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Mother Lake
Rainbow
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Trophy Trout
Lakes in the Big Valley
Mother Lake can often be fished from the bank,
much like a spring creek, by casting to cruising
trout. At times a float tube is useful, especially
during hot summer days. Woolly buggers, woolly
worms, crayfish patterns, grasshopper flies, parachute
adams, mayfly nymphs and large (#12) chironomid
midge pupae flies are effective at different times
of the year. Island Lake contains a high proportion
of rainbow trout, and Big Lake has a population
of brown trout and Smallmouth Bass. The Weldon
Spring ponds (three of them) contain trophy rainbow
trout. The Big Valley lakes are spring fed, and are
often fishable year round. Fishing in the Big Valley
is limited to artificial flies with barbless hooks.
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Bass
Ponds
The Pump Lakes in the Big Valley contain largemouth
bass ranging up to five pounds. These scrappy fish may
be caught on fly rods or spinning gear using single
hook lures (no treble hooks please). We have introduced
smallmouth bass in Big Lake, which are reaching
catchable size.
Big
Thompson River
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This rushing
mountain freestone stream flows through 2 miles of private
Ranch land. This prime section of river is a wild trout
fishery containing stretches of pocket water, rapids,
wide riffles and deep holes. Runoff begins in mid-May
and usually lasts through the end of June. Starting
in mid-July, water volumes gradually diminish until
the winter low, when trout head for the deep holes.
Brown Trout are the most frequent catch in the Big Thompson.
Rainbows are also present in large numbers. In this
section of the River, the trout tend to be brilliant
in color and larger than hatchery stocked trout at higher
altitudes. The average size is 12 inches, with 16 inchers
caught on most days. Occassionally anglers will land
up to 25-inch brown trout.
Abundant mayfly nymphs and caddis fly larvae populate
the River. The Big Thompson is known for its large golden
stone fly nymphs, which hatch out in late June or early
July. Nymphal husks can often be seen clinging to streamside
rocks. Size 8 Golden stone nymphs are a must for your
fly box on this River. Other useful patterns include
olive green caddis larvae (size 12-14), gray and brown
mayfly nymph patterns (size 14-18), elk hair caddis
(size 14-16), light yellow and tan hoppers (size 8),
black ants (size 16-18), blue quill wets (size 14) and
in August, size 10 ginger quill drys and rusty spinners.
During the evening rise, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, the Big
Thompson boils with activity and trout are liable to
hit almost anything you throw at them.
We have designated the River for catch-and-release fly
fishing with barbless hooks (no bait fishing, please!). State license is required please visit the following website for additional information - AppsAndLicenses.
Main Ranch ponds
Four ponds at the main ranch, close
to your cabin door, contain beautiful rainbow trout
in the 12-19 inch range. These ponds are open to catch-and-release
fly fishing to qualified anglers who are summer dude
guests and retreat guests. B&B guests may also
fish these wates and the adjacent Big Thompson River
for an access fee. We also allow catch-and-keep bait
fishing on a pay-per-fish basis for groups (sorry,
no throwbacks). During the summer dude ranch season,
our guests fish these ponds during designated times.
The kids have a blast. We clean the trout and serve
up a tasty trout dish during our Friday night ranch
party.
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