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Colorado Fishing Regulations and Etiquette

After more than 33 years of fly fishing in Colorado, I’ve formed some basic ideas that might have a bearing on your fly rodding experiences in our state.

First, we should congratulate the Colorado Division of Wildlife for its work. Over the last 30 years, the division has generally improved the quality of fly fishing in the state. An obvious example is the promotion of catch and release. Now practiced nearly everywhere in Colorado, it was a little-known department priority in the early ’70s. Keep up the good work.

Second, as participation in fly fishing continues to increase almost everywhere, I suggest occasionally fly fishing lesser known or publicized waters. Though many of us would like to catch five-pound fish all day long with only a couple of buddies looking on, we do not live in Shangri-La. We live in a region, like most western states, that has only a few rivers that offer that kind of potential. That’s why fly anglers are discovering the rewards of small and medium-sized streams, lakes and reservoirs that attract few, if any, anglers. These types of waters can be found throughout the Rockies, and many are described or noted in this guide. I suggest you bypass some of the major waters and give these others a try. Look for the heading “Nearby Fly Fishing” for ideas.

When driving along a popular water without finding a place to fish, consult a map or this guide. There are usually a number of nearby creeks feeding the river, lake or pond that hold fish. Getting away from the crowd, trying something new and catching a bunch of brookies or cutts isn’t all that bad and is often challenging and rewarding. Most fly fishing old-timers relate with some appreciation how they learned on some small stream here or there. Fine fly fishing is not confined to the country’s major tailwaters. Try a variety of waters. It will improve your skills and prove to be a lot of fun.

Third, the sheer number of anglers on the water these days brings up the etiquette issue. Years ago if another fly fisher were encountered on a stream the two would work out a plan as to who would fish where and when. Now it can be shoulder to shoulder on many waters. If this is the case, respect your fellow angler’s positions. Don’t crowd in on others, ever! The basic rule is: The fewer the people, the more the spacing.

Most of us love fly fishing because it is something in which we can totally immerse ourselves. It gets us away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I maintain that this immersion is a fascinating and enlightening hobby and the escape from routine allows us to get away from our daily insecurities and problems. This is a great rejuvenator, if not salvation.

For the many benefits that fly fishing gives us we all need to give something back. I urge you to join a local conservation group: Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers are a great start, or a group in your area. Believe me, with all the problems the earth is facing, the trout and salmon need our help. For all that the sport gives us, let’s do something for the sport.

At whatever level you enjoy fly fishing, I urge you to please, at a minimum, follow these guidelines:

• Abide by the laws

• Respect private property

• Never crowd another angler

• Catch and release

• Carry out your litter

• Support conservation

Some Colorado Basics

Colorado freshwater game fish include rainbow, brown, golden, cutthroat, brook, lake trout, splake, Arctic grayling, kokanee salmon, northern pike, bass, crappie, sunfish, carp and bluegill.

Colorado adopted the greenback cutthroat trout as the state fish, symbolizing needed protection of the state’s coldwater resources. Colorado has two cutthroat trout regions: 1) Colorado River cutthroat, one of the most colorful cutts, found throughout the high mountain areas and in the southwest corner of the state. 2) Rio Grande cutthroat, with most of its spots near the tail, inhabits south-central Colorado.

The cutthroat, not the rainbow, originally populated most of the West. Geologic forces corralled some thirteen species into distinct regions. Cutthroats were named because of the large, bright red marking below the jaw.

Colorado has most insects that fly fishers recognize. Mysis shrimp, uncommon in the West, is found in Colorado lakes and reservoirs. This pearl-white freshwater shrimp is similar to a scud. It is usually washed from stillwater into a stream (usually tailwaters). There are three main Mysis shrimp patterns which are often tied with Liquid Lace.

Colorful cutthroat trout from the Middle Fork South Platte River. Photo by Jim Muth.

One can combine fly fishing and skiing at one of Colorado’s twenty-five ski areas in the same trip. Colorado has fifty-six peaks 14,000 feet above sea level, or more. (There are only about sixty “Fourteeners” in the U.S.) Often in Colorado, you are at a higher elevation than in many places in the United States. A step at the Colorado state capitol in Denver is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level. High altitude affects most people. When visiting Colorado, take a day or two to get acclimated. Replenish fluids. Protect against too much sun.

It can snow any day of the year in Colorado. Afternoon lightning, gusts and rain are common in spring and summer, so always take a windbreaker, parka, a hat, and extra dry clothing. Take good equipment and an area map when hiking or backpacking into high mountain lakes. Leave your itinerary with someone.

How to Use This Book

This guide was assembled from information I’ve compiled during the 30 plus years I’ve fly fished in Colorado. Blended into my observations is the expertise of other talented people who fish the fly in the Rockies. The combination is nuts and bolts “expert” advice. While some consider me an expert, I maintain that when fly fishing I’m also a pupil, always learning. Thus the information in this guide (or any other Colorado guide) is not the final word on the subject. The subject moves, conditions change and experts keep learning. I’m sure those who have contributed to this guide agree on this. And, as Idaho outfitter Bill Mason observed, it is rare and significant when fly fishing people agree on much of anything.

So keep in mind that the information in this guide is a precise overview from “experts” who continue to learn. This No Nonsense guide is a quick, clear outline of the best fly fishing in Colorado. Read this guide, then go fly fishing in our state. You’ll keep learning and you’ll love it!

Information

Colorado is a big place. There are a number of quality fly fishing specialty stores in the state and most offer a guide service. (Most of these shops are listed in the back of this book.) These shops and guides are valuable sources of information. Talk to these people; odds are they know exactly what is happening on the water on any given day. This information, from some pretty nice folks, can make your fly fishing trip the best. Contact them.

Regulations

Always pick up a copy of the Colorado Fishing Season Information and Wildlife Property Directory before you go fishing and check the latest rules from Colorado Division of Wildlife (303-297-1192). In Colorado, regs are set for three years. The regulations that apply to the waters described here are reliable. Over time, most haven’t changed much, but undoubtedly there are some late revisions or alterations we haven’t been able to get in this book. Check with the state first. (Colorado Division of Wildlife recorded message, Stocking Report: 303-291-7534.)

Colorado Gold Medal Waters

Gold Medal Waters offer the greatest potential for trophy trout fishing and angling success and usually have special regulations. Gold Medal Waters in this guide include: The Blue, Colorado, Fryingpan, Gunnison, North Platte, Rio Grande, Roaring Fork, South Platte (middle and south forks) rivers, Gore Creek, North Delaney Lake and Spinney Mountain Reservoir. Designations can change and don’t necessarily mean that other waters don’t fish as well.

Colorado Wild Trout Waters

These waters support self-sustaining trout populations and are stocked only in emergencies. These include sections of the following: The Animas, Blue, Cache La Poudre, Colorado, Conejos, Lake Fork of the Gunnison, East River, Laramie, Fraser, Gunnison, South Platte, Middle Fork of the South Platte, North Platte and Roaring Fork rivers, Cascade, Cochetopa, Los Pinos, North St. Vrain, Osier and Tarryall creeks, Emerald, Steamboat and Trappers lakes.

Colorado River. Photo by Jim Muth.

Bob Voth with a big rainbow from the Middle Fork South Platte River. Photo by Jim Muth.

Ratings

Ratings range from 1 to 10. A “1” is un-fishable, a “5” is fair, and a rating of “10” means the highest quality fly fishing experience in Colorado.

This guide highlights waters rated five and above. The ratings reflect my experience (plus those of my contributors) gained over many years and allow for seasonal problems, water conditions, etc. Use these ratings as a rough guide and comparison to your experience and those of your fly fishing friends.

Private Land

You must obtain permission to fish on private property in Colorado. If you don’t, you can lose your license. Historically, in Colorado the property owner owns the river bottom. Fly fishers cannot cross onto private property just because they were in the water or because they stayed below the high water mark.

In Colorado, you can float through private property if you enter the river on public land and leave the river on public land. Or, you can enter and exit the water on private land if you receive permission from the landowner. You cannot stop, leave the boat, and touch bottom, anchor or beach if you are on private land. Check at a local fly shop or read the Division of Wildlife regulations.

Hatches

We’ve listed the major hatches known for each water. This may change with conditions and fly fishers, so information here is general. From a local fly shop it’s gospel. In most cases try to offer something that matches the hatch.