Greenback  Recovery 

(and Fishing) in Rocky Mountain National Park

By Paul B. Downing 

A fly settles on the quiet waters of a high lake. The surface reflects towering snow covered peaks to the west. Rugged slopes lead down to spruce forests bordering the lake. Patiently the fly fisher waits until a cruising trout notices and rises. The surface bulges slightly as the fly disappears. The fight is on! Vibrant reds and oranges flash off its sides as the trout comes to net. This gorgeous creature is a rare greenback cutthroat trout…the State fish of Colorado and once thought extinct. Now, after a major ongoing recovery effort, it swims, reproduces, and takes a fly in many waters on the east slope of Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the story of its road to recovery and locations to fish for our state fish.

 

Loss and Recovery

The greenback’s original range included all of the Front Range’s cold water streams that feed the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers. The greenback’s road to extinction soon followed as mining and development depleted these natives. The introduction of non-native species perhaps dealt the biggest blow. Their disappearance appears linked to the greenback’s tendency to hybridize with rainbows or other cutthroats and to their inability to compete against brook and brown trout. By 1937 they were thought to be extinct.

In the 1960s, recovery began with discovery of a remnant population by W. H. Rickard, Jr. of the University of Colorado in a high country stream near the park. Extensive recovery efforts began in the 1970s. These ongoing efforts are headed by Bruce Rosenlund of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. In Rocky Mountain National Park recovery efforts continue with significant manpower and financial support provided by the Alpine Anglers Chapter of TU. The Alpine Anglers Chapter has received two “Exemplary Chapter Awards” for their efforts on behalf of the greenback.

Recovery is not a simple matter of dumping fish into water. In order for reintroduction to be successful, a water must be found that is isolated from migration of non-native trout. This requires a substantial natural barrier such as a high falls. Also the water must warm up enough for reproduction. Next all non-native fish must be removed from the water. Once the water has been treated, the greenbacks can be reintroduced. This is a lengthy process spanning three years of planning and many hours of work. But the thrill of being there and releasing greenbacks into their new home, as I did at Dream Lake, is indescribable.

Reintroduction is not the end of the process. Populations are monitored each year to determine their health. The goal is to establish self-sustaining populations. While this has been successful in many waters, there have been some failures as well. Some waters proved too cool for consistent natural reproduction. Others became re-infested with brook trout, perhaps because of failure to capture all brookies before reintroduction or perhaps by deliberate illegal reintroduction (sabotage).  Recently DNA testing has indicated that a number of populations that were thought pure may be a much as 30% hybrid with Yellowstone cutthroats. The implications of this new finding are not yet sorted out.

Each year Chris Kennedy of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, along with volunteers from the Alpine Anglers Chapter visit the greenback populations to check on their health. They also search for new candidate waters for reintroduction. Often volunteers hike into remote locations requiring a major day hike or an overnight stay. The work of getting there is repaid by the beauty of remote sections of the Park. These people may be the only ones to visit that year.

The goal of recovery is to establish at least 20 stable self-sustaining populations in the Arkansas and South Platte drainages. Great progress has been and continues to be made. There are now approximately 16 pure stable populations and a number of others that are being closely watched to determine if they are pure and stable. This is a tough job but progress is being made. The result is that the greenback has been down listed to threatened so they can be fished for in the park waters on a strict catch-and-release basis.

Fishing

Greenbacks are found in high mountain lakes, soCwith one exceptionCa hike is necessary to reach them. One- to three-hour day hikes will reward you with spectacular scenery and often equally spectacular fishing. Fish average 10- to 14-inches, with 20-inchers rumored. Summer is short so greenbacks are almost always actively feeding.

Greenbacks are usually stacked up at inlets to high lakes. To tempt them, float a pair of nymphs off the delta into the deep water. Greenbacks take Flash Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs or Beadhead Brassies aggressively.

Next look for cruisers along the shoreline. They seem to concentrate at the break between shallow and deep water. Nymphs are the attraction, but these greenbacks sip dries too. Try a #16 Parachute Adams with a #16 to #20 pheasant tail or prince nymph dropper. Patience, waiting for a cruiser to slowly rise to your fly can be nerve-wracking.

The outlet stream can be exceptional. One day I was fishing Sandbeach Lake. No fish could be found at the inlet or along the shore. However, a Pheasant Tail Nymph fooled several vibrant greenbacks to 16-inches in the deep pockets of the outlet stream just 100 feet below the lake. The outlet saved the day.

Two high country streams are excellent producers; Roaring River and Ouzel Creek. They are small, shallow, cold, and gin clear as they rush down the mountain side. Greenbacks don=t like the fastest water. Look for them in the slower seams, pockets and tailouts. Try a #16 Parachute Adams and a #20 flash pheasant tail or a beadhead brassie. Trout appear from nowhere to smash your fly!

Greenbacks are generally not fussy about flies or tippets. Most standard patterns in #16 to #20 sizes work. Tippets of 5X are all that is required. What these fish lack in sophistication they more than make up for in enthusiasm and beauty.

 

Drive-Up Greenbacks

Lily Lake is a small impoundment located next to Colorado Highway 7, south of Estes Park; a breath-taking setting with 14,255-foot Long=s Peak rising in the background. Drive-up access makes it a popular place to fish for greenbacks.

Lily can be easily fished from shore or from a float tube. In the early season little black midge emergers are the ticket. As the water warms, Flash Pheasant Tails work well. By July damsel nymphs are active. Troll one behind a float tube or crawl it toward shore. Early morning and late evening are the best times for summer fishing.

Greenbacks attempt to spawn on the dam face in late May. Unfortunately they are unsuccessful due to lack of moving water, so all the greenbacks in the lake have been stocked. Members of the Alpine Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited serve as volunteers to answer questions, educate the public and enforce the Park=s catch-and-release regulations. Lily is accessible, educational, scenic, and fun.

 

Where to Fish

Several trailheads lead to greenback waters. Most waters can be reached with a day hike. Arrive early for day hikes as parking lots fill quickly. Also weather is best in the morning.

Below is a listing of the most accessible greenback waters listed by trailhead.

 

Trailhead	Waters
Fern Lake	Spruce Lake, Fern Lake, Odessa Lake
Lawn Lake	Lawn Lake, Crystal Lake, Roaring River
Wild Basin	Ouzel Lake, Ouzel Creek (above falls), Pear Lake, Sandbeach Lake
Lily Lake	Lily Lake

 Equipment

It is essential to be prepared before hiking into the high country. Simple precautions insure your experience will be safe as well as rewarding. Elevation can cause altitude sickness. Take it easy and drink lots of water. Weather can get nasty instantly. Carry a raincoat and a warm sweater. Get out if a lightning storm is threatening. If you have never hiked in high country before, consider hiring a guide.

   Equipment List

3- to 5-weight fly rod with floating line

Hip boots or waders (Whirling Disease free)

Lots of water and quick energy food

Map

Raincoat and sweater

First Aid Kit

Hiking boots

Hat and sun glasses

Colorado Fishing license

Camera

 

Information

Catching the rare and stunning greenback in its scenic native waters is a treat not to be missed. There is no closed season, but weather dictates that the backcountry fishing season is June through September, with ice-out in some high lakes as late as July. Some greenback waters are closed to fishing to protect fragile populations. Check with the Park Visitor Center or fly shops for current information, helpful hints and other fishing opportunities in and around the Park.

The Alpine Anglers Chapter has a special Greenback Recovery Fund which is used to help pay for supplies and publications needed in the recovery effort. To make a tax deductible contribution to the fund, or to purchase one of the greenback stickers, contact:

Alpine Anglers

P O Box 3784

Estes Park, CO 80517

 

Contacts in Estes Park

Estes Angler Fly Shop

970-586-2110

Kirk’s Fly Shop

877-669-1859

 

Scott’s Sporting Goods

970-586-2877

 

Rocky Mountain National Park

970-586-1206

 

About the Author 

Paul Downing is a lifetime member of TU. He writes extensively for Colorado Fishing & Hunting News, as well as several national fly fishing magazines. His book Handbook of Western Fly Fishing has been very favorably received. For a copy, contact Majestic Press, Inc, 800-468-0324, or E-mail: majesticpress@aol.com.