Getting my rig ready today to push out for CO in the morning. I will push straight through to my mother's house and spend a day with her and then go through Fort Collins and up the Poudre Canyon to Cameron Pass. That will be the first stop since I want to fish Joe Wright Reservoir. That lake has Arctic Grayling and Tiger Trout (a brown/brookie hybrid) in it. I'll put the tube on it and see if I can get a few.
Arctic Grayling
Tiger Trout
Then I will head towards Rand and set up a camp near Pass Creek. This little creek is full of Brook Trout up to 11 inches.
From there I can make side trips to Granby Reservoir to fish for Lake trout and Kokanne Salmon. There is a lake just past Granby called Monarch and it has some really good Brown Trout and Brook Trout in it and there is a river that flows out of it and goes into Granby that has Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout and Cutbows (a rainbow/cutthroat hybrid). Occasionally I take a Lake Trout out of the river as well. Sometime during the time I am there I will head to Zimmerman lake to try and catch a Green-Backed Cutthroat (CO's state fish and an endangered species).
Brook Trout
Lake Trout
Kokanne Salmon
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Colorado River Cutthroat Trout
Cutbow Trout
Green-Back Cutthroat Trout
When I leave the high country I will spend a little time on the prairies. I know of a lake with some decent catfish and my brother told me about a lake they put Tiger Muskies in. Got to try and tangle with one of those in the tube!
Tiger Muskie
My goal is 10 species of cold water fish plus the muskie and cats. I'll also be on the lookout for deer, elk, pronghorn. moose, bear, cougar and bighorn sheep. When I return I will put up a post that should be pretty picture heavy.
Cheers Y'all!
Retired Navy Chief Signalman NJROTC Instructor Tascosa High School
Wish I was going with you! That is one way to the beat the HEAT! Have a safe and enjoyable trip. Looking forward to reading your post and looking at a bunch of pictures when you get back.