Angler Alan Nielsen probes the White River for browns and rainbows. Photo courtesy of Alan Nielsen

Energized by the bright morning sun, I slid out of my sleeping bag and noticed a herd of some 100 elk feeding on a slope across the White River from my camp. Although elk are common in this isolated northwest Colorado region, such a large herd is unusual. As they continued to move and feed, I realized that the unusual is quite common up here in this beautiful, isolated section of the Rockies, and quickly went about setting up my fly rod for a great day on the river.

The White River, a freestone river nurtured by the snowpack nestled in the heights of the Flattops Wilderness, is off the beaten path of traditional Colorado fly-fishing destinations and yet it offers top-quality fishing for brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout averaging 12 to 14 inches with occasional lunkers surpassing the 5-pound mark, and mountain whitefish up to 3 pounds are abundant as well. The upper river within the national forest boundary is home to the brook and cutthroats while the browns and rainbows tend to reside farther downstream in the main river.

The North Fork surges out of renowned Trapper's Lake, traveling some 50 miles downstream to the mountain town of Meeker, the only significant community in this area. On its journey down the mountain, the North Fork joins the South Fork near Buford, forming the main stem, which meets the Green River some 150 miles downstream in Utah.

The river's character changes from small pocket water, high gradient flow to larger, meandering ranchland flow after it exits the national forest. After the junction of the North and South Forks, the White grows considerably in size. Characterized by riffles, deep runs and beautiful pools, the lower river tends to produce larger fish than the cascading upper forks within the White River National Forest. Trout fishing below Meeker deteriorates quickly as the river slows, loses its clarity and warms rapidly.

While the average fish is around 12 to 14 inches, much larger fish are commonly taken. In 1995, a 10-pound brown was caught in Meeker City Park. Fish up to 6 pounds have been taken from easements upstream of Meeker. There are recent reports of several 26- to 28-inch rainbow and cutthroat trout. The White is presently whirling disease free, and anglers are urged to do their part to maintain this status by cleaning their equipment (especially waders) thoroughly before entering the river. Wade fishing is the rule as the White is not large enough to support float fishing.

TACKLE SUGGESTIONS
I favor a 9-foot, 5-weight rod with floating line for the main stem of the river. An 8-foot, 3- or 4-weight is adequate for either fork. Some of the heavier water in the main stem will require weighted flies and additional weight to get nymphs down in some of the deeper holes. I usually start with a 9-foot leader and 5X tippet for dry flies and seldom have to downsize. A 4X tippet is adequate for all but the smallest nymphs.

Chest waders are desirable as some water is quite deep. Unless you plan to fish the winter season, lightweight waders are quite adequate. Hip waders will suffice and during the summer, I often wade wet with shorts and sandals.

The North Fork can be fished well with caddis patterns. I like to use size 14-16 olive or brown Elk Hair Caddis with a Sparkle Pupa dropper, although just about any caddis pattern will be successful. Soft hackles, Hare's Ears and stonefly nymphs are other successful nymph patterns.