Advice on Where to Go Around Denver

[H2OEng]

I'm going to be in Golden, CO for about a week mid part of next month on business. Made travel arrangments earlier today; planning on staying an extra day or so to take in a little fishing. Any advice on where to go within 1-1.5 hrs from Denver? I'm considering hitting Rocky Mt National Park.

I'm seriously considering hooking up with an outfitter for a day trip. I'm sure we've got some people on here that have experince with guides in Denver area. Any recommendations?

[Coloradofisher]

I do some guiding but always eager to talk to or take out another NGTO'r! Feel free to email me or call me if you like and I can hook you up.

Close by fishing:
Clear Creek-had 6 hits in my 1st 10 minutes last week
Big T-decent tailwater and close
Cheesman-scenary and decent fishing though crowded.
Head to the Frying Pan if you can go anywhere or the Dream stream if in mid to late Sept and the water is between 70-100 cfs.

*ALSO CHECKOUT MY WEBSITE BELOW

Tradd
troutdawg@mail.com

[Loopdawg]

The South Platte is probably your closest-to-Denver opportunity at a larger fish. I'd fish a cased caddis and thread midge combo. A zebra midge and Barr emerger would be a good combo too. If you're taking a day trip though, I'd definitely consider the park. Hike up to an alpine lake and catch some ruby-cheeked cutts on a leech, or pick a blue liner and fish an attractor dry all day. You'll probably loose count of the number of fish you catch. Bring a rain jacket and lots of water to drink.

[H2OEng]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm still leaning towards the park, great scenery, good fishing and less of a crowd. How's the weather up there generally this time of year? Figure I'll bring some warmer shirts with a light jacket and my rain coat just in case.

[JOHNKIES]

Be different. Try the Brainard Lake region off Highway 72 west of Boulder near the "town" of Ward, CO. Find a good flop 'n drop motel in Nederland and you can work Brainard, the upper end of Boulder Creek and both St Vrains. At Brainard, the paved road does a loop around the lake and comes back out the same road - little road block issue up there called the Continental Divide. Likely a lot of activity around Brainard, so park in the lots at the west end and hike up towards Long Lake, Lake Isabel and the Isabel Glacier. The lakes are good in twilight hours and the interconnecting streams can be very good. If you do want the park, 72 north will get you there and you can go in the south end of the park skipping Estes Park.

Expect warm to even hot days and nights where the temperature can drop rapidly - you are at about 10,000 feet there. Take plenty of water and energy snacks and be sure you get below tree line by about 4:00 in the afternoon because if it looks at all like it might storm, it probably will.