Scented plastics are bait. Those four simple words carry the banner of a philosophical change in Colorado that dominated discussions by trout anglers and fishery managers alike in 2005. Now amended with that philosophy, the Centennial State's trout fishing regulations have deemed that soft-plastic imitation eggs -- and other manmade items like them that exude scent -- are not artificials. They are baits and cannot be used on any of the state's waters in which only flies or lures are allowed.

Other than that decision, trout anglers will notice few changes as they enter the 2006 trout-fishing season.

How soon Colorado anglers can take to the streams and lakes depends on our winter snowpack. Robin Knox, with the Colorado Department of Wildlife, reports that water supplies in 2005 were in good condition. Reservoir levels were as high as they had been in three or four years.

"Lakes and reservoirs in the mountains are the No. 1 preferred fishing locations for about 65 percent of our anglers," says Knox. "The second most popular for fishing is streams; about 35 percent of the anglers prefer that as their first choice." Colorado has 6,000 miles of streams and more than 2,000 lakes and reservoirs. Gold Medal streams provide outstanding angler opportunities for large trout.

Let's take a look at the three major river basins -- South Platte, Arkansas, and the Colorado -- to see how the fishing will be this coming season.

SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Major streams within the South Platte basin include the South Fork, Middle Fork and North Fork of the South Platte River. Additional popular trout-fishing streams include Clear Creek, Boulder Creek, St. Vrain Creek, and the Big Thompson River -- which is a favorite of residents and non-residents alike. Stocked rainbow trout and a natural brown trout population provide good fishing from May through September. Salmon eggs, various lures and worms work best during the spring run-off; flies are best during late July, August and September.

Ken Kehmeier, DOW biologist for the Poudre River, expects good fishing there this year. "We had a great water year in 2005. Brown trout recruitment in the Poudre River was good, and survival of older fish has been tremendous.

The river begins its race for the flatlands from the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. During the course of its rush to join the South Platte River near Greeley, it provides more than 60 miles of public fishing. There are good populations of brown trout, as well as some mountain whitefish and a limited rainbow fishery.

"There is wild trout water on it, no Gold Medal water," Kehmeier said. Gold Medal waters must meet a standard of biomass and numbers of large fish, while wild-trout water hosts populations of wild-hatched fish. "We manage 10 miles of the river as wild trout, but since 1994 it has been 60 miles of wild-trout fishery," continued Kehmeier.

"Most people fish the special regulations area, about a two-mile stretch that has nice access and good habitat. Good fishing locations are near the hatchery, Pingree Park Bridge, and Gateway Park. There are a few dry-fly anglers, but it is a fairly high-gradient stream. Many anglers use nymphs for a lot of pocketwater type of fishing."

Extensive in-stream habitat improvement projects have taken place on the South Platte River. A six-mile stretch of Gold Medal water between the Elevenmile and Spinney Mountain reservoirs is commonly labeled "the Dream Stream" by trout anglers. "There is good holding habitat for the trout, a lot of area for anglers to spread out, and accessibility is pretty good," says Greg Gerlich, senior aquatic biologist for the northeast region. "There are about three different locations where anglers can park and walk right down into the river."