BRECKENRIDGE — While the best fishing in the area remains over Hoosier Pass on the South Platte River, Adam Nabors of Mountain Anglers said heading south isn't the only great option. Instead, he suggest going up, as in hiking to some of the area's high lakes.

“Now's a great time of year to plan that hike up to the high lakes areas,” he said. “They've all been producing consistently. It's a great way to catch some cutthroats and get some exercise early in the morning.”

Hiking any of a number of local trails can put an angler right on the banks of some pristine high-elevation water, lakes that should provide plenty of fish.

Nabors suggested using a variety of mayfly imitations, as the fish are “feeding really well up there.” Although, a trip up a mountain comes with a disclaimer.

“Everyone should know hiking into a high-mountain lake that everything is really exposed and to try to get in and get out before the afternoon weather comes in,” Nabors warned.

But for those not looking for a trout on the end of a line without getting an endurance test, the Platte is more than promising.

Head south of Fairplay, Nabors said, and the fishing can't get much better on the Platte's middle and south forks.

“Of all the drainages in the Summit County area, the one I feel is the most productive right now,” Nabors said. “If anglers have just a day off or just one day on a vacation to go out and fish, it should be (on) the South Platte. Lots of different access points and the fish are feeding really, really well right now.”

Fish are feeding on hoppers in the area, as well as caddis, green drakes and pale morning duns.

But one of the great parts about this time of year, Nabors said, is that fish aren't too picky.

“It's a great place, especially of you're a beginning angler, to get some strikes,” he said.

The Blue River, both above and below the Dillon Reservoir, remains strong for fishing, and Nabors said some stocking has taken place in the area. (Check the Colorado Division of Wildlife's website for specific details.)

While the guides at Mountain Anglers haven't been fishing the Arkansas River too aggressively lately, what with the Platte fishing so well, Nabors said the Ark has been “really good” and caddis are the fly of choice.

A release from Green Mountain Reservoir in the coming days should pump up the fishing on the Colorado River.

“It's going to make the trout down there a little bit happier and make the fishing down there a little better,” Nabors said.

On the upper sections of the Colorado, Nabors said PMDs, yellow Sallies and caddis have been the main hatches to focus on.

Tip of the week: Taking the temperature

One of the main reasons for catch-and-release fishing, obviously, is to protect the fish and keep them healthy and, well, alive. But, even an angler with the best of intentions can land a fish and do some serious damage simply because the water is a bit too warm to be fishing.

“Colder water holds oxygen better than warm water, once the water gets warm, it's much harder for the trout to survive,” Nabors said. “They're already kind of stressed, so if you hooked that fish and played that fish in a weakened state, you could potentially do the damage that, as catch-and-release fishermen, you're not looking to do, which is kill the fish.”

So, Nabors said an angler should equip themselves with a water thermometer, available at any of the county's many fishing shops.

Generally, if the water gets above 65 degrees, Nabors said it's getting a bit too warm. Anything over 70 is much too hot.

“A good rule of thumb is to fish mornings and evenings,” he said. “At the height of day, when the water is the warmest, take a break.”