I made it to my target lake after six miles of hiking (much of which consisted of an off-trail alpine climb), more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and a rough night camping in a terrible storm. It was the culmination of my search for golden trout in Colorado after weeks of planning and research to confirm they were in this remote lake.
The lake was incredible. I saw the mythical fish rising to midges when I arrived. I rigged my rod, tied on my flies, and… got less than ten minutes on them before another violent thunderstorm forced me back down the hill. I had a few late refusals in that short window, but couldn’t quite manage an eat.
A few more minutes, and I’m sure I would have had it dialed in. I just needed ONE fish. But I had to go. It was a total heartbreaker.
I still got some nice cutthroats in the lower lakes, but this lake and those goldens are going to haunt me. Hoping for one more attempt before snow and cold temperatures arrive in the high country and lock this special place away for another year.
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I made it to my target lake after six miles of hiking (much of which consisted of an off-trail alpine climb), more than 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and a rough night camping in a terrible storm. It was the culmination of my search for golden trout in Colorado after weeks of planning and research to confirm they were in this remote lake.
The lake was incredible. I saw the mythical fish rising to midges when I arrived. I rigged my rod, tied on my flies, and… got less than ten minutes on them before another violent thunderstorm forced me back down the hill. I had a few late refusals in that short window, but couldn’t quite manage an eat.
A few more minutes, and I’m sure I would have had it dialed in. I just needed ONE fish. But I had to go. It was a total heartbreaker.
I still got some nice cutthroats in the lower lakes, but this lake and those goldens are going to haunt me. Hoping for one more attempt before snow and cold temperatures arrive in the high country and lock this special place away for another year.