07/22/12 Arkansas River Below Pueblo

07/22/12
Arkansas River Below Pueblo
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Flows 82

It's been a couple of weeks since I've had a chance to get out on the water!  And the warm weather isn't making it any easier on the fishing!  Usually I would make a trip up to the mountains, but since I had to meet the family down in the Springs for dinner, I figured a quick trip to Pueblo was in order.

Flows have been fluctuating from as low as 65 up to 450.  Recently, it's been very low and the high temps aren't making it easy on the fish.  Fish are holding in faster water and behind piles.  Some fish will move out into the slower water to feed but if you are nymphing, keep to the faster water and tailouts.

Besides the warmer temps and low flows...the fishing is insane!  Hatches were happening all day long with caddis, mayflies, and midges.

I started the day at the water treatment plant and got into lots of fish right away.  Hot flies for this stretch were a micro olive mayfly, brown z-wing caddis, and flashback pheasant tails.

Most were rainbows but I was pleasantly surprised to catch a few brownies as well!  Nothing huge, most around 12-16 in.

As the temps got higher, I decided to move closer to the dam in search of bigger fish and colder water!

I got to Valco and switched up my rig to all caddis flies.  An elk hair flash caddis up top, and a brown and green z-wing below. 

I was happy to get into some bigger fish!  But as you can see in the second picture, the tube hatch was in full effect...I had to wait a while for the water to rest before the fish starting rising again. 

After a couple kayakers came through I decided to move upstream and see if I could find some more fish...

I changed up my rig again; this time to a z-wing caddis, a cream midge, and a black tube midge.  I had TONS of midges and caddis all over my legs and shorts.  Definitely a hatch going on!  I even noticed a few trico spinners, but I didn't have any patterns that would match in my fly box.

I fished just past the gauging station into the faster water behind the rocks and managed quite a few more!  The most impressive of the day would have to be this brownie that I caught in front of the gauging station.  He took a size 20 black tube midge.

When 4:00 rolled around, I didn't want to leave!  The fishing had been hot all day long with fish taking dries and nymphs.

Hot flies were caddis dries, emergers, barr's emergers, z-wing caddis, micro mayflies, two bit hookers, pheasant tails, rs2's, and black or cream midges.

Fishing closer to the dam is definitely recommended, colder water and it seemed like the water temp was perfect for lots of bug activity. 

04/05/12 Clear Creek at Georgetown

04/05/12
Clear Creek at Georgetown
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

On my way home from the mountains, I figured I'd stop and check out Clear Creek at Georgetown.  The inlet fished incredibly well in the fall and I was hoping that there were still some spawning rainbows up in the creek.

To my disappointment, the flows were super low and it wasn't likely that any fish were able to make it up in to the creek to spawn.

I was able to catch quite a few fish, but nothing of size.  Lots and lots of stocker sized fish willing to hit any fly that was put in their face.  Bead eggs, pheasant tails, copper johns, anything drifting by got a look, of not a taste.

It was a fun hour of non-stop catching, and I even managed a little brookie that took a bead egg.  I fished up from the diversion all the way to the inlet with fish holding in every pool or bend that looked fishy.

Although the fishing was good, if I was going to make a drive up to the mountains, I think hitting the Eagle or the Blue for a chance at bigger fish is a better idea.  However, if I were happened to be skunked up the hill, this would be a great spot to stop and get that skunk off my back!

02/14/12 Truckee River at Mustang

02/14/12
Truckee River
Air Temp 56
Water Flow 390 CFS
1:30 - 3:30 PM

My trip to Lake Tahoe afforded me a few hours to get on the river! I stopped by a shop and was surprised to hear that the Little Truckee was snowed in. Access by foot only as the road has too much snow to drive past Boca. I didn't have much time and since I had to head to the airport anyways I decided to give the Truckee a try east of Reno at Mustang.

The river is flowing low for this time of year, but for me it looked perfect. Water was clear and you could easily pick out good runs and holes to try. But that doesn't mean that the fishing was easy.

I rigged up at the truck with a size 10 golden stonefly and a size 16 bead head flashback pheasant tail. No weight since the stonefly had a tungsten bead.

My first couple of casts into promising looking water yielded nothing...I contemplated changing my flies but I was told at the fly shop in Tahoe that golden stones are the standard, year round since they have a 3 year cycle and all stages and sizes were in the water. I haven't fished stonefly patterns very much so I had little confidence in it. However, the Truckee doesn't fish like your typical winter tailwater.

After moving around a bit, I found a line of riffles beneath some overhanging brush. I cast upstream and at the dead center of my drift I had a vicious hit! This felt like a huge fish! But after a few head shakes, he was off...

I tried again, moving upstream and again another hit! This time the fish took off upstream and wrapped me up around a log breaking me off immediately. Dang these fish are smart!

I re-rigged again and let the water rest. I finally found a honey hole, but I was running out of time! I had to get back to North Shore for work but I didn't want a skunk hanging over me for the day.

I cast again moving back downstream, following my indicator, looking for any sign of a bite. I watched it stop, and was just about to give it a tug thinking it was snagged when the indicator shot upstream!

Another fish on and man she was a beauty. After a couple runs and some acrobatics, I finally landed the fish with my hand. (I thought it was a good idea to leave my net at home to save space.)



I couldn't measure her, but she was a nice sized fish. Bigger than most on the Ark in Pueblo with tons of energy. She took the golden stone and it felt great to end the day without a skunk!

As I drove to the North Shore, I contemplated my experience on the Truckee. A river that's got a reputation as a tough river, and I managed to have a decent day. 3 fish on, and 1 landed isn't a bad day when I only had a few hours to fish.

I guess I'm too used to fishing "easy" waters, and the Truckee really humbled me. But I'm looking forward to April, when I'll be back again!