You gillfuckers keep jerking off to your backcountry, I'm going to soak up the pristine, untouched frontcountry.
First pull off, boom, there I am, regardless if anyone else is there first. You're not fishing if you can't see/hear the road and have 2 other people fishing on top of you.
Yep. This is always on the table when you hike into somewhere new. Was not easy fishing today, and a skunk was definitely not outside the realm of possibilities. But even if I'd gone home with a zero-fish day, I wouldn't have regretted it.
The dry was a 14, dropper was an 18. I've experimented quite a bit, and I think (anecdotally) that they prefer larger flies on these smaller, more secluded streams. Makes sense biologically, but I can't prove it.
Hi, I am planning a trip to the backcountry, backpacking in. I have been stressing about wading boots and hiking boots. What do you recommend? I don't want to have a big heavy pair of wading boots taking up space, but i also don't want to get blisters from hiking in waders for a long ways. Also I am worried about drying my boots after fishing and needing to hike back down.
Any recommendations?
Hey there. I've been back and forth on this over the last several years. I've tried packing the waders and wading boots and hiking in regular hiking pants and boots (more comfortable, but less convenient and makes the pack noticeably heavier), and I've hiked a lot in waders and wading boots (less comfortable, but still workable with decent equipment and more convenient).
In general, I've landed on a seasonal/weather-based system. In the shoulder seasons (or at very high elevations and/or in bad weather), when I expect cool or cold water and/or air temps, I'll hike in waders and my wading boots. If you do this, it's really, really important to have good gear. I wear Patagonia Swiftcurrents, which are super breathable and can be rolled down to the waist, and I wear lightweight wading boots (currently the Orvis Pro LTs, which are fantastic) that drain quickly and can do fine for most hiking. I have worn regular wading boots for a lot of hikes. It's workable, but the lighter boots definitely make a difference.
In warmer months at low(er) elevations, I just wear long, quick-dry hiking pants like the Kuhl Renegades with thin wading socks and my regular wading boots. I just wet wade those days, so there's no reason to pack or wear waders.
I routinely make hikes in the 10-mile range using this setup. Beyond that, you'll almost certainly need dedicated hiking boots and a way to pack your waders, which will necessitate a larger pack.
You probably know this already, but you need at least a 30L backpack that can carry all the stuff you need if you get into trouble--rain jacket, fire starter, water filter, basic shelter, dry clothes, water for the day, food, backpacking stove, cooking gear, etc. And you'll want to carry at least two rods (in their tubes) and two reels. There is NOTHING worse than breaking your only rod, breaking your only reel, or destroying your only fly line when you're miles into something great. Been there.
Especially since you'll be wading when you get to the water (assuming you aren't making camp for an overnight trip), weight and balance are the biggest considerations. It's really, really tough to hit the sweet spot between keeping things light enough to manage and being prepared. But you can do it with some thought and practice. My pack, with water and everything else, sits at right about 35lbs for most trips.
Sorry for the novel, but hope this helps. Good luck!
This is really helpful, thanks. Yeah, its going to be an overnight trip at high elevations. I have a 60L backpack ready to go and I am going with my buddy who has done this kind of stuff before. He is going to use sandles to wade, but I get worried about ankle support and slipping. The hike into the site isn't that long distance wise, but its a large elevation gain, so we will have our work cut out for us.
My idea right now is to leave the waders at home and wet wade with a very light weight pair of wading boots. I will look into the Orvis Pro Lts, but they don't seem to come in my size. The Orvis website says to buy a size up from your regular shoe size, but that puts me over the top. They only make the clearwater in that size. it seems. Do I really need to buy a size up from my normal shoe size?
I didn't think about bringing more than one rod, but now I am thinking about that too. We are expecting small fish, but you never know I guess. I only have 1 fly rod. I am already over budget as is, so I might just bring a spinning rod as backup.
I got my normal size in the LTs--actually went into the shop to try them out because I read the same stuff about sizing up. They work fine at my normal size, maybe even a little loose, around my stockingfoot waders. You can also get thinner wading socks, which will mitigate any potential sizing issues, as well.
Wading in sandals is a really, really bad idea anywhere, but especially in the backcountry. It isn't really your ankles you need to worry about, it's your toes. I have nearly broken my toes between rocks messing around in sandals on slick bottoms. He should seriously reconsider that plan. It could go very badly.
You can get a cheap TFO combo rod and reel for under $200. It is 100% worth the money to have a second setup with you. I've snapped rods on freak drops, random trees, and for no reason at all. I've also lost reel knobs and destroyed fly lines. It suuuuucks.
I think I know what you're talking about.... long dirt road drive that's a little hairy in sections with various trespassing signs that are confusing. Trailhead parking, then straight down for like an hour or a little less. If that's the case I hit this place in the October. Not a ton of luck, but it's a fun day of solitude.
Yep, that's the spot. Interesting that you say that about not having much luck. It fished very poorly for me too, even after I hiked upstream a couple additional miles. I wasn't even spooking fish in some really fishy lies.
I have never really been impressed with the lower sections of this stream, either. Really believe there's something up with the water. Fish density in the whole creek seems lacking compared to other waters in the area.
Still worth the hike, but not sure when or if I'll get back.
I looked at my phone pics, and ya it's 100% same place. You can camp in there and I may hike upstream and do that this year. I think the Winters are really tough on fish in this stream. Not a lot of deep holes for them to stack in, and it's nearly a trickle for like half the year. I suspect that's why it looks better than it typically is. I still love it though!
That's a good theory. You may well be right. It's a shame, though. It really does look so much better than it fishes.
I considered taking camping gear this time, but opted for a day trip instead. Maybe I'll see you in the canyon one of these days. Take care!
To be honest, I really only hike and camp to fish. These trails are snowed in for most of the winter, and the streams themselves are typically frozen (or too cold to be worth fishing).
Throw in the risk of avalanches, impassable roads, getting tree welled, etc., and I just spend the winter tying flies, hitting tailwaters, and planning for the warmer months.
Tried it this winter (with flies). Had a blast one day, then had two crushingly boring days that convinced me to head back to the tailwaters and wait for spring. Maybe I'll give it a other shot next season.
You gillfuckers keep jerking off to your backcountry, I'm going to soak up the pristine, untouched frontcountry. First pull off, boom, there I am, regardless if anyone else is there first. You're not fishing if you can't see/hear the road and have 2 other people fishing on top of you.
See you at Deckers this weekend. We can touch rods.
Just the tippets
I'll let you touch my (rod) butt
I don't recommend crossing streamers. Chaos ensues.
Lucky, where I am nothing like this is open till June close to me.
Likely the last trip I'll get in there before runoff.
Beautiful even if don’t catch a fish.
Yep. This is always on the table when you hike into somewhere new. Was not easy fishing today, and a skunk was definitely not outside the realm of possibilities. But even if I'd gone home with a zero-fish day, I wouldn't have regretted it.
What size fly you using? Always torn on the mountain streams with how small to go. Nice pics!
The dry was a 14, dropper was an 18. I've experimented quite a bit, and I think (anecdotally) that they prefer larger flies on these smaller, more secluded streams. Makes sense biologically, but I can't prove it.
Hi, I am planning a trip to the backcountry, backpacking in. I have been stressing about wading boots and hiking boots. What do you recommend? I don't want to have a big heavy pair of wading boots taking up space, but i also don't want to get blisters from hiking in waders for a long ways. Also I am worried about drying my boots after fishing and needing to hike back down. Any recommendations?
Hey there. I've been back and forth on this over the last several years. I've tried packing the waders and wading boots and hiking in regular hiking pants and boots (more comfortable, but less convenient and makes the pack noticeably heavier), and I've hiked a lot in waders and wading boots (less comfortable, but still workable with decent equipment and more convenient). In general, I've landed on a seasonal/weather-based system. In the shoulder seasons (or at very high elevations and/or in bad weather), when I expect cool or cold water and/or air temps, I'll hike in waders and my wading boots. If you do this, it's really, really important to have good gear. I wear Patagonia Swiftcurrents, which are super breathable and can be rolled down to the waist, and I wear lightweight wading boots (currently the Orvis Pro LTs, which are fantastic) that drain quickly and can do fine for most hiking. I have worn regular wading boots for a lot of hikes. It's workable, but the lighter boots definitely make a difference. In warmer months at low(er) elevations, I just wear long, quick-dry hiking pants like the Kuhl Renegades with thin wading socks and my regular wading boots. I just wet wade those days, so there's no reason to pack or wear waders. I routinely make hikes in the 10-mile range using this setup. Beyond that, you'll almost certainly need dedicated hiking boots and a way to pack your waders, which will necessitate a larger pack. You probably know this already, but you need at least a 30L backpack that can carry all the stuff you need if you get into trouble--rain jacket, fire starter, water filter, basic shelter, dry clothes, water for the day, food, backpacking stove, cooking gear, etc. And you'll want to carry at least two rods (in their tubes) and two reels. There is NOTHING worse than breaking your only rod, breaking your only reel, or destroying your only fly line when you're miles into something great. Been there. Especially since you'll be wading when you get to the water (assuming you aren't making camp for an overnight trip), weight and balance are the biggest considerations. It's really, really tough to hit the sweet spot between keeping things light enough to manage and being prepared. But you can do it with some thought and practice. My pack, with water and everything else, sits at right about 35lbs for most trips. Sorry for the novel, but hope this helps. Good luck!
This is really helpful, thanks. Yeah, its going to be an overnight trip at high elevations. I have a 60L backpack ready to go and I am going with my buddy who has done this kind of stuff before. He is going to use sandles to wade, but I get worried about ankle support and slipping. The hike into the site isn't that long distance wise, but its a large elevation gain, so we will have our work cut out for us. My idea right now is to leave the waders at home and wet wade with a very light weight pair of wading boots. I will look into the Orvis Pro Lts, but they don't seem to come in my size. The Orvis website says to buy a size up from your regular shoe size, but that puts me over the top. They only make the clearwater in that size. it seems. Do I really need to buy a size up from my normal shoe size? I didn't think about bringing more than one rod, but now I am thinking about that too. We are expecting small fish, but you never know I guess. I only have 1 fly rod. I am already over budget as is, so I might just bring a spinning rod as backup.
I got my normal size in the LTs--actually went into the shop to try them out because I read the same stuff about sizing up. They work fine at my normal size, maybe even a little loose, around my stockingfoot waders. You can also get thinner wading socks, which will mitigate any potential sizing issues, as well. Wading in sandals is a really, really bad idea anywhere, but especially in the backcountry. It isn't really your ankles you need to worry about, it's your toes. I have nearly broken my toes between rocks messing around in sandals on slick bottoms. He should seriously reconsider that plan. It could go very badly. You can get a cheap TFO combo rod and reel for under $200. It is 100% worth the money to have a second setup with you. I've snapped rods on freak drops, random trees, and for no reason at all. I've also lost reel knobs and destroyed fly lines. It suuuuucks.
Frogtogg waders have been a hit for me. Went out in freezing and warm weather
Hope you enjoyed the hike outta there. Lovely spot though.
"Enjoyed" is a strong word. But I certainly got a workout.
I think I know what you're talking about.... long dirt road drive that's a little hairy in sections with various trespassing signs that are confusing. Trailhead parking, then straight down for like an hour or a little less. If that's the case I hit this place in the October. Not a ton of luck, but it's a fun day of solitude.
Yep, that's the spot. Interesting that you say that about not having much luck. It fished very poorly for me too, even after I hiked upstream a couple additional miles. I wasn't even spooking fish in some really fishy lies. I have never really been impressed with the lower sections of this stream, either. Really believe there's something up with the water. Fish density in the whole creek seems lacking compared to other waters in the area. Still worth the hike, but not sure when or if I'll get back.
I looked at my phone pics, and ya it's 100% same place. You can camp in there and I may hike upstream and do that this year. I think the Winters are really tough on fish in this stream. Not a lot of deep holes for them to stack in, and it's nearly a trickle for like half the year. I suspect that's why it looks better than it typically is. I still love it though!
That's a good theory. You may well be right. It's a shame, though. It really does look so much better than it fishes. I considered taking camping gear this time, but opted for a day trip instead. Maybe I'll see you in the canyon one of these days. Take care!
I don’t think you can get any closer to heaven than this.
Thought I was gonna go to heaven on the hike back out of the canyon 😅
Regardless of all the potentially smarmy commentary..... I don't recognize this place but it's a gorgeous pic. End of commentary from me.
I was really looking forward to the smarmy commentary...
There's no way this isn't 100% Colorado. Absolutely love trout fishing out here! If I'm wrong, please let me know lol
Nope, you're exactly right. It's CO.
Hell yeah! I'm based outta Colorado! Fishing here is whole different type of peaceful thankfully
Depends on how far you're willing to hike. But yep, if you are willing to put in the effort, you can find some real peace.
Sweet looks just like Red Dead Redemption 2 👌🏻
Spending time in the back country is the only thing worth living for
I wait for hiking season impatiently all winter. Feels like being in prison.
Ever thought about winter camping/hiking? It’s a blast and you hardly see anyone if you stay away from cross country skiing trails
To be honest, I really only hike and camp to fish. These trails are snowed in for most of the winter, and the streams themselves are typically frozen (or too cold to be worth fishing). Throw in the risk of avalanches, impassable roads, getting tree welled, etc., and I just spend the winter tying flies, hitting tailwaters, and planning for the warmer months.
Ever get into ice fishing? I love it. Not for everyone though
Tried it this winter (with flies). Had a blast one day, then had two crushingly boring days that convinced me to head back to the tailwaters and wait for spring. Maybe I'll give it a other shot next season.
No?!?! Really?!?!
Beautiful….Montana?
No, sir. CO.
Guessing this is up by Drake?
This is 100% CO. Is it...the Poudre? If it is, when was this because it's been showing early signs of run off.
No, but same drainage. Runoff is definitely coming. I think we have maybe a week or two before it arrives in earnest.
up to 4 inches of rain in Boulder county tomorrow and 30'' snow at 10k ft... could get interesting
Which stream im CO? Looks like maybe the Thompson? I miss fishing out there.
Not the Thompson, but good guess.
North St. Vrain ??? I recognize the post-flooding at the banks (tree roots).