WEST-CENTRAL
Located near the town of Lake City, the Lake Fork of the Gunnison is surrounded by some notorious waters. And because of this, it often gets overlooked.

However, CDOW aquatic biologist Dan Brauch said the most recent sampling found nearly 100 pounds of trout per acre in its lower reaches, with more than 20 fish per acre that hit the 14-inch mark or better.

That’s real close to Colorado’s Gold Medal standards. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison is in good shape this year, said Brauch, and by looking at these numbers, it’s obviously a can’t-miss river this season.

Just north of the Lake Fork is its cousin the Lower Gunnison River. If trout numbers are any indication of a top-notch fishery, then this 26-mile stretch of river below Blue Mesa Reservoir is a must-see this year. The most recent sampling shows about 7,000 trout per mile, with 400 pounds of trout per acre.

“These are incredible numbers,” said Dan Kowalski of the CDOW, “and we don’t see that changing much in the near future.”

About 90 percent of these trout are browns, but some big rainbows are also lurking there. The best time to hook into them is during the prolific June salmonfly hatch.

If you want an opportunity to fool a true-blue monster, then the Taylor River tailwater just west of Almont is as good as it gets. In the fly- or lure-only water below the dam, public access is short -- less than half a mile. But the browns, ‘bows and cutts living there are thick and long.

Dragonfly Anglers guide Cameron Scott said that trout numbers have fallen a bit recently, but he insists that there are excellent numbers of 18- to 22-inch trout there, as well as some heavyweights at 10 pounds and up.

For its size, the tailwater is one of the most heavily fished stretches of river in Colorado. But it still produces some great fish, and Scott doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.

The Roaring Fork Valley is home to the famed Roaring Fork River and the Frying Pan. If you want to retire in trout heaven, then this might be the spot.

These rivers offer freestone and tailrace fishing, as well as 42 miles of continuous Gold Medal water. Art Rowell, shop manager of Frying Pan Anglers, said that last year’s fishing in the Roaring Fork Valley was as good as it gets, and that there’s an ample supply of trout heading into this season.