Fly-fishing in alpine lakes are a must-do experience for any angler — especially if you get a chance to fish the waters of Rocky Mountain National Park or the high elevation lakes of the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Though your gear will not vary too much from what you’d bring to a less remote fly fishing spot, trekking through the mountains to a high-elevation lake means you’ll have to pack everything you need on your back, which can take up a lot of space and weight. 

Here’s a good starting point when it comes to choosing fly-fishing gear for an alpine angling trip!

Fly fishing gear for alpine lakes

Packable fishing rods

Packing light and efficient gear is crucial for navigating challenging terrain deep into the mountains or on long, multi-day treks. This is where packable and telescoping fly rods shine, since they offer a perfect blend of portability and functionality for all your alpine adventures.

Compared to traditional multi-piece rods, telescopic rods collapse significantly further, making them ideal for carrying in backpacks, even for long hikes. This allows you to access remote alpine lakes and streams that might otherwise be unreachable with bulkier equipment. Many telescopic rods also come in various lengths, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your target species and fishing style. Some models even offer adjustable lengths, providing further adaptability.

Many packable rods are also constructed from high-quality materials like graphite or carbon fiber, making them remarkably lightweight and minimizing the overall weight you carry on your trek.

Popular options for alpine fishing rods include:

• Tenkara rods: These ultralight rods are minimalist in design and typically consist of only a few sections. They’re exceptionally packable and well-suited for small streams and still waters — a great option for alpine anglers!
• High-end telescoping rods: Premium rods made by the likes of Orvis and REYR Gear boast exceptional craftsmanship, powerful actions and pack down to a surprisingly small size, making them ideal for serious alpine fly fishing enthusiasts. 

There’s a great variety of telescoping and multi-piece fly rods out there, and choosing the right one is going to mean considering all the factors involved: How far do you want to cast? How far are you trekking? What size of fish are you going after? How much use is the pole going to get on a typical trip? You can’t go too wrong with a standard, run-of-the-mill rod, but it’s worthwhile knowing the limits of your gear anyhow. 

Fly boxes

Bring a small, two-sided fly box with you on your trip that’s well-stocked with dry flies and nymphs. You’ll also want a decent amount of floatant, a hemostat, some tippet and a set of nippers — plus any other specific gear you like to use for fly fishing. 

Remember that you’ll want to bring enough gear that you don’t run out of anything while you’re miles away from your car, but not so much that your backpack is weighed down with unnecessary weight. Only you can say what’s right for you!

Barbless hooks

Barbless hooks are used in fishing for several reasons, though they’re primarily focused on fish welfare and safety for both the fish and the angler. 

Barbless hooks, lacking the hooked point, are easier to remove from the fish's mouth, causing less tearing and tissue damage — this minimizes the time the fish spends out of the water, further increasing its chances of survival. This is especially crucial for catch-and-release fishing, where the goal is to return the fish healthy to the water. Most alpine lakes are catch-and-release unless otherwise stated, so keep plenty of these kinds of hooks on hand. 

The added benefit of barbless hooks are that they’re easier and safer to remove if they accidentally snag the angler's skin or clothing, reducing the risk of injury and infection. And when you’re out in the remote mountains miles from any kind of medical care, the less risk you have, the better off you’ll be!

Sun-protection and clothing

Protecting yourself from the sun is crucial, especially in high-altitude environments where UV rays are even stronger than they are at lower elevations. You’ll also want to wear layer-able clothes that will keep you dry and warm while not taking up too much space. 

Look for long-sleeved shirts made with synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon that offer a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of 50+. These shirts dry quickly, wick away moisture and provide excellent sun protection. Popular options include Patagonia's Capilene Cool Daily Hoody and Simms Solarflex Hoody, both featuring built-in hoods for added coverage.

It’s also a good idea to get some convertible pants that can be zippered off at the knee. Not only do these short/long trouser combos make dealing with changing weather easier, but you can dry the wet bottom portions on a nice warm rock before heading back down the trail with your haul.

A hat with a brim of at least 3 inches is essential for protecting your face, neck and ears. Opt for a hat made from a lightweight, breathable material like straw or vented synthetic fabric. Pair this with a breathable, moisture-wicking sun gaiter to top the whole thing off.

Finally, you’ll want to bring along a decent pair of polarized sunglasses (plus, maybe a sunglasses strap to keep them tethered). These are important for shielding your eyes, of course, but they also make spotting fish way easier, since they’ll drastically reduce the glare of the sun of the water. 

Wading gear

Wading gear is always a nice thing to have when fly fishing, but when you’re alpine fishing it can certainly take up more weight and effort than it might at your neighborhood lake. 

On the other hand, though, that very same wading gear might allow you to get further out into the water and reach all those fish that lurk in the darker, deeper waters away from shore. You may very well catch fish in greater quantity and quality, so it could well be worthwhile. 

Belly boat

Many alpine lakes are small enough that you can fish from all around the shoreline and access most of the water. Other lakes are big enough that it may be worthwhile to bring out a small raft, a packable kayak or an inflatable belly boat to get further into the center of the lake. These will add considerable weight to your pack and, as such, are one of those luxuries that you’ll just have to figure out how worthwhile it is to have with you. Pros and cons, right?

Safety equipment

One of the most important tools you can bring with you on a trip into the remote alpine wilderness is a safety-oriented mindset. Let people know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Bring bug spray and sunscreen to protect your skin and bear spray to protect your hide. Bring a flare in case you need to advertise your location and a flashlight (with batteries!) in case you’re stumbling in the dark. Pack adequate clothing and account for abrupt changes in weather. Pack a GPS or satellite phone if you’re really going remote and always, always bring a first aid kit. 

Hopefully, you’ll never have to use any of your safety equipment, but it’s always a good idea to bring it!

If you live in or near our luxury Denver apartments, then you have access to more fishable alpine lakes than most people! Be sure to head out to one next time you’re looking for an adventure, and you’re sure to come home with more than cool stories to tell!

Enjoy!

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Featured photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan on Unsplash