Stillwater Report
Local Warmwater
Warm weather has started to help a lot of the ponds and lakes in the local area unfreeze. Theses ponds and lakes usually consists of several species of fish like Carp, Bluegill, Largemouth and Small mouth bass. Since these fish thrive in warmer water temperatures, they will still be pretty sluggish and in deep water. Occasionally on a sunny warm day you can go out and see a few carp moving around and potentially catch some of the fish that are getting some sun. For deeper water, flies like the Clouser Minnow and Meat Whistle will get your flies to the depths that the fish will be at. Use slow, long, strips to entice some fish and if the slow strips don't work try some fast, short bursts to grab their attention. Remember, once spring settles in, these areas can start to fish a lot better. Have fun out there!
Horsetooth Reservoir Report
Most fish in the lake have moved deep with the colder water, but trout can still be found cruising the shorelines near drop offs. Try throwing smaller streamers and leeches when targeting the trout in Horsetooth. A lot of these fish still need to grub on something and lately it has been hot head leeches in black, balanced leeches in olve, and small white baitfish imitations. It may help to have a floating line as well as an intermediate line to help get your flies down to the deeper water. As your fly sinks, count in your head to help you guage a relative idea of depth. If a fish takes your fly after 20 seconds of letting your fly sink, it's likely that you will let your next cast sink for 20 seconds in order to find another fish. Starting on March 15th the inlet will be closed for spawning so keep an eye out for the buoys and follow your local regulations. Be sure to check the regulations of the natural areas because some have certain restrictions, you can check here.
Flies
Bass: Sparkle Minnow, Jawbreaker, Ritt's Fighting Craw, Meat Whistle, Balanced Baitfish, NearNuf Crayfish, Galloup's Nancy P, Thin Mint #6-10, Clouser Minnows
Pike: Barry's Pike Fly, Game Changer, GT Roosta, Sparkle Minnow, EP Minnows, Clouser Minnows, Deceivers
Carp: Headstand, Backstabber, Swimming Nymph, Mayer's Mini Leech, Dirty Monkey, Montana Prince Nymph
We have a Staff Selection of flies for Warmwater Species HERE and Carp HERE
Stillwater Trout:
Our trout stillwaters are all frozen over for winter. We are all anxiously waiting for ice off and great lake fishing ahead! We're happy to answer any lake fishing questions you may have, so give us a call if you need any help.
North Park Report
All of the lakes in North Park are now frozen for the winter.
Plains Lakes Reports
Alsop, Gelatt, Twin Buttes, Leazenby, and Lake Hattie all are frozen for the season. Unfortunately Meeboer had a significant fish kill, read more about it here.
Honholz Lakes Reports
All 3 of the Honholz Lakes are capped with ice.
Red Feather Lakes Reports
West Lake, Dowdy Lake, Parvin Lake and Lake Bellaire all have ice on them.
Highway 14 Alpine Lakes
Joe Wright, Chambers, and Barnes Meadow have all completely frozen up for the season. Lake Agnes and Longdraw are completely frozen.
Flies
Trout: Balanced leech #10, Juju Chironimid #12-16, Chironocone #12-16, Flash Back Scud #14-18, Mayers Mini Leech, Crystal Chironomid #12-16,Thin Mint #6-12, Ritt's Fighting Craw
We have a Staff Selection of flies for Stillwater Trout HERE