Trout Scout- Part Two: Tarryall Reservoir and backtrack to the Platte

Finding good fishing waters away from angling pressure requires a bit of scouting. Some of my trips are meant to simply drive out, scout the area to mark it off of my list. Looking to cover a handful of areas in one trek the truck was loaded with gear and a few maps.

Part Two: Tarryall Reservoir and backtrack to the Platte

The road that takes you through Lost Creek along Tarryall Creek also runs by Tarryall Reservoir. This lake has some decent stocked trout fishing but also offers the occasional rumor of pike even after the recent draining and repairs. A lot of my research was inconclusive so a visit was in order before expectations could be set.

(Above: Quick overhead map with the campgrounds and boat ramps marked. Google shows a winter version of this reservoir, which hides some of the rock points, roads and other details.)

Apparently this is a very popular destination for in and out of state vacationers. The angling pressure is fairly substantial which takes it down a notch or two on my “hot spot” list. To reach Tarryall Reservoir from Colorado Springs head west on Hwy 24 approx. 30 miles to CR. 77 and then about 25 miles to reach the lake. From Denver head west on Hwy 285 about 50 miles from C470 and then make a left on CR 77 near the town of Jefferson. From here it is about 20 miles to Tarryall Reservoir. Note: These distances are rough estimates only.

By now my trout scout mission is going like a lot of my scout missions; a lot of driving, some casting and less than spectacular results. This adventure was winding down to be one of those “woulda-coulda-shoulda” stories.

My last chance to fish would be on sections of the Platte on my way back along Hwy 285. The water is moving high and fast which seemed to keep others away. At first I thought finding an open spot would be tough but surprisingly even the best pools were vacant. Within a few casts I was plinking fish here and there. Then I cast out and let the lure drift under a row of tree branches. Retrieving slowly a big thump hits the end of my line with a fish finally outside of the dink class. Between the heavy cover and swift current I was sure this fish was going to spit the hook.

(Above: Hopefully I don’t give away too much by coughing up the actual fish spot here but wanted to show how slack water was developing under the tree structure as well as the heavy current.)

(Above: Quality rainbow with a bit too much forward hold. Getting these solo shots with trout in heavy brush is something I still need to work on.)

Holding my breath the entire time it seemed I managed to land the fish and get a quick photo. Luckily the fish cooperated once out of the water and went back as pretty as you please. Had I known that everyone would have left The Platte alone today I simply would have fished here instead of doing all that trekking. But I did manage to scout some new water and mark it off my scout list. Having The Platte as a backup plan made it all work out in the end.

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.