The Yampa River in north central Colorado may just be the best rainbow trout fishery in the state. With an exceptional number of rainbow trout (with populations now booming after a recovery from whirling disease), brown and brook trout and a tremendous amount of aquatic insects this river can provide some of the best fishing you'll ever have and best of all you can do it year round. With a length of approximately 250 miles this river provides a tremendous variety of fishing for those willing to search for it.
Yampa River rainbow trout. Photo Mike Miller.
Though best known for the tailwater section and excellent fising found right in the town of Steamboat Springs, the Yampa also provides some of the best warm water fishing that can be found in the state. With various public acceess points along it's length from her headwaters in the Flattops Wilderness to the Green River the Yampa is definately a river to check out when in the Steamboat Springs area.
As always this Colorado tailwater is fishing well. Though crowds can get heavy this time of year, the stretches below Stagecoach Reservoir and through Savage Creek SWA can provide incredible fishing. We still recommend hitting it on a weekday and getting there early for your best chance at solitude. Visit our friends at the Steamboat Flyfisher when you're up in the 'Boat'.
Current recommended flies: #20-#24 black beauties, #20-#24 miracle midges, #20-#24 blood midge, #20-#24 rojo midge, #20-#26 mike's midge (black, red), #22-#26 K.P. special (black, red, green), #20-#22 RSII, #20-#24 barrs emerger bwo and pmd, #20-#24 Craven's Jujubee Midge, #18-#22 Dorsey's Top Secret Midge, #16 red copper john, #16 nuke egg, pink or orange flash tail eggs.
