Red Rock River
: Fly Fishing.gif)
 The
Red Rock River provides excellent fly fishing for cutthroat
trout and grayling in its upper stretch and good fishing for
brown and rainbow trout below Lima Reservoir. Current fishing
regulations prohibit fishing on Upper Red
Rock Lake and Lower Red Rock Lake, as well as on the river
between these two lakes. Due to slow water, warm temperatures
and bank erosion, the river section between Red Rocks National
Wildlife Refuge and Lima Reservoir does not provide quality
fly fishing.
For the upper stretch
of the Red Rock River, above the wildlife refuge, anglers
will find plentiful numbers cutthroat trout and graylings.
Fishing dry flies is the best approach on the upper section.
Standard patterns such as the Adams and Elk Hair Caddis work
well for these eager fish. Attractor patterns also work fine,
as the fish are not picky about what they eat. Angling pressure
on this section of the river is very light. Access to the
Red Rock River above Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
is excellent as it flows through public lands.
Below Lima Reservoir,
the fly fishing is for primarily rainbow trout and some brown
trout further downstream near Lima Reservoir. As the river
runs primarily through private land, access is spotty, and
the bulk of the fishing pressure occurs around the one bridge
that crosses the river. For those willing to venture away
from the bridge, it is quite likely that anglers will have
the river to themselves.
 The
lower stretch of the Red Rock River, like the upper part,
provides decent dry fly fishing. A good fly selection for
this section of river would include the Parachute Adams, Elk
Hair Caddis and Pale Morning Duns. Hoppers are also excellent
flies to use beginning in July, as the river flows through
prime grasshoopper country. When fishing for brown trout,
large streamers such as Muddler Minnows and Wolly Buggers,
fished along the undercut banks, will catch fish. The best
time to fly fish for brown trout is in the fall when the water
has cooled. Average rainbows on the lower stretch will run
ten to twelve inches. Brown trout can get up to three to four
pounds.
Overall, Red Rock
River provides decent fly fishing in a remote environment.
What prevents it from becoming another destination river is
its very remote location, its status as primarily a wading
river and its difficult access. Despite this, Red Rock River
will provide a visiting angler with a nice trip in scenic
country (at least in the upper stretch of the river), well
away from the hordes of anglers found in the areas more popular
rivers.
Next
: Floating Red Rock River
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