Antero is NOT the Best Trout Fishery

[DrCro]

I shall not set foot on Antero this ice season. For one it’s way too small of a lake for how many anglers are on there, the big cousin on highway 24 is at least much bigger and better fish. Did my yearly trip and it was fun. Will only fish it one more time for a tournament. Get out there!

Here is my trip from Saturday:

[SLAYERFISH]

Nice Vid.  Ain't no fish in 11-mile.

[stinkyfingers]

Yeah, I know that place. Home ice. CPW just dumped 25,000 of those Snake River Cutthroat in the 8-10" range in there so that trout fishery will stay strong for a few years. Play hell with the pike fishing after they move out of the north parking lot cove though.
Doc, your pink tube jigs were a solid choice to open with. You boys don't seem to be cold averse. 4# mono? You'll regret that choice at some point.

[Crazy Tom]

Place is fishing well
There’s been many years when one of those Cutbows are scarce
As far as bigger troutski’s I would probably pick Anterhole but usually we will go to the mile just seems more peaceful

[SLAYERFISH]

You boys don't seem to be cold averse.

My days of sitting on a bucket in that freeking wind are OVER!  And I dont miss them one bit!

[Hookerhooker]

The hole has bigger I think, the mile hates me.

[SLAYERFISH]

The hole has bigger I think, the mile hates me.

Mile has bigger, but they are harder to find.

[Bigassbassman]

The Mile is a cruel b—

Good video as always!

[stinkyfingers]

Speaking as the gentleman whose record of skunks at the Mile will never be surpassed, you need to bring a certain mindset to that lake. There's a faint chance that you'll hook into the biggest trout you'll ever see and there's a somewhat better chance that you'll take a spanking and drive home emptyhanded. You just have to convince yourself that you were out for the fresh air and the beauty and that catching fish is just the gravy.
For solid action you're better off at A-hole. Nice healthy trout, similar to what the Dr. and his mates were taking but alas, not what they were before the dam rebuild. But A-hole will have fishermen at 24" on center this weekend and if you're not in the mood for a frozen metropolis, go find a little spot at the Mile and breathe in the fresh air.

[troutbiscuits]

Speaking as the gentleman whose record of skunks at the Mile will never be surpassed, you need to bring a certain mindset to that lake. There's a faint chance that you'll hook into the biggest trout you'll ever see and there's a somewhat better chance that you'll take a spanking and drive home emptyhanded. You just have to convince yourself that you were out for the fresh air and the beauty and that catching fish is just the gravy.
For solid action you're better off at A-hole. Nice healthy trout, similar to what the Dr. and his mates were taking but alas, not what they were before the dam rebuild. But A-hole will have fishermen at 24" on center this weekend and if you're not in the mood for a frozen metropolis, go find a little spot at the Mile and breathe in the fresh air.

I don't like fishing elbow to elbow with people much so the Mile sounds better to me, haha.  Great job AJ! Seems like Paul could guide on that lake. He always does well there.

[Bigassbassman]

Speaking as the gentleman whose record of skunks at the Mile will never be surpassed, you need to bring a certain mindset to that lake. There's a faint chance that you'll hook into the biggest trout you'll ever see and there's a somewhat better chance that you'll take a spanking and drive home emptyhanded. You just have to convince yourself that you were out for the fresh air and the beauty and that catching fish is just the gravy.
For solid action you're better off at A-hole. Nice healthy trout, similar to what the Dr. and his mates were taking but alas, not what they were before the dam rebuild. But A-hole will have fishermen at 24" on center this weekend and if you're not in the mood for a frozen metropolis, go find a little spot at the Mile and breathe in the fresh air.

For me, that would be a 2 1/2 hour drive each way with crappy I-25 traffic for a possible skunkfest...or even for a few fish. That's why it makes me grumpy.  And why I haven't made it back down yet...   
It is beautiful scenery, I just can't get excited that much about catching freakin slimers!   

[lovetofishnow]

Antero seems to slow down quite a bit this year and the trout are much smaller than a few years ago.  Our group made an annual trip out there this past Saturday and the fishing was way slowww.  We caught a dozen fish between a dozen people from before sun rise to almost sunset.  Fish were bout 16 to 18" long, not like a couple years back when they were 22-24" long.  And another thing is we caught more browns than rainbows.  On the positive sides, it was sunny, not much wind that day and we enjoyed some beer, brats, deer stew with friends on the ice.

[SLAYERFISH]

Speaking as the gentleman whose record of skunks at the Mile will never be surpassed

Thats funny Stinky!

[DrCro]

Yeah, I know that place. Home ice. CPW just dumped 25,000 of those Snake River Cutthroat in the 8-10" range in there so that trout fishery will stay strong for a few years. Play hell with the pike fishing after they move out of the north parking lot cove though.
Doc, your pink tube jigs were a solid choice to open with. You boys don't seem to be cold averse. 4# mono? You'll regret that choice at some point.

Agreed! It is why I use 6lb flouro. The kiddo and other fella were using the 4lb mono I learned my lesson last year after losing many fish haha.

[DrCro]

Place is fishing well
There’s been many years when one of those Cutbows are scarce
As far as bigger troutski’s I would probably pick Anterhole but usually we will go to the mile just seems more peaceful

i have some spots on this lake that I will never film my videos on them, it’s just too good. I would say if people were not too lazy and walked half a mile you can find 6-8lb fish. Overall I think there are bigger fish here then Antero because Of the diverse food supply just harder to find and catch. I want that elusive tiger Muskie from the A-hole lol

[DrCro]

My days of sitting on a bucket in that freeking wind are OVER!  And I dont miss them one bit!

mine are coming I’m 34 and as I get older I should get wiser and not want to fish and get my ass kicked all day.

[DrCro]

Mile has bigger, but they are harder to find.

Agreeing with Slayer on this one.

Tom if you came with me and I showed you some things the place would love you more then you think and you’d love it back. Now of course what works for me may not work for you.

[DrCro]

Speaking as the gentleman whose record of skunks at the Mile will never be surpassed, you need to bring a certain mindset to that lake. There's a faint chance that you'll hook into the biggest trout you'll ever see and there's a somewhat better chance that you'll take a spanking and drive home emptyhanded. You just have to convince yourself that you were out for the fresh air and the beauty and that catching fish is just the gravy.
For solid action you're better off at A-hole. Nice healthy trout, similar to what the Dr. and his mates were taking but alas, not what they were before the dam rebuild. But A-hole will have fishermen at 24" on center this weekend and if you're not in the mood for a frozen metropolis, go find a little spot at the Mile and breathe in the fresh air.

Amen If you with a negative mindset the place will own you and you’ll be deterred from it. I got skunked for 3 years at the mile until I figured it out finally. Now it’s my favorite place and I think it’s up with Antero and even better, the chance at 5 species makes it a bit more fun!

[DrCro]

Antero seems to slow down quite a bit this year and the trout are much smaller than a few years ago.  Our group made an annual trip out there this past Saturday and the fishing was way slowww.  We caught a dozen fish between a dozen people from before sun rise to almost sunset.  Fish were bout 16 to 18" long, not like a couple years back when they were 22-24" long.  And another thing is we caught more browns than rainbows.  On the positive sides, it was sunny, not much wind that day and we enjoyed some beer, brats, deer stew with friends on the ice.

i wish my problem is catching more browns then Rainbows. I’ll take a brown over a bow any day. I will pay you for the location. In a private message of course! I’ll even put up the tent not to expose the location.

[stinkyfingers]

  I got skunked for 3 years at the mile

Dang. I thought I was incompetent. My Mile skunks are a cumulative total over 43 years and is probably somewhere north of a hundred by now. But I never took the hickey three years running. Six lb. fluoro makes a good leader under braid but even that will get tested there at times.

[dntbeamenace4031]

thats a really nice red bait puck at the 1 min mark   

solid day, its been a few years since i've driven out there because I generally have as much luck as Stinky.  Might be time to see if my friend wants to take the RV up and camp the night before, its a brutal day from Denver.

[DrCro]

thats a really nice red bait puck at the 1 min mark   

solid day, its been a few years since i've driven out there because I generally have as much luck as Stinky.  Might be time to see if my friend wants to take the RV up and camp the night before, its a brutal day from Denver.

Oh shoot, I have  your bait puck that specific one is my buddies your bait puck is in my trunk, i'd love to fish together and return the puck.

[Crazy Tom]

Agreeing with Slayer on this one.

Tom if you came with me and I showed you some things the place would love you more then you think and you’d love it back. Now of course what works for me may not work for you.

MrCro been fishing 11 mile for 35 years not to many places  I haven't drilled a hole on that lake. I like 11 Mile always have , lake is fishing good right now. Few years ago it was tuff fishing . Back in the good old days before the internet made everyone aware of early ice  we had the lake to ourselves 2-3 weeks. Pretty much every time our group which was for the most part me and Slayer would get a 6-9 lbs trout. I just don't think those days will be coming back . Cro Im always open to learn new things but something tells me it would be the other way around who shows who what when it comes to South Park Slimers lol. Hope to see you on the ice this year exchange some info and lies with you. Heck if you like beer and 420 I bet I could talk Slayer into letting you tag along.

[Bigassbassman]

MrCro been fishing 11 mile for 35 years not to many places  I haven't drilled a hole on that lake. I like 11 Mile always have , lake is fishing good right now. Few years ago it was tuff fishing . Back in the good old days before the internet made everyone aware of early ice  we had the lake to ourselves 2-3 weeks. Pretty much every time our group which was for the most part me and Slayer would get a 6-9 lbs trout. I just don't think those days will be coming back . Cro Im always open to learn new things but something tells me it would be the other way around who shows who what when it comes to South Park Slimers lol. Hope to see you on the ice this year exchange some info and lies with you. Heck if you like beer and 420 I bet I could talk Slayer into letting you tag along.

Bring a case of ‘Stones!   

[SLAYERFISH]

Bring a case of ‘Stones!   

Only need a couple to take the edge off the old sativa!

[DrCro]

MrCro been fishing 11 mile for 35 years not to many places  I haven't drilled a hole on that lake. I like 11 Mile always have , lake is fishing good right now. Few years ago it was tuff fishing . Back in the good old days before the internet made everyone aware of early ice  we had the lake to ourselves 2-3 weeks. Pretty much every time our group which was for the most part me and Slayer would get a 6-9 lbs trout. I just don't think those days will be coming back . Cro Im always open to learn new things but something tells me it would be the other way around who shows who what when it comes to South Park Slimers lol. Hope to see you on the ice this year exchange some info and lies with you. Heck if you like beer and 420 I bet I could talk Slayer into letting you tag along.

Sounds awesome Tom! I am fortunate enough to know a few friends that have fished it since they were 14 and now their 50.  Always good to connect with the people that have spent a lot of time on water and fishing a lot to learn from!

[troutbiscuits]

MrCro been fishing 11 mile for 35 years not to many places  I haven't drilled a hole on that lake. I like 11 Mile always have , lake is fishing good right now. Few years ago it was tuff fishing . Back in the good old days before the internet made everyone aware of early ice  we had the lake to ourselves 2-3 weeks. Pretty much every time our group which was for the most part me and Slayer would get a 6-9 lbs trout. I just don't think those days will be coming back . Cro Im always open to learn new things but something tells me it would be the other way around who shows who what when it comes to South Park Slimers lol. Hope to see you on the ice this year exchange some info and lies with you. Heck if you like beer and 420 I bet I could talk Slayer into letting you tag along.

You think it is the internet Crazy Tom, or the fact that we now have 2.5 million more people in Colorado than we did 30 years ago?

[Crazy Tom]

For awhile it was definitely internet state didn't start exploding population wise until 2010. Today I would agree with you.

[SLAYERFISH]

Entire state sucks I hafta walk 5 miles to catch a 9" perch anymore.

[waterlike]

Entire state sucks I hafta walk 5 miles to catch a 9" perch anymore.

Want to walk a half mile for walleye on Saturday? Wanted today but didnt  want to make the walk over alone.