To find the best alpine lake to fly fish from, consider areas with conditions that support fish survival. These should have enough exposure to light and wind during winter. Additionally, look for lakes with lower fish stocks and fewer visitors.
One way to locate less-visited lakes is to measure a three-mile radius out from all access roads and paths on a map with a compass. Most people fish closer to roads and trails, so areas outside the three-mile radius are more likely to have seen less human activity.
Before planning your journey, check with the local fish, wildlife, or parks department for lake information. Also, research experiences of others who have fished in the area. Local fishing blogs or forums can provide valuable insight into what to expect.
Lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in Colorado often contain large trout, making it a challenge for anglers who usually fish in moving water to choose the best fly patterns. When Spring runoff has started in the high country, anglers should consider stillwater options for big trout. Rivers may be swollen and muddy, but stillwater fly fishing offers consistent conditions and feeding fish. May and June are the best months for fly fishing in Colorado's lakes, with strong hatches, minimal weed growth, and ideal water temperatures.
Alpine lakes, located at elevations of 5,000 feet or higher, tend to be clearer than lower-level lakes due to colder water, which slows the growth of algae and moss. These glacier-cut depressions collect melting snow and groundwater. These alpine lakes in the West usually have a summer season of July to September, followed by winter snows. This short summer season limits fish growth, but the natural isolation of the environment gives the fish plenty of room to develop.
In order of importance during the month, from most to least:
JUNE: Mayflies | Caddis | Ants | Streamers | Beetles | Hoppers
JULY: Ants | Caddis | Hoppers | Beetles | Mayflies | Streamers
AUGUST: Hoppers | Ants | Beetles | Caddis | Mayflies | Streamers
SEPTEMBER: Hoppers | Ants | Streamers | Caddis | Mayflies | Beetles
#1 Matching the Hatch - Using fly patterns that imitate the bugs you see in the air, on the banks, on the surface of the water, swimming below the surface, and buried in the lakebed. This strategy is especially useful in lakes with heavy angling pressure.
#2 Search & Destroy - Using fly patterns that don’t necessarily look like anything in nature, but are intended to catch a trout’s attention or provoke a reaction from the fish. This strategy is best used on remote lakes, lakes that do not receive much pressure, and at lakes that do not have prolific numbers of bugs.
You can alternate between the 2 strategies or use them together. For example: Tying 2 realistic baetis imitations off a giant Rubberleg Crystal Stimulator gives the fish an offering that resembles the resident food supply, but also a flashy, appetizing-looking meal to attack on the surface.⻥
<aside> <img src="/icons/alert_purple.svg" alt="/icons/alert_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Simplicity is key to success when fishing deep. Use a Di-7 line, a 5-8ft leader of 8-10lb fluorocarbon, and a single booby or snake fly (preferred patterns are a 5cm Black & Green Snake booby or a 5cm White and Green Snake booby).
Cast as far as possible and let the fly and line sink to the bottom. The most common mistake is not letting the flies sink long enough. Start with a count of 20 seconds before beginning the retrieve. If you catch weed, reduce the count by 5 seconds until the retrieve is weed-free. If you don't catch weed, count up to 30 seconds until you hit the bottom (usually 80-90 seconds on a deep reservoir). Then, concentrate efforts in the bottom third of the water column.
Always start the retrieve with a single 3ft hard pull, which pulls the booby to the bottom and creates a huge underwater disturbance. Then, use a slow, steady figure of 8 to get takes. Occasionally, I'll experience a tap-tap-tapping as the trout mouths the tail. I just keep retrieving until everything goes solid. Often, the change of speed or angle in the retrieve will induce a take. Aim to get the majority of your takes when half the fly-line is retrieved, as fish move up and down in the water during the day.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/downward_red.svg" alt="/icons/downward_red.svg" width="40px" /> Check out my Top-5 patterns or Use the Tabs / Tab dropdown ▾ below to toggle between types of flies
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<aside> <img src="/icons/alert_purple.svg" alt="/icons/alert_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Flying ant imitations are often overlooked as terrestrials, but they can be highly effective. During the summer months, winged ants take flight in search of food or new territories, making them vulnerable to strong alpine winds. As a result, many of these ants end up on the surface of lakes, becoming easy prey for trout. While flying ant patterns can be fished high on the water, they are particularly effective when drowned.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/alert_purple.svg" alt="/icons/alert_purple.svg" width="40px" /> Fishing with buzzers on lakes, but not from boats, can be demanding. You need a good rod, good lines, and the right buzzers. I prefer to fish Alpine lakes, as they are usually small and shallow. With a size #5 or 6 rod and a good floating line, you can catch nice fish if you can cast 20-25m and have good technique.
My technique is simple: I cast at a 30-45 degree angle with the wind direction, and use the drift. I pull the line slowly in a figure “8”, keeping the tip of the rod 5-10cm from the water surface.
I always use two buzzers: a simple buzzer on top, and an emerger buzzer on a dropper at 80cm-120cm. This technique has been very successful for me, and I prefer it to streamer fishing.
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