6 minute read
TRAPPERS LAKE
It’s always nice to hit the water with your son or daughter. Time is valuable, especially time spent sharing your love of the outdoors in a beautiful location, catching and releasing some amazing fish. One such place where you can do it all without the interruption of motorboats and life as we know it in the city, is Trappers Lake in the Flat Tops Wilderness.
Located some 52 miles from the town of Meeker, Trappers Lake sits at nearly 9,600 feet, and is surrounded by amazing peaks that offer breathtaking backdrops for your favorite fish in the net shots. The views here rival any Grand Teton, Swiss Alps, or our Front Range vista we enjoy daily. The drive into Trappers can be lengthy, as much of it is on a dirt/improved road, and of course it parallels the White River—so there’s a lot of riverwatching too. Spring Fling: Trappers Lake
My son, Barrett, and I headed up to the Colorado’s second largest natural lake in hopes of some quick cutthroat fishing last June, as the campgrounds were just opening. We found a spot in one of the 10-slot campgrounds, with only one other vehicle planning to spend the night. We were in the cluster of campgrounds in the northwest side of the lake, and planned to walk down for some shore wading to see what damage we could do.
After about 5 minutes coming down the small hills, we were greeted with our first view of the lake. The trail down to the lake’s edge was easy—just some log hopping with lots of downed trees from past fires. After about 20 minutes, the lake’s cold water was nipping at our heels. I rigged up with a basic RS2 and added an Umpqua Soft Hackle PT TB. Barrett had an RS2 and a blood midge ready for action.
We waded out between fallen logs and quickly found that casting would not be a challenge, as we could easily wade out 40 yards in most spots along the West shoreline. Much of the lake has special regulations and closures to protect the cutthroat, so see the many signs to help explain what is allowed. We did pass a few guys throwing spinners, and let’s just say, they were in a closed inlet area.
It was one of those bites. Barrett isn’t very good on his feet in waders ,and though a lake doesn’t have any current, I still help him get situated in his spot before I wade out myself. In the time it took me to help him get situated and then to turn around and walk to my outfit and get ready to move to my location, Barrett was already hooting and hollering— fish on!
I dropped my rig and made my way back to him, only to have the fish play a fast one on him and throw the barbless hook. This scenario played out for the next 10 minutes. Three missed fish, and I’d still barely gotten to try my luck. And of course, as luck would have it, a stiff little wind came off the mountains and slowed the bite—chilling us a bit.
Well, the clouds moved along, the sun came back out, and the fish began biting again. This time, we waded to the original starting point and managed to catch a dozen fish between us. They still loved the RS2, but the pulsating, Soft Hackle PT TB on the move with tiny strips, began to get the bulk of the bites.
We didn’t catch anything big, but these cutties are beautiful, averaging 12- to 13 -inches. The top fish went 15 inches and was nearly purple in color. It was nice to wade out into thigh-deep water, and just keep going out. A few times the fish moved in behind us, so a cast back towards shore was fruitful as well.
The shoreline features such a slow transition to the depths, that you can easily get out a good distance— and even sight fish—to the cutties on a calmer, sunny day. It would also be an ideal spot for a pontoon, float tube or kayak.
I’d love to go back in mid-July or August and toss some streamers for some bigger cutthroat when the weather has time to warm up a little. Smaller streamers on sink tips would be a lot of fun, here, or, capitalizing on a summer evening dry fly hatch—I can’t wait to go back this year.
I would highly recommend camping here or even by Brian La Rue
taking a hike to one of the other Flat Tops Wilderness waters that don’t see many anglers during the course of the year. Be prepared for anything here, as you are just short of 10,000 feet.
With elevation also comes some Colorado natives to think about. The area is home to marmot. I’ve heard at least two anglers tell me they hiked a couple days in the wilderness only to come back to the car at the trailhead to find their truck wouldn’t start. Yup, the marmots like to eat wiring.
In our one night in camp, laying in the shelled bed of my truck, I was awakened at 2:30 AM with the sound of something messing with the underside of my truck bed. It was more than a squirrel, but nothing like a bear, so I jumped out of the back of the bed with some bear spray ready to hit the little bugger, and he was long gone—never to bother us again.
The next morning, we pulled to the outlet/dam parking area to take the trail over the ridge to fish that well-known spot, and as we sat in the car finishing a quick breakfast, three marmots ran under my truck. The truck was still running, but these guys are so aggressive, I decided not to take a chance, as my truck was going to be the only car in the lot. We decided to head back east, towards home, and found a few spots to fish along the way vs. rolling the dice with those furry guys.
Maybe the folks at the lodge or some of the locals can suggest the best practice to avoid getting your car disabled. Maybe spray some of that bitter juice on the underside of your car, or spray the ground with bear spray when you park. Who knows? If somebody has ever dealt with this or has a way to deter the little buggers—lets us know on our Facebook or Instagram pages. Good luck and let us know how you do!
About The Author
High Country Angler contributor Brian La Rue enjoys giving fly fishers ideas of where to go for an adventure. Feel free to reach out to Brian at Brian@hcamagazine. com if you want your lodge or guide service featured in an upcoming promotional marketing plan.
Willowfly Anglers Guide Service at Three Rivers Resort • 35 years experience on Colorado’s best rivers • Gunnison River – Taylor River – East River • Private Lease Fishing for the ultimate experience • Beautiful Cabins, Vacation Homes & Lodge Rooms • Summer Seasonal BBQ Restaurant • Complete Fly Shop - Open all Year!
LOCAL AGENT LOCAL SERVICE
