Top 5 Stillwater Fly Fishing Tips for Lakes and Alpine Waters

With: jmilner212

We caught up with Josh—a rising name in Colorado’s stillwater fly scene—after hearing whispers about a guy chasing tiger musky on the front range and logging serious alpine miles. I’d seen the passion in his lake posts and wanted to know what really lit the fire. From stalking carp in city ponds to hiking deep into the hills for high-country gold, Josh’s fly fishing story is the kind that reminds you why we do this in the first place: the grind, the solitude, and those small windows of reward that make the whole thing worth it. Here’s what he had to say.

Josh, how did you first get into fly fishing, and what hooked you in for the long haul 

I got into Fly fishing only what seems like a few years ago. As a teenager I had a particular friend group that had done some fly fishing. They were some urban anglers , they fished for Carp, Bass, Pan fish , really what ever these city ponds around Denver held. I enjoyed watching them stalk Carp or night fish for Bass or even throw big "Meat" for some Pike.  it was something I was totally unfamiliar with but immediately fell in love with. Not short after I had gotten my own rod  and was out and about stalking carp and looking for any city pond with the sign of Carp! Koi , Grass , Mirror,  Common, Feral goldfish,  Illeagly Stoked Big head !!! Anything!

Was there a particular moment or mentor that got you dialed into stillwater fly fishing specifically?

Forsure the top two Mentors I have to mention are Jordan Russell and St Peter's Fly Shop in Fort Collins . St Peter's Fly Shop was one of the first Fly shops that welcomed me in and were willing to show me the ropes and explain topics in depth with me. As we all know fly shops can be fairly intimidating as a new angler St Peter's is far from that, to this day these guys are still there continually supporting me along my journeys!!!
As for Jordan , he the real deal! If you wanna talk about someone that knows his stillwater or just a well round angler this is your dude!!! Jordan has always kept me in the loop, From Walleye to Lake trout and everything in between he's always been able to teach me an unworthy amount or information about fish behavior, food and habitat , and what it takes to get some of these fish in Colorado to eat.  Both of these Mentors are worth mentioning because they have given me the basics and allowed me to expand into the Fly fishing angler I am today.

You’ve put time in on lakes—what are your top 5 tips for success when it comes to stillwater fly fishing?

Patience:
You need to have Patience,  stillwater fishing is a game trial and error, especially on new bodies of water. The size of lakes can be very intimidating at first but the best thing you can do is break it down. Often fish can be found around the structure in the lake , under water humps , points , deep drop offs adjacent to shallower water , vegetation lines and incoming water sources. Don't hesitate to move around and look for these items mentioned!


Broaden your arsenal:
Weather changes so does your aresenal...
As a stillwater angler,  I pride myself on being able to target different species throughout the year. It's prolonged my time on the water and taken me on so many adventures I never thought I would have been on. As we all know trout can get sensitive in the summer heat, as the temperatures rise alot of other action starts taking places in our lakes. Carp start to feed vigorously,  Bass are eager to feed on damsels on the surface , Walleye feeding heavily in the night time hours of a full moon. Don't be fooled by the heat get out there and explore you never know whats willing to take fly!

Propper gear:
Propper gear is a big one for me , I've learned enough hard lessons on these lakes to now take the extra time just to pack some extra items on these trips. From Ealry spring snow storms , High winds, or scorching UV rays on a blue bird summer day.  Having the gear to adjust on the water matters! Simply put , it will keep you on the water longer which means you'll catch more fish!

Do the extra! :
Some of the most rewarding things I've had happen while stillwater fishing has always been doing the Extra! I remember pulling up to a particular lake in the spring to see rows of fisherman eager to catch fish and already on the water. I was just learning this lake so it was hard to see all of my  "work" with people already standing there. I chalked it up and grabbed my bag knowing I was in for the long haul. I walked passed evey fisherman greating them in good spirits knowing that the walk and solitude would be worth it. And gee for thay day it was , all by myself huge early spring browns feeding on craw patterns. The only thing I regret that day is not bringing a heavier line...

Weather it's staying out an extra hour, walking an extra mile , picking up and extra piece of trash or the classic making one more cast. Just do it!! It will be worth!!!  If we as anglers take care of nature , nature in return will take care of us!

What’s next for you in your fly fishing journey—any goals, trips, or new waters on the horizon?

As a stillwater angler I am always looking at targeting new species on the fly , my current target species are Wiper, and Tiger musky , seeing how Colorado doesn't have real Musky I find  Tiger musky a little more time and cost efficient than a true Muskellunge
I've only tangled with Wiper a few times and in all honesty been broken off more times than succeeded.... totally undergunned.. Tiger musky will be a foreign thing. I done a fair amount of fishing for Pike So I think I should be able to narrow down with some good ole time and effort !

When I'm not griding these two species out , I'm going up High!!! Alpine lake fishing is my dirty little secret, I am an absolute alpine freak.  For the little time I have I will be deep deep in the hills hiking in search of new alpine gems. I've spent the better half of my time fly fishing in the alpine , it's one of many reasons I fell in love with stillwater fishing. These last two years for me have been huge educational breaks for me in the alpine . I've compiled hundreds of new lakes this winter and now have a lifetime worth of alpine fishing to do!  My goal to Work thru Colorado into Wyoming,  Idaho and Montana and explore alpine lakes as well as other flyfishing adventures the west has in store for me!