The mines are closed; the hatches are back and the trout are thriving in Colorado's Eagle River.
ROSS PURNELL
Gore Creek Overlooked by many anglers because of its size and urban surroundings, Gore Creek is one of only 12 Colorado "Gold Medal" waters. About 4 miles of Gore Creek, from Red Sandstone Creek to the confluence with the Eagle River, is Gold Medal water with artificial-flies-and-lures-only regulations and a bag limit of two fish over 16 inches.
In winter, you can skip across it from rock to rock and not wet your feet, but if you look into the deeper pools (3 feet deep), you'll see bigger fish than you expected. Treated sewage from surrounding developments flows into the stream and raises the water's nitrogen and phosphorous levels, which means more algae, more insects, and larger trout.
Because of the abundant food and skinny water, Gore Creek trout are difficult to catch. The stream has technical pocketwater fishing, with fish lying in and around every type of obstruction imaginable. While some small, flat pools offer outstanding dry-fly fishing, nymphs catch most of the big trout. Use weighted flies or split-shot to sink the flies to the fish and a high-stick technique to keep your line and most of your leader off the water. The fish feed in tight spots, and sometimes your drift will be measured in inches, so it's critical to keep in direct contact with your flies. Strike when you can't feel your split-shot drag along bottom--that's the pickup.
In the large pools, cast to the head of the pool with a conventional nymph-and-indicator rig. In this water, you have more time for the fly to reach bottom, so you don't need as much weight. A long drift should eliminate slack between the indicator and flies, allowing dependable strike detection. Adjust the distance between your indicator and flies to about 11/2 times the water depth each time you fish a new pool. On Gore Creek, most people have far too much monofilament between their indicator and flies.
In the shallow runs, where a fluorescent indicator can spook trout, present nymphs on a tight line (as described above) or use a dry fly for an indicator.
Hatches on Gore Creek happen at about the same times as on the Eagle River. Like trout in fertile spring creeks, Gore Creek trout seem to key on small insects most of the year. Midge and Blue-winged Olive hatches in early spring and late fall are more dense on Gore Creek than the Eagle, and they provide excellent fishing. Stoneflies are not as common on Gore Creek. The fish only get excited about big dry flies during the Western Green Drake hatch in July, which is the best time to fish Gore Creek. You can cast up a narrow, tree-lined alley, high-stick your rod to get a natural drift through a pocket the size of a pillowcase, and wait for a white maw to engulf your fly and charge away in a swirl of spots and rainbow red.
The Right Gear A 5-weight, 8 1/2- or 9-foot rod is right for trout fishing almost everywhere in the Rocky Mountains. However, when the water is low and wading easier, a 3- or 4-weight can lob a nymph and split-shot 15 feet just as well as a 5-weight. A softer rod will break off fewer fish. If you play your fish correctly--using the reel and pulling the fish from the cork (not the rod tip)--you can land them just as quickly with the lighter, softer rod. In the high water of early summer, you may want a 6-weight for throwing the big flies longer distances.
The Eagle is a fast river with lots of large boulders. Felt soles with aluminum cleats will help keep your feet on the bottom, and a sturdy wading staff can lend support and safety. Wear a wading belt at all times.
Places to Stay and Local Contacts Five campgrounds provide inexpensive places to stay near the Eagle and Gore Creek. The U.S. Forest Service operates two campgrounds: Gore Creek (take the East Vail exit off of I-70, then go east on the South Frontage Road until you see the campground sign) and Hornsilver Campground & Gold Camp (go south on Highway 24 from I-70 until you see the campground sign).
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has two campgrounds. The Wolcott Campground is one mile west of Wolcott on Highway 6. It has fishing access and a boat launch. The Gypsum Campground is one mile west of the Gypsum exit off I-70 on South Frontage Road.
Sylvan Lake State Park is 12 miles south of Eagle on Brush Creek Road. It has 46 campsites, nine cabins. Call (800) 678-CAMP for reservations.
Hotels in the area include AmericInn, (970) 328-5155; Best Western, (970) 328-6316; Comfort Inn, (970) 328-7878; Holiday Inn Express, (970) 328-8088; and Surburban Lodge, (970) 328-3000.
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Gore Creek
BOWHUNTER