Favorite Nymphs
When dry flies are not producing, a nymph fished under a floating indicator will often take trout; however, I prefer fishing with a dry–dropper rig rather than with a strike indicator. I frequently find that just when I am ready to give up on surface activity, I discover fish that have seemingly been waiting all day for my dry fly. If I don’t have on a dry fly, these fish often eat my indicator, so I usually go with a dry–dropper rig.
ARF Gen-X Soft Hackle—Olive
HOOK: Tiemco TMC3769, size 8.
THREAD: Olive 8/0 (70 denier).
TRAILING BUBBLES: MirageFlash, opal.
ABDOMEN: Olive Ultra Wire.
THORAX: Olive Ice Dub.
HACKLE: Brahma hen dyed olive.
A lot of nymphs are very effective in the Park, but I find myself relying on a few standbys. Non-weighted and beadhead Pheasant-Tail Nymphs (sizes 18 to 14) and the Red Fox Squirrel Hair Soft Hackle (sizes 20 to 10) are all productive. I frequently use a pattern called the ARF Gen-X Soft Hackle (copper, blue, or olive, in sizes 18 to 12), which is slightly weighted and sparse so it sinks readily, but it is light enough to fish as a trailer behind medium-size and smaller dry flies.
The ARF Tung-Syn PT (sizes 18 to 14) is a recent addition to my fly box; I began tying this pattern only a couple of seasons ago. This fly combines flash with great translucence, and the tungsten bead keeps it near the bottom. A selection of Hare’s Ears, Copper Johns, Thread Midges, and ARF Big Bird Nymphs, along with the previously mentioned patterns, covers most situations. The ARF Slim Flash Damsel and your favorite scud patterns are excellent choices for fishing many lakes.
A Few More Flies and Important Fishing Tips
I round out my fly box with a few dubbed leeches (black, olive, and brown, in sizes 12and10). I carry dubbed leeches because I feel they also act as serviceable streamers, and even larger stonefly imitations as well as leeches. Some other patterns that are worth consideration are the Yellow Humpy, Royal Wulff or Coachman, Lime Trude, Rio Grande King, Stimulator, Prince Nymph, Mosquito, Partridge and Orange, Partridge and Olive, Twenty Incher, San Juan Worm (in brown, tan, red, pink and purple), and egg flies. Many other flies also catch trout inRocky Mountain National Park, but I’m sharing these because I know they are effective for the way I prefer to fish.
Foam Beetle
HOOK: Tiemco TMC101, sizes 10 and 8.
THREAD: Black 8/0 (70 denier).
BACK: 2-millimeter-thick closed-cell foam, black.
LEGS: Black rubber legs.
SPOT: Para-Post Yarn. Select a color you see well on the water.
THORAX: Peacock herl.
The moving water in Rocky Mountain National Park varies from freestone streams flowing through tight corridors of willow, alder, and aspen or mature forests to exposed meadow streams with beaver ponds and deeply undercut banks. For the most part, the lakes are crystal clear with little vegetation. You won’t find super selective trout that examine each fly in maddening detail. What you will find are fish that feed opportunistically but have a very highly developed survival instinct and are extremely wary. Overhead movement, shadows, feet grinding on gravel, pressure waves from wading, and bankside footfalls may all spook the trout well in advance of your arrival. Walk slowly and quietly, and remain hidden behind vegetation and rocks so they don’t spot you. Don’t cast or false-cast over the top of fish, and keep rod movements to a minimum. Long casts and superfine tippets are rarely required, but you need to cast accurately and your flies should land softly. Whether using nymphs or dry flies, be prepared to use high-stick fishing methods. Most moving water has multiple current seams that will instantly grab any line on the surface and cause drag. And remember: If you spook a fish, it will likely dart upstream and might cause a chain reaction startling other trout as far as 50 yards upstream.
I have not discovered a stream or lake where dry flies or a dry–dropper system are not consistent producers. Keep in mind that a natural drag-free drift is usually the key to success on moving water. When fishing streams, be prepared for making a lot of short casts and using high stick presentations on narrow waters with complicated current seams.
I catch most of my lake fish when they are cruising over large shallow flats or along drop-offs. Fish hanging beyond the drop-offs can be caught, and they might be some of the larger trout in the lake, but they are often resting and difficult to entice.
Try fishing the fine waters in Rocky Mountain National Park. And if you see me in the parking lot, rather than asking me what fly I am using, maybe you can show me which one worked for you!
Go Prepared
Chances are you already have everything you need to fish in Rocky Mountain National Park, but just in case, here is a list of recommended gear.
- Hip or waist-high waders are typically sufficient. Many local anglers “wade wet” during the summer.
- 71 /2- to 9-foot-long, 4- and 5-weight rods are favored for fishing Rocky Mountain National Park. Lighter rods (down to 000) may be appropriate for small streams and calm conditions, but windy exposed lakes dictate 4- to 6-weight rods. Smaller, brushier streams are more easily navigated with shorter rods. Three- to five-piece rods are convenient for hiking trails to more distant destinations.
- A floating line is the most versatile, and a sinking-tip line is useful for fishing the deeper areas of some larger lakes.
- Float tubes are permitted on many lakes, but keep in mind that you may have to transport your tube some distance using narrow trails.
- For any high-altitude activity, a good raincoat, first aid kit, whistle, compass, map, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, and plenty of water are recommended. Dress in layers and consider carrying a small survival kit if you venture any distance from your vehicle.
In addition to being a guide and fine tier, Al Ritt is also one of the managers at Peak Engineering, the manufacturers of the Peak Vise and other fly-tying tools. Al lives in Colorado.
Fly Box #2
ARF SlimFlash Damsel–Light Olive
HOOK: Tiemco TMC3769, size 6.
THREAD: Yellow 8/0 (70 denier).
EYES: Extra-small bead chain.
TAIL: Light olive marabou with two strands of opal Mirage Flash.
BODY: Light olive marabou.
RIB: Opal Mirage Flash.
WING PAD: Olive Antron mixed with opal Mirage Flash.
ARF Trailing Bubble Harey Caddis—Olive
HOOK: Tiemco TMC101, sizes 12 and 10.
THREAD: Olive 8/0 (70 denier).
TRAILING BUBBLES: Mirage Flash, opal.
ABDOMEN: Super Fine Dubbing, in light olive.
UNDERWING: MirageFlash, opal.
WING: Snowshoe hare fur, tan and from the back of the foot.
THORAX: Super Fine Dubbing, olive.
HACKLE: Grizzly dyed olive with a V trimmed in the bottom of the hackle collar.
Red Fox Squirrel Hair Soft Hackle
HOOK: Tiemco TMC3769, size 6.
THREAD: Tan 8/0 (70 denier).
BEAD: Copper.
TAIL: Brown hen hackle.
BODY:Whitlock’s SLF Dubbing, red fox squirrel.
THORAX: Brown hen hackle
ARF Tung-Syn PT
HOOK: Tiemco TMC3769, size 8.
THREAD: Olive 8/0 (70denier).
BEAD: Copper tungsten.
TAIL: Krystal Flash, root beer over pearl.
ABDOMEN: Glitter D Rib, root beer.
WING CASE: Mirage Tinsel
THORAX: Ice Dub, peacock.