Thread: Front Range (CO) Beta Needed (Steamboat or Summit Co)

Hello,

This is my first post in the fishing area. So I am driving from Denver to Steamboat Springs this weekend because I have to be in Springs all next week for work. Anyhow, I was looking for some suggestions on where I can camp and fish Saturday/Sunday and what all I should bring with me (fishing wise - tackle).

I am a fishing JONG, but I do have a trout rod and tackle and a decent fly rod (will need to pick up some more flies and I can cast OK...no waders though). If there is anyone in the Steamboat area that wants to show me around and fish Sunday, that would also be much appreciated. I have a Jeep so offroad access is not an issue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...I usually fish with my one friend, who is a good fisherman, but he is busy and we usually fish more towards Breck and Vail. I was hoping for something different out towards Craig/Steamboat.

Thanks again - Nathan

Yampa, tailwaters, stagecoach, steamboat lake, trapper lake, pike out past Hayden. Tons of info available online. Look at the Yampa River SWA if you want something different.

You could also hit the Blue for a couple hours on your way up hwy9. Dry action has been good and the flows are way down (130ish). I've been wet wading it lately, no need for waders unless a front rolls in.

Does anyone have any Beta on the Elk? As in directions and where to fish? I am going to go pick up some chest waders tonight. Someone at work said it should be good and has national forest land on some of the banks that I could camp at Saturday night??

I looked on google maps and found the town of Elk river as well as Elk river drive, but no Elk river. The person at work said there are three forks that should be good fishing and the fishing reports online say it is clearing up.

Ideally, I would like to find something I could drive the Jeep back to and camp close to the river and fish Saturday night. As always, any help would be appreciate.

I have no idea what your co-worker is talking about. The Gunnison perhaps? Either way, not even close. As for waders, just pick up a pair of cheap Hodgman breathables.

Well thanks for the help so far....I am not sure what he was talking about either. It is all a little overwhelming, but I guess I will just head up early Saturday morning, hit the Blue on my way and see what I can find. My guess is, I won't catch a damn thing, but I am sure going to try. I have a good recreational topo at home that details all areas in CO, so I will see what is out there on the map tonight, and then check the fishing reports online.

I may post tonight or tomorrow to run a trip plan by someone .

Thanks for the info on the Hodgman waders.

Not sure how you couldn't find the Elk on Google maps as it is a decent sized river west/NW of town. Elk River runs south/southwest from the Mt Zirkel Wilderness and into the Yampa. Turn north on Elk River Rd (or Hwy 129) at the 7-11 west of downtown and drive about 20 miles to Clark, after Clark turn right on Seedhouse Rd. Seedhouse will get you to the North and South Fork of the Elk River. Once Seedhouse Rd turns to dirt, it's all forest service land with lots of campsites right along the river.

Thanks Yeti.....I talked to him again and he said there are three forks to the river and he usually fished the middle fork. He gave the same directions as you. I think on google maps, Elk River Road runs over top of the river. I can see it on the satellite but not the map or terrain view. I must suck at google! I think that is going to be my plan.

Yeti....you rock!

Obviously, I only see two (North and South)....maybe he mean the north....oh well....I can figure it out from here...thanks again

Yes, Elk River Rd runs directly along the river, that's the river in the satellite maps. You could call Steamboat Flyfisher too http://steamboatflyfisher.com, they must know of some good spots. I don't fish so I don't know much details, but I've heard good stuff about the Little Snake too, which I believe you can access if you keep driving past Clark on 129 until you hit Columbine (another 15 miles or so?) and then I think you keep taking the dirt towards 3-forks Ranch (so there must be a 3rd fork somewhere!).