My family and I have a trip to Colorado planned for the first week of July. We went two years ago and fished several different spots; streams, rivers and ponds. Last time I used my regular bass fishing r&r, baitcasting reel on > 6' rod, but it was a giant pain in the rear to move from spot to spot with the rod and tackle, not to mention trying to effectively cast in those fast flowing rivers. I tried to learn to use a fly rod, but that didn't end so well.

Can anyone recommend one of those small, compact rod and reel combos that fold up into a little box that would work well in CO (spinning reel or the push button type would be fine)? Thanks

I was in CO last summer on a church trip. I bought a little ugly stick microlite that came w a spinning reel. I was fishing a little brook not a river. But it worked really well maybe that would work for you. It's about 4' long

A lightweight spinning rod/real has always proven versatile in my pursuit of trout and salmon. I haven't really used a travel combo before, but these lightweight rods are usually around 5'-5'6" and break into two pieces.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into both. What sort of bait did y'all use? I think the last I tried salmon eggs of course, and some little Panther Martin spinners and a small Rat-L-Trap.

Well, there is only one acceptable "bait" any good gentleman would use to catch a trout in this world, and that is a hand tied fly.

However, with a lightweight spinning setup, you've got other options.

• Powerbait - Fished on a small (size 16-20) treble hook on a ~15" leader with a small (1/8-1/4 oz.) lead barrel weight.
• Spoon / Spinner - Any small spoon or jig with a spinner blade. The shinier the better. I have had lots of luck with the Vibrax by Blue Fox. Panther Martins and Rooster Tails are good also.
• Hand Tied Fly - You can attempt to return to the basics with a fly (dry or wet) fished on a ~36" leader with a small bubble float. Add enough water to the bubble to help get some distance in your cast.
• Salmon eggs - Fish a couple at a time on a small snelled hook.
• Worms - Trout love 'em, too!
• Corn - Many of the stocker trout will go for corn every time.

Thanks Todd. This is why I follow the OB!

Definitely, the only way I'll be able to use a hand tied fly is with a float. Thanks again!

I had success w rooster tails

Had success in May on the South Platte in 11 mile canyon on spinning reels and trout HD's. Brown/gold/orange color.

I use a 6.5' ultra light spinning rod and reel. My favorite lure in streams is a panther martin black body and black blade with yellow dots on the body and blade. Second favorite is same lure with black body and gold blade. In lakes and ponds gold blade seems to work best. Also Mepps size #1 with red and white blade. In the creeks I wade with the sun in my face cast upstream and begin retreive as soon as lure hits water to avoid hang ups. Reel just fast enough to make blade spin and work behind large rocks and along the banks. I have never gone hungry using these methods. In real small streams I use a couple of pea size splitshot on a #6 or #8 hook and leader. I put the split shot on the leader above the hook and below the loop. Earthworms or red salmon eggs behind rocks, logs and under a cutbank. This is a sure recipe for a fish fry. Good Luck! We will be in Lake City the week of the 4th. Look for a white GMC with Century Club sticker and Aggie plates.

You can also tie a fly on behind a small bobber and still catch trout on a fly. Talk to the local fly shops they should help you out.

I lived in Colorado Springs for a while and fished the rivers lakes and streams within 50 miles of where I lived. I used an ultra lite rod 5 1/2' long and Garcia Mitchel 308. Although I tried most of what others have listed I had my best luck on brown Rooster Tails and red Pautzke brand salmon eggs. As Chief said, "cast upstream and begin retreive as soon as lure hits water to avoid hang ups. Reel just fast enough to make blade spin and work behind large rocks and along the banks"

Don't y'all know trout won't let you catch them unless you're casting a hand-tied fly with a $1000 fly rod & reel combo and dressed like you stepped out of an Ovis catalog?

I love to catch trout anyway I can Fly rod, Spinning and "Dabbling" as I call it worms and salmon eggs behind rocks , cutbanks logs and especially behind Beaver dams in deep holes. Once pulled a 16" er from out of a hole not 12" across but about 2' deep. I was as surprised as the fish was!! Catching Brookies in Beaver ponds is a blast, you gotta' get there early or late or they see you and never bite nothing.