Just got a boat finally and am going to head to Chatfield this week. Was wondering if anyone had any tips for good spots to fish, tactics, etc.

Thanks.

Brian

brian.heidt@us.army.mil

Check out Fish Explorer, www.fishexplorer.com. There's a bunch of us there that help keep CO updated.

If you're not certain, bottom bouncers (1.5 to 2 oz) with worm harnesses and worms or minnows seems to work well.
If you're fishing morning or dusk, hit transitions, between deep and shallow water and fish shallow, 0 to 10 fow. If you're going midday, aim for drop offs, shelves, humps, and deeper structures in 20 fow or greater.

Guys seem to be doing okay with jigs and blade baits also.

Thanks for your service Brian!!

FS

Thanks for the info, will give a few of those ideas a try. I've set up an account on FishExplorer and will report back this week. Any particular areas that I should try out?

bheidt,

I'm sorry, but I'm up north in the Fort Collins area. I don't fish Chatty.
However, on FxR you'll find on the lake page, a lake skipper. Please feel free to email FishForAll, Jeff Don: http://www.fishexplorer.com/co/cont...p?sid=1028
If you select his name from the lake page, it'll give you his bio, some fish he's caught, and a way to contact him.

Also, if you have one of Fish-n-maps maps, that'll help you key in on structure and depths.

Good luck!!

FS

Thanks again for the info. Went out yesterday and did get the Fish N Map for Chatty. Helped a bit, but need a gps with me to zero in better. Followed the map and saw how other boaters were working so got a decent idea. Had to walleyes follow a spoon, but that was it. Have done a lot of wallyeye fishing back in WI on the Mississippi and it's a bit different so not used to harnesses you mention above. Will look more into that.

I'd like to get up your way and fish Horsetooth soon. Other good lakes/reservoir's up that way you'd recommend to look into?

Have not fished Chatfield for many years,but when i did fish it morning seemed the best before all the water sports people got on to the lake.I caught most my fish from shore or in my belly bout on the south east side,i would throw brown rooster tails from shore.Caught my biggest rainbow to date with a brown rooster tail,i also caught some real nice trout out of my belly boat fly fishing with big wooly buggers.It seems like if you throw something outside the usual stuff that every one else is using you can do very well!

Have not fished Chatfield for many years,but when i did fish it morning seemed the best before all the water sports people got on to the lake.I caught most my fish from shore or in my belly bout on the south east side,i would throw brown rooster tails from shore.Caught my biggest rainbow to date with a brown rooster tail,i also caught some real nice trout out of my belly boat fly fishing with big wooly buggers.It seems like if you throw something outside the usual stuff that every one else is using you can do very well!