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Colorado's 14ers Region offers a tremendous range of angling opportunities.
Nearby is solitary fly fishing in pristine mountain streams, family camping near mountain lakes and trophy trout in world-class fisheries .
More often than not, the lower in altitude the stream segment, the more likely you will be fishing for rainbow or brown trout. Higher up, brook trout or cutthroat may be more prevalent.
The most frequently used dry fly patterns for the smaller waters are the Mosquito, Adams, Gray Hackle Yellow, Grizzly Wulf and the Elk Hair Caddis in sizes 10-16.
South Arkansas, North Fork of the South Arkansas, Little Cochetopa, and Fooses and Greens Creeks: Draining east from Monarch Pass along U.S. 50 you can find the South Arkansas and its tributaries.
For a place to stay and fish high up on the South Ar-kansas, look for the Monarch Park campground sign and turnoff above the tiny town of Monarch. The fishing ponds have a platform for handicapped access, too.
The North Fork of the South Arkansas joins the main stream at Maysville, 10 miles east of Monarch with occasional cutthroats and gray-ling.
Above the Angel of Shavano Campground the road is rough and barely passable for a standard sedan. Expect to fight heavy brush at streamside.
Between Maysville and Poncha Springs are Fooses, Greens and Little Cochetopa Creeks. About a mile up the Fooses Creek road is a tiny reservoir stocked with rainbows.
Little Cochetopa joins Pass Creek away from the meadows. Fish both as far as you wish to walk, avoiding private lands.
Poncha, Silver, and Marshall Creeks: Poncha Creek drains into the South Arkansas at Poncha Springs. Fishing is limited along U.S. 285. About seven miles south of Poncha Springs the creek turns west under the highway and fishing improves.
Silver Creek enters Poncha Creek about four miles farther along on CR 243. To get to Marshall Creek, turn north from CR 243 on the road to O'Haver Lake.
Before you reach the lake, turn right on the road marked Marshall Pass. Go across the summit and down the other side for many miles until you see a sizable creek on your right. Fish down until the private property begins.
Chalk Creek: This stream crosses U.S. 285 at Nathrop 10 miles south of Buena Vista.
Chalk Creek Lake holds stocked rainbows. The best fishing for wild trout is upstream of Cascade Campground. Most of the stream up to the ghost town of St. Elmo is on public land.
Cottonwood Creek: Middle Cottonwood Creek follows CR 306 from Cottonwood Pass east to Buena Vista. The ten miles of water on the upper end are heavily fished. South Cottonwood Creek enters Middle Cottonwood Creek about 10 miles west of Buena Vista.
Trout Creek: This stream parallels U.S. 24-285. On the public sections near Mushroom Gulch are wild browns and a few brook trout.
Pine Creek: About seven miles south of Granite, CR 388 takes you to Pine Creek Trail. Brookies inhabit the lower reaches and cutthroats lurk further up. If you want privacy and good fishing, consider hiking this trail to one of the two lakes above.
Clear Creek: This beautiful stream offers only fair fishing for browns and rainbows. Near the ghost town of Winfield, the North Fork of Clear Creek offers fair fishing for brookies and cutthroats.
Arkansas River: This big, brawling mountain river requires care to fish. Even at low water flows, it can be safely crossed by wading in only a few places.
Runoff from snowmelt makes the river difficult to fly fish from mid-May until the first of August. Spin anglers can be successful, however.
Browns are the primary fish, a naturally reproducing species in the Arkansas. A wild strain of rainbow is found in the section below Salida. The river is open most of the year below Salida and provides excellent winter dry fly fishing with midges in quiet pools.
Except for caddis and Blue Quills before runoff, the Arkansas offers no large insect hatches. Caddis do emerge during warm weather with plenty of action on flies.
Dry fly patterns that work are Elk Hair Caddis, Humpies, Irresistibles, Wulfs and Adams in sizes 10 to 18.
For nymphs, the Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear in sizes 12 to 16 is the favorite. Also effective are stonefly patterns fished deep, olive caddis pupa and dark muskrat patterns. When all else fails, run a Black Muddler through the heavy water.
For spin fisherman, two- to four-pound tackle is best. Panther Martin and Mepps in intermediate sizes work well.
Arkansas River - Granite to Salida: The bridge in Granite provides some access. From downtown Buena Vista a dirt road follows the east side of the river providing access up to the Otero Pump Station. You can also fish at the end of Main Street.
Just north of Nathrop, cross Fisherman's Bridge and take the county road south to the public area near Ruby Mountain.
For another access, turn east on CR 194 from U.S. 285 to Hecla Junction. Follow the road to the river. Here you can fish the lower end of Brown's Canyon.
Just a short distance from U.S. 285 on CR 163 is a public lease fishing area. Look for the road intersection about five miles north of Poncha Springs.
To find still another fishing lease, follow CR 163 a few miles east to the intersection of CR 150. Turn left, cross the bridge and you'll see the parking area for fishing access.
In Salida proper, you can fish the river in many places and the fishing is great.
Look for access where Hwy. 291 crosses the river, behind the baseball field, and at the foot of F Street right downtown.
While in the vicinity, don't overlook fishing opportunities in Sand and Franzhurst Lakes in Salida. Although small, both are nice for family relaxation as well as fishing. These lakes are well-stocked and frequently yield lunker trout.
Arkansas River - Salida to Parkdale: For 7-1/2 miles from the bridge below Salida to Badger Creek, fish with flies and lures. Keep only two fish over 16 inches.
Downstream from Badger Creek, normal regulations apply. To Texas Creek is a superb brown trout fishery with easy public access.
Lake Fishing
Not counting numerous high lakes requiring hiking or four-wheel-drive vehicles, this region has many fine lakes featuring excellent fishing.
O'Haver Lake: At 9,600 feet in elevation, set in a bowl surrounded by forest and high mountains, a stay here is good for the soul. Rainbow trout are stocked regularly. Fishing is productive from the shore and from rafts or belly boats. To find this little jewel, follow the directions for finding Marshall Creek.
Cottonwood Lake: Just 13 miles west of Buena Vista, this small, wooded lake offers good bank fishing.
Clear Creek: Good for lake and other trout species. Look for the sign on U.S. 24 two miles south of Granite.
Twin Lakes: At 1,700 acres, Twin Lakes is one of the larger local lakes. It's home to large lake trout.
