Best trout waters in the Rockies

Estes Park at Sunrise

There are many anglers more knowledgeable of the most sublime places in the Rockies to fly-fish for trout, but I have been fortunate to venture into fantastic trout territory in this region.  This blog post highlights some of those in the Rockies region of the USA that in my opinion deserve consideration as among the most appealing.

Backcountry fishing on Slough Creek in Yellowstone National Park

Twice I have hiked into the second meadow of Slough Creek.  It is very hard work trekking five miles in and out, pitching camp and exploring waters for the coveted Yellowstone cutthroat.  Both times it was in late July and very warm during the day.  We were hiking with heavy backpacks and faced the perils of a bison rut.  It was not a cakewalk.

backcountry camping at 2S1 on Slough Creek

On both occasions we were fortunate to draw the desirable 2S1 site in the lottery, which is very sought after for excellent camping and fishing.  To camp in a designated camp site in the Yellowstone Backcountry requires a backcountry permit.  Generally, reservations should be made through the early access lottery in March of each year on the recreation.gov website.  But there are also anglers that hike in to fish Slough Creek as part of a day trip.

The attraction on this part of Slough Creek is the native Yellowstone cutthroat, which is good sized and abundant in this water.  On the most recent hike in we met anglers coming out that warned that the fishing was challenging, and that terrestrial patterns were not attracting the fish.  We were advised to stick to nymph patterns, and we were rewarded for following the advice with close to a dozen cutthroat measuring 17 inches or larger.  The largest of 20 inches took a miniscule flashback pheasant tail nymph trailing a hare’s ear nymph under an indicator.  And this was despite a stiff wind that forced the fish to remain in deep water.

bison invasion of 2S1 on Slough Creek (photo credit Madison Jones)

Although the bison rut was winding down by this point, there was still a sizeable herd moving about in the next meadow - by which I mean an apparently risk-free distance of 200 to 300 yards away.  That is, until they decided that our campsite was worth inspecting while we were fishing from the bank of Slough Creek.  After a while they became disinterested and relocated back to the adjoining meadow.

There is no shortage of adventure in the Yellowstone Backcountry!

Drifting the Kootenai River to fly-fish for trout

Before my excursion to the Kootenai near Libby, Montana, I had taken float trips while fly fishing for trout in Montana exactly twice.  Once was on the Beaverhead near Dillon on a scorching day in September and landed (at the time) a personal best brown trout.  The following trip was on a very well-known river near Ennis that resembled the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.  I do not feel compelled to return the latter, but I will certainly revisit the Kootenai (pronounced Kootenay) in Northwest Montana.

getting ready to set off on the Kootenai River

What made the float trip on the Kootenai so captivating was the seeming lack of angling pressure.  During the four days of fishing, we did not encounter more than three other boats on any given day.  There is also the prospect of catching multiple trout species, including browns, cutthroats, cutbows and rainbows, as well as mountain whitefish.  Bulltrout are also present, but it is unlawful to specifically target this species, although no one will argue that it would be an unwanted by-catch.  The fish population per mile is also not as dense as other more legendary waters in Montana, but I sense that the fish are more willing to take a fly due to the apparent lack of angling pressure.

At first impression, the Kootenai feels like big water and very formidable.  In Hatch Magazine, author Chris Hunt describes a river “that feels like it’s in a hurry”.  But after a while, the feeling of intimidation dissipates as the ‘money’ spots become apparent – areas where there is a change in current speed or color hue, the presence of bubble lines and structure, as well as drop offs within three- to five-feet of the bank.

the intimidating water of the Kootenai River

The landscape in which this part of the Kootenai is situated, from Libby Dam to the Idaho border is spectacular.  It many ways it resembled waters I fish in western British Columbia.  The riverbanks are flush with Ponderosa Pines, Cedars, Junipers and Ash and eagles and osprey soar over these in search of a meal.

It is a special place!

Fishing for trout on the Big Thompson River

There may be more iconic water in Colorado – take the South Platte River as an example, especially the section referred to as the Dream Stream.  So named, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, for the large fish that migrate up from the Elevenmile reservoir.  I think it would be better referred to as the ‘in your dreams stream’ given how challenging and technical the fishing is here.  Clearly you come to this water to test your skill level as opposed to catching fish!

the 'in your dreams stream' (photo courtesy of Lars Hudnall)

For me, one of the more accessible waters is the Big Thompson, or “Big T” as it is referred to, especially from the Moraine Park campground, from which you could literally walk and begin fishing in a matter of minutes.  It is ironic to call this water the ‘Big T’ within Moraine Park, especially between the Cub Lake and Fern Lake tailheads, because the river is rarely more than ten- to twelve-feet wide and not very deep.  But do expect a bit of bushwhacking to get to some of the water in this section.

fishing the 'Big T'

I found this to be very enjoyable water and seemingly devoid of pressure during our time there (July).  We were also lucky not to be subjected to ‘hoot owl’ restrictions which close down fishing in the afternoons when temperatures are high and water is low.  The brook and brown trout also willingly pounded our flies, both dries and nymphs, as well as terrestrials.

Tight Lines!