Which flies do I bring to CO ?

Joined
Feb 21, 2020
Messages
1,224
Location
MN
I searched the forum but couldnt find the answer I was looking for.

I am going to CO at the end of this month for an elk scouting trip and im bringing my fly rod. I was wondering what flies you would recommend I bring ?

Thanks!
 
OP
switchback7
Joined
Feb 21, 2020
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Location
MN
would caddis work? ill probably just bring a small fly box with a few different flies.
 

Davebuech

WKR
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May 16, 2016
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694
Location
Rocky Mountains (SLV) Colorado
Depends on where you are heading and what youre fishing for. Pmd’s , Caddis,BWO , Stimulators Adam’s will cover dries. Maybe some hoppers but still a little early.
PT, Hares ears, Barr Emergers, for nymphs. Golden Tungstones and Turds black, sizes 14-10
Midges in 18 & 20. Zebras in black and red, mercury midge black and red, TopSecret in brown and black.
Should cover about anywhere.
 
OP
switchback7
Joined
Feb 21, 2020
Messages
1,224
Location
MN
Depends on where you are heading and what youre fishing for. Pmd’s , Caddis,BWO , Stimulators Adam’s will cover dries. Maybe some hoppers but still a little early.
PT, Hares ears, Barr Emergers, for nymphs. Golden Tungstones and Turds black, sizes 14-10
Midges in 18 & 20. Zebras in black and red, mercury midge black and red, TopSecret in brown and black.
Should cover about anywhere.

This is the info i was looking for! thank you!
 

JCohHTX

FNG
Joined
May 6, 2019
Messages
78
Orvis website has fishing reports for most major fisheries by state. It tells you latest hatches and recommended fly patterns.
 

chasewild

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Mar 22, 2016
Messages
1,128
Location
CO -> AK
I searched the forum but couldnt find the answer I was looking for.

I am going to CO at the end of this month for an elk scouting trip and im bringing my fly rod. I was wondering what flies you would recommend I bring ?

Thanks!

This is such a refreshing post in the days of "New to the forum, what do you think about ** Unit." I just want to applaud you for: (1) scouting; and (2) upping your odds of enjoying the scouting.

F*ck ya man. Hope you catch some footballs.
 
OP
switchback7
Joined
Feb 21, 2020
Messages
1,224
Location
MN
This is such a refreshing post in the days of "New to the forum, what do you think about ** Unit." I just want to applaud you for: (1) scouting; and (2) upping your odds of enjoying the scouting.

F*ck ya man. Hope you catch some footballs.

haha thanks man! appreciate it.
 

UtahJimmy

WKR
Joined
Jul 6, 2016
Messages
886
Location
SLC, UT
Hopper dropper should be the ticket in a few weeks. Midge/baetis nymph on the drop. Chubby chernobyl, fat albert, any grasshopper should work up top. If the fish are sipping on surface, match the hatch. Griffith's gnat is a good one if they aren't taking the big stuff, pretty generic fly. Woolly buggers work great for high alpine lakes.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

Hoot

WKR
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
488
Location
Ft Collins, CO
only thing I would add is a parachute Adams and a parachute gnat for high mountain lakes, I like the white on the parachute so I can see the dang thing!
 
OP
switchback7
Joined
Feb 21, 2020
Messages
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Location
MN
Hopper dropper should be the ticket in a few weeks. Midge/baetis nymph on the drop. Chubby chernobyl, fat albert, any grasshopper should work up top. If the fish are sipping on surface, match the hatch. Griffith's gnat is a good one if they aren't taking the big stuff, pretty generic fly. Woolly buggers work great for high alpine lakes.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

i love a hopper dropper with a chubby!
 

thinhorn_AK

"DADDY"
Joined
Jul 2, 2016
Messages
11,316
Location
Alaska
It’s been many years since I lived I. Colorado butnif my memory is right I think I used Adams, parachute Adams and elk hair caddis about 99% of the time and I used to absolutely slay the trout there.
 
Joined
Jun 6, 2020
Messages
62
Location
Boise, Idaho
In my experience fly-fishing throughout the West, local fly shops are plenty willing to give you the hatch information you need to know. I would just reach out to a fly shop in the nearest town to where you're going, call them up and I'm sure they'll set you up right. Good luck!
 
Joined
Mar 13, 2017
Messages
1,126
Location
Chico, California
a ton of caddis and stone imitations. shit when I travel for fly fishing i have cases of flies. If i had to limit it i would have a bunch of 12-16 elk hair and x-caddis, a shit ton of PT's (some bead heads) and prince nymphs, a few different mayfly patterns in 12-18. a couple dozen micro may flies. my first stop would be a local shop and i would buy a couple dozen flies they recomend weather I need them or not just to give them business and pick their brain. they are more likely to give you good info if you spend a little money and we need to keep those shops open..
 
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