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Brook Trout Madness on North Inlet Creek

August 26, 201226 CommentsTrip ReportsBy Jason Klass

Today, Karel from Tenkara on the Fly, Joe from Dragon Fly Fishing and I headed up to the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park to fish North Inlet Creek just above Grand Lake.  I normally fish the east side of RMNP and haven’t been to the west side in years so today was a real treat.  I not only got to go somewhere different, but the fishing, scenery, wildlife, and company were fantastic.  Here’s my trip report…

The Creek

North Inlet Creek is a surprisingly diverse body of water that starts out near the parking lot as a slow, clear, meandering (almost spring-creek like) snake of a stream but then dramatically shape shifts into a wide variety of different forms including riffles, runs, pools, pocket water, and waterfalls.  The further you hike up, you never really know what to expect around the next corner and I really liked the challenge of consistently having to read different water types.

North Inlet Creek in the Meadow

 

North Inlet Creek Pool

 

North Inlet Creek Waterfall

 

The beauty of the creek is framed by gorgeous vistas of mountains and interesting rock formations.  I should have taken more pictures as this one doesn’t really do it justice.  But we were too focused on getting to the good water to take tourist photos.

 

North Inlet Creek Scenery

 

The Fish

Karel was on a mission to catch some Colorado cutthroat on this trip.  He thought he hooked one (because he saw the gold flash of a belly on one that got away) but none of us landed anything other than brook trout.  It wasn’t a disappointment in my book because not only did we catch tons of brookies, but their colors were stunning!  I love the dark backs and red spots circled in blue halos that these high country trout have.  And they were pretty cooperative on a dark Kamikaze Kebari.  So now, here are a bunch of fish pictures that all look exactly the same.  Just be glad I didn’t post all of the 20+ fish I caught today (I know, it’s like baby pictures on Facebook)…

Tenkara Brook Trout

 

Tenkara Brook Trout

Tenkara Brook Trout

 

Tenkara Brook Trout

 

Tenkara Caught Brook Trout

 

OK, enough.  I think you get the idea.

 

The Animals

Besides fish, we had some great animal sightings.  The first was fox I spotted on the drive in (didn’t have time to get the camera out).  But early in our hike, we came across a garter snake.  He was right on the trail, sunbathing between two rocks.  I have to admit, for a second, potential mamushi kebari body material did cross my mind…

Garter Snake

 

On the way back down, two large moose were just a few feet away from the trail munching on some trees.  They were pretty docile, but still.  They’re Moose!  You can never be too careful so after snapping a few pics, we decided to literally take the high road and hike up and around them putting plenty of distance between us.

Moose in Rocky Mountain National Park

 

Little did we know, these would be only two of FIVE moose we would see along the trail.  Every time I’ve been to the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, I’ve seen maybe one or two moose, but never five.  It was another first that just contributed to an already great day.

 

The Crew

Here’s a picture of Joe getting in the zone with his 12 ft. Tenkara USA Iwana:

Joe Egry Fishing Tenkara

 

Karel Lansky choosing his next round of ammunition during a brief lunch break:

Karel Lansky Tenkara Fishing

Moi, using a…wait…WHAT?  A VEST?  Yep, that’s right.  After several years of ditching the vest, I decided to don it once more as a reevaluation of my system.  It was an interesting experiment and I’ll have a blog post soon about my findings.

Jason Klass wearing a vest

 

After the almost “too-good-to-be-true” day I had with Paul Vertrees on a secret spring creek last weekend, I honestly wasn’t expecting another one so soon.  These things tend to go in cycles.  You have a great day, then get skunked, then have a mediocre day, then a good day again and the cycle continues its undulation.  But today kind of broke the cycle.  Either Ebisu (the Japanese patron of fishermen) is smiling down upon me lately or I’ve just got good karma.  Whatever it is, I’ll take it.  And I’ll take it with blisters on my feet and a smile on my face.

tenkaratenkara in rocky mountian national park
About the author

Jason Klass

Jason is an avid fly angler and backpacker. As a former fly fishing guide originally from Western New York, he moved to Colorado and became an early adopter of tenkara which perfectly suited the small, high altitude streams and lakes there. He has not fished a Western-style fly rod for trout since.

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26 Comments
  1. August 26, 2012 at 9:36 pm
    Steven Smith

    Great write up and pics! Makes me want to move out west! Interested on your vest test…can’t wait for that post!

  2. August 26, 2012 at 9:40 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi Steve, you might be disappointed. My main critique is going to be how the color of the vest clashes with the color of the pants I’m wearing. You know how much I’m into streamside fashion.

  3. August 27, 2012 at 12:51 am
    Vladimir

    Great shots !!!

  4. August 27, 2012 at 5:19 am
    Sean

    Until I get to fish out there next year on vacation I’ll have read these articles, man what a gorgeous place you have in your backyard!

  5. August 27, 2012 at 6:45 am
    Chris "Kiwi" Kuhlow

    Beautiful scenery, brookies, and moose….what else could you ask for? Nice post Jason.

  6. August 27, 2012 at 7:26 am
    Paul Osborn

    Those colours are amazing. I need to go out looking for some brookies when I get back to BC.

  7. August 27, 2012 at 7:55 am
    Jason Klass

    More cow bell.

  8. August 27, 2012 at 8:58 am
    Thom Darrah

    Makes me wish I wear there; a great stream/creek, great scenery and the best of company. Thanks for posting this report. I see Karel was using a Sagiri, what rod did you use – the Ito?

  9. August 27, 2012 at 9:35 am
    Jason Klass

    Hi Thom, yes, I used the Ito.

  10. August 27, 2012 at 1:50 pm
    Zack

    Major win on the reply made me laugh! And great pics!

  11. August 27, 2012 at 4:45 pm
    David

    How was skinny was the water? I am planning to fish Tonawhoto (sp) in the next week or so.

    David

  12. August 27, 2012 at 5:04 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi David,
    The water was only skinny in places. But there were still lots of deep pools and pocket water. The stream just happens to have some very shallow stretches.

  13. August 28, 2012 at 7:28 am
    Lance Milks

    Hey Jason,

    I’m really impressed with the color of those fish. Kayla and I are thinking about going to Colorado next year instead of Cali. With pictures like those it may be an easier decision than I thought. Oh, and I know how you feel about posting pictures. I always have a hard time picking and choosing.

  14. August 28, 2012 at 7:32 am
    Jason Klass

    Lance, of you come out here, I can take you to some gorgeous places. You definitely would regret it. If you want, let me know and let’s place something!

  15. August 28, 2012 at 7:25 pm
    Gavin

    Great trip report Jasen!
    Did you get a chance to check out Karels Sagari? Does the lack of cork make a diffrence?

  16. August 28, 2012 at 8:13 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi Gavin, it was only a matter of time before someone asked me that and I will be completely honest about it. Yes, I did cast it. I could cast it fine, but in my opinion, it was too short to really get any benefit from having a fixed line. It was definitely light, but for me, the grip was way too thin. It wasn’t slippery or anything, I just didn’t like it. I had to wrap too much of my hand around it and my fingers overlapped making it somewhat of a struggle to grip the rod in a position that I’m comfortable with. Everyone has their opinion and I suspect that many will disagree with mine. I might even disagree with mine in the future but for right now, longer 13 ft. rods with a real cork grip suit me perfectly so I have no reason to change (unless someone gives me one).

  17. October 12, 2012 at 5:45 pm
    jdchaussee

    Beautiful looking fish Jason! I used to catch them all the time on the east coast. I have yet to catch one in California tho 🙁

  18. March 13, 2013 at 9:45 pm
    Vlad

    Jason, as always, a brilliant story! I read with great pleasure!

  19. November 15, 2015 at 12:10 pm
    Brady

    Love to read your right ups of this area. I am fairly new to the world of fly fishing and was curious as to which inlet trail you would recommend for catching these gorgeous brookies? I’ve read a bit about the North Inlet and the East Inlet trails and you seem to favor the North Inlet. Just curious how far in you hike on the North Inlet trail to get to good fishing water?

  20. November 15, 2015 at 12:41 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hey Brady,
    I don’t know exactly how long the hike was, but it was more than I wanted it to be. And all uphill. Maybe 2 miles? I know it doesn’t sound that far but try doing it in waders with slippery, stiff wading boots. I guess it was worth it. But next time, I’d skip the waders altogether and just wear my hiking shoes and wet wade. Not much need to cross the creek and the hike up warrants more comfort than the fishing.

  21. November 17, 2015 at 2:56 pm
    Brady

    Thanks Jason. Can you recommend any other small streams/creaks in and around that area? I have access to a cabin in Grand Lake so I’m looking to capitalize on the local waters up there. Also, curious if you can recommend any small streams/creaks in and around the front range worth trying? I live in the Parker area so Deckers is closest to me but am open to new things. Thanks

  22. November 18, 2015 at 11:07 am
    Jason Klass

    Hi Brady. I live in Parker too. I usually fish Bear Creek or Clear creek since they’re fairly close. As for the West side of the park, I’ve only fished there a few times so I don’t know the area too well. But, I remember having some great fishing on the Colorado River along Trail Ridge Road. It’s not the Colorado River you’d normally picture–it’s really a small stream up there. Watch out for moose.

  23. November 18, 2015 at 10:22 pm
    Brady

    Thanks Jason. Small world that’s for sure. I have been eyeing Bear Creek and Clear Creek. Since I am so green to fly fishing, I guess it’s a little intimidating. For Bear Creek, which area/access point do you go in at? Lair of the bear? I’ve been trying to do recon on both Bear/Clear creek and would love some suggestions. I’ve been told for Clear Creek to fish between tunnels 2-5 (Clear Creek Canyon).

    I’ve only been fly fishing a few times but am now addicted. I am a teacher so I get a few random days off that I’m hoping to capitalize on when I can. The thought of catching a trophy Rainbow or Brown excites me. However, catching a plethora of Brookies to hone my skills is much more appealing.

  24. November 23, 2015 at 12:45 pm
    Jason Klass

    Hi Brady, I usually fish Lair O’ the Bear. But I’ve fished it above and below that. Unfortunately, they closed off a bunch of access points downstream so the Lair will probably give you the most fishable water. On Clear Creek, pretty much any pull off is good but at least get a good mile or two outside of Golden.

  25. August 24, 2016 at 7:48 am
    Wendy-Lynn

    Hmm
    ..may have to take a day and do this trip.

  26. June 30, 2019 at 7:14 pm
    Rob

    Thanks for sharing! Love Brookies! And it’s only a hop skip and a jump away!

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About Me

Jason Klass is a former fly fishing guide & casting instructor based in Colorado. He was an early adopter of tenkara in the West and has been fishing the method for a variety of species since 2009. Read more >>

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