For starters, the region boasts of several good trout streams, including the Conejos River, the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and the Rio Grande. Knox indicates that the Animas River near Durango remains a Gold Medal stream worthy of attention.

Knox says the best river in this region is the Gunnison, which the biologist calls Colorado's second best trout river overall.

"I'd give it an A-," Knox said. "It's also a tailwater fishery but it doesn't get that much fishing pressure since it can be a little bit harder to access. The Gunnison consistently produces a (good) mix of browns and rainbows and the Black Canyon is still a really pristine place to fish."

Close to the Gunnison River, of course, is Blue Mesa Reservoir, which the biologist gives a B+. While the sprawling water body has suffered from drought-induced water fluctuations in recent years, the lake remains among the state's best kokanee salmon resources as well as the top spot to do battle with a 30-pound or better lake trout.

NORTHERN COLORADO
The northern part of the state doesn't garner as much attention from anglers and the outdoor press as other regions. That doesn't bother Baskfield, who expects another solid year of fishing in his beloved North Park region. It excels, he says, because of a lack of fishing pressure.

"I tend to like smaller water with less of a profile than some of the more famous streams," Baskfield said. "I like going to places where there is still room to roam. I don't like going to a place where there are a lot of guide boats or a rent-a-rock experience."

While trout in this region can be somewhat smaller than those found in other parts of Colorado, solitude, fabulous scenery and a quality experience are ample drawing cards to streams like the White and Yampa rivers in northwestern Colorado, and the Michigan and North Platte rivers in North Park.

"I like the North Park area because some of its waters are underutilized and don't get written up in the hook-and-bullet magazines," Baskfield said. "But there is some great fishing there."

Steamboat Lake also offers some great fishing, according to Knox; the biologist ranks this coldwater fishery as Colorado's second best stillwater resource.

"I'd give it an A-," Knox said. "It's not very heavily used, it's extremely scenic and it has excellent trout fishing. It may not be quite as productive as Spinney, but there are still a lot of 16-inch trout in that lake."

In fact, all across Colorado, there are plenty of good-sized, hungry trout, recent drought problems notwithstanding. And with a little luck -- and some more water from melting snow -- 2005 should bring plenty more surprising smiles to trout anglers all across the Centennial State.