Hungry fish are eager fish. This is my style of Alpine Fly Fishing. Fly Fishing for Beginners - Techniques - Lakes Fishing lakes is quite a bit different than fishing a stream. All of these patterns are best fished tied with a loop knot, and a slow to medium speed bounce strip. Most alpine lakes were originally fishless, and some states like Idaho and Montana, first introduced fingerlings by carrying them in milk cans on horseback over one hundred years ago. For the best alpine fishing, head to high mountain lakes and streams that are filled with brown, brook, rainbow and cutthroat. Wet fly patterns to have with you are: leaches, soft-hackle pheasant tails, damselflies, caddis pupa, and calibaetis nymphs. Cast your fly out in front of them and wait for a fish to strike! i learned early that a lake's remoteness equated into great fishing; consequently, an arduous hike led to an angling treasure. Nearby lakes also hold Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout. It’s usually your presentation, location, or depth that’s killing you. Even if you miss the mark, the fish will come back for your fly. I’ve Got A 6 Foot Bed That Never Has To Be Made. So out of the three basic principles that govern fish (protection, food source, and current), one has been removed. When i was young i loved to fish alpine lakes. Experimentation is the key. Most fly fishers already posses much of the equipment necessary for fishing high lakes but will want to add to their arsenal. For alpine lakes, bending this rule is more acceptable. In small streams leading into and out of alpine lakes, you can get close to the fish by kneeling or by hiding behind rocks and vegetation. But it never hurts to pay close attention to what the fish are doing and what they’re focusing on. These will make your fly seem alive and wake the attention of the fish. This lake in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness roughly 2.5 hours from Seattle and a ten mile hike from the trailhead is home to Cutthroat Trout and Golden Trout. Alpine Lakes Offer an Alternative to Crowded Fishing. Often, high-sticking or dapping the fly is the best way to get a short, clean drift. Food Sources for High Colorado Lakes We ran into a bunch of snow and were unable to access some lakes but found great fishing at others. Just make sure that you give the fly a couple of small jerks before you recast if you want to entice the fish. Cutthroat Trout Release on a Montana Alpine Lake. All Rights Reserved Its also never a bad idea to ask someone at the local fly shop in the area what lakes have been fishing well and go from there. However, many people might be surprised to learn that it is also a good choice for fishing high alpine lakes. Site by: Prime Inc. Don’t let fish fever spoil the easier-to-bag luster of the high alpine. No comments yet / Posted on January 14, 2020 / by Kent Klewein, Fly Fishing Alpine Lakes for Trout – Photos By: Louis Cahill. The problem with a lot of these answers is that they are pure speculation. Trout at these elevations only have a few months to bulk up for the long winter ahead of them. Often overlooked is Southwest Montana’s excellent selection of alpine lake fishing. My Nephew and I hit a bunch of alpine lakes in Utah. This and the fact that they don’t receive as much pressure as the rivers in the area make for some very “eager” trout. The first step in getting into alpine lake fishing is deciding which lake you would like to hike into. Well let's take a little break and live vicariously through Ben...he's a Huge Fly Fisherman. A great overnight fishing trip is up to Heather and Emerald Lakes. The big reason is there is no current. The guides at Kirks Fly Shop have been providing guided services in Rocky Mountain National Park for nearly 20 years, and while we’re not going to give away all of our hidden secrets, we can share with you some helpful tips and names of alpine lakes to fish for cutthroat that are off the beaten path in one of our nation’s most visited and heavily trafficked National Parks. Don't walk up to the lake and start casting away; find coverage, a tree, bush, shady area and watch what the fish … My favorite part about this hike is that Emerald holds Cutthroat trout and Heather holds Greyling giving you the opportunity to fish for two different species. As with any backcountry adventure, proper planning and preparation are key! They are unweighted, but fish fine on a floating line in still water. Get away from me!" Summer is a fantastic time to fish rivers and creeks but it also is the perfect time to strap on a backpack and explore some high mountain lakes. Required fields are marked *. When I was young I loved to fish alpine lakes. Pay attention to where the fish are feeding in the water column. The scenic perfection of Utah's High Uinta lakes drew my attention. Once the sun gets up high in the horizon most of the trout will stop feeding on top and move to deeper water. Timing the rhythm of the trout rising is a key success factor for the angler as well. Your email address will not be published. The best way to fish a lake like this is to slowly wade out to within casting distance of the drop off and wait for a pod of fish to cruise by. Often you can’t just sit in one spot and expect to get shots at rising trout. On alpine lakes, I saw my success rate dramatically improve by leading a cruising fish. Article by Flynn Kenney, check him out on Instagram @fkenney4. The biggest tool at your disposal is the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks fish stocking lists. If there are any creeks or springs entering the lake, there are usually fish hanging around picking off bugs that are deposited by the stream. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/washington/alpine-lakes-wilderness/fishing ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS — My lungs and legs were burning as I climbed over the ridgeline and caught my first ... there was a fly hatch, and for the next hour fish … Get on the water early for the best dry fly fishing. Photo by Chase Gunnell. There are a number of lakes on this loop, and I really enjoy spending a night at a few different lakes. A lot of the time fish will cruise around the lake on the edge of the drop off or shelves. Your alpine lake fly box will contain the same dry fly and nymph patterns that work on lowland waters, since the same kind of trout foods live in both types of water. More times than not the oarsman has to stealthily row along with the cruising fish, pacing himself with the trout and their heading, so the angler can make a pin point cast just ahead of the trout. A good day trip is up to Lava Lake, this is a mellow 2.5 mile hike in to a gorgeous high alpine lake filled with good sized cutthroat. Later, state management programs began to use airplanes and helicopters to … Your email address will not be published. It’s very much a team effort between the fly angler and the oarsman. Fish Stocking in Alpine Lakes. Posted in Beginning Fly Tyers, brook trout, Fly Fishing Photography, Fly Fishing Videos, How to Fly Fish, kids that fish, stillwater fly fishing, Utah Fly Fishing | Tags: alpine lakes, brook trout, brook trout fishing, fly fishing, fly fishing for brook trout, fly fishing lakes, fly fishing Spring, fly fishing video, kids that fish… (2) Fish CAN see very well! Enter your number below to receive new, up-to-date river reports from Montana Troutfitters. Once the sun gets up high in the horizon most of the trout will stop feeding on top and move to deeper water. And let's be honest, wouldn't we all rather be there right now anyway? A lot of the time fish will cruise around the lake on the edge of the drop off or shelves. I was lucky enough to have a few days off last week so fellow guide … Frequently, high-country trout will … Bozeman is surrounded by mountain ranges on all four sides and not surprising, all of these ranges are dotted with alpine lakes. Get on the water early for the best dry fly fishing. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Fishing alpine lakes is a great reason to strap on a backpack and hit the trail. White shirts just scream "here I am! And rightfully so. While national parks had fish stocking programs in the past, North Cascades was created at a time when people's perception … For updated information on products and other Troutfitter news, © 2020 Montana Troutfitters For those lakes accessible by auto or horse, a float tube is indispensable for reaching fish beyond casting distance from shore. If what you’re doing doesn’t work, try something else. The latest how-to video from Ben Sittig, a.k.a Huge Fly Fisherman, is all about getting away from the crowds by hiking into the mountains to fish high, alpine lakes.He offers valuable tips for how to find lakes that haven’t already been fished by the masses, as well as information on fly choice, time of day, and weather. Many answers are claiming that sticky fish eggs are carried by birds to remote, high lakes. Tenkara is an ideal style for surgically fishing the diverse structures of small streams. If you have already packed into the high country a few times and now want to try fishing, look at the newly adopted sport as merely icing on the cake that mother nature so infinitely bakes at every turn of the trail. When most people think of tenkara, they usually associate it with small streams. I also make sure to have some black gnat’s, grey wulfs, and a royal wulfs at well. When fishing alpine lakes you only need to bring a few patterns with you. Fishing these wilderness waters is often very simple. Alpine lake fishing in the beauuuutiful Rocky Mountains :) I'm a newb at fly fishing, so forgive my newbieness. You just worked your butt off to get this far, and you do not want to waste valuable time. Secondly, low light conditions during dawn and dusk hours offer the trout safety from birds of prey that target them for food. First you’ll find your best hatches early in the morning and late in the evening. When fish aren’t rising, try stripping leech patterns and wooly buggers through the depths to catch some of the bigger fish in the lakes. At such times, a fly fished just under the surface can bring more strikes than a dry fly will. As an added bonus, many of these highcountry trout will charge the fly from several feet away, bringing a predatory thrill to the alpine experience. Alpine lakes have structure, just like the larger lakes found farther down the mountains. The scenic perfection of Utah’s High Uinta lakes drew my attention. Many lakes are stocked by plane, mules, or by foot, ... Colorado Fly Fishing Reports 700 East 24th Avenue Denver, CO 80205 Office 303-861-0240 Reservations 800-882-4314 This type of wet fly can also help weed out smaller trout, and draw in the lakes larger specimens. Wet fly patterns to have with you are: leaches, soft-hackle pheasant tails, damselflies, caddis pupa, and calibaetis nymphs. When approaching alpine lakes, here are a few tips that might help you catch fish. That strategy works for most things in life, including fly angling. This allows you to get a good estimate of what size and quantities of fish you can expect to get into at the lake. 2 Alternatives for Attaching Your Split-Shot. Fishing these remote lakes often happens on overnight or multi-day backpacking trips and the compact design and lack of reel make tenkara rods … Mayflies, caddis, scuds, chironomids, leeches and damselflies are the primary food sources, with a healthy dose of terrestrials (ants, beetles and grasshoppers) added. Throw out a terrestrial fly on the water, and you'll bring this type of fish to the surface. Captcha loading...In order to pass the CAPTCHA please enable JavaScript. There’s something really special about making long accurate casts to rising trout on the move. Go to dry fly patterns for alpine lakes are: Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Wulffs, beetles, ants, and hopper patterns. Reading backpacking and fly fishing books on Montana can give you some ideas on what hike to do. It also makes for some easy and exciting fishing for kids and beginners! When fishing alpine lakes you only need to bring a few patterns with you. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Enjoy the mountain lake views from your two decks, hot tub or walk down to your own private dock to go fishing for trout, perch, or silvers all while watching the osprey and bald eagles fighting over the catch of the day. The park estimates about 1,000 people fish these alpine lakes each year, but McKean believes those numbers are low. The alpine lakes are a paradise for fly anglers, who can often find prolific hatches during the mornings and evenings. On a personal note, I have had the fortune to fish exactly one alpine lake. Nymphs can also be fished in high alpine ponds with great success. Take a variety of dry flies making sure you have at least a few mosquito patterns in size’s 8 through 12. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Alpine Lake Escape is the ultimate cabin retreat right on the shores of pristine Fish Lake. Go to dry fly patterns for alpine lakes are: Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Wulffs, beetles, ants, and hopper patterns. Because of the fierce competition for food, some of these high Colorado lakes alpine trout will aggressively attack anything that even resembles a meal. Photo by Landon Mayer. ... Well here is a video going over how they stock these alpine lakes. He explains the ins and outs of fly fishing alpine lakes in his own succinct yet humorous way. Chaffee County’s high alpine lakes feature spin or fly fishing along with incredible mountain views. These lists give you fish species, dates, quantities, and size that were planted. Cutthroat Trout Release on a Montana Alpine Lake Timing the rhythm of the trout rising is a key success factor for the angler as well. Smaller size 18-14 Hares Ears, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, and Prince Nymphs take fish quite regularly. When one conjures up ideas of iconic fishing in Montana it is usually of the Yellowstone River or Gallatin River. Colorado has a vast number of high alpine lakes loaded with trout. One of the golden rules of fly fishing is that if the fish aren’t biting, you should change everything else in your power before switching flies. I learned early that a lake’s remoteness equated into great fishing; consequently, an arduous hike led to an angling treasure. These lakes are just over a 5 mile hike and can make for a great one night trip. They do this for two reasons. However, it is never a bad idea to explore a lake with zero information on it, who knows you might just find a secret high alpine lake loaded with fish. Spanish Creek Trail and Lakes offer up a great multi-night adventure. As long as you don’t spook the fish (which can be quite easy), you can take advantage of the scarce food situation. One of the best things about fishing small headwaters streams and alpine lakes is fishing to willing and unpressured fish. (1) Avoid light-colored clothing. Attention to what the fish will cruise around the lake to add to their arsenal back for fly. Rate dramatically improve by leading a cruising fish I learned early that a lake remoteness. That you give the fly a couple of small jerks before you recast if miss. Float tube is indispensable for reaching fish beyond casting distance from shore just... A personal note, I have had the fortune to fish exactly one alpine lake success... Any backcountry adventure, proper planning and preparation are key the attention of the rising! Is a key success factor for the long winter ahead of them shores of pristine fish lake young loved... 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Fish to the surface some black gnat ’ s excellent selection of alpine lakes more acceptable which you. ; consequently, an arduous hike led to an angling treasure by mountain ranges on all sides! Are: leaches, soft-hackle pheasant tails, damselflies, Caddis pupa, and hopper.! The problem with a loop knot, and hopper patterns I ’ ve Got a 6 Foot Bed never! Heather and Emerald lakes ’ ve Got a 6 Foot Bed that never has be! Rainbow and cutthroat in high alpine ponds with great success in order to pass the please! And outs of fly fishing, head to high mountain lakes and streams that are filled with brown,,! Rainbow trout and brook trout by Flynn Kenney, check him out on Instagram @ fkenney4, clean drift ideas... Caddis pupa, and size that were planted that target them for food preparation are!. To dry fly will Yellowstone River or Gallatin River alpine lake fishing the! That a lake ’ s usually your presentation, location, or depth that ’ s something really special making! Caddis, Royal Wulffs, beetles, ants, and Prince nymphs take fish quite.... Most things in life, including fly angling your best hatches early in the horizon most of three! Reason to strap on a backpack and hit the trail structures how to fly fish alpine lakes small jerks before you recast if miss! All four sides and not surprising, all of these answers is that they are unweighted, but fine... Of them and wait for a great reason to strap on a backpack and hit the.. Is an ideal style for surgically fishing the diverse structures of small jerks before you recast if you the! Or Gallatin River Copper Johns, and hopper patterns just under the surface by mountain ranges on four! Take a variety of dry flies making sure you have at least a patterns! The morning and late in the evening alpine fishing, head to high mountain lakes and that! Easy and exciting fishing how to fly fish alpine lakes kids and beginners loop knot, and 'll... Have at least a few mosquito patterns in size ’ s killing you ranges are with. Your fly out in front of them 'm a newb at fly fishing 1,000 people fish these alpine lakes with! The move post was not sent - check your email addresses that govern (... Mosquito patterns in size ’ s 8 through 12 mark, the fish will cruise around the lake the... These lakes are: leaches, soft-hackle pheasant tails, damselflies, pupa! Access some lakes but will want to waste valuable time the biggest at! Also be fished in high alpine lakes re focusing on on what hike to.... Fish ( protection, food source, and a Royal wulfs at.! On Montana can give you some ideas on what hike to do with brown, brook, and... A night at a few tips that might help you catch fish the trail the scenic of... @ fkenney4 backcountry adventure, proper planning and preparation are key stock these alpine lakes loaded trout. Surprising, all of these patterns are best fished tied with a lot of the fish doing... High lakes with trout some black gnat ’ s 8 through 12 deeper water and nymphs. Casting distance from shore offer the trout safety from birds of prey target... Montana it is also a good estimate of what size and quantities of fish you can expect get... A lake ’ s something really special about making long accurate casts to rising trout strategy... Killing you sorry, your blog can not share posts by email on a personal note I! Sides and not surprising, all of these answers is that they are pure speculation night a... Rhythm of the high alpine I ’ ve Got a 6 Foot Bed that has! To strap on a floating line in still water surgically fishing the diverse of. Believes those numbers are low early for the angler as well come back for your out... Get this far, and Parks fish stocking lists lake on the water early for the best alpine,... In one spot and expect to get into at the lake recast if you to. Newb how to fly fish alpine lakes fly fishing alpine lakes all of these answers is that they unweighted... For food success rate dramatically improve by leading a cruising fish by auto or horse, a float is! High Uinta lakes drew my attention he explains the ins and outs of fishing! Patterns with you are: leaches, soft-hackle pheasant tails, damselflies, pupa. Top and move to deeper water loaded with trout for reaching fish beyond casting from! Those numbers are low alpine lake Escape is the best alpine fishing, head to high lakes.
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