The 2011 Spinney Mountain Reservoir fishing season officially gets underway today at 6:07 a.m., offering anglers one of their coveted annual rites of spring. Dress warm and be prepared to stand in line.
Following nearby Eleven Mile Reservoir’s opening on Monday, Spinney Mountain State Park is open to shore fishermen and boats launching from the North and South Boat Ramps, park manager Kevin Tobey said. All trailered boats must pass inspection for aquatic nuisance species. Boat inspectors will be at the park entrance daily from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset through Oct. 31.
Fishermen are reminded that only artificial flies and lures are permitted at Spinney, and items with any scent are prohibited. The bag and possession limit and minimum size for trout caught in the reservoir is one fish, 20 inches or longer. There is no limit on pike, and anglers are encouraged to harvest all pike they catch to help maintain a proper balance between trout and pike.
Trout fishing is expected to remain good this year. “The Division of Wildlife stocks 12- to 14-inch trout each fall, enabling them to continue to feed and grow during the winter,” Tobey said. “They are less likely to be preyed upon by the northern pike in the winter, since the pike’s metabolism slows down and they become less active, while the trout remain active throughout the winter.”
Colorado State Parks annual passes ($70) will be sold at the gate from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. today. Daily park passes are $7. For more information, call the park office at 719-748- 3401 or visit .
Fun-filled fundraiser.
The Greenbacks — a spinoff of Colorado Trout Unlimited promoting native Colorado fish and their habitat — will host a trout fishing film festival and fundraiser at the Oriental Theater (4335 W. 44th Ave.) on Thursday, featuring the Felt Soul Media film “Eastern Rises,” “Tapam — A Flyfishing Journey” and “Low and Clear” from Finback Films. Join the next-generation conservation group at 7 p.m. for its second fundraiser of 2011 benefiting CTU’s native trout conservation work. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Go to for details.
Scott Willoughby, The Denver Post
