am2pm,

You’re welcome.

Someone mentioned going to Glenwood Springs your first day. Since you are arriving in Denver late morning, making Glenwood before nightfall is not out of the question. But neither is Leadville. I like both towns. Leadville is the highest incorporated town in the United States. It has none of the glitz & nightlife of places like Aspen, Vail, Telluride, or even Glenwood Springs, but what it does have is some beautiful scenery that can be seen just walking down the main street, and a quiet, lingering, authentic old west mining town atmosphere. You really are “away from it all” in Leadville, and that’s just what some people want. If you do spend your first night there, let me suggest dinner at Quincy’s, right on the main street of town. The menu consists of only 2 things: prime rib and filet mignon. Nothing else. Both about $15 for nice hunks of meat.

BarryK suggested spending your first night in Denver to acclimate to the altitude before heading up to Leadville.

Eh! Maybe.

But lots of people do just fine coming from the flatlands to the mountains. If you’re otherwise healthy, stay well hydrated, keep alcohol consumption and over-exertion to a minimum (not non-existent…. just to a rational minimum) for the first day or two, you should be fine. Of course, a small minority of people will still exhibit sensitivity to the altitude despite these precautions, so you should be aware of the signs & symptoms of altitude sickness, and take appropriate measures if they appear.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Sorry I haven't been back this week but had a big project due tonight that I had to keep after.

unfurled,
My DH is totally in your debt! He was just so beside himself that a total stranger would take so much time and fill him in on the places he can fish. Now he just has to decide where that spot might be. Now that I'll have more time I can push him for an answer. He also said if you aren't already, you could be a writer.

Thanks for the tip about Quincy's. Any recomendations for lodging for the night?
Our original plans were to come out (from PA) to see RMNP but then after reading up on all the other things to see in the SW part of the country, we added that also. So I still think we will try to keep the 2 nights in RMNP. We know it is going to be alot of driving but that is all the time my DH can get off at one shot. So we'll come see what we can and save the rest for another time.

I am a little worried about the altitude adjustment but again with the time we have I don't want to use up 1 day in Denver though I am sure we would love to see some of the sights there as well. I talked to my Doc about the trip and he said that as long as I drank plenty of water and didn't over do it I should be fine. I'll bring pills along for headaches and if I have to rest, so be it. I'll send DH out for more fishing!!!

Again, thank you. As time gets closer and I make up the final route, it might have some more questions.

Tell your DH that an 8 1/2 or 9 foot 5 weight rod with a 7 1/2 or 9 foot leader tapered to 5X with 2 feet of 5X or smaller tippet should do him just about fine on any of these waters.


He'll know what it all means.

Just a quick note about Woods Lake. I read a notice yesterday that the Colorado Division of Wildlife is proposing to poison Woods Lake and its feeder streams starting this August or September in order to eventually re-stock it with only native Colorado River Cutthroat trout.

Therefore, check with people in Telluride or Placerville before heading up that way to fish.

furledleader- my DH is a Colorado native and an avid flyfisherman...I too will print out your posting..he will love it...besides going back to visit his family...fly fishing in the RM west is his passion :) Thanks for the info!