length also appeals to me among the tighter surroundings of a narrow creek.

Monster for SBC

I arrived along the stream by 10:35AM, and I was prepared to cast by 10:45AM. There were five cars in the parking lot, and as I hiked along the trail next to the creek, four or five anglers were spaced out throughout the section that I targeted. I selected that section because I was convinced that fishermen would avoid the relatively steep sided banks and opt for gentler terrain. I was wrong, so I hiked quite a bit beyond the initially chosen section.

Nice Brown Taken from Under Overhanging Branches

All aspects of fly fishing in Colorado in 2026 have been earlier than normal including stream levels, water temperatures and insect hatches. Based on this knowledge I decided to begin with a parachute western green drake. Normally green drakes hatch during the first week of August, but I was curious to see if they were present on July 21. My thought process was sound, but the green drake was totally ignored in my first fifteen minutes of fishing through some very attractive pockets and runs.

The Brown Trout Parade Continues

I decided to explore another pathway, and I substituted a size 14 yellow stimulator and size 16 light gray deer hair caddis. I prospected with this combination for an hour, before I broke for lunch at 11:45AM, and I pushed the fish count to three. One of the landed trout was a brown in the thirteen to fourteen inch range that clobbered the caddis beneath some low hanging branches. This was a highlight, as it was the longest fish of the day, and it required some pinpoint casting accuracy.

Lip of the Rock Contained a Decent Brown Trout

While eating lunch on a large boulder, I spotted two western green drakes, as they floated upward like helium balloons. Surely the trout would now tune into my green drake imitation.

Another Decent Rainbow

I removed the double dries and tied on the parachute green drake for a second trial run. Nothing developed from the move other than a couple refusals. Maybe the trout were looking for a bushy fly that better imitated a large mayfly attempting to become airborne? I swapped the parachute green drake for a user friendly green drake. Once again the trout ignored my offering.

Small Pool

As I was working upstream, another angler popped into my field of vision. He was hidden behind a small bend and some trees. I attempted to talk to me, but I was unable to hear him over the sound of the rushing water, so I waded to the right bank, and he met me half way. He left the section between me and where he first appeared untouched, and he was moving downstream fishing streamers. He also informed me that he encountered a bull moose not too distant upstream. He said it was along the right bank in the shade between the creek and the trail. I filed this away, but I expected the moose to have moved on by the time I reached the position that was described.

Chunky Rainbow

The green drake ploy was not effective, so I abandoned it, and returned to an olive body size 14 stimulator and the light gray deer hair caddis. While I moved upstream with this combination, I observed another four or five green drakes. No matter. I persisted with the stimulator and caddis and boosted the fish count from three to seventeen. A few of these trout smacked the stimulator, but the caddis was by far the main attractor. I was rather amazed at how aggressive the trout were for the small size 16 caddis, particularly in riffles over moderate depth. Another popular position for feeding trout was the cushion in front of a large rock or at the lip of a pool, where the current accelerated.

Looks So Good

By two o’clock the temperature was spiking, and the yellow stimulator began to induce refusals. I considered my options, and I guessed that perhaps a peacock body hippie stomper might be a more effective lead fly than the stimulator. I made the change, and sure enough, it worked. Of course, the move was accompanied by refusals, but the hippie stomper accounted for two nice trout, and the caddis registered another three to boost the fish count to twenty-two. I was rather satisfied with my day at this point, and I considered calling it quits. The heat was intense, and I suspected that the trout would turn off in response.

Mr. Moose

I was approaching a large bend in the creek, when suddenly the branches next to the stream parted, and a massive and very dark moose made an appearance. I froze. The moose was no more than ten yards away, and it towered above me. I always underestimate the height of a moose with its long legs and high antlers. The moose and I stared at each other for thirty seconds, and my heartrate skyrocketed. What was I to do? I was stuck in the middle of the small creek, with no easy exit path. I slowly grabbed my line and hooked the fly to the rod guide, and I turned my body to slowly wade to the opposite bank, where there was an opening in the bushes.

From Upstream. Keeping an Eye on Me.

When I reached the bank, I turned around to check on my fishing buddy, and the moose bent its long legs and collapsed in the shallow water of the creek. Apparently moose do not handle the heat any better than humans, although this male had the good sense to wade wet. I concluded that a moose wallowing in the cool creek was not about to charge me, so I removed my camera and snapped three photos and a video. My heart rate slowly crept downward, and once my photography duties were complete, I climbed a path to the top of the bank and circled around the relaxed moose. Now that it was over and my fear waned, I was euphoric with the sighting.

I stopped and fished for another ten minutes at another favorite section on my return hike, but after that I returned to the parking lot and called it a day. And what a day it was! I encountered green drakes, and although my flies did not produce, I consider it a positive sign that green drake action will elevate from here. I landed twenty-two wild trout, and this included a fourteen inch brown and a nice thirteen inch rainbow. I estimate that four of the landed fish were rainbows with the remainder browns. The deer hair caddis was a winning fly and accounted for most of my landed fish. If the water level remains in the 70 – 100 CFS range, South Boulder Creek will be a solid option, while the heat wave and drought take its toll. I’ll never forget the close encounter with a moose on the loose.

Fish Landed: 22

South Platte River – 07/20/2026

Time: 9:45AM – 1:00PM

Location: Eleven Mile Canyon

South Platte River 07/20/2026 Photo Album

Monday was an open date for fly fishing, so I took advantage of the opportunity. The high temperature in Denver was forecast to reach 102 degrees, so my choice of destination was crucial. I had an outstanding day on the South Platte River in Eleven Mile Canyon on 07/07/2026, so that became my choice. The flows were steady at 108 CFS, but the high temperature was projected to reach the eighties. I decided to start early, and in all likelihood end my day early.

My early start enabled me to arrive at my chosen destination by 9:15AM, and after I geared up with my Sage R8 four weight, I was positioned next to the stream ready to cast by 9:45AM. The air temperature at the car was 71 degrees, so I knew it was going to be a hot day.

Inviting a Cast

I began my day with a yellow Letort hopper size 10 and trailed a size 16 olive-brown deer hair caddis. The hopper initiated some refusals, but the caddis yielded a decent twelve inch brown trout that smacked the dry fly, as I began to lift it to cast in the upstream cushion in front on an exposed rock.

Ooh. Looks Good.

I was not impressed with the fish attracting capability of my dual dry fly combination, so I modified my offering. I removed the Letort hopper and replaced it with a size 14 yellow stimulator. For the trailing second fly I added a size 16 light gray comparadun. I was imitating yellow sallies and pale morning duns. I noticed a few yellow sallies fluttering up from the river as well as a couple pale morning duns.

Dry Fly Eater

The changeover provided some success, as I landed a nice brown trout and rainbow trout. The brown trout rose to the stimulator and the rainbow sipped the comparadun. The fish count was at three, as I broke for lunch at 11:45AM. The pace of action lagged significantly compared to my visit on 07/07/2026. The trout were being very picky, and I was perplexed by that development.

I Love These Sluicing Runs on the South Platte

After lunch I approached a narrow section of the canyon that exhibited faster water and deep plunge pools. I decided to give a dry/dropper a test. I removed the double dry flies and replaced them with a tan mini chubby, a size 16 PMD supernova, and a sunken trico. Although I covered quite a few attractive spots with no results, I did land three nice trout on the subsurface offerings. Two trout snatched the sunken trico and one nabbed the supernova. I was very pleased to note that my sunken trico ploy yielded positive results. One of the brown trout was a fourteen inch beauty and my best of the day, and a thirteen inch rainbow grabbed the sunken trico. I actually saw the fish move to the fly and set the hook before the mini chubby showed any movement from the take.

Tucked in the Net

After the flurry of action on the subsurface flies, the river went dead. The sighting of yellow sallies prompted me to substitute a beadhead hares ear for the sunken trico, and this move paid dividends, when I landed a small brown trout to bring the fish count to seven.

Trough

By now the time was approaching 1:00PM, and the action stalled, so I decided to convert back to dry flies. At one spot along the bank I noticed at least five blue body damsel flies flitting about. I tied some adult damsels in blue three or four years ago after encountering a dense damsel infestation on a lake, but I never had an occasion to use them. I decided to try a few casts. I flicked the damsel to some nice current seams with no results, but then I turned my attention to a nice deep run along the far bank that ended in a small eddy in front of a large exposed boulder. On the fourth drift a mouth appeared, and the damsel disappeared! I executed a swift hook set and saw the side of a nice brown trout, but within three seconds the brown twitched its mouth, and the damsel fly released. In spite of losing the fish, this was my favorite moment of the day. It was an excellent example of observing what was happening on the river and then reacting to it.

Deep Pocket Surrounded by Structure

At one o’clock after another futile fifteen minutes I decided to take the water temperature. I dug out my stream thermometer, and the air temperature read 82 degrees, before I submerged it. I held the thermometer against the streambed in two feet of water for more than a minute. When I extracted it, I checked the scale and it read 68 degrees. I instantly halted my angling efforts and returned to the car.

A Rainbow Joins the Count

Monday was an average day, as I landed seven fish in three hours. A fourteen inch brown and thirteen inch rainbow visited my net, and I was thankful for the good fortune that they embodied. Catching two trout on sunken tricos, and connecting briefly with a trout while using my blue damsel adult were superb highlights in my book. I am considering taking a break from fishing during the heat wave, although I have one more option to test. Stay tuned.

Fish Landed: 7