This summer, many Colorado anglers are looking up to fish in higher in elevations. With reduced streamflow and warming water temperatures on some of our favorite rivers, high-alpine lakes offer a welcome alternative. Cold water, eager trout, breathtaking scenery, and a little solitude make the hike well worth the effort.
Fly fishing mountain lakes is a different experience than fishing a river. Success often depends on understanding where trout cruise, how changing weather affects fish behavior, and packing the right gear for a day in the backcountry. Here are a few tips to help make the most of your next trip into Colorado's high country.
Start Early
One of the biggest keys to a successful day in the high country has nothing to do with flies or gear—it's simply getting an early start. Summer afternoons in Colorado often bring strong winds and fast-moving thunderstorms, especially above tree line. Hiking in during the cool morning hours not only makes for a more enjoyable climb, but it also gives you the best opportunity to fish before afternoon weather becomes a factor. Many experienced alpine anglers are already hiking back toward the trailhead by the time others are just arriving at the lake.
Be Prepared
Fishing high alpine lakes means spending the day in the backcountry, often several miles from your vehicle. While it's tempting to pack as light as possible, there are a few essentials that should always make the trip.
Weather in the mountains changes quickly. A sunny morning can turn into rain, hail, or even snow in surprisingly little time. A lightweight waterproof rain jacket, an extra insulating layer, sunscreen, snacks, plenty of drinking water, and a hat are all worth carrying, even on bluebird days. A compact first aid kit is another smart addition to your pack.
The goal isn't to carry more gear, it's to carry the right gear.
Use Longer Leaders
Colorado's alpine lakes are among the clearest waters you'll ever fish. Trout often have plenty of time to inspect your fly before committing, so presentation becomes incredibly important. We typically begin with a 9-foot leader and frequently extend it by adding additional tippet. Longer leaders help your fly land more naturally and keep your fly line farther away from wary fish, especially during calm conditions.
Cover Water
Unlike rivers, where current naturally funnels fish into predictable holding water, trout in alpine lakes spend much of the day cruising. That means mobility is often one of your greatest advantages.
Rather than standing in one place making cast after cast, continue moving around the shoreline. Focus your efforts around inlets, outlets, rocky points, submerged shelves, drop-offs, and windblown banks where food naturally collects.
Before you even leave home, you can gain a significant advantage by studying satellite imagery. Programs like Google Maps or Google Earth often reveal shallow flats, underwater shelves, steep drop-offs, and other changes in lake structure that aren't obvious from the shoreline. Spending just a few minutes studying a lake beforehand can help you identify likely feeding areas long before you make your first cast.
Watch Before You Cast
One of the most common mistakes anglers make is rushing straight to the water's edge and immediately casting.
Instead, take a few minutes to simply observe from afar. Watch for cruising trout, rising fish, emerging insects, or subtle changes in the wind. Sometimes you'll spot fish feeding only a few feet from shore. Other times you'll notice activity concentrated along one bank while the opposite shoreline appears lifeless. Those few minutes of observation often provide more valuable information than dozens of blind casts.
Don't Ignore the Wind
While windy conditions can make casting more challenging, they sometimes improve fishing. A slight chop on the water puts spooky fish at ease, and concentrates food by pushing terrestrial and aquatic insects toward one shoreline. Trout know this and frequently patrol windblown banks looking for easy meals.
Rather than avoiding the wind, learn to fish it. Some of the best fishing of the day can happen on the side of the lake where everyone else is reluctant to cast.
Bring the Right Gear
One of the best things about alpine fishing is that you don't need a truck full of equipment. A thoughtfully selected setup will cover nearly every situation you'll encounter.
A 9-foot 5-weight or a 6-weight fly rod is a versatile rod for high mountain lakes. It's light enough to enjoy smaller trout, yet has enough power to cast dry flies, nymphs, and smaller streamers throughout the day. If your hike takes you along a small stream, you could consider packing a short 3 or 4wt rod for tight casts in moving water. We like the 5-piece Winston Air 2. It makes an awesome pack rod.
If you're expecting persistent afternoon wind, fishing larger lakes, or plan to throw heavier hopper-dropper rigs and streamers, consider packing a 7-weight. The added line weight helps punch through wind and turns over larger, more wind-resistant rigs with much less effort.
A quality floating fly line will handle nearly every situation, paired with 9- to 12-foot leaders and fluorocarbon tippet in a variety of sizes. We also recommend carrying a few extra leaders, as changing conditions often call for longer or lighter presentations.
Polarized sunglasses are one of the most valuable pieces of gear you can own. They reduce glare, make it easier to spot cruising fish, and help you identify underwater structure before making a cast.
A lightweight rubber landing net makes catch-and-release easier on both you and the fish, while a compact pair of forceps, nippers, floatant, and a small selection of indicators round out the essentials. Be sure to pack a couple of slip indicators for fishing deep nymph rigs when the surface action is slow.
Many anglers choose to wet wade during the summer months. Lightweight wet wading shoes, such as the Astral Merge TR1, Patagonia Forra Boot, or Simms Pursuit Shoe, provide excellent traction on rocky shorelines while remaining comfortable enough for hiking between lakes. A pair of neoprene socks can add warmth during chilly mornings or higher elevation adventures.
Finally, don't forget a reliable pack. An all day adventure often necessitates more room for extra clothing, water and food than your regular fishing pack can handle. Consider a daypack backpack and pack a small chest pack like the Fishpond Canyon Creek Pack or convertible pack like the Patagonia Stealth Switch Pack inside it. This way you can carry all your back country gear and keep your fishing gear organized. Fishpond offers a selection of chest packs that snap into their backpack shoulder straps for an easy transition from hike in mode to fishing mode. Check those out there. Whether you prefer, keeping your gear organized and your hands free during the hike is an important detail when traveling into the backcountry.
Respect These Special Places
Colorado's alpine lakes are some of the most beautiful and fragile fisheries in the state. Pack out every piece of trash, stay on established trails whenever possible, and handle trout carefully before releasing them. The same conservation principles that apply to our favorite rivers also apply here. By treating these special places with care, we help ensure they'll remain healthy.
There's No Better Summer Escape
When it’s hot at lower elevations, the high country offers exactly what we are looking for: cold water, healthy fisheries, and incredible scenery. From the South San Juans, to the Zirkels, and everywhere in between, Colorado is home to a mind-boggling number of high alpine lakes that hold wild trout. There’s a lot out there to explore!
If you're not sure how to start, stop by an Anglers All fly shop location in Littleton or Denver. Our staff spends plenty of time exploring Colorado's high country and can help you choose the right flies, rods, lines, and gear for your next alpine adventure.
If you are looking for more resources, we have a number of books on the subject with amazing details and directions to some great high country fisheries. Check those out here.
