A hidden gem of Park County — small freestone creek with eager brook and brown trout, far from the crowds of the South Platte tailwaters. Classic small-stream dry fly fishing.
Tarryall Creek is one of Park County's quieter treasures, a small freestone stream that winds through high-mountain meadows and willow-lined corridors before feeding into Tarryall Reservoir near Lake George. Sitting at roughly 8,800 feet in elevation, the creek drains a wide swath of the Tarryall Mountains and Puma Hills, collecting cold water from snowmelt and springs that sustain a resilient population of brook trout and brown trout throughout the year. While it lacks the name recognition of the Dream Stream or Cheesman Canyon, Tarryall Creek rewards anglers who appreciate intimate, small-water fishing far from the pressured tailwaters of the South Platte corridor.
The character of Tarryall Creek is distinctly different from the larger rivers in the region. This is narrow water, often only eight to fifteen feet across, with pocket water tumbling over cobble, tight plunge pools beneath willow tangles, and glassy meadow bends where trout sip midges and small mayflies in the film. Brook trout are the dominant species in the upper reaches and tributaries, with colorful fish averaging seven to ten inches that are eager to eat a well-placed dry fly. Brown trout become more prevalent in the lower stretches near the reservoir, where deeper pools and undercut banks provide cover for fish that can reach fourteen inches or more. The proximity to Tarryall Reservoir also means that occasional larger fish move into the creek during spawning season, adding an element of surprise to every pool.
Much of the fishable water on Tarryall Creek falls within the Tarryall Creek State Wildlife Area, which provides public walk-in access along several miles of the creek. The SWA land is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and is open to fishing, hunting, and hiking. The surrounding landscape is classic South Park high country: rolling sage hills, ponderosa pine stands, and wide-open views of the Tarryall Range to the west. Solitude is one of the biggest draws here. Even on summer weekends when the Dream Stream is shoulder-to-shoulder, Tarryall Creek offers the chance to fish an entire afternoon without seeing another angler. For those willing to trade trophy-sized fish for unspoiled scenery and eager risers, this creek delivers an experience that the marquee waters simply cannot match.
Tarryall Creek is accessed primarily from Park County Road 77, also known as Tarryall Creek Road, which runs south from the small community of Tarryall along the creek toward Tarryall Reservoir and eventually connects with US-24 near Lake George. The road is paved in sections near Lake George but transitions to well-maintained gravel as it heads north into the Tarryall Valley. Most passenger vehicles can handle the road in dry conditions, though higher clearance is helpful in spring when ruts and soft shoulders develop from snowmelt. From Denver, the drive takes approximately two hours depending on the route chosen — either south on US-285 through Kenosha Pass and then east through Jefferson, or west on US-24 through Woodland Park and Lake George.
Tarryall Creek follows standard Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations for trout streams. The creek is open year-round and does not fall under the special regulations that govern some nearby waters like the Dream Stream or Cheesman Canyon. However, portions within the State Wildlife Area may have additional posted rules at access points that anglers should review before fishing:
While regulations allow bait and a generous bag limit, most fly anglers on Tarryall Creek practice voluntary catch and release to preserve the wild trout population. These are self-sustaining fish in a small stream with limited carrying capacity — even modest harvest pressure can affect the quality of fishing over time. Use barbless hooks, keep fish in the water while removing hooks, and handle them gently with wet hands to ensure they survive release and continue to sustain this quiet fishery for future anglers.
Tarryall Creek is fishable in winter but access can be challenging. County Road 77 may have snow-packed sections requiring four-wheel drive, and the creek itself develops shelf ice along the banks that narrows fishable water. On warmer days when temperatures climb above freezing, midges hatch between 11 AM and 2 PM and brook trout will feed in open water sections. Small midge patterns (#20-24) fished dead-drift through the deeper pools produce best. Dress in layers and be prepared for temperatures well below zero in the Tarryall Valley. This is solitary, demanding fishing that rewards persistence and self-reliance.
Spring fishing on Tarryall Creek is a gamble largely dictated by snowmelt timing and road conditions. Early March can offer good pre-runoff midge fishing on calm, sunny days when the ice has retreated from the banks. By late April, snowmelt runoff typically begins in earnest and the creek runs high and discolored through most of May. Access roads become muddy and may be impassable during this period. The best spring strategy is to target a window of stable weather in early March or fish the very tail end of runoff in late May as flows begin to clear and drop back toward the ideal range.
Prime time on Tarryall Creek begins once runoff subsides in late June and the creek drops into its ideal flow range of 10 to 40 CFS. Dry fly fishing becomes exceptional through the summer months. Caddis hatches bring aggressive surface feeding in the riffles and runs, and attractor patterns like Stimulators and Royal Wulffs draw enthusiastic strikes from brook trout holding in pocket water. Morning and evening produce the best action as midday sun pushes fish under cover. By August, terrestrials — grasshoppers, ants, and beetles — become highly effective along the grassy meadow banks. This is the season to explore and cover as much water as possible.
Fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer anglers, and some of the most active fishing of the year on Tarryall Creek. Brook trout begin their spawning runs in September and October, displaying vivid orange and red coloring as they move into shallow gravel sections. Brown trout in the lower reaches become aggressive and territorial as they enter pre-spawn feeding mode. Small streamers and weighted nymphs fished through the deeper pools produce well for larger fish. October mornings along the creek, with golden aspens reflecting in the water and frost on the willows, are among the finest fishing experiences in all of Park County. By mid-November, ice begins forming and signals the close of the productive season.
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