Time: 10:30AM – 11:30AM

Location: Toward inlet

Clinton Gulch Reservoir 06/16/2026 Photo Album

I was feeling pretty good after undergoing a dreaded medical procedure on Monday morning, and I was finally able to focus forward. My last day of fishing was a huge disappointment, as I explored Evergreen Lake and Boulder Creek and landed a total of two fish on the day.

For Tuesday I decided to return my attention to lakes. I pulled my Flyfisher’s Guide to Colorado’s Easy Access Mountain Lakes book off the shelf and began perusing the options. I settled on Clinton Gulch Reservoir. I had my eye on this lake for several years now after reading about it in the book, and I figured the warmer than normal spring and low snowpack made it a logical choice for a mid-June visit. There was one factor, however, I failed to consider. Read on.

Looking West

I made the drive in just short of two hours, and it was 57 degrees in the parking lot, so I slid into my fleece hoodie and layered it with my raincoat. I thought I remembered reading that the best spot to fish was near the inlet, so I began my hike. After a mile of rolling terrain, I could see the inlet creek, so I cut down to the narrow end of the lake fed by the creek. I began fishing roughly fifty yards before the inlet.

My location was quite open and the wind was whipping small waves. I began my search for fish with an amber chubby Chernobyl, salvation nymph, and olive perdigon. I sprayed casts repeatedly and moved toward the feeder creek while allowing the flies to drift with the wind. I am disappointed to report that I experienced nothing but a tired arm from casting for forty-five minutes.

The Inlet Area

I decided to check out the lake at the entry point of the creek to see, if I could spot any fish. None were visible in the lake proper, but the riffles in the creek were loaded with spawning cutthroats. It is unsportsmanlike to fish to spawning fish, so I stripped in my flies and hooked them to my rod guide and began the return hike. Judging from the number of footprints next to the creek with spawning fish, there are quite a few unsportsmanlike anglers in our sport.

I thought I would resume fishing, if I spotted rises or fish along the edge of the lake on my return hike, but neither of these conditions arose, so I arrived at the parking lot and planned my next move. I would not mind returning to Clinton Gulch Reservoir when spawning season ends.

Fish Landed: 0