South St Vrain Creek: Isabelle Lake to Lyons
South St Vrain Creek starts above Lake Isabelle from Isabelle Glacier. The get to the lake is a 4.2 mile hike round trip with great scenery and excellent fishing. The high mountain trout are eager for dry flies and fishing a small caddis pattern or Parachute Adams is always a winner. The creek continues through Long Lake which is a 2.8 mile round trip and into Brainard Lake. Long Lake is stocked with cutthroat, brook and rainbow trout and you can call (303)541-2500 for more information.The Brainard Lake Recreation Area is a great place to spend the day, with easy access to several high mountain lakes and streams. Dogs are allowed in this area and most of the hiking is easy to moderate. Fees apply during the summer operating season (typically mid/late-June through late September) $9 for a 5-day pass; $45 for a season pass; Interagency Annual, Senior or Access passes, Golden Age and Golden Access passes accepted. Make sure you have cash or check because they can't take cards.
In the same area is Mitchell lake which is also a good place to take the kids for hiking and fishing. The trail is an easy one mile hike with some nice water access at the outlet. Mitchell Lake is one of four lakes in the Indian Peaks' Four Lakes Travel Zone, the others are Lake Isabelle, Long Lake and Blue Lake. Given their heavy day-use, no summer camping is permitted. The campground in this area is
If you want a little more solitude while fishing the south St Vrain creek with out going into the recreation area, park at the Left Hand Reservoir parking area and hike in on the Sourdough trail. The hike is an easy 1 1/2 mile down hill to the river and nice wooden bridge makes for a good place to get in. The creek is small and clear here but I love to see the fish take my fly. The hike into the recreation area is about four miles and you will have lots of river to yourself.
To get to the Brainard Lake Recreation area take Highyway 7(also called the Peak to Peak Highway) towards the town of Ward from Estes Park or Highway 7 from Lyons. The route from Lyons offers some of the best fishing along the highway, which has many turnouts. The south st vrain creek is larger here with both the south and middle creek converging before Lyons, offering more opportunities for getting into the water. Every time I have been on this park of the river I have found the wading slippery. Make sure you have some good boots to keep from taking a swim.
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