I was asked by Greg Krochta, one of our members that lives in Aurora, Colorado, several months ago if I could come out to fish with him. He had a timeshare condo in Breckenridge, Colorado that he would lose if he didn’t use. Free place to stay? Of course, I would come out (plus I flew for free on my Southwest Airlines pass).

Now usually, if you know about Colorado or mountain fly fishing, the snowmelt is anytime from the beginning of May through the middle of June. So, we were right smack in it. With record snowfall this winter, the snowmelt wasn’t completed yet and many of the rivers were high, fast, and muddy. BUT we would fish the tailwaters and low elevation lakes that were ok to fish. Since many of the reservoirs were holding back water, the tailwater flows were slow and clear. And the lakes we decided to fish were low enough in elevation that they had already “iced out”.

Our first day we fished the Blue River below the Dillon reservoir. The water was cold – if I remember right just below 40 degrees. Fish did not want to cooperate and both Greg and I were skunked – that RARELY happens. But once in a while you get humbled. On day two we decided to fish the Blue River again but this time below the Green Mountain reservoir. We had to go DOWN into the canyon (I thought we might not get back up to the car – but we did). Here we had some success. We fished for about 3 hours and then made the long hike straight up the mountain. Greg knew of another place at the entrance of the Blue River going into the Green Mountain reservoir. It proved very good for Greg! He caught about five very nice trout.

On day three we decided to mix it up a little and fish a high mountain lake. With most of them iced over a guide put us on to the old Dillion reservoir. A short hike up we found a small lake with a few rises here and there. Dry droppers went on and we caught bunches of small browns – one after the other, some on the dry and some on the dropper. It was very fun.

On our last day, Greg and I used Rarewaters, an organization that has the use of private waters and charges a rod fee to use. Our section was Tarryall Creek, and we were the only anglers out there. Tarryall Creek was a very pretty, meandering creek no more than five to seven feet wide. There are big fish here but water temperatures around 43 degrees the big boys were not playing. We caught about 9 or so small brown trout. We got off just before a cold rain started and headed back to Breckenridge.

It was a great trip and a good time to be with my friend Greg. “Greg, I’ll see you again in October”!  I guess I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you all about the “accident”. Greg and I were in the lodges hot tub and when I got out to reset the hot tub blowers. I “stubbed” my little toe on the bar you use to get in and out of the hot tub. Ok, I actually broke my toe – I am pretty sure. See picture below – ouch.

If you think about going out west to fly fish in the mountains make sure you think twice before going out anytime mid-May through early June. The runoff can make it difficult.

Tight Lines – Kenny