Great day on Chatfield. Landed more fish than I could count actually I lost count. Going to go back Saturday. Fishing is too good to pass up.

I eat certain kinds of fish myself. Love shellfish. But I must admit I like fishing with like-minded people. That's why I usually fish catch and release water as often as I can.

I never put anybody down for harvesting fish. But there's a place to do that and it's not in catch and release water.

Sorry bro, the topic was barbless hooks. I would think that anybody that would respond in the thread like this would be a cashing release fisherman. No harm intended.

The only place I've really seen game wardens check that close was the San Juan River in New Mexico. They will run monofilament to see if it catches. If it does you're busted.

When I am using a fly rod I always use barbless hooks no matter what the regs are. But, fishing Chatfield for walleye I don't bother with the barbs. Boat fishing and fly fishing are a horse of a different color.

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Just ran down to my tying bench and took a picture of my crimpers. Picture below.

I just did a search and timco still sells barbless hooks. When I have the fly rod out I never use a barbed hook. Every time I tie a fly the barb comes off. Over the years I've saved myself a lot of grief and was able to get the hook out of a fish's mouth easily and most times not even touch the fish. Don't forget to always put em bk.

Especially if you use a dropper.

They sell Barb crimpers at fly shops I'm sure Cabela's has them too. You can also get temco hooks that are barbless. I use barbless hooks in catch and release Waters not only to protect the fish but my hands as well.

Be glad to help. I'm going to start at the deer Creek inlet and fish the submerged road bed going south across the lake. Fish the side of the road bed in 28 to 30 ft of water. Troll@09 mph. Use a bottom bouncer and a warm harness and get there at dawn I'm going to quit about 10:00. Any other questions please ask.

Walleye are pretty active right now at Chatfield. Only minutes down Hwy 85 from you. I am going again Mon and Tues weather permitting.

Ok, The Blue River's head waters start at Breckenridge Colorado. It joins the Colorado River at Kremmling Colorado. It has a lot of pressure on it because of it's proximity to the highway from Dillon to Kremmling. It is gold medal water so special regulations apply.

When I fish it I start at the dam at Dillon Reservoir and work my way down to the Factory Outlet stores in Silverthorn. Best fishing is right in Silverthorn.

Dillon res is one of 4 reservoirs which has mysis srimp in it and they wash through the dam and the trout below the bottom release day gorge on them. The trout get huge in a matter of no time.

If you go to the factory outlet stores and stand on the bridge that crosses the river you can see a dozen huge fish just sitting and feeding.

These fish know your name, address and phone number so they are smart and hard to catch. But, if you are good at dead drifting a nymph you can catch them. You can also get them on a BWO or RS2.

Good luck.

The guys in the room next to us landed a 38" pike. So they are there and active. Water temp is down to 64. I know that is warm but was a lot warmer.....get ready for weeds.....

Ok, Done washing two days worth of fish slime off of me. Great trip. Fished my brains out. Main problem we had such a hot summer that the lake super heated and weeds are everywhere. Not everywhere....the deepest part of the lake is clean but the fish weren't home. They were all i the weed beds. Every cast caught a bunch of weeds.....no fish.....

Finally after a few hours of frustration I tried a floating Lazy Ike lure. It barely sinks when retrieving it so it stayed above the weed beds.....bingo. Caught several pike and to many trout to count. Only thing is we were going for big pike .....didn't happen....none over 30". Here is a picture of the fish of the trip.

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23" Rainbow....as you can see her mouth is bleeding because I had trouble getting the hook out of her bony mouth. I revived her and turned her loose....to be caught another day.