I'm thinking of taking the old lady to Colorado for Labor Day weekend and trying our luck at some trout fishing while we cool off a bit. I don't want to book a guide. I just want to camp and fish. Anyone have some secret honey hole that would cater to both? Any tips would be much appreciated.

Williams Creek Reservior just outside (Northwest a few miles)of Pagosa Springs. Several State Park Campgrounds, two on the Piedra River and one right on the Lake. Lake is small (600 acres) but bank fishing is usually good. Fly fish the Piedra for Rainbows or Browns. Lake has Native, Cut throat, and Rainbow Trout and if you walk around to the stream inlet you can catch Kokanee Salmon.

Wish we were going!

Good Luck!

Lake City,San Cristoval. Good camp grounds,boat rental ,good bank fishing and good places to eat nd usually not real crowed at that time of year. Has a ramp which will handle a barge and most bass type boats.
Cutthroat,browns,brook,rainbows,lake trout and kokanee in lake and I know that to be fact as I caught all in one day.

Thanks for the tips. I don't know how to fly fish. I plan on bringing spinning gear and a bunch of camping stuff loaded in a couple of packs. This place sounds right up my alley. How far of a hike? I would love more info. Just want to make sure I can feed my lady and I some fresh fish. What do you usually use for bank fishing(rooster tail,salmon eggs, worms)? I'm more than open to any and all help. Thanks so much.

heres a 6 pound rainbow I caught near Kerrville TX. Thats right Texas. Next winter I would seriously consider making a trip to Shonto Ranch.

panther martins are the only spinners to use for trout... the smal ones with yellow and red dots.... Love those!!! Winding RIver Cmapground in the rocky Mountians.... next to Estes, CO. Mom and I used to go there every summer for a week!! RIver runs next to campgrounds, horses and animals all around. Its been 15 years since we were there, but I am sure something is still in that place.

googled it- still there... http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions...Campground.html

The water should be pretty clear, I recommend 4 to 6 pound line on your spinning gear. I've done well with 1/8 oz. RoosterTails. The yellow coachdog color pattern is a killer--it's school bus yellow with black spots.

Panther Martins also work well and will run deeper than the RoosterTails. I prefer spinners with gold blades over silver blades. I usually mash my barbs down to make unhooking them easier.

If they are really skittish, try 1/16 oz. spinners.

If you just want to use a hook and bobber, Berkely Powerbait for trout or just plain old canned corn works.

Have fun. Take photos. Nights and mornings will be cold. Wear sunscreen.

Im fixing to do the same thing, anyone know of a place like this around Vail.

The Eagle River along Interstate 70 has trout but tends to get ignored because it's along the interstate. There are public access points.

There are some small public lakes available close to Vail that have trout. I've also hiked up into the mountains to fish on public land--maybe towards Minturn, if my memory serves me. There are some highland lakes with trout that see little fishing pressure. The water is crystal clear, like liquid air.

Fished with everything mentioned and caught fish with all of em!

Here's a trick for you if you're using spinning gear and want to fish and relax at the same time. On your terminal end attach a clear plastic bubble (the kind you can fill with water to desired weight). Then run a leader about 4 feet long with a fly or a small hook with worms or salmon eggs and no weight. The bubble provides enough weight to cast and the bait just dangles loose. Be sure to cover the hook completely. We paint a florescent stripe on the bubble so we can see it. There are variations on this!

Eddie mentioned Lake City..... Good spot too! Besides the main lake (San Cristobal)there used to be several stocked lakes up on Slumgullion Pass above Lake City (Deer Lakes)! There is a campground right at Deer Lakes. It's geared more for tent campers and small RV's. There is also several reservoirs between Lake City and Creede (Continental and Rio Grande) which offer some fine fishing and have nearby camping.

Lots of hiking opportunities in both Lake City and Williams Creek. I forgot there was one more campground above Williams Creek Lake. It is situated at the entrance to the Weminuche Wilderness Area. Lots of hiking and "No motorized vehicles past the signs". (Good Elk hunting from horseback up there)

If you go to Lake City, stop at Henson Creek Campgroud and look up Old Gringo (TFF Member) He's up there for the summer! Tell him Hunt n Fish said "Hello"

Hunt N Fish: sounds like an expedition you've made once or twice before. I'm assuming the plastic bubble method is more for lake fishing. What kind of hike should I expect to Williams Creek? How far of a drive from Denver?

fishin magician, you asked......

What kind of hike should I expect to Williams Creek?

Oh - about 50 yds from parking lot to the lake!

Really ... No hike at all to Williams Creek, you can drive right up to it. There is actually a boat ramp and I used to put my small jon in and motor to the stream inlet. Caught a bunch of Kokanee right there. Check the limit on salmon - I believe after Sept 1 it goes up per day! You can "hike around" to the other side of the lake, around to the inlet, and up and down the river. On one trip my wife and I parked at the wilderness area trailhead just north of the lake and hiked a ways up to the water falls.

Williams Creek is just out of Pagosa Springs in the South/Soutwest part of Colorado. It's about a 5hr drive from Denver.

If you're going to Denver, then SkeeterRonnie got the idea! Rocky Mountain National Park is just outside of Denver maybe 1 1/2 hr drive. Estes Park is on the East entrance. Granby & Town of Grand Lake are on the South entrance. There are several lakes between Granby and the park entrance. Lake Granby is a big-un! Others are Grand Lake, Shadow Mountain Lake, and Willow Creek Reservoir. All offer some decent fishing and the scenery is just outstanding. Stop at the Coors brewery in Golden and have a cold one...


..and your statement......

"..sounds like an expedition you've made once or twice before."

Yep! Had very good friends that lived in Denver area and an old Navy bud that lived in Montrose Colorado. He and I fished and hunted all over western Colorado. Used to go into the high country twice a year. Enjoy your trip!

Listen to Hunt n Fish.

He knows what he's talking about. He forgot to mention the outstanding scenery and he probably doesn't know that it is about 62 degees F now going down to 48 by sunrise and up to 72 at lunch. There will be no shortage of Texans to BS with.

I hope you and your wife have big noses. The only thing free around here is the air. Bring money, lots of money and raingear.

One other thing - while the air up here is free, it's kinda' thin. You, your wife and gasoline powered vehicle may want to do some breathin' exercises before you get here.

Hey Oldgringo...

Good to hear from ya.....

Forgot to tell ya to allow some time to get your lungs adjusted to the air. "Drink lots of water". (Fluids help increase blood volume! More blood gets more o2 to the body!)

Sorry about the rain, but it usually just comes and goes....Bring some back with ya - we're all fishing in the mud....Are ya catching fish?

fishin magician - apologies, didn't mean to steal your post!