Rocky Mountain National Park -- need advice

[TurbineBlade]

Hello -- As my father-in-law missed the Elk draw this season,  it's looking increasingly as if we'll be in Rocky Mountain N.P. this summer.  I haven't been since 2007....when I was taking a Mountain Ecology course and met a fantastic redhead ;).   I didn't fly fish at that point.  

I understand that the park has a LOT of streams and lakes, many of which hold trout.  I'm guessing that the fishing is similar to small-stream, SNP fishing (i.e. presentation)?  Fewer things to snag though if I remember correctly (except gray jays and marmots).  If so, I'm not going to spend much time worrying about the fishing part, but rather the other "basic" stuff that may be more critical (like bringing enough water).  

I feel like this is one of those situations where you'd learn a lot about how to do this kind of trip after you've already done it.  Does anyone have some wisdom to pass along beforehand?  I think the plan is to pack 3 rods (one spare), a lot of the usual patterns, waders/boots, etc. and just bite the bullet paying the baggage fees.  I can't drive 27 hours, even given that home (Missouri) is a good middle point.  

I see a few books on Amazon which would presumably provide access points, streams, etc. like most other fly fishing books.  I'll pick up one of those for sure.  

Thank you very much for any help you can provide -- I will certainly make use of it.  If it is easier or preferable to shoot me a PM, that's great too.   

Gene ("not afraid to pump quarters into a machine to get a 3 minute shower") TurbineBlade

[Dalton Terrell]

Gene,

Check out our trip report from three years ago: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/aHjknpBgCQU/9SpH-TjhgKoJ 

We bought Steve Schweitzer's book on fishing RMNP, which was invaluable. The book contains info on all of the fishable waters, including pictures, info on the species that are present and hiking distances (you'll want to by a separate National Geographic hiking map though). Go ahead and order this book.

For flights, look into Frontier Airlines; they will nickel and dime you for everything (including the coke and pretzels) but they have cheap direct flights to Denver often and checked bag fees are minimal. If you are backpacking, put your pack in a large duffle bag (like $20-30 from REI) to keep them from damaging your pack--if they do it becomes contents that they are liable to replace. 

If you want to backpack, camping locations are very limited. We planned the trip in February/March and called in the two week window in early Spring that they allow call-ins to make back country camping reservations. Unlike SNP, you have to camp in designated sites and must have a permit. This call in period has passed, but to give you sense of how difficult this was, I called about 100 times and Trent called over 200 times before getting through to someone on the opening day; even then our top spots were taken. They do allow you to show up in person at the back country office and get the available permits at any time--no clue what will be available though. There are plenty of regular campgrounds in this area outside of the park if you want to car camp.

But on to the fishing, you will find the streams fish much like SNP but better in general. I don't think it matters much where you are, the streams will probably fish well and use the same bushy dries you use here or even bigger stuff. For the high mountain lakes, some have finicky fish and others seem to have suicidal fish that will hit anything. In general, you want longer leaders and smaller tippets on the lakes as well as smaller flies. I'd pack a bunch of ants and bring some wet and dry midges in a variety of sizes/colors. You'll probably want your 5wt for the lakes as the winds are howling above the trees and you may want to cast 50-60ft. I really like to hit the high lakes out there because we don't have anything like them in this area, but I'll admit the streams are more productive typically.

On to fitness/altitude, you probably aren't used to hiking at 9,000+ ft above sea level and this gets me every time. I'd suggest adding a day or two buffer into the trip before you start doing crazy hikes to fishing spots. Go to Denver, Boulder or wherever and check out some breweries, maybe do a mile or two hike, or fish a stream close to the road for the first couple days to get acclimated. Also, I'd suggest putting in some time running, on the stair master or your cardio of choice before going out. The terrain is steeper and longer than most of SNP, being in a little better shape will make your trip more enjoyable.

Have fun.

Dalton

[TurbineBlade]

Excellent -- thank you Dalton.  That "pack in the bag" trick is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about.  We keep in good condition jogging and hiking, but I recall the elevation ^^ the heart rate when I was running up there one day (2007).  I was about 15 pounds thinner back then though. I'll get back into running 3 miles after work to prepare for it as best as possible, though that cuts into my fishing time somewhat ;).   

It looks like we may be over in Estes Park to sleep, but no biggie.  I may just sleep in the rental car.  I remember sleeping in the open air in August 2007 -- no bugs!  

I saw that same book with a couple of others -- I'll pick up it.  

Gene

[Lane Thurgood]

Trust me.  http://www.donuthaus-estespark.com/

 

You're welcome.   

 

--Lane

[Brendan]

I have only fished a few times in the Park but i remember a ranger coming up to me, telling me I wasn't allowed to fish meadow sections during certain hours because of elk grazing or whatever. Some really funky regulations in the park that aren't always readily apparent when glancing over a reg book.  

There is some fantastic fishing outside/around the park as well. 

On Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 11:13:07 AM UTC-4, Dalton Terrell wrote:

[2 secretprobation]

While it's been several year's ago, if you don't mind hiking, Fern Lake offers lots of action for Colorado's state fish ... the Greenback Cutthroat Trout.

[Brad]

US 34 running through Big Thompson Canyon follows the Big Thompson River. Just outside of Estes Park the road is also lined with inexpensive housekeeping cabins right along the water. Some well under $100 a night and you can fish right off the back porch.

[Dalton Terrell]

We got our bubble busted a couple months after getting back and hearing that the fish in RMNP are actually not Greenbacks but some other fish. Check out this article for details. 

A race is on to raise numbers now that DNA sleuthing has confirmed that an isolated 750 or so greenback cutthroats in one 4-mile stretch of Bear Creek, west of Colorado Springs, are evolutionary last survivors.

Only they carry the genetic print of their ancestors. Faster breeding means federal authorities, when they complete a review, could deem greenback cutthroats "threatened" rather than "endangered."

For decades, Colorado wildlife officials boosted populations of other cutthroat trout species — in the mistaken belief that those were endangered greenback cutthroat.

Plenty of the rivers and streams in the Park have what they thought were Greenbacks, even Dream Lake which is a short, popular hike for out of shape midwesterners.

[Yambag Nelson]

I spent a week there last summer mostly backpacking but brought the rods of course.  I would highly recommend hiking into the alpine lakes.  An overnight is best but there are some you can do as a day trip.  They are beautiful, and allow the cutts are not large, they are beautiful and fairly eager to take dries.  Bring a light rod if you have it. I used a 3 wt.

I also fished the upper colorado on the west side of the park.  Caught some nice brookies that would have really excited me if i caught them in shenadoah.  But i got one over 13 inches.

On Thursday, June 4, 2015 at 10:28:41 AM UTC-4, TurbineBlade wrote:

[TurbineBlade]

Thank you guys very much -- I really do appreciate the helpful advice.  I'm kind of excited to get out there now ;).  

Gene

[Rob Snowhite]

Be sure to stop in Charlie's Fly Box after you eat here http://www.denbisco.com/

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[Scott Stankus]

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[Scott Stankus]

I second that! Charlie's is awesome!

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On Jun 6, 2015, at 5:47 PM, Rob Snowhite <r...@robsnowhite.com> wrote:

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