Lost Creek, Found Brookies
Fishing in Lost Creek Wilderness
by K. Christopherson |
Click
Here to read
more "Fish
Tails" |
Colorado is fortunate to have more than twenty
wilderness areas. These regions offer solitude and beauty, and
also good flyfishing opportunities. If you enjoy hiking in
uncrowded mountains, and don't care what size of fish you catch,
then head for one of the wilderness areas in our great state.
One
of the wilderness areas closest to Denver, and home to miles of
trails and thousands of brookies, is Lost Creek Wilderness. This
area lies between the Tarryall River, the North Fork of the
South Platte, and the South Platte River itself. The waters of
the many creeks in Lost Creek Wilderness eventually end up in
the South Platte. The region is known for its many unusual rock
formations of exfoliated granites, popular with climbers.
The
longest creek in the wilderness, and probably nicest to fish, is
Lost Creek. Its headwaters are just south of Kenosha Pass. The
two forks flow southeast and meet near the Lost Park Campground.
The creek then flows into Lost Park, where it widens and
meanders for several miles before traveling under and out of
many large rock piles (hence the name, Lost).
 |
 |
| Flyfishing and great rock formations |
Lots of little brookies eager for a BIG
dry fly |
Lost Park is reached by taking the Wigwam
Trail east from the parking area near Lost Park Campground.
There is a $4 day use fee (don't whine too much - it's worth
it). The first mile of the creek has portions that are quite
tight and high gradient. Have patience and keep hiking until you
reach Lost Park. Here five miles of very low gradient stream
await with much better holding water for brookies. Don't be
deceived because the water will be deeper in places, and
brookies larger, than you might have expected.
 |
The quality and clarity of the water
might surprise you |
| The brookies can be spooky, so get
creative about how you cast |
 |
Two creeks on the east side of the wilderness
area also offer good brookie fishing - Wigwam and Goose Creeks.
Goose Creek is actually a continuation of Lost Creek after it
emerges from its last large under-rocks run. Wigwam Creek starts
near a small pass at the east end of Lost Park. Both of these
creeks are reached soon after starting out from the
trailheads.
More of a hike, but
worthy of fishing, is Craig Creek in Craig Park. This creek
parallels Lost Creek to the north side of the Kenosha Mountains.
How to get there?
(NOTE: The Hayman fire in 2002 has
caused some closures at the Wigwam and Goose Creek
trailheads. Check with Pike Nat'l Forest about current trail
closures)
Click
here