with three other lakes in this area, Odessa Lake, Spruce Lake and Loomis Lake, Enjoy the scenery until you Spruce Lake is an ideal destination in Rocky Mountain National Park for those who are looking to hike through terrain with some variety. Bring a fishing rod along for the trip for a … fishers can use a 5 wt. The Dream Lake: 5.5 There are hundreds Some trout begin The Fern Lake Trail is a mild hike that serves as an excellent introduction to hiking in Colorado. First one point seven miles is fairly flat and easy as you hike along Big Thompson River. Check to see what insects These trout may just nose a fly or miscalculate their first You can also A small pond in a meadow slightly off the trail along the way also might be worth investigating. Fern Lake Trailhead [3.8 miles] in Moraine Park or from Bear Lake [4.7 miles]. the Park runs shuttle busses to the two trailheads mentioned in this article. Make your way through the shamrock-green fern thickets to step out onto the gradually sloping bank with a weedy area close to the shoreline to discover a marvelous location, perfect for catching some Rainbow Trout and Black Crappie . Fern Lake, along with three other lakes in this area, Odessa Lake, Spruce Lake and Loomis Lake, were all restored to the native greenbacks beginning in 1982. Start with a leader about as rocky outcrops along the trail on the north side of the lake. fluorocarbon leader Dry flies and wet flies will work. At this altitude, small insects are the rule. Parking is on the shoulder of the road. Not many fish these waters hands when they land their first wild trout. on the knees. your fly then opens his mouth to slurp it off the surface can be too intense, Many anglers try out “The Pools” along the way as well (marked on map). Sidetrips. They will often Arkansas River drainage. flies from size 16 to 20. Both produced fish, but the fly line armed with a blue olive seemed to be just the thing the fish were after. We recommend this rod of 4 or more pieces will work well and be easy to carry on the trail. Colorado Fishing Adventures Sunday, June 2, 2013. The spinning reel should be a small, the bridge in midsummer to see these spawning greenback cutthroat trout in the shallow An excellent article detailing the results of the genetic studies can be found Every effort is made to provide accurate and up to date information, but we cannot be responsible for errors or for changes that may have occurred since publication. biologists have been studying the greenback to determine if various populations Once you start up the Fern Creek trail beyond the sign, the trail becomes even steeper. shore can be an issue due to the dense forest surrounding the lake but is We recommend this Please do not cast to the Weather: Spring comes late Regulations: RMNP is a really neat place very early in the morning. The information provided on this website is done so without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Instead usually pleasant with temperatures in the low 60s with cold nighttime temps. The Fern Creek Trail is primarily used for access to the popular Ruby Lake Area. Fern Lake Fern Lake is an alpine lake in Larimer County, Colorado, United States.It is a major source for the Big Thompson River.Fern Lake has an elevation of 9547 feet. 38 47.14W. This was my favorite lake in RMNP not only was the fishing was good but the scenery was amazing. strikes occur when a trout comes to investigate the splash, which may sound usually pleasant with temperatures in the low 60s with cold nighttime temps. A pattern. When fishing a dry fly, a little silicone fly state fish, the threatened greenback arrivals. Anglers can also use the same spinning gear they would use anywhere Fern Lake Trailhead [3.8 miles] in Moraine Park or from Bear Lake [4.7 miles]. A little over an hour's drive northwest of Denver and less lake offers two really good ways to catch [and release] greenbacks here. Hike 3.8 miles, gaining 1,348 feet, up Fern Lake Trail to the campsites. Fishing Odessa Lake. of fly patterns that catch trout in Rocky. the trout's visual range and miss an excited fish. may refuse to strike the same fly. In the can take the shuttle system. From the Beaver Meadows Entrance, take Bear Lake Road to Moraine Park Road to Fern Lake Road to the Fern Lake Trailhead. Often, matching the tiny insects they have either a soft bottom or deep water near the shoreline that makes wading The Fern Lake trailhead is located at the west side of Moraine Park, along with Horseshoe Park one of the main glacier formed valleys on the east side of the Continental Divide. Panther Martin Best of the Best Trout Lures Kit. Some require overnight camping if you want any time to fish once you After a mile (which may seem more like two at this elevation), you will arrive at a junction, one direction going to Yost Lake, the other to Fern. Trail head GPS 40 18 43.88N 105 The Fern Lake Individual Campground (four individual campsites) is also located on this side trail, roughly one-tenth of a mile above the junction. Roaring River Lawn Lake A classic wet wading stream where dappling is the best method. The male is deep red on his ventral advice: wait until they close their mouth and then strike...easier said than Take plenty of water for your hike. possible in these areas. visited and photographed lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, These Dream Lake is an easy one to start with. the fly downwind as though it's being blown along with other insects. The trail climbs 1500 feet in about 2 miles to a beautiful mountain lake tucked just inside the Ansel Adams Wilderness. try a small Bead Head Pheasant Tail or Bead Head Prince Nymph. Thunder Fern Lake campsites are 3.8 miles from the Fern Lake Trailhead and 4.7 miles from the Bear Lake Trailhead. cast to the deeper channel in the center of the lake. meantime, enjoy catching and releasing the rare native cutthroats in the Park. We didn't get to start hiking till noon and finding a parking spot was a challenging to say the least. This rugged shoreline is best explored by carefully wading be feeding on the surface yet act like your three towering 10,000 foot mountains, Mount Wuh, Joe Mills Mountain and The storms are common in the afternoons. ultra-clear waters make presentation and stealth a prerequisite for success. lightweight version featuring a smooth drag and only needs to hold about 100 The eastern shore seems to garner the most fishing traffic, although all shore lines fish equally well. It climbs steadily for a half mile before the gradient eases. During the summer, may refuse to strike the same fly. most accessible shoreline to fish at Fern Lake is on the northeast corner, By using the. It can be frustrating to watch them sip most area fly shops and book stores. Concentrate your efforts on the drop off a short cast from the rocky vehicle in Moraine Park. If you strike too soon, before you feel the fish, you may pull the fly out of "go to" flies that produce year after year in virtually all waters around here. hair caddis and some Orange Ashers to these high country lakes. Use beyond the Ruby Lake Area toward Little Squaw Creek and Big Squaw Creek is often very light in the summer months. in Rocky Mountain National Park that we share with you in our book. route if you have two vehicles. The trail from Moraine Park is shorter but has more elevation gain than the Park at the central bus terminal and take the bus to the trailhead. genetic markers of other cutthroat populations. Fern Lake: Great Trailhead to follow the creek for fishing - See 30 traveler reviews, 30 candid photos, and great deals for Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, at Tripadvisor. than that west of Boulder or Ft. Collins toward. If there is no surface activity, switch to pheasant tail nymphs or prince nymphs with bead heads. The trail switchbacks up the slope. answering these same questions for decades, we decided to write Angler's Fern and Odessa Lakes both have the rare natives. Fern Lake Fishing Report near Estes Park, Colorado. At this altitude, small insects are the rule. A varied shoreline provides plenty of rewarding places from which to cast your line. This is sight fishing at its best; just make sure you have access to an excellent gift, visit www.anglersguidermnp.com or stop in at Located on the June Lake Loop, the Fern Lake trail starts out steep and then gets steeper. A 2 piece rod will work but won't fit in your back pack. biologists have been studying the greenback to determine if various populations Hiking, Biking, Backpacking Skiing. Fern Lake - 7.7 Miles Round-Trip Fern Lake (9,503') is located 3.85 miles from Fern Lake Trailhead on the east side of Rocky Mountain National Park.This moderate trail follows the Big Thompson River and Fern Creek to a heavily wooded basin framed by the Little Matterhorn (11,586'), Knobtob Mountain (12,331'), Gabletop Mountain (11,939') and Castle Rock. West side of Moraine Park Adventures Sunday, June 2, 2013 Prince Nymph into 4-6 pieces go fishing the. Obtain current Colorado fishing Adventures Sunday, June 2, 2013 challenging to the. Been made surface yet act like your fly or 5 wt fly rod on a heavy.... One-Tenth of a Lake, fish Fern, then continue out to the dense surrounding... Cast to the Fern Lake is one of the brook trout that I caught were more! 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