Spinney Mountain · Eleven Mile · Antero Reservoir
Colorado Reservoir TroutFrom an Angler on the Water Every Week
Real fishing reports, honest gear reviews, and proven techniques for South Park’s trophy trout water — written by Paul, retired and fishing 4–5 days a week.
No sponsored picks. No generic advice. Just what actually works at Spinney, Eleven Mile, and Antero.
On the water 4–5 days/week
Not reading forums — actually fishing Spinney and Eleven Mile
Paul's real gear only
Every pick is what he uses, not what pays a commission
Zero sponsored placements
Amazon affiliate links only — what I'd tell my fishing buddy
Weekly reservoir reports
South Park conditions updated weekly from the boat
Our Top 3
The gear picks we’d actually buy.
Three picks our parent testers reach for first, sorted by review score.
Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure
Thomas
This is the lure. Gold at Spinney, silver at Eleven Mile, 1.5–2.0mph trolling speed — Paul has caught more trophy trout on this spoon than everything else combined. Buy a handful in different finishes.
St. Croix Avid 8ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
St. Croix
Paul's 'reach' rod — the one 8-footer he runs on the outside of his spread. The SCIII+ graphite makes a real difference in sensitivity when trolling 80ft down. Worth the upgrade for your primary rod.
St. Croix Triumph 7ft Medium-Light Spinning Rod
St. Croix
The backbone of Paul's trolling setup. At $110, it's the best rod in this price range for Colorado reservoir trout — and having 3 of the same rod makes swapping rigs fast on the water.
All Fishing Gears
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Generative Biology
Rainbow Trout — Chromatophore Portrait
A real-time biological simulation of Oncorhynchus mykiss skin: Gray-Scott reaction-diffusion melanophore spots, Bragg thin-film iridescence, and astaxanthin erythrophore stripe — the same fish Paul chases every week at Spinney Mountain. Move your cursor across the canvas.
Why trust Colorado Trophy Trout
Real angler. Real water. Honest gear.
Paul fishes South Park reservoirs 4–5 days a week, retired and obsessive about it. Every recommendation is what’s on his boat right now.
Real angler, fishing 4–5 days a week
Paul is retired and on the water constantly. Every report, gear pick, and technique comes from actual time at Spinney Mountain, Eleven Mile, and Antero — not from reading other fishing blogs.
Only gear Paul actually uses
The 4-rod trolling setup, the Lowrance Active Target 2, the Thomas Spoons — these are on Paul's boat right now. No spec-sheet recommendations, no products he hasn't put on the water.
Zero sponsored placements
Amazon affiliate links only. No fishing brands pay for coverage, no gear is gifted in exchange for a positive review. What you read is what Paul would tell you standing on the shore.
Guides
Where to start.
Whether you’re setting up your first trolling rig or dialing in your leader system, these guides start with what actually works on Colorado reservoirs.
Paul's 4-Rod Trolling System for Colorado Reservoirs
The exact setup Paul runs at Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile: 3 St. Croix Triumph 7ft ML rods + 1 Avid 8ft ML on the outside, Quantum Smoke S3 reels, Sufix Revolve 10lb braid to 8lb fluorocarbon via Alberto knot. Every product linked, every depth and speed explained.
Best Fish Finders for Colorado Reservoir Fishing
From Paul's Lowrance Elite FS 9 with Active Target 2 live sonar down to the best starter unit for anglers just getting serious about Spinney and Eleven Mile. Real depth readings, GPS marking tips, and why live sonar changes everything at 80ft.
Alberto Knot for Trout Fishing — Braid to Fluorocarbon the Right Way
Paul connects his Sufix Revolve 10lb braid to an 8lb fluorocarbon leader using the Alberto knot on every single rod. Step-by-step with the exact line combination he uses for Colorado reservoir trolling, and why fluorocarbon leader matters in South Park's clear water.