A Colorado trout fishing adventure
Devil’s Thumb Lake named after the adjacent rock formation that towers over the water at 12,150' The granite spire 400' high was given its name by Native American Ute and Arapahoe tribes, who after feuding for decades, settled their differences and buried the Devil, leaving only his thumb exposed as a perpetual reminder of the evils of war.
Even I was surprised at catching and releasing so many fish this unusual snow free October 11th at Devils Thumb Lake.
I left the house at around 5 AM and arrived at the trailhead just before daybreak and methodically dressed, boots on, hat and gloves and pack double checked while on the tailgate to start up the trail at 7:30 Anticipating some cold weather, the Lake just under the Continental divide. I had my polypropylene longjohns on under my jeans, shirt and hoodie, and I'm glad I did because I was toasty warm the whole trip. Nothing spoils a fishing trip like being cold.
Not far up the jeep trail is the proverbial (fork in the road) at Lost Bridge. The left-hand fork is the Jeep trail that follows South Fork Middle Boulder Creek. I will be taking right fork to Jasper and onto Devils Thumb Lake. The trail behind the sign starts off fairly steep following the Creek but then opens up into a large meadow. I have no idea why they call the direct route foot trail the bypass trail.
The hike up from Hessie Co. trailhead is so washed out now, from previous years, it's like walking through a boulder field in some portions, nonetheless, it's still beautiful scenery that never seems to change.The steepest part of the hike seems like it's always just before the lake
I arrived at the lake just before noon, 41/2 hours, 61/2 miles and 2160 feet of strenuous elevation gain.
I'm on autopilot rigging up my fishing rod, while munching on some Swiss cheese and crackers, washing it down with purer Rocky Mountain spring water. It wasn't long I had a cutthroat trout doggedly fighting at the end of the line and took a photo of the first one, proving I didn't get skunked in case there weren't any other fish coming to the hook. The fish are a bit larger than the fish in Chicago Lake, averaging 14 to 15 inches, & pretty healthy, fighting quite a bit harder.
I alternated catching fish upwind and then casting downwind. After getting hung up in the pine tree down shoreline, losing my Ballinderry Black wet fly, I moved back up the shore to get behind a large boulder out of the wind to tie on a new fly, The Ballinderry Black of course, why change the fly pattern when you're catching fish.
The Ballinderry Black was originated by Tommy Hanna of Moneymore Ireland. This version is dressed with orange and black UV dubbing for the body. It didn't seem to matter if the Ballinderry Black was weighted or without weight, seeing the fish viciously slash at the fly when it’s near the surface always gives me a thrill.
The North shore line is mostly a jumble of very large rocks, I must pay attention when negotiating on them, one false step and well, there's no one else around. Moving towards the inlet stopping every 30 feet to cast while perched on the larger rocks trying to keep my balance.
Some fish will just follow the fly un-decisive; waiting for an opportunity but twitch pause the retrieve they'll take the fly or when it starts moving again, you’ll get that strike.
The winds are finally calming down and after getting close to the West end of the lake; I had caught and released 20 fish. And lost three more Ballinderry Black's. Not realizing that my leader was getting abraded on the rocks while trying to release the fish, they are scrappy fighters.
Bob Miller
In October, a little before 5, the sun starts going down behind the Continental divide, shading the lake, and fish now are coming to the fly on every cast. I planned on leaving about 5 PM, but with the fish on the bite. I just couldn't leave and stayed until I had caught and released 6 more cutthroat trout. These high mountain lakes can be temperamental at times, making for difficult fishing, requiring many changes of the fly pattern and retrieving technique. Occasionally, to my delight I experience catching trout this pleasant & effortlessly. Making my way through the confusing maze of Willows near the inlet, I stopped when noticing a dark shadow drop off out in the lake and enticed two more fish before losing my last Ballinderry Black in the Willows.
One of my best fishing days this year, catching and releasing 28 trout and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Packed up my fishing gear to start hiking out its 5:45 PM. The days are short, seems like I'm always walking out the last few hours with the flashlight, 9:30 PM. Not a bad ending to the year 2024. Another memory I will cherish fishing Colorado's highest mountain lakes. There was a time when you'd see more fishermen up at these Lake's. Not anymore.
May your moccasins always travel on happy trails and the sun shine on your teepee
The Ballinderry Black
Ted (E.J.) Malone, who knew Tommy well, publishes it in "Irish Trout & Salmon Flies".
Davie McPhail ties his version on YouTube. What got me interested in this pattern was Davie saying a few times, "works extremely well" and it does.
Narration & all photos by Bob Miller. A traveler & trout fisher of the Highest Colorado and Wyoming Mountain lakes
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