Post By: chuck-and-duck Posted: 7/21/2012 3:11:06 PM Points: 0
So I start out early afternoon to go up to N cat. I assumed that you could fish till dark and paid my fee at the entrance and was not told and did not see a sign saying that it closed at 7 until I got to the gate for the reserviours. I fish and start heading back in my pontoon for the dam against the wind. I get there at about 5 minutes til 7 and the ranger is standing there reading me the riot act about how the reservoiur closes in 5 minutes I say OK and load up my 8ft pontoon, oars fishing stuff etc back to the parking lot in ONE trip as fast as I can. Then the ranger comes over to my car while I am hurredly loadin my stuff into the car and loading the pontoon onto the rack. He goes into it again and starts saying that if I am not past the gate ASAP he was going to lock me behind it. At this point I am thinking "what does it look like I am doing" I continue to hurry to load my stuff and hurry out of there. He is at the gate with it half closed when I drive thru. I leave and park on the side of the road to take off my waders and boots etc and he pulls up behind me again saying that I was going to fast exiting the reservoiur area after he threatened to lock me behind the gate. The ranger should have left it alone after the first interaction when he saw that I was loading up as fast as I could. After that he was just slowing me down, being irritating and leaving me with a poor impression. Don't think I will be going back there anytime soon even though the fishing was good. I was killin em on a simple peacock nymph.
I've always found the rangers up there to be very respectful and willing to help... I'm guessing he thought you were purposely running late. That's the only thing I can think from your story.
A lot of places that 'close' at a specific time when it relates to fishing means you are gone at that time, not that you are packing up by then.
Reply by: Les in WP Posted: 7/21/2012 6:19:50 PM Points: 0
While you were up there, did you happen to notice if they are still selling annual vehicle passes? (for the toll road/NSRA) They aren't listed in the 'fees' section, but a few years ago...you could buy one for 60 bucks. I live nearby, but have never tried fishing there before... and its confusing to try to get any info about that place, or maps from the CS website.
My neighbor told me it used to be open to hike in and fish from the other side, without having to drive all all the way around to the toll road. Like... you could buy a NSRA pass only? Not sure if thats the case anymore or not...could anyone clarify how that works? I don't have a boat or a fly rod...but like fishing from shore and mostly C&R.
The reason I'm asking...my new service dog hasn't been fishing yet, and I need to find a place to start teaching him proper 'fishing manners' without getting in the way of other fisherman. If its quiet there, it might be a good place...but could take a couple weeks, and would cost a fortune in daily pass fees. Not trying to hijack your thread here, but thought I might ask just in case you know.
As for the cranky ranger... you might have just caught someone on a bad day. Between the fires, heat, dry conditions, etc... everyone has been a little on edge up here. The few rangers I know have been on hardcore overtime since June. Could have been a new guy too, they've had to call in lots of extra help. Not a excuse for being rude, but just saying...:)
Reply by: sturgeon guy Posted: 7/22/2012 10:18:39 PM Points: 531
Les you can walk in from Edlowe road just outside Woodland Park. There is a trail head at the end of the road and just head south on any trail and you will find the lake. It is a bit of a hike to get down to the lake but you can be rewarded with some quiet fishing during the week. As far as fishing that area I have had good luck with gold kastmasters and spinners.
Reply by: JKaboom Posted: 7/26/2012 11:52:54 AM Points: 924
Everytime I go there for the evening fish they are on my Butt. I am always in the car at 6:45 ready to start the engine and they still ride me out of there. I stopped going in the evening.
I am getting ready to stop going in the morning/day as well because they are pretty lazy and annoying with the PA constantly announcing that this is fly and lure only and they would never know otherwise because the don't check. I do follow the rules and just want some peace and quiet without having to go far from C/S.
Sorry to vent but I am not happy with the management of a place I need to pay extra to use and it is just becoming lame.
I can't believe what I'm reading! You push the envelope by not beating feet when you're supposed to, and then get cranky about how the Ranger treats you? The rules are there for a reason, and should be followed by everyone...barring extenuating circumstances. As far as the PA announcement is concerned, enforcement probably wouldn't have to do that if someone had read the regs and didn't use bait. Someone is always blaming someone else for their misfortunes. 99% of the WCO's, Parks People and Rangers are courteous, patient and respectful. One bad experience with a 1% er shouldn't give one the right to bash them all and complain about the system. As I recall, Catamount is a private watershed for Colorado Springs. They do not have to allow ANY fishing or public access at all. Good Fishing! Ski
Reply by: sturgeon guy Posted: 7/27/2012 9:47:05 PM Points: 531
Yea I am with you Ski I actively fish three different states and the most courteous rangers are here in Colorado. I see A LOT of people using bait at that lake especially on the south side near the inlet and when that is happening there can't be too much enforcement. Fishing is better for all of us if we follow the rules and regulations.
Reply by: badextracab Posted: 8/21/2012 11:11:39 AM Points: 68
Iv,e Fished All over the Eastern Sierra, for over 30 years, an Never even had a ranger come up to me... and Only got asked for my License Once !! Colo is B/S !!!!! More Beautiful mountains, with Real trees and Lakes are in Calif !!!!!!
badextracab, then go back to california and catch all those 8" stockers you want. Colorado has a lot of natural born trout and a LOT more beautiful scenerey. I lived in Kalifornia for 30 years and the fishing was NEVER as good as here in Colorado! I saw a bumper sticker a few years back that really hits home: Don't Californicate Colorado.
Reply by: sturgeon guy Posted: 9/30/2012 5:21:56 PM Points: 531
I grew up in the Sierras and fished just about every lake and river from lake Davis to Big Bear and I would put Spinney or Antero against any of them. I hate it when trolls come on here just to get people riled up and as a California native I never thought I would say it but if you don't like it here just head west.
