Fall fishing Colorado resovoir fish

[tunrevir]

I'm heading out to Colorado in 2 weeks for elk hunting. We will be there almost a week before the season opens and there is a resevoir within 15 minutes from where we are going to hunt. I was wondering if anyone has fished the resevoirs in the fall for trout and tactics that were productive. I was planning on bringing some small spoons and inline spinners to cast from shore. There are rainbows and browns in there so I was also thinking maybe some smaller countdown raps. I only own spinning gear so that is what I have to go with. Any thoughts?

Tunrevir~

[Swimbait2009]

I think you're on the right track there. Think orange and rainbow pattern raps, and the silver, gold, or black panther martin spinners should be pretty killer.

[Nate McVey]

Yup, swimbait gives some good advice. Rainbow rapalas, Mepps Aglias and Cleos work great in the reservoirs. Where are you going if you don't mind me asking?

[tunrevir]

I'm a short drive to the Freeman resevoir, not to far from Craig. I may also bring some smaller rattle raps out because you can launch them a country mile. Thanks for the advice guys!

Tunrevir~

[deets22]

maybe try some kastmasters and some brown trout pattern rapalas

[GlomDawg]

I live in Colorado -

Have an assortment of small lures like is mentioned above. I would have a few small gold and silver spinners, small spoons like a kastmaster or my favorite a Thomas Bouyant in silver, and a couple of small floating raps. The brown trout pattern is deadly.

I would also bring a couple clear casting bubbles and some small wooley buggers in various colors and some split weights, small hooks and green label pautzkies salmon eggs.

Try the lures/flies first and if nothing is happening with that you can always catch a few on eggs off the bottom. They have a tendancy to swallow the egs so you may have to cut the line on those if you are not going to keep any for dinner.

Tim

[tunrevir]

GlomDawg, thank you for your reply. It is always nice to get input from a local. Not sure how much fishing i'll get in, depends on the elk hunt but I'll have a rod and tackle along just in case. Any season closures or slots I'd need to know about? Thanks!

Tunrevir~

[Nate McVey]

Quote:

I'm a short drive to the Freeman resevoir, not to far from Craig.

That's a nice area, good luck! We'll be out on Halloween for 3rd season rifle.

[tunrevir]

Thanks Shiner2367, I haven't hunted this area before. The last two times I was out to elk hunt was with a bow and we were over near Meeker/ Maraphas creek area. First time hunting out there during rifle season as well. Looking foreward to a bit of fishing before and after the hunt. I leave Monday and won't be back till the 17th or so. I figure if i get an elk early then I'll have more time to fish but if I don't score an elk then i'll still get to fish a couple days prior to the season.

Tunrevir~

[GlomDawg]

This is from the regulations brocure:

Freeman Res. - Moffat County

From 50 yards either side of inlet and upstream 1/4 mile:

a. Fishing prohibited Jan. 1-July 31.

So besides the standard 4 trout bag limit, no other things to worry about! Good Luck!

Tim

[tunrevir]

Thanks, GD! I appreciate the info. I'll pick up the regs when i buy the lisc just to be well informed.

Tunrevir~