Kermitt’s Walkabout

Wandering along I-70 below Idaho Springs is a 1.5 mile somewhat fishable section of the creek. Action can vary by the day depending on water levels and angling pressure. This is a section of the creek I have dabbled a bit on but never have come up with anything big. “Big” for this stretch would be a solid +16’er brown or bow that would possibly weigh a pound or two at most. Two pounds may be an exaggeration or even a wild boast for most fish on the creek but larger brutes do exist. Hard work, timing and sometimes just plain luck will put that magical fish in your hands.

My plan is to simply get out there as much as possible and hope for at least one good fish and a mix of scenery. Finding water with solitude is also a bonus, which points me towards Kermitt’s Walkabout. Having to park and walk the stretch makes a bit of difference in regards to pressure. So much of the creek sees at least one or two casts on a daily basis. Being able to pick apart the areas that are less worked makes me feel a bit closer to the divide and helps me forget that I am only 20 minutes from Denver.

Right off the bat I expect to struggle. Water is low and from previous trips I know the fish are scared. The ant pattern has faded in success and only the minnow pattern is getting noticed on the spin side. This reduces me to a few small nymph patterns and only one or two spin presentations. Not the best conditions for me but better than say a blizzard or forest fire. (I’m fully prepared for both at this point) Walking, casting only to get a timid flash or a curious follow here and there. First the spin, then the fly…maybe a switch up or fresh tie on before moving up the stream. Sometimes you get the love and sometimes you don’t. When you do it is like magic.

Hopping over rocks and moving upstream the struggle continues. By now I have hooked only one or two small browns in the 10-inch class. I’m starting to think this trip might get tossed in the “not worth posting” pile. I had covered the entire stretch and was now headed back with my brain already scrambling to plan the next trip. Then I notice a small section of rocks that had been passed on the way up.

One fish can make all the difference. Even though this isn’t a two-pounder brown that I could shamelessly boast about but it is a quality fish for this stretch. It also helps me salvage this post with some respectability. Quick photo-op and release.

Kermitt’s Walkabout…name explained. So I may come up with a few names for stretches of the creek. My hope is to break the 50-mile mile long strip of water into sections and name those sections using landmarks of some sort. At the base of this run is a bar\restaurant called “Kermitt’s”. They serve hot coffee, cold beer and even do live music on the weekends. The fact you have to park and walk the 1.5 mile stretch makes it a “walkabout” as opposed to the drive, park and cast sections that dominate most of the creek. Mark my words…I shall pull a two-pounder out of Kermitt’s Walkabout and yes, the bragging will be shameless.

My name is Matt and I’m a fishaholic.