HARTSEL — For all the oddities surrounding opening day at Spinney Mountain Reservoir, nothing could top the happenings at nearby Antero, center of uncommon turmoil in recent months. Antero, which has no official opening day, blew open a few cracks March 21, just enough space for Marc Wyman to land a 25-inch rainbow.
But when he returned seven days later, he found the lake frozen shut again. This strange event was in keeping with the uncertainty of an early thaw, when anglers within hailing distance caught fish through ice and open water.
For the record, Antero again is virtually free of ice, a time of excitement for anglers eager for big fish. Trailered boats won’t be allowed here until the invasive species inspection station opens May 1.
Meanwhile, boats will be allowed at Spinney and on the main ramp and cove ramp at Elevenmile Reservoir on Saturday.
In North Park, the three Delaney Butte Lakes all flashed fishable patches of water last weekend, while Lake John still had a 1-foot-thick ice cover. John surrendered a 12-pound rainbow two weeks ago.
Charlie Meyers, The Denver Post
