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River: South Platte - Downtown Denver
Fish: Brown Trout
Waterton Canyon ride, Strontia question
Post By: Snagaddict      Posted: 6/11/2012 4:11:49 PM     Points: 236    
Made the ride to Strontia Springs dam this morning for the first time my last attempt was cut short by a flat tire. Got on the trail just before 7 and hit a few holes past Marston on my way up. HD's and the like seem to be the ticket on spin gear. Lots of fish hugging tight to rocks and edges and deep in holes little surface action. I landed four in all including this fella here at 12". All browns, as expected here.

I was surprised to find no access on foot/bike to the reservoir at the top. I biked my way up toward the dam, but it says the area is "closed to the public" before coming anywhere near the reservoir. Why have fishing regulations posted for a reservoir you can't get to? Am I missing something here?
 Reply by: albow      Posted: 6/11/2012 9:46:33 PM     Points: 154    
Well, it's a good question. Actually you have to access the res from the Colorado Trail which starts past the dam. Keep riding to the top of the hill, then down the other side. Just before the bottom of the hill the trail comes off to the right. If you hit the creek you've gone too far. Watch out for poison ivy. If you are wearing bike shoes, the footing is treacherous. You are way back in there, so be careful. Truth is hardly anybody fishes in there except people who work for the water department, who can legally drive in and get on the lake by boat.
 Reply by: Snagaddict      Posted: 6/12/2012 7:42:06 AM     Points: 236    
Right, I did see the Colorado trail turnoff it was the only option from there and like you said, it takes you way back so I turned around. I was afraid I'd miss a turn off to the reservoir and get lost.

How completely was the reservoir drained during the dredging? Are we to assume there aren't many fish, or that the Denver water fellas are just keeping a good secret quiet?
 Reply by: FlyFisha900      Posted: 6/12/2012 10:45:18 AM     Points: 110    
When i was up there about a month ago there was absolutely no access, me and my friends asked many of the water people and they all said the lake was closed off to the public. I really wanted to fish it, to.
 Reply by: albow      Posted: 6/12/2012 4:52:09 PM     Points: 154    
It's not closed to the public. Not at all! But Mr. Public can't drive in on a work truck like the Denver water guys can. Mr. Public has to go in on his mountain bike, as above. It's a pretty limited number of public folks that will actually be able to get in there, but there you have it. It's do-able if you are motivated. I've caught rainbows and browns up there. Saw guys in a boat catching many large fish -- they didn't ride their bikes in.

If you know someone who works for Denver water you may be able to get an invite.
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May 21, 2013 4:46:00 PM
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