After planning a busy round of meetings in Denver for Monday, I decided to take a break and embrace a new adventure. With a 6:00 am flight out of Des Moines on Sunday, I found myself in Colorado with the mountains calling my name. A friend had recommended a hike to the Willow Lakes just outside Silverthorne, CO, promising a challenging trek and the chance to find beautiful wild trout. Intrigued and eager for a new experience, I headed out for what would be an unforgettable day. My alarm went off at 4:00am, a 6:00am flight on United, Rental Car pick up in Denver around 7:30, a quick 90 minute drive to Silverthorne, Colorado, and it was game on!
Arriving in Silverthorne around 9:00 am, I grabbed a hearty breakfast burrito, filled up my water bottle, and made my way to the trailhead. The popularity of this spot was evident as the parking lot was packed, forcing me to park further down the hill—adding some extra distance and elevation gain to my hike. Starting at around 8,800 feet, I ascended to approximately 11,300 feet, covering a total of 12.4 miles out and back. The climb was demanding, but the beauty of the trail kept my spirits high despite my legs feeling the strain.
The photos above are about 2/3s of the way to the first lake. It's pretty easy to cover some ground when you are hiking by yourself. I enjoyed talking with other hikers on my way up. These conversations with people hiking up and back with large 4 section fly rod tubes was a great opportunity to share our packable story. I exchanged contact info with a bunch of people interested in a more packable solution.
The Willow Lakes area boasts five stunning lakes, and I chose to fish the largest, known as Salmon Lake. As I neared the lake, the trail faded away, leading me to a vast boulder field. Traversing these boulders was no easy task and not something I recommend doing alone. The lack of people off the trail meant I had to be extra cautious; a misstep could have had serious consequences. Slowly and carefully, I made my way across, finally reaching the lake’s edge.
The scene was breathtaking, but the wind was fierce, making fishing a challenge. After about 30 minutes, the wind subsided, and I moved to a more sheltered spot on the backside of the lake. There, I spotted a few rising trout, a promising sign. I assembled one of our new prototype six-section packable rods, the 8.5-foot 4-weight, paired with an El Jefe 3/4 fly reel and Scientific Anglers Mastery Trout fly line. For flies, I opted for a classic parachute Adams with a small pheasant tail dropper, a setup perfect for tempting rising trout.
The trout were mostly rising far out, but this rod made casting to them a breeze. After several refusals, I noticed some cruising near the shore. A well-placed cast and boom—it was on! The trout were incredibly vibrant brook trout, their colors stunning against the clear mountain water. I managed to capture a bit of video of one before it slipped off near a rock. Despite a few escapes, I landed a couple of these beauties before deciding to make my way back down the mountain.
On my way down, I refilled my water bottle from a stream just below Salmon Lake. The water was crystal clear and refreshingly pure, a perfect end to an exhilarating day. This trip was not just about fishing; it was a reminder of the simple joys of being out in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
As summer heats up, remember that high mountain lakes offer a refreshing alternative when river temperatures rise. These cooler waters provide a unique and rewarding challenge for fly fishers, offering not just great fishing but also stunning scenery and a chance to truly unplug. I can’t wait to return to explore the other lakes in the area.
Until next time, tight lines, my friends!
I love this photo, this shows the elevation gain on my Colorado hike, and it compares it to the hikes I went on in Montana earlier in the month. I see more of these hikes in my future to high mountain lakes, especially in the hot days of summer when the water temperatures rise.
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