Flat Tops Fishing Report (8/19/20)
Wednesday August 19, 2020
Flat Tops Fishing Report (8/19/20)
Most facilities and campgrounds in the Flat Tops are open. The North Fork and Himes Peak Campgrounds opened on June 5th. The remaining Blanco Ranger District Campgrounds opened June 12th. Check the White River National Forest/Blanco Ranger District web page for the latest updates on restrictions related to the COVID-19 as well as general forest conditions.
It is hot and dry with extreme fire danger around the state of Colorado. Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in effect and the governor issued a statewide fire ban earlier this week. The area around Ripple Creek Lodge has not been directly impacted by the fires and there are no current closures in the immediate area; however, we advise taking all possible precautions and checking for the latest updates. Anglers should also plan to fish at higher elevations and early in the day to avoid adding to the stress put on trout by warm water temperatures.
Flat Tops Rivers and Streams:
The White River is often overlooked by anglers due in part to the perception that the best fishing opportunities require access to private property. Significant stretches of the White, both above and below the confluence of the North and South forks, do require access to private land; however, the perception that no public water exists is far from accurate.
Both above and below the confluence, several public access areas have been established on land managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Rio Blanco County, the BLM, the Blanco Ranger District and the Town of Meeker. You will find several informational kiosks displaying maps of public fishing access areas. Above the confluence, both forks of the White offer miles and miles of public access within the White River National Forest and the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Both above and below the confluence,
Neither of the forks of the White receives heavy fishing pressure and bugs are diverse and abundant. Long leader and light tippet are rarely required and fish almost never key on any one insect.
The North Fork of the White River produces some nice cutthroats, cutbows, rainbows and whitefish; many in the 16-20-inch range. Downstream, toward Meeker, 24 inchers are not uncommon. Upstream from the Himes Peak Campground, the fishing for brook trout and smaller cutthroats and rainbows is generally excellent.
We’ve seen an increase in the action on the North Fork this week, especially on dry flies. Anglers are netting some very large trout. Big terrestrials, especially Amy’s ants (#10-#14), are too much to resist. Stimulators (#14-#16), PMX (#14-#18) and tricos (#16-#18) are also drawing strikes. Trailing a weighted nymph behind a terrestrial is also a good strategy. We recommend a BH zug bug (#16-#20), red BH copper John (#16-#20) or a psycho prince (#16-#20).
Access on the North Fork is restricted in some stretches, but the public water within the forest boundaries is not heavily fished. Be sure to respect private property boundaries. Most are well-marked.
The South Fork of the White River provides more public access than the North Fork. The South Fork Trail (#1827) follows the river for about 15 miles within the Flat Tops Wilderness Area. The trail is an easy to moderate walk and is well-traveled by hikers and horseback riders. Most fisherman do not venture more than a few hundred yards from the campground, so do not be deterred if the trailhead parking lot is busy. The South Fork offers both solitude and outstanding fishing if an angler is willing and able to do some hiking. You will find the best action on the South Fork if you hike upstream about 2.5 miles to just above the falls.
We’re also seeing some excellent action on the South Fork this week. Some nice trout are holding in the shady stretches near the banks and in the riffles at the heads of pools. Large terrestrials, like Amy’s ants (#12-#14) and chubby Chernobyls (#12-#14), are attracting those big fish to the surface. You’re also likely to do well either nymphing or adding a dropper to work lower in the water column in the deep runs. BH red copper Johns (#16-#18), BH zug bugs (#16-#18) and BH golden-ribbed hare’s ears (#16-#18) have been extremely effective nymph patterns.
Please take note of the special regulations in the White River drainage by visiting:
http://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Maps/UpperWhiteRiver_FishingRegulations_GeoPDF.pdf
Marvine Creek is accessed via the Marvine Trail (#1823). Marvine Creek is a great smaller fishery that offers amazing scenery along with excellent fishing opportunities within the Flat Tops Wilderness. If you enjoy hooking small brook trout on dry flies, Marvine Creek is a great choice. The brookies are not picky, fishing pressure is light and the bugs are plentiful. You might hook into an occasional healthy cutthroat or rainbow, but netting a monster is unlikely. The parking lot at the trailhead is often full of vehicles and horse trailers, but the creek receives minimal fishing pressure. Most riders and hikers are traveling to the upstream lakes.
If you love dry fly fishing and are not concerned with opportunities for hero shots, Marvine Creek is an ideal destination. A good presentation with any dry fly will likely be rewarded with a rising brook trout. Stimulators (#12-#14), yellow sallies (#14-#16) and elk hair caddis (#16-#18) are our flies of choice.
Big Fish Creek runs along the Big Fish Trail (#1819). The Big Fish Trailhead is on the left as you enter the Himes Peak Campground. The campground is on the Trappers Lake Road 6 miles from the intersection with County Rd 8. The trail sees some heavy use in the summer months, primarily by horseback riders and hikers. The creek is narrow and brushy in many places, but negotiating the brush is often worth the effort as the creek holds some surprisingly large rainbows and cutthroats as well as plenty of brook trout.
Big Fish continues to fish well. Terrestrials (#10-#14) and stimulators (#12-#16) are good patterns for Big Fish Creek.
Flat Tops Lakes:
Over 100 fishable lakes are just a hike or trail ride away from Ripple Creek Lodge—far too many to include in this report. If you are looking for information on a specific lake, which you do not see listed here. Feel free to get in touch with us and we will tell you what we know.
We don’t have much good news to report from Trappers Lake. We’ve seen some action early and late in the day on hopper patterns (#10-#12), elk hair caddis (#16-#18), black gnats (#16-#18) and Adams (#16-#18). As we move into September and start to see some cooler temperatures, the cuts will begin to move into the shallows to start feeding heavily in preparation for winter.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the special regulations for Trappers. Only artificial flies and lures are permitted. The number and size of cutthroats in possession is restricted, but free to keep all the brookies you’d like! The lake sits within the boundaries of the Flat Tops Wilderness, so motorized vehicles and watercraft are prohibited.
If you are not having any luck at Trappers Lake, we suggest you make the short hike up the Little Trappers Trail #1814 to Coffin Lake or Little Trappers Lake. Both lakes can be finicky, but Coffin holds some large cutthroats.
Lake of the Woods is accessed via the Trappers Lake Road and Lake of the Woods Trail #2263. Lake of the Woods remains slow. That trend will likely continue until the fall. You might have some success with a float tube using small dry flies and scuds. Lake of the Woods holds some surprisingly large brook trout.
Big Fish Lake is accessed using the Big Fish Trail #1819. We are not seeing a lot of fish in the net at Big Fish. Big Fish is something of an enigma. If you are fortunate to arrive when the bite is on, you might hook into a sizeable cutthroat.
Shamrock Lake and Mirror Lake offer beautiful settings to pull in brookies all day long. Both lakes are accessed via the Mirror Lake Trail #1821. Virtually any caddis or mayfly patterns (#16-#20) are bound to bring fish to the surface.
Skinny Fish Lake and McGinnis Lake are accessed via the Skinny Fish Trail #1813 and the McGinnis Trail #2213. Not much new to report on Skinny Fish or McGinnis. We are not hearing many anglers return with success stories. A caddis pattern (#16-#20) or Adams (#16-#18) in the early morning or evening might provoke a rise, but all we can guarantee is some wonderful scenery.
West Lost Lake can be accessed via multiple trails that connect to the West Lost Lake Trail #1103. The action has slowed at West Lost Lake. Fishing early and/or late in the day with a caddis pattern (#16-#18) or parachute Adams (#16-#18) is the best strategy. West Lost Lake is a short walk or ride from Deep Lake, Dines Lake and East Lost Lake. If you’re not having any luck at West Lost, you have some additional options. A guided horse trip from Ripple Creek Lodge is the perfect way to enjoy all four lakes.
Wall Lake offers an excellent opportunity to do some fishing while enjoying a spectacular view. Wall Lake can be accessed via the Wall Lake Trail (#1818). The reports from the lake are also mixed. You are most likely to have success with caddis patterns (#16-#20) early and late in the day.