Sw Colorado

[MarkinKC]

OTF - I've fished the Uncompahgre below the dam, but I agree with tanvat in that there are other spots that offer more of what you are looking for. Great suggestions mentioned already and the Conejos ranks among my favorites in the area for solitude. Regarding the fishing in Durango I did enjoy it though a lot of traffic, activity, and anglers - although there were plenty of shops for my wife to explore which gave me more time on the water!

If you do wind up in the Ridgway/Ouray area and are looking for a big meal try the True Grit Cafe in downtown Ouray. It is named after the John Wayne movie which was filmed in the area. Picturesque little town with beautiful scenery as the backdrop, nice street to walk in the evening and a good meal is guaranteed. We ate there 3 times on our last trip. Plan on a little wait unless you arrive during off-hours. If you are by yourself a seat at the bar is quicker. Ridgway also has shops and restaurants and supplies.

Since you are familar with fishing in North-West Colorado, can you point me to a lake or stream for early July? We're taking my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter on vacation with us and staying in Steamboat Springs for a few days. The kids can fish but I'd like to get them into a couple of trout on the flyrod. Looking for some water that we can get to easily with some casting room.

Thanks and enjoy your trip!

[motroutbum]

MarkinKC----The Yampa runs right through town in steamboat. There is also the elk which runs north of town and enters the yampa just east of steamboat. Both are great fishing. However, runoff just started out here this week and with all the snow we still have (and are still getting), rivers will most likely be high still and possibly off color. Check in with the guys at steamboat fly fisher and the can give you up to the minute info. If you have any other questions, let me know!

http://www.steamboatflyfisher.com/

[ozark trout fisher]

Appreciate all the tips, fellas! We are going to spend a couple days on the Uncompaghre (campground reservations have been made) but we are still working on filling out the rest of the itinerary and this is great stuff! We are also considering swinging up to the Fryingpan for a couple days. I know the drill there: big, selective trout and way too many people.

This is developing into one of those trips that is taking on a life of it's own a bit. Like I said in the original post, we were starting out looking at small stream/lake cutthroat fisheries, but as more people got in on the planning stage, things have taken more of a turn towards the tailwater/big fish end of things. Which is different and something of a compromise on my end, but ultimately should work out fine. There are still mountains and still (hopefully) a few trout to be caught.

And thanks for the PM Motroutbum. Once again, good stuff.

[ozark trout fisher]

Since you are familar with fishing in North-West Colorado, can you point me to a lake or stream for early July? We're taking my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter on vacation with us and staying in Steamboat Springs for a few days. The kids can fish but I'd like to get them into a couple of trout on the flyrod. Looking for some water that we can get to easily with some casting room.

Thanks and enjoy your trip!

I'd recommend the Yampa if its not too high. If the water in town is running muddy/turbulent the tailwater stretch just below Stagecoach reservoir is worth a look. Typical CO tailwater, plenty of nice fish but they've been known to be selective. Also, you might try Stagecoach reservoir itself. More of a spin-fishing option but there are plenty of stocked 'bows and they're rarely too difficult to catch.

[MarkinKC]

Thanks guys. Will give the Yampa a try if fishable. Read about it certainly but have yet to try it.

[ness]

I hope we get a report or two out of these travels!

[tanvat]

OTF, Have a great trip. The area around Ridgway is beautiful. There is a fly shop in town, I forget the name - RIGS?, but they were helpful when I stopped there a couple years back. View from town of the sawtoothed mountains is awesome.

If interested in a kinda nearby small stream cutthroat adventure, try heading up over Owl Creek Pass to the forks of the Cimmarron River above Silver Jack Resevoir. These streams head up in the Uncompahgre Wilderness. My family and I backpaced up one of the forks (which ever one w/ the trailhead at the Wilderness boundary) a few years back and though the water was still high and off-color, I hooked a few 'cutts in a very limited amount of fishing time. We had our then 2 and 4 year olds along so really fishing wasn't possible - stunningly beautiful, remote, but not too far from Ridgway - maybe an hour if I recall.

Also, if going to the Fryinpan from Ridgway, you could take the road over Owl Creek Pass all the way to Hwy. 50 and on to Gunnison. Long but good gravel road that'll take you right to the trailheads for the forks of the Cimmarron and the drive over the pass and down to Hwy. 50 takes you through the absolute essence of western Colorado. At one point, you come out on a northeast facing slope and can see Fossil Ridge, the Elks up around Crested Butte and what I assume was the Sawatch Range all the way over by Salida. I throughly enjoyed that drive and recommend it without reservation. Plus there is some fishing to be had, so you can't go wrong.

[motroutbum]

Stagecoach also has HUGE Pike!

[ozark trout fisher]

Stagecoach also has HUGE Pike!

Yep. Not just fisherman harassing those stocked rainbows!

That said, the trout that survive the pike and the powerbait when they're 10 inches have been known to grow pretty danged large. I may or may not have first hand knowledge of this.

That's a special lake up there.

If I survive the bears (and the mosquitos) and avoid a total skunk, there will be a report.

[Tito Degiosio]

I used to live near the eleven point river in MO and work for brian sloss, some may remember me, any how I have a place here in Cimarron Colorado and been living here going on 3 years now

I know several little gems that are hard to reach in the area but are worth it if you are up for the hike I also know several small less mention streams that shouldn't be past up if your in the area

we offer cabins and camping on our place and also have a cafe and general store,(FRESH BAKED PIES) If you are in the area and looking for a place to stay, stop on in we are located about 15 to 20 miles from blue mesa,and 13 miles to the black canyon entrance and in between big cimarron road and little cimarron rd ,Big cimarron road takes you over owl creek pass to ridgway and ouray area there are

some nice fishing locations along that road that offer scenic views in a mountain type setting

then there is also little cimarron road on the other side of us that will lead your into some brookies and rainbows and challenging fishing

I also have 1/2 mile of the little cimarron river on my property and is only for our guest to injoy, shock test revealed a healthy number of trout last year , fishing can be tough but very rewarding

you can check out our website it is undergoing construction off and on at the moment so it may be busy it is www.pleasantvalley.biz or pleasant-valley.biz