There could be more, but I am going to give you my top 7 great spots to catch brook trout in Colorado.
You may think a brook trout (aka brookies) are just a cool spotted version of a brown trout or even our native fish, the greenback cutthroat, but they are actually a part of the char family.
Their ferocious tendencies to smack streamers in deep pools and dry flies on top of flat surfaces, make them one of my favorite fish to hunt with a fly rod.
And while all 7 of these spots have produced for yours truly, my best advice is to keep exploring. Brookies can live in a lot of cool places in Colorado.
1) Big Blue Creek – Lake City CO
This section is located just North of the town of Lake City up highway 149 as you’re heading towards Gunnison.
The Creek runs through a meadow between Failes Creek Trail and Alpine Road. This winding 1 mile or so section of water supports plenty of smaller brookies (8-12 inches) looking to attack your chubby and foam back emerger.
Just remember to be as stealthy and quiet as possible, as these fish tend to be a little leader-shy.
As a side note, in addition to Brook Trout, you’re likely to encounter some moose wandering the meadows. (This is one of my favorite features of Big Blue Creek.) Just be sure to admire them from a distance–they ain’t as friendly and sluggish as they look.
2) Fraser River – Fraser Colorado
About every native Coloradoan angler knows how special this river is.
It doesn’t just hold monster browns and healthy brook trout. It also supports agriculture, water resources; and of course, it’s a beautiful stretch to gander upon!
I have spent much time on this river, both working and fishing.
If you get to know a local or two who are desperate for help (even from a guy like me), you might just get a chance to make some casts on a private section…lights out is all I have to say!
If not, that’s ok, my favorite section, and a popular one I may add, is just before the town of Tabernash as you’re heading towards Granby.
Exit towards Devils Head Ranch and at the Y in the road go left and wind back until you cross over the Fraser River.
Just after you cross, you will take a left on an unpaved road. From there, drive until you hit Fraser River Canyon Trail.
Honestly, in the dozen or so times I have fished this section, I’ve never seen fewer than two cars parked at the trailhead–sometimes it’s upwards of six or seven cars. It can’t be missed.
After parking the truck and rigging up your rod, take a nice stroll down the mountain where you will have access to various holes that support hungry brookies looking to smack some meat.
Just do your best not to look like a complete novice, as the Amtrak frequently passes through on the other side of the river and the passengers will wonder what you’re up to.
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3) Powderhorn Lakes – Lake City Colorado
If you’re looking for a secluded place to catch brook trout in Colorado (and are willing to work for it), this is another great West Slope destination with some incline!
Important: Make sure you pack enough food to ensure your caloric counts are higher than normal. Also, I strongly advise you to bring a portable water filter in your pack as well. I personally recommend the Platypus Filter.
On the hike up, you will walk parallel with West Fork Powderhorn Creek, so plenty of opportunity to take a break and filter that H20.
This spot is located South of The Blue Mesa Reservoir and makes for an exceptional hike and opportunity to cross paths with grouse (the high mountain chicken) and of course, some big, hungry Brookies.
Load up a streamer, preferably white in color if it’s a bright and glorious day in Colorado, and have fun!
4) Cherry Creek – Castlewood Canyon
One of the most underrated spots on the front range, Castlewood Canyon is known for their day hikers and enthused rock climbers. What most people don’t know is that lurking beneath the canyon are a bunch of Brook trout eagerly waiting for the meat stick.
Throw your sandals on, pull up your pant legs and get ready to make some tight casts through brush and canyon walls.
I recommend one of the most suitable and diverse fly patterns out there, the Thin Mint!
Tie it on with a streamers knot and let that puppy jig and jagger through the murky depths.
Be prepared, these brookies will fight ya like it’s their last!
5) South Boulder Creek – Boulder Colorado
I am a Colorado State Ram, and thus, it’s difficult for me to enter Buff country–sorry Matt, you know how it is. Fortunately, I think we can both agree that our first true love is fly fishing, not our alma mater’s football teams, and thank God for that.
With that clear, I’ve been known to sneak into Buff country for one thing, and that’s to throw some dry flies and wet some line at South Boulder Creek.
Off Baseline and up Flagstaff road you will meander up to Gross Reservoir, where you will want to take a left at the Y in the road and downstream on Gross Damn Road. You will park above the Creek, where you can take a hike through some beautiful country and fish this hidden stretch of water.
If it’s Brook Trout you’re after, they like hiding under the deadwood, so be prepared to throw meticulous casts.
I also recommend a stimulator pattern in a size 14 or smaller. Or, if you’re looking to draw some sub-surface fire, drop down to a small size 20-22 foam back RS2.
I’m getting a little revved-up just thinking about it!
6) Clear Creek – Golden Colorado
This creek get’s a bad wrap because of a mineral spill in 2009, but it’s making a comeback!
Crazy enough, I have popped a few brookies out of stretches right along US Highway 6 West.
Seriously, for this location all you have to do is park on the side of the highway, where you feel like your car won’t be taken out by a tourist and have at it!
While this might not be the most secluded or serene location on this list, it’s close proximity to Denver makes it a great place to dip out of the office for an afternoon of fishing delight.
I recommend throwing on a smaller-sized thin mint and focusing your attention on the slower pools.
Don’t lose heart, you may have to work various sections before you finally get a strike–and 8 times out of 10 it will be a small rainbow. But hold tight, a brookie may just need to let out some aggression!
Not knowing what’s coming is half the fun!
7) Anthracite Creek (Along Dark Canyon Trail) – Gunnison National Forest
Saving the best for last, just kidding…love ’em all; but this sucker is truly a gem.
Not only does it support the brookies, but man does it offer up some incredible views.
Tucked into Gunnison National Forest (if you ain’t a West Sloper, this may be a haul), this intersection of water is fantastic.
Anthracite Creek runs along the Dark Canyon trail, east of, you guessed it, the Dark Canyon.
Take your time on this trail and breathe in the beauty and the natural air conditioning that comes from the rocks.
Go ahead and walk and stalk a bit, there are plentiful holes that hold trout of a variety of species.
Ahead of you, the Ruby Anthracite (which tends to be a warmer body of water) will intersect with Anthracite creek. If the water is running hard enough, brookies will stage themselves here ready for just about anything you throw at them!
Final Thoughts
Not only are they pretty to look at, but brook trout make things a little more exciting as they can appear out of nowhere.
They are truly one of a kind.
Take a step into the adventure of “Brookie Fishing” and you’ll understand why I am obsessed with the species.
Do you know of any other great spots to catch brook trout in Colorado? If so, be sure to drop them in the comments below.
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