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Conference wahoo::fishing

Title:Fishing Notes- Archived
Notice:See note 555.1 for a keyword directory of this conference
Moderator:DONMAC::MACINTYRE
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Sep 20 1991
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1660
Total number of notes:20970

54.0. "FISHING COLORADO" by --UnknownUser-- () Tue Jan 14 1986 22:09

T.RTitleUserPersonal
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54.2BAXTA::BLUM_EDThu Jan 16 1986 11:1313
Sooooo....tell us poor "easterners" about some of this fantastic 
fishing, then we can compare. Living in Maine I really dont feel
that western fishing is all that much better..please to enlighten us 
further.

                                                 Tight lines

                                                     Ed





54.3SSVAX::KOURYThu Jan 16 1986 15:596
"INCHERS" is not a kind of Colorado fish, is it?



             - Bill (number 98,768,796 in the state if N.H.)
54.4NERMAL::FRASHERThu Jan 16 1986 16:3622
Hold the phone!  Please don't take Jack's opinion as gospel for all of us
Coloradoans.  After reading all of these notes, I personally think that the
trout back east are a bit larger than our trout.  I have seen pictures of
large trout taken out of Eleven Mile and Spinney, but I have been up there
4 times and haven't gotten a bite.  The wind is always blowing and its
miserable.  Maybe I don't know where the fish are, but after drifting in
the wind all the way across the reservoir and not getting a bite, I don't
think its all that great.

My favorite lake is a small lake with the largest trout I've seen being
about 12 inches long, and the average being about 10 inches.  I've only been 
skunked once and that was when the lakes all turned over early.  I refuse to 
say where it is because the place is getting so crowded.  I will say that it 
is in the southwest corner of Colorado.  They aren't big, but they bite well.

All in all, I'd say that I prefer Colorado simply because its my home.  As
for fishing, it sounds like its a lot better back east, more variety and
bigger fish.  I really miss salt water fishing in Tacoma, Wash.  I used to
catch cod that would eat our trout for a snack.

Spence

54.5RUBY::FAULKNERWed Jan 22 1986 14:386
	Can any of you folks name an area that has been remarked about
so much for its incredible number of fish ((around America) Hawaii and
Alaska too), I mean really the Grand Banks of Nova Scotia are known the 
world over, we got the best fishing in the country and I've fished in 
Colorado too. 
 
54.6COMET2::HUNTERTue Jan 28 1986 00:3531
Hold on a minute I don't recall saying that colorado fish were bigger than
the fish out east I know better than that as I was raised on the beautiful
shores of lake mich and have caught some pretty large salmon and lake trout.
As for comparing notes with the guy in reply .2 I would enjoy it because I
have often thought about vacationing in the east you know guys I wasn't tring
to say that my fishing was better than yours just thought I would tell you 
something about a part of the country that I am sure most of you have never
seen let alone fished.


re: .2  I just went fishing this past saturday on the gunnison river and did
        very well. I went with a buddy if mine and we both caught our limit 
        on some pretty nice brown trout but we had to put in alot of hard work 
        to get them we must of walked 4 or 5 miles on the river but it was well
        worth it when I got home and ate them mmmm good.



re: .4 Spence, I didn't know there was anyone else that used this file from
       cxo but it is nice to know maybe we can get together and do some fishing
       As far as not having any luck at spinney or eleven mile well all I can 
       say is that you have to put your time in at those lakes. Yes I grant
       you that it is windy but you have to live with that in south park thats
       just the way it is. I really can't belive that you can say the fishing
       is better in the east you were no doubt from there. also I think I know
       about that little lake in the southwest corner of the state if it is the
       sameone I am thinking of I for one am glad that you kept the name to 
       your self.


                                                     jac
54.7NERMAL::FRASHERThu Jan 30 1986 16:0235
In response to .6, I went back and read .0 again and it reads a lot different
now.  The first time, it sounded like the old familiar "praise me, I'm from
Colorado" routine of which I am sick of hearing.  So many people here think
that they are special because they are "natives".  Big deal, I'm a native of
Colorado, but I don't sport a bumper sticker to impress everyone.  When I see
one of those stickers that says "NATIVE", to me it reads "Hey, everyone, I'm
a snob".  Anyway, the second time I read .0, it sounded more like an inoccent
invitation.  Please forgive me.

Not to start a debate on grammar and punctuation, I had trouble deciphering
what you were trying to say.  I think you implied that I may be from back east.
I am from Colorado, spent all of my life up to 20 years in Colorado, then I
joined the Air Force and lived in Tacoma, Wash., Germany, and Omaha, Neb. for
next 10 years.  The closest I've ever come to being back east was driving on
the interstate through Penn. and getting lost in the slums of New Jersey 
trying to find a bridge going to Germany.  I had to settle for an airplane
and sent the car on a boat.  We visited Valley Forge on the way back.  I've
spent very little time east of Colorado.

On reading the notes from so many easterners, Maine, New Hampster, Mass., 
it sounds to me that the average trout is around 6 or 7 pounds.  When I think
of a trout that big, all I can do is drool a lot.  I've caught cod that big
but there isn't much sport in that.  Once they realize they are caught, they
give up and its just a matter of towing them to the surface.  And they will
eat anything.  I'd be interested in someone from Colorado telling how big
is the largest trout and your average trout caught in Colorado.  How long
did you have to wait before getting it?  My largest is 12 inches and my
average is 10 inches.  

I think that Bob Bean frequents this file, although he is a regular on
EKLV00::SYS$NOTES:FLYFISH.NOT.  He is from CXO, BISON::BEAN.  We are here,
just not too obvious.

Spence  CXO1-1/P25

54.8COMET2::HUNTERFri Jan 31 1986 00:1431
 Hey,
sorry about the punct. and grammer I will try to clean it up a bit, you can
probably tell that it is not one of my strong points. I'll tell you it is
hard to say how long you have to wait to catch a fish in most cases, but 
I can tell you about some fish I caught last year at spinney mountian. The 
biggest trout I have caught since moving to colorado came from spinney, it
was 28 and 1/2 inches and weighed 5 lbs 12 oz not bad for colorado aye. I
have personally seen 8 pounders (not to many mind you) come out of spinney
but that was back when it was first opened. As far as average fish size
and weight I would say that mine is about 16 or 17 inches and around 
1 and 1/2 to 2 pounds give or take a couple of ounces and inches here and 
there. Spence do you have a boat it really helps at spinney and lakes like
it, you can get into alot of places not accessable from the shore. Also I
have written a program in basic (a pretty simple one at that) that calcu-
lates the average length and weight of your catch for the day, it doesn't
store the data or anything like that (I am still working on it) but it is 
fun to mess with after a hard day on the lake. I will gladly send this
program to anyone that wants it, just send mail to comet::hunter.


                                                         fine fishing to all,

                                                                    jac
                                                             


p.s Spence if you ever want to go out sometime send me some mail.



54.9BAXTA::BLUM_EDWed Feb 05 1986 16:3424
OK, OK...these does sound like some good fish out there..west that is...

i cant say ive ever caught a brown trout that big...i am humbled........

when fishing for Maine brookies I consider a fifteen incher to be "GOOD"

a keeper if I didnt throw most of em back, average is probably about 12

inches, which seem pretty small when compared to these western browns of

16, 17 nay 20 inches.....I have caught eighteen inch brookies on occassion, 

but one must really work for these. Our salmon can be quite exciting, 

but a three four pounder is considered quite good for landlocks. We 

hardly know what browns are up here but I'm learning..fast.

                                         humble in M.E.

                                              Ed



54.10Colorado Trout FishermanGENRAL::HUNTERfrom SUNNY Colorado, WayneThu Aug 21 1986 19:5221
    	As a reply to .7, the length of time between fish is directly
    dependent upon the size of the fish you are trying to catch.  If
    you are talking about 8 to 10 inch brookies or natives where the
    kids can have a fun time without getting bored, I would say about
    5 minutes maximum.  If it takes longer than this, you're fishing
    the wrong place.  There are still some of these places around within
    walking distance for my 8 and 10 year old boys (1/2 to 1 mile from
    a road).  
    	Step up one level (12-18 inchers), average from 1 hour to 1
    day.  18-24 inchers usually takes 1 to 5 days depending on the area
    I am fishing.  Largest Colorado fish was 32 inches and 19 3/4 pounds.
    They're here, you just have to work hard for them.  It's also getting
    harder all the time to find the larger ones.
    	I am now trying to LEARN about warm water fish in Colo.  Boy
    what a difference in fishinmg techniques.  All of my fishing up
    to now has been spelled TROUT (little else at 9000 feet and above).
    I am slowly unlearning how to fish for trout and how to fish for
    other species.  Any ideas would be welcomed.  Send me mail if you
    don't want to reply here.
    	Just learned about this file the other day.  So, sorry about
    the late reply.
54.11Massachuetts out hooks Colorado, Big time!LUDWIG::WOOLDRIDGEWed May 20 1987 00:0118
    Whooh hold it cowboy. I lived in Colo. for 10 years and as an avid
    Bass fisherman had to move to New England to get some real fishing
    in. Unless fly fishing or bobbing salmon eggs for trout is your
    thing, you can be one frustrated fisherman. One supposed Bass hole
    was Brush Hollow. I caught a few ticks.
        Since I have moved to Massachustts each year gets better. Bass
    tourneys abound and I fish A river 1/4 mile from my house and always
    catch fine Bass (not to mention pike, cat, tigar muskie). BESIDES
    THAT THERE IS OCEAN FISHING. Nuff said.
        As I recall you forgot to mention Skagway and rampart range
    rez. I liked those two bodies of water but hey, they don't hold
    6 & 7lb bass. My fishing buddy (next door neighbor) is getting is
    7lb'r mounted form last weekend.
        Can't beat those rockies with a stick, but don't knock New England
    fishin.
                        Big Hi to Manitou, Colo. spgs., Boulder----
                                                                                                        
        
54.12Colorado Largemouth-where can I find themCSC32::J_PARSONSTue Jun 09 1987 17:135
    Fishing for trout, pike, walleye, etc. is a lot of fun and I enjoy
    it, but being a transplanted Southerner, I'm really yearning for
    some good largemouth bass action. I've tried Pueblo, nice lake but
    all those *&%@ ski boats make it hard to find a good spot. Are there
    any quieter warm-water lakes for good bucketmouth fishing?
54.13THINK AGAIN!COMET::ESTLICKSun Oct 16 1988 20:5315
    REPLY TO 54.11
    WELL THINK AGAIN!!!
    There is excelent bass fishing in Colorado, you must never have
    gone fishing at Bonney res. the bass fishing is fast and furrious!
    Plus you have your choice of striper, whiper, white, and small mouth
    and if this bore's you, you can fish walleye, purch, blue gill,
    and channel cat. I know the fishing is good out here if you look
    hard enouph, I know , I've been there. I've lived in Colorado for
    aprox. 15 years and have usally had good luck fishing, I come from
    Minnasota so I have been FISHING before and find my luck out here
    just as good usally and the fishing season is much longer which
    in my book scores a lot of points.
    nuff said,
    
    Mike
54.14JUST FOUND OUTCOMET::STACKHOUSEMon Oct 24 1988 02:5111
    Just found out about the notes, I have lived in Col. about 4 yrs.
    I am from Oregon and I like the fishing here, the largest fish I
    have caught in Col. is 21 in. about 4 to 5 lbs caught at Eleven
    Mile at night. my avg. about 14 to 16 in.  I have never fished 
    out east, but this dec. I am going to Flo. to try my luck at deep
    sea fishing. will let you all know how I do.                   
                                                                   
                       THE                                         
                      STACK                                        
                                                                   
                    
54.15fishing with 2 hrs. of Colo.Springs??CSC32::R_GROVERThe CIRCUIT_MANMon Apr 16 1990 18:5612
    Well, nothing happenin' in Colorado lately in the fishing dept. I have
    just moved to Colorado Springs... from Massachusetts and would like to
    know where the fishing holes are. I'd like to try staying within 2
    hours of the Springs if that is possible. I also need a place I can set
    up my motorhome. I am self contained, so having all the "hook-ups"
    would not be necessary.., but nice if there are established campgrounds
    in the area (of the lake, stream, river, etc.).
    
    Thanks
    
    Bob G. (Just rejoining the FISHING note)
    
54.16Gots to know where to goCSC32::G_ROBERTSThu Apr 19 1990 13:1611
RE:             <<< Note 54.15 by CSC32::R_GROVER "The CIRCUIT_MAN" >>>
                   -< fishing with 2 hrs. of Colo.Springs?? >-

    Bob,

	I've been hammering trout all winter and so far this spring too.
	Stop by and we'll visit.  I'm by pole 2/L2.

    Gordon
    

54.17here's list within 30 min - 3 hoursCSC32::G_ROBERTSSun Apr 29 1990 16:2199
RE:             <<< Note 54.15 by CSC32::R_GROVER "The CIRCUIT_MAN" >>>
                   -< fishing with 2 hrs. of Colo.Springs?? >-

    Bob,

	I've been in and out of the office last week and will be again
	this week.  Trip to ZK this week.

	I'll just list some of the spots within ~2 hours from CX0. 
	The following are cold water lakes in the high country except
	for Pueblo Res.  I'll let Wayne add details about Fort Carson.

	Pueblo Res.  West of Pueblo.  Open year round.  Rainbow, bass,
	crappie, catfish, walleye, and wipers.  Boat ramps, skiing, and
	camping.

	Rampart Res.  Just outside of Woodland Park.  Opens in May.
	Rainbow and Lake Trout.  Boat ramp and camping.

	Sakguay Res.  Near Victor.  Open to fishing year round.  Rainbow,
	salmon, brook, and pike.  Boat ramp and camping.

	Cheesman Res.  Near Deckers.  Rainbow, salmon, brown, and pike.
	Walk in area.  Check regs.

	Tarryall Res.  Outside Lake George.  Open to fishing year round.
	Rainbow, brook, and pike.  Boat ramp and camping.

	11-Mile Res.  Outside Lake George.  Open to fishing year round.
	Rainbow, salmon, lake trout, and pike. Boat ramp and camping.

	Spinney Res.  3 miles from 11-Mile.  Open to fishing at ice off.
	Rainbow, brown, cutthroat, salmon, and pike.  Boat ramp.

	Antero Res.  5 miles past Hartsel.  Open to fishing year round.
	Rainbow, salmon, and brown trout.  Boat ramp and camping.

	Platte River.  Runs from South Park, Hartsel area, to Denver and
	beyond.  Some good spots are 11-Mile Canyon, Deckers area, between
	Spinney and 11-Mile, below Antero, above Spinney.  Read the regs
	on this one.  Lots of different restrictions depending on where
	you fish.

	Tarryall Creek.  Below the res.  See the regs.

	Arkansas River.  Runs from Leadville to Pueblo and beyond.  Lots
	of good spots from Buena Vista to Pueblo.  	Read the regs
	on this one.  Lots of different restrictions depending on where
	you fish.

	To the East of town there are plenty to warm water lakes.  These
	are very good lakes for the fish listed, may take closer to 3 hours
	to get to most of them.  There are also lots of lakes in greater
	Denver that sport cold and warm water fish.

	Bonney Res.  North of Burlington.  Bass, walleye, wipers, crappie, 
	and catfish.  Boat ramp, skiing, and camping.

	Queens Wildlife Area.  South of Eads.  Includes Nee Noshe, Queens
	Upper and Lower, Nee Grande, and Nee So Pah.  Bass, walleye, wipers,
	white bass, crappie, and catfish.  Boat ramp, skiing, and camping.

	John Martin Res.  East of Los Animas.  Bass, walleye, wipers,
	crappie, and catfish.  Boat ramp, skiing, and camping.

	Lake Meredith.  Ordway.  Bass, walleye, crappie, and catfish.  
	Boat ramp, skiing, and camping.


	A couple of comments on the above lakes.  

	We did real good on Antero last fall trolling with #5 rapalas and 
	all winter bait fishing with eggs and power bait.  

	11-Mile is good trolling with rapalas and night fishing from the bank
	with eggs, marshmellows, power bait, and worms.  Mark Waters has
	a big one getting mounted that he pulled through the ice this winter.

	Spinney is good right now. One fish limit over 20".  Troll with #7
	rapalas.  I caught and released over a dozen last Thursday in the
	17-19" range.  Lost the only keeper at the boat.

	Bonney is a hot spot for bass, walleye, and wipers.  Hit it in May
	and June.

	The lakes in the Queens Wildlife area are hot spots for all the
	fish listed.  Again May and June are the best times.

	Pueblo Res. is becomming a good warm water fishery.  Real good for
	walleye and bass.  Bass must be 15".  Some big cats too.


	One final comment.  Check the regs. for each lake you want to fish,
	they can vary greatly from lake to lake and parts of the same river.
	
    Gordon
    


54.18BIG CATS at PUEBLO?BSS::HALLTue Jul 24 1990 21:5624
    Hi'ya, Gordon! I liked your list of places to fish close to the
    Springs. Tell me, where at Pueblo is a good place to catch those big
    cats you spoke of? I hear the water is WAY down and Turkey Creek arm is
    all but dry.
    
    Also, where at Antero is good fishing during the winter? How deep, out
    in the middle, shore, etc..? When I was there this past winter all I
    got were SUCKERS!
    
    I haven't fished John Martin yet. What info do you have on that water?
    
    At Spinney the hottest thing I saw was a black maribou jig, jigged off
    the bottom. Naturally I didn't have any at the time but WOW! I watched
    a game biologist load up on pike and various trout with that lure. A
    guy that works for me went up there later with one of those things and
    did the same thing two weekends in a row. In fact, his boat limited out
    on over 20" trout and some big pike (27"). So far I haven't been up to
    see what it would do for me.
    
    Hay, weren't you selling a boat at one time?
    
    later...
    
    t.
54.19CSC32::G_ROBERTSThu Jul 26 1990 14:5647
RE:                         <<< Note 54.18 by BSS::HALL >>>
                            -< BIG CATS at PUEBLO? >-

>    Tell me, where at Pueblo is a good place to catch those big
>    cats you spoke of? I hear the water is WAY down and Turkey Creek arm is
>    all but dry.

	Turkey Creek is the usual spot for cats.  If the lake is too
	low, probably the area between there and the main campgound
	would be a good bet.  The channel is out in front of there
	and then the lake gets shallow up to the bank.
    
>    Also, where at Antero is good fishing during the winter? How deep, out
>   in the middle, shore, etc..? When I was there this past winter all I
>    got were SUCKERS!
 
	Out infront of the dam about 100 feet in 12 feet of water near
	the bottom.
   
>    I haven't fished John Martin yet. What info do you have on that water?

	Strippers in front of the dam and camping area.  Crappie near
	the south shore line and railroad tressel.  Cats infront of the
	campground and west end of the lake.  Bass along the steep rocks
	anywhere they are on the lake, mostly south and west shore line.
    
>    At Spinney the hottest thing I saw was a black maribou jig, jigged off
>   the bottom. Naturally I didn't have any at the time but WOW! I watched
>    a game biologist load up on pike and various trout with that lure. A
>    guy that works for me went up there later with one of those things and
>    did the same thing two weekends in a row. In fact, his boat limited out
>    on over 20" trout and some big pike (27"). So far I haven't been up to
>    see what it would do for me.

	I've never used that jig for trout, but I've heard from lots of
	other folks that it works good.  Try it a Blue Mesa along the
	rock cliffs.  The guy at the west marina said it was working
	on the browns there.  See my reply about downrigging too, we didn't
	need to use them there for the salmon.

>    Hay, weren't you selling a boat at one time?

	Yea, the people that came to look at it wanted me to give it to
	them, so I decided to just keep it and not upgrade.  I may be
	listing it again soon though.    

	Gordon
54.20So?CSC32::G_ROBERTSThu Aug 02 1990 13:336
	Tim,

	Tell us about your Blue Mesa trip.  Your arms too tired from
	catching salmon to type about it?

	Gordon
54.21BLUE MESA TRIP - WOW!BSS::HALLFri Aug 10 1990 22:5364
    Hi'ya, Gordon! I WAS tired when we got back but not so tired I can't
    brag about it. There is a note somewhere around here that is somewhat
    of a duplicate to this one and I put a little about my trip in there,
    but... I'll give you the details here.
    
    We fished on and off over a period of five days. The areas fished were
    Cebolla and Iola basins, and the Gunnison river channel at the inlet
    just above the first bridge.
    
    The method used in the basins was trolling using lead core, flat lining
    with monofilament, and downrigging. Various lures were used
    successfully those being, rainbow needle fish, gensen MAC spoon, mepps
    spinners, and wedding ring spinner with a harnessed worm. The most
    success (fish caught) was with a green or orange MAC spoon. The color
    used seem to be related to what the sky was doing (clouds = orange,
    bright sky = green). Most fish caught were kokanee salmon with 2 browns
    getting in there. Lead core worked best (4 1/2 to 7 colors depending on
    location and sky). My down rigger was doing great until I hung the ball
    on a rock and broke something. No problem. It's only a $15 fix. BACK TO
    FISHING!
    
    The amount of fish caught wasn't a good as you had, Gordon, nor as good
    as we had last year, but we still were boating around 20 day. Half of
    those were under 8 inches so were thrown back. Some boats were keeping
    the little ones as that's all they could catch. The largest was a 14
    1/2 incher. Gordon, NO ONE WAS FISHING THE DAM! Not really sure why. We
    didn't go to the dam as my sweetheart wanted her favorite camping spot
    at Iola basin which made it a long trip to the dam. We still caught
    fish anyway. 
    
    The browns were bitting on my Chartruese Green bodied silver bladed
    Mepps way down at 40' just off rock points. That was fun until my toy
    hung on a rock and broke.
    
    One evening we went to the inlet and tossed Royal Coachman flies and
    bubble with some of the hottest action I've had with this method.
    However, all the rainbows were around 6 to 8 inches. Yep! We put them
    all back.
    
    The next morning we went back to the inlet, anchored just to the side of
    the 40' deep river channel, tossed out air injected worms (they float
    just off the bottom) and three of us limited out on fat 14 to 16 inch
    rainbows in just two hours. I baited, My sweetheart reeled, and her son
    netted. We stayed busy. 
    
    The weather was just on the cool side, sunny and partly cloudy at
    times with a wind for a couple hours in the afternoon. Good for fishn.
    
    On the last day there we fueled up the boat and just toured the lake as
    we had never actually seem it all. What a beautiful big lake.
    
    All in all it was a very enjoyable trip, with plenty of fishing that
    kept us all busy. Now we just have to eat them all. 
    
    Next year perhaps Navajo or Siminole in Wyoming.
    
    later...
    
    t.
    
    
    
    
    caught were Kokanee with a couple browns picked up.