Flattops Report

[SLAYERFISH]

Hiked to heart lake near yampa on sat.,7 miles each way,lots of snow-caught 40 bo's and cutbows on gold bouyants and missed 2 for each one caught.Except for 4 or 5,all were 15-19" and hit like freight trains.It took me 3 hrs. walk each way,but was worth it!

[lucky7]

Slayer:

I used to live in Yampa...You brought back some great memories of a beautiful area. I never did hike into heart. Maybe I should have. Sounds like you had an awesome day! Great job!!

------------------
lucky7

[SLAYERFISH]

Hey lucky-I discovered the flattops in 1985 cause my bro was the postmaster in yampa.All the lakes in the area are excellent fishing.I've caught 5lb brookies and 12lb lakers and 10lb bo's in the area-all you gotta do is walk.You can ride an atv or dirt bike into heart.Most of the others are in the wilderness.

[lucky7]

Slayer:

We should hook up this summer as I would love to hit those lakes!

------------------
lucky7

[whiteknight]

slayer,
can you still take a dirt bike into heart? i was there probably 10 yrs ago about a 40 min ride on bike was beatiful

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

whiteknight,
I believe that you can take anything under 30" wide up to Heart. A good buddy of mine elk hunts there every year.
Dan

------------------

[SLAYERFISH]

You can still ride into Heart-lots of nasty roots and mud.I've ridden my XR-350 there about 30 times.Usually the fishing is much slower most of the year,ice-out and ice-on is best.Maybe some of us can get together and ride or hike in this summer or fall.Fall is great,no bugs!

[SLAYERFISH]

Hiked into the Mandall lakes on the 24th,99% frozen except for the inlet.Saw some nice cutts and caught a 17" brookie on a fly.Hiked to smith lake,99% frozen execpt at outlet-got skunked.The snow level really starts at 10,500 ft,did a lot of post-holing to get in.Good exercise though! By the way,you CANNOT ride dirt bikes or ATV'S on the main dirt road anymore-but you can do the trails.

[This message has been edited by SLAYERFISH (edited 05-25-2004).]

[Sir Fish Alot]

Ohhh.. Have had quite a few good trips riding in and out of heart lake. Lots of good memories and good fishing there, especially from a belly boat! Don't mind the bears though. haha

[SLAYERFISH]

Never seen any bears,saw lots of beers though..I have seen bear prints,in fact saw some on my recent hike.We were camping/fishing in the Wind River Range and a bear tore the heck out of our camp and we ended up walking 17 miles out that day and night.It was our fault though we didnt know about hanging the food and stuff.