I'm in the process of finalizing a groups for a second rifle season elk hunt in the Flat Tops Wilderness of Colorado this October. I've seen multiple threads on fishing various parts of Colorado, but I didn't want to hijack those threads.

I've purchased a breakdown rod and micro spinning reel just in case the opportunity presents itsel since they're nice enough to in a free fishing license with a $700 elk license. Anyone fish during rifle elk season and have any pointers?

Any type of lures better than others? Fishing better in streams or small lakes? There are plenty of both in the Flat Tops.

There are a few small lakes on the ranch I hunt. 1/8th oz roadrunners work great on trout and crappie.

Small silver Mepps and Roostertails. Also small silver spoons like Kastmaster, dardevil, etc. on 4 lb. test.

My advice: you won't have time to do both. If you're going to elk hunt, you'll lose scouting/hiking/hunting time trying to catch fish. I think you'll regret trying to do both. Go all out for one or the other, unless you don't care about striking out on both.

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My advice: you won't have time to do both. If you're going to elk hunt, you'll lose scouting/hiking/hunting time trying to catch fish. I think you'll regret trying to do both. Go all out for one or the other, unless you don't care about striking out on both.

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Obviously my primary is elk hunting. However, if I tag out early or bad weather keeps us to camp I like having the option. We're having an outfitter pack us in on horses to a drop camp so there isn't any leaving until they pick us up.

We'll most likely be camped next to a stream or small lake for water anyway and my understanding is that area is outstanding fishing (during the summer anyway).

Could you ask your pack in guide for advice or ask him to ask around. I'm sure he'd be willing to help out

I most certainly will. I just thought this would be a great place to ask as well.

I'm looking for all sorts of advice from lures and colors to take (I'll only take a couple) to types of water and what it should look like.

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Small silver Mepps and Roostertails. Also small silver spoons like Kastmaster, dardevil, etc. on 4 lb. test.

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Awesome, this is exactly what I'm looking for! Those look really similar to the Panther Martins I've seen recommend in a couple of places.

Don't know your set-up but..... If I saw a guy milling around trying to find fish during my elk hunt, I might not take too kindly to that. (I know, I know, everyone has the same opportunity... but you can fish year round)

You said "after" you tag out. How many others around you haven't tagged out???

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Don't know your set-up but..... If I saw a guy milling around trying to find fish during my elk hunt, I might not take too kindly to that. (I know, I know, everyone has the same opportunity... but you can fish year round)

You said "after" you tag out. How many others around you haven't tagged out???

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How exactly do you think someone fishing the creek near camp or a nearby lake on top of the Flat Tops will impact someone hunting elk in the canyons and valleys below?

I'm not looking to interrupt anyone's hunt, although I'm pretty sure there will be much bigger issues for us to worry about (weather, other hunters, etc.).

Gonna be getting cold up there that time of year but I would imagine there are still fish. Sounds like you are going the spinning route and not fly fishing. If so the others have put you on a pretty good path. In the streams try small (1/32oz-1/16oz-1/8oz) gold and silver spoons. Let them flutter back in behind each rock, through the edges of each eddy, etc. In the lakes the spoons will work but the inline spinnerbaits that others have recommended are also a good choice.

4 pound test, and carry a spool or two with you because it's easy to break 4# test, particularly if you're used to fishing in Texas with 12-20# line.

I personally wouldn't have any problems with someone fishing around camp while I'm out hunting in other parts, and it's a minimal dollar/weight investment in case you're lucky enough to tag out or just need a mental break after getting kicked in the face with a week of zero success.

Thanks Sean. That's pretty much my thoughts as well. I'm also secretly concerned that I may need a day of rest in the middle of the week because I'm just not going to be in as good of shape as I need to be.

I'm kicking the work and diet into high gear, but I'm starting way behind the 8 ball (by my own doing). I've never been in the Flat Tops or Elk hunted before (I have hunted Mulies successfully in northern New Mexico) so I look at this as a bad ass camping trip and elk learning experience. Fishing for trout is something I don't get to do in Houston, so if that allows for a mental reboot on a tough trip, I figure it's good option to have.

We hunted in the white river national forest area a few years back and some of the guys in our camp tagged out early. So they went fishing at a public lake and caught dinner for that night.

I'll repeat a few here. I've been lucky on high mountain lakes with gold and silver spoons like the Acme Phoebe and Mepps In-line spinners. I've never fished as late as October though. I always hunt the mountains with a 4-piece rod and a small reel in my pack. Most years we try to camp right on one of the lakes.

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Don't know your set-up but..... If I saw a guy milling around trying to find fish during my elk hunt, I might not take too kindly to that. (I know, I know, everyone has the same opportunity... but you can fish year round)

You said "after" you tag out. How many others around you haven't tagged out???

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Not in the mountains. You should probably stake out next to the guy. I tend to see more wildlife while fishing anyways.

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Don't know your set-up but..... If I saw a guy milling around trying to find fish during my elk hunt, I might not take too kindly to that. (I know, I know, everyone has the same opportunity... but you can fish year round)

You said "after" you tag out. How many others around you haven't tagged out???

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Not in the mountains. You should probably stake out next to the guy. I tend to see more wildlife while fishing anyways.

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Are you saying you can't fish year-round in the mountains? I've got quite a few fish from mountain streams I've caught in January and February that disagree with you, despite frozen eyes and froze up reels. My favorite memory was in snowy whiteout conditions in Utah, catching white fish on tiny dry flies. My brother-in-law fell in the water and hiked back down to the truck, missing the fun.

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Don't know your set-up but..... If I saw a guy milling around trying to find fish during my elk hunt, I might not take too kindly to that. (I know, I know, everyone has the same opportunity... but you can fish year round)

You said "after" you tag out. How many others around you haven't tagged out???

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Not in the mountains. You should probably stake out next to the guy. I tend to see more wildlife while fishing anyways.

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Are you saying you can't fish year-round in the mountains? I've got quite a few fish from mountain streams I've caught in January and February that disagree with you, despite frozen eyes and froze up reels. My favorite memory was in snowy whiteout conditions in Utah, catching white fish on tiny dry flies. My brother-in-law fell in the water and hiked back down to the truck, missing the fun.

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some mountains...

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Don't know your set-up but..... If I saw a guy milling around trying to find fish during my elk hunt, I might not take too kindly to that. (I know, I know, everyone has the same opportunity... but you can fish year round)

You said "after" you tag out. How many others around you haven't tagged out???

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Not in the mountains. You should probably stake out next to the guy. I tend to see more wildlife while fishing anyways.

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Are you saying you can't fish year-round in the mountains? I've got quite a few fish from mountain streams I've caught in January and February that disagree with you, despite frozen eyes and froze up reels. My favorite memory was in snowy whiteout conditions in Utah, catching white fish on tiny dry flies. My brother-in-law fell in the water and hiked back down to the truck, missing the fun.

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some mountains...

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Frequently if there is water moving, there are fish in it. It's a different kind of fishing for sure, but it can be very productive.

I don't know where exactly the OP is hunting, but the White River in the Flat Tops has great winter fishing.

Probably won't be able to fish the White River. We'll be hunting from up top of the Flat Tops between the north and south forks of the white river. Mostly southwest of Trappers Lake if that helps.

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Don't know your set-up but..... If I saw a guy milling around trying to find fish during my elk hunt, I might not take too kindly to that. (I know, I know, everyone has the same opportunity... but you can fish year round)

You said "after" you tag out. How many others around you haven't tagged out???

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Not in the mountains. You should probably stake out next to the guy. I tend to see more wildlife while fishing anyways.

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Are you saying you can't fish year-round in the mountains? I've got quite a few fish from mountain streams I've caught in January and February that disagree with you, despite frozen eyes and froze up reels. My favorite memory was in snowy whiteout conditions in Utah, catching white fish on tiny dry flies. My brother-in-law fell in the water and hiked back down to the truck, missing the fun.

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some mountains...

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Frequently if there is water moving, there are fish in it. It's a different kind of fishing for sure, but it can be very productive.

I don't know where exactly the OP is hunting, but the White River in the Flat Tops has great winter fishing.

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I was referring more to just being able to access some streams or high mountain lakes during winter. No doubt if there is moving water and you can get there then you'll have a chance at something.

Not to derail your thread however I'm headed to the Flat Tops in a couple weeks and was wondering if any of you that have fished it/trekked it had any good general information that would be helpful?

Lake Avery is right off hwy.8 outside of meeker

Get a few Super Dupers. I always catch a few with one.

Like I said, I don't know your set-up. Wasn't trying to slam you, just a heads up!

We have elk and muleys almost walk through our campsite and the river and tanks are hot spots to hunt.

So I have never been able to fish for fear of messing up friends (others) that have yet to tag out.

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We hunted in the white river national forest area a few years back and some of the guys in our camp tagged out early. So they went fishing at a public lake and caught dinner for that night.

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Thanks. That's would be the best case scenario .