High alpine lakes and reservoirs are still fishing phenomenally. If you are looking for ways to wrap up the high alpine lake season, check out some of the still waters at the top of Poudre Canyon or venture out into Rocky Mountain National Park to hike up to the offerings that we have right in our backyard.

Dry Fly fishing can be extremely rewarding and productive since you are generally sight fishing and putting your flies in front of cruising trout. If you don't see much activity from the surface, work different depths with chironomids under indicators or strip leeches and damsel fly nymphs slowly along edges, drop offs, and in the deeper water. Terrestrial patterns like small ants, beetles, and grasshoppers have been working along with smaller Adams and midges.

Local Stillwaters

The Delaney lakes have begun fishing for Fall and are worth hitting. Running Chironomid patterns with a leech below during the day is a great option. Stripping leeches, crayfish or streamers during low light conditions has been very effective as well. Be well prepared for doing both and you should be able to find a few willing fish.

Ants and beetles on top with a small chironomid 3-4 feet below can be a very fun and effective way to fish these lakes as well and find a few dry fly eaters. Keep an eye out for closures on certain parts of Delaney as Fall hits and the browns begin to spawn.

The Plains Lakes have turned on as well. Utilize the same tactics mentioned above at these lakes. Leeches and buggers stripped in lower light conditions work very well. nymph rigs with scuds, chironomids, damsels and leeches will find fish through the sunnier parts of the day when fish may go deeper.

Recommended Stillwater Trout Flies: