CACHE LA POUDRE RIVER: The river begins its race for the flatlands from the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. During the course of its rush to join the South Platte River near Greeley, it provides more than 60 miles of public fishing. There are good populations of brown trout, as well as some mountain whitefish and a limited rainbow fishery. Location: West of Fort Collins on Highway 14 for approximately 14 miles to the mouth of the canyon. [url "http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/maps/default.asp?cmd=INIT&Topic=Fishing&Place=False,483799,4501110,-1,-1,Cache la Poudre,0&Extent=476855,4500086,486455,4508086"][#0000ff]Interactive Map[/#0000ff][/url]
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You're talking about my stomping grounds now, Daymere. I've traveled that section of highway 14 many, many times and found the fishing to be excellent, most of the time. I however, practice catch and release, keeping maybe one out of several dozen for the grill. The drive alone is well worth the gas.
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whats your favorite fish up there? i release all my big fish as big fish make more big fish.hope to here from you some more love to fish anywhere my self.
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Whatever will fit on the grill, Daymere. I don't keep by weight but by one criteria -- will it fit nicely on the grill?
I fish for whatever has gills and swims (Ester Williams excepted). This time of year, hold-over trout are fat, plump and firm (I hate mushy fish). I usually keep a couple in the 10-12 inch range, just enough for me and my cat. I also love catfish and will keep a good 2-3 pounder. Rolled in beer batter, better than lobster.
This year, I plan on going after walleye, we have some fine hatcheries around here and I've never caught one and they have to be at least 18" in length. That would be too much meat just for me at one sitting so I'll probably catch and release. After it warms up, it'll be camp-overnight time again. Sitting under a full moon, kicking back in a lounge chair, rods in holders and a cold Bud close at hand, can't beat it. I neglected my fishing last year and intend to catch up this year. Besides, it's an election year and there'll be nothing but BS bouncing off the Boob Tube this summer.
Speaking of which, if Bill Dance isn't running, then there's no one to vote for.
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Last I heard, Horsetooth will be open this Spring but won't be restocked with fishable swimming critters. It has something to do with an experiement a biologist wants to do on that empoundment. Carter is being neglected in order to fill Horsetooth, another Walleye hatchery.
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Sorry that was me before. They never killed off what was in Horsetooth so most of the walleyte and trout should have survived. They jsut are not doing any new stocking until the experiemnt is over. I know that they have added shad and a shiner species to the lake in an effort to increase the feeder population for the lake and with the low water allowing weeds to grow that are noe submerged fry should have exellent survival rates over the next couple years and result in some really awesome fishing in perhaps 2-3 years.
Later
Scott
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The last time I checked on Horsetooth, last year before the snow, it was low, low, low and low. I've never fished it but that will change this year. I agree with your forecast for it within the next 2-3 years. I think it will be a prime candidate for a fishing tournament.
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