05/29/12 - 05/30/12 Arkansas Below Pueblo

05/29/12 - 05/30/12
Arkansas Below Pueblo
1:00 - 5:00 PM
Flows 429

Memorial Day weekend means spending time with the family down in Pueblo.  I wasn't planning on fishing in town, and I was planning on heading to Canon City to fish the Ark, but since I only had an afternoon, I thought I'd give town a shot and see what I could stir up!

I headed to Valco and I wasn't too surprised to see the parking lot full.  But I didn't see another fly fisherman...just bait dunker and hardware chuckers.

I started off doing pretty well...just nothing of size.

I was pretty surprised since this was usually where we caught bigger fish in the winter, but with the higher water, I assume that the fish are moving around quite a bit.

After catching quite a few cookie cutters, I decided to head over to the water treatment plant since I haven't been there in a long time!

Again, picked up the usual cookie cutters down by weirs.

After catching a few of these guys, I would have been happy calling it a day, but I was rewarded  few casts later when landed this nice 16 incher.

With family obligations in the morning on Monday, and considering that the fishing was actually good in town, I decided to stick around again instead of driving out to Canon City or Salida.

I immediately headed to the water treatment plant and found my groove!  Fish were actively eating in the riffles and the tail outs.  Just about any place that looked fishy, held some fish.

I was even able to get into some bigger fish!

I capped off the day with a nice 19 incher!

 Sorry for the bad picture, a fish that big is kind of hard to hold with one hand and snap a picture!

Hot flies of the day were mayflies and caddis patterns.  Actually, any nymph will do in a size 16 or 18.  I used the same 3 flies for both days and only changed to experiment with new flies as the the ones I was using were getting too beat up to recognize.

Red two bit hookers, z-wing caddis, and olive mico mayflies.  Other flies that worked well too were copper johns, prince nymphs, and even some midge patterns and rs2's.

With the higher flows, more weight is needed so pinch on lead about 12 inches above your lead fly and run a longer leader.  5x tippet is good, and fluro isn't necessary, but I think it helps.  Fish are also eating on the surface, but they are not rising to a specific hatch.  I did see some caddis out fluttering about, and I even saw a few being slurped off the surface.  Unfortunately I left my fly box with my dries in the car...no matter, the nymphing was still great with the big guys feeding in the riffles.

Now is the time to get down to Pueblo!  These higher flows and summer bugs have the fish out and about feeding heavily.  The flows are perfect this year, and depending on snow pack and water conditions next year, it probably won't happen again.

05/23/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

05/23/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Flows 77

Last day in the mountains so it's a quick stop on the Blue in Silverthorne.  Flows are still low, but there's rumors of a bump soon.  That will help get the fish dispersed and more food being flushed out of the reservoir and more bugs in the riffles.

All the brooders are still hanging out in cable hole with a few in the runs all the way up to rodeo hole.  The colder weather did put the fish off a little, but there were still plenty there willing to eat.

The resident fish were readily taking mysis while the brooders were keyed in on midges and nymphs.

I actually caught more resident fish than the brooders...a switch up from the norm, but I'd assume the colder temps turned them off while the resident fish are used to feeding year round and more keyed in on mysis.

Lots of fish to be had, but a tough day for some.  I saw quite a few people out not catching and even a guy bragging about all the 20 inchers he pulled out yesterday, only to catch the skunk today.  Again, the temps probably played heavily into it.  But if you drop down to 5x and 6x tippet and get a good drift, you'll get into some fish.  Also, consider using a heavier lead fly and running with no weight.  If you still aren't having much luck, take off the indicator and high stick nymph it.  Takes are super subtle and if you're running your indicator too long, you're going to miss takes all day long.

Hot flies were rainbow warriors, stalcup's mysis, craven's mysis, black midge larvae, miracle midges, tiny pheasant tails and rs2's.

Even with the crowds, fishing remains good.  Lots of fish, but they are getting weary of fisherman so change up your tactics and catch some fish!

05/22/12 Frying Pan

05/22/12
Frying Pan River
7:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Flows 111

With a day of in between work days in the mountains was the reason why I made the drive up to the Pan!  Normally I wouldn't fish the Pan in the Spring/Summer because of the crowds but I figured I'd give it a try.  I knew the fishing was going to be consistent at the toilet bowl and I thought if I got up there early, I would be able to fish the bowl and then spend some time on the flats and bend hole.

So I got up early and hit the road.  I got to the Pan around 7:00 and was dismayed to see a car already in the lot.  I made my way down to the bowl thinking that if it was packed, I would work the flats and the bend hole...but it was just 1 guy!

I got to talking and Bill from Frisco didn't mind having some company.  He had arrived at 5:30 and already had a good morning.

Second cast...

The rainbows are back!  Spawning is over and lots of the big bows are back in the bowl.  Lots of browns still there of course, but lots of bows that are willing to take mysis, bwo's, and midges!



Quite a few browns were on the prowl too...

While more people that fish the bowl, tie on a bunch of weight, I went with a different tactic to fish for the big guys that were feeding just sub surface and mid current.  No weight!  It was actually pretty fun to watch these fish open their mouths to inhale my flies and even see a few chase and refuse flies.

Next time you're up there...give that a shot.  Not only did it help improve my catch rate, I reduced my snag rate significantly!

Hot flies were stalcup's mysis, craven's mysis, soft hackle hare's ear, flashback rs2 in black and grey and various other midge patterns in black and grey.

Crowds were relatively light in the morning, but by noon, there were 15 cars in the lot and at least 2 cars in every pull out along the way.  The crowds also prevented me from fishing the bend hole...I should have gotten a picture of the 6 guys almost shoulder to shoulder fishing that run...

So if you want some great fishing, get out to the Pan, but get there early!

02/21/12 Eagle River

02/12/21
Eagle River near Avon
2:00 - 4:00 PM
Flows 77

After spending a week on the road, I had another 3 days scheduled for work in the mountains.  Having an itch to fish with rivers so close drew me out for a quick 2 hours of fishing on the Eagle.

Flows are low compared to last year, and run off is almost non-existent.  Water clarity is good, only getting a little brown in the afternoons, but still plenty clear fish, and the lower flows make it super easy to wade.

1st fish of the day

Followed by a few of these...

And a few of these...

Overall, the fishing was great!  I ended up with 10 fish in about 2 hours of fishing.  Nothing of size besides the 1st brownie that I caught, but I can't complain!  It's great to wet a line and catch some fish while taking a break from work!

Hot flies for the day were 20 inchers, rubber leg copper johns, and soft hackle hare's ears.  The obvious trend is stoneflies!

Although there isn't a full blown hatch, fish are keying in on larger flies and darker stones are on the menu.  I didn't really try any other flies, but I've heard that caddis and bwo's are still on the menu.  With the limited amount of time to fish, I wasn't planning on spending too much time experimenting with different flies.

05/06/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

05/06/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Flows 53
Temps in the low 40's with rain turning into snow

Work is really getting in the way of my fishing!

I can't really complain, my job is a good one with certain times of heavy travel that can be fun...but let's get to the fishing!

The Blue has been fishing very well since the DOW has stocked it, but the fishing is starting to get a little more technical.  Even from the last time I was up, I'm seeing more and more people not catching and I'm noticing that when I'm lazy with a cast, I'm not catching fish either.

These guys have definitely gotten smarter and without a good drift, you won't be catching fish.  A variety of flies will still work, but stick to 5x or 6x fluro tippet and size 16-22 flies.  Midges, mayflies, and mysis are the ticket here and even a mid day midge hatch happens when the sun is up.  Unfortunately, this wasn't the case for today.

I took the family up to the private stretch of the Blue below Green Mountain and we did some fishing and grilling.  This was the 1st time we took Kaycee out to the river and she had a ball.  She even fell asleep in her backpack while we fished for a little and wasn't fussy at all.  She really enjoys being out and taking everything in.  Temps in the morning were mid 60's and slightly overcast skies.  By the time we were done with lunch, the clouds were rolling in...

My wife dropped me off behind the outlets so that she could do a little shopping, and I could get more fishing in!

Lots of beautiful fish and even with the rain that was changing to snow, there were still at least 5 anglers that I could see working their way up and down the river.

Temps dropped fast and the rain continued...but the fishing was still go.  Zebra midges, UV emergers, Top Secret Midges were all readily taken, but only on a good drift.

Again, this river is just getting pounded by anglers so land your fish fast, snap that picture and get them back in the water.  Lots of fish that I caught also had additional "jewelery".  Please don't try to snag the fish...lots of fish with 3 fly rigs in their backs or on their bellies...These fish will eat...just don't try to use 3x tippet and huge flies.

Another great day on the river!  If you are headed to the Blue, the fishing is still good...don't get discouraged when the fishing slows...take time to consider what is going on and change up your flies, add or take away a little weight, and get a good drift and you'll start catching fish again!

Good luck out there!

05/03/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

05/03/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
Flows 70
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

It's been almost 3 weeks since I've been out fishing...The itch was getting too strong and I had to go get it scratched!

After an early morning flight in from Chicago, I decided to head up to the Blue to see what was shaking.  It's been over a month since they stocked it with the brooders and I wanted to see if they were still there in good numbers.

I was pleasantly surprised...

Lots of fish and they were all still eating.  Although they aren't readily eating everything you throw at them, they have acclimated nicely to "wild" life and are learning what is food and what isn't.  You can't just toss in a size 14 prince nymph anymore and expect a fish on every cast, but the fishing is still consistent if you have the right flies and can get a good drift.

I worked my way up from cable hole and sight fished to lots of fish.  Again, getting a good drift and presenting the right flies were key.  You could easily see fish moving out of the way of your rig or a nice flash of white as they inhaled your flies.

I caught a good mix of brooders and "resident" fish.  (fish without their adipose fins clipped)

Another thing to consider when fishing the Blue is to keep moving.  The fish are on the move so if you are staying at one hole throwing the same rig, the fish will wise up.  If you really want to catch lots of fish, move up and down the river and have fun sight fishing to the big fish!  Find new runs and tailouts!

Or, if you prefer not to move, at least change up your rig.  What's that saying by Einstein?  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

Hot flies for the day were top secret midges, uv emergers, miracle midges and rojo midges.  A few also came on a black rs2 fished in the film to rising fish.

If you haven't fished the Blue this spring yet, get up there!  Now is the time for redemption from a winter of poor fishing on the Blue!!!

Here's a little vid before the go pro died...I didn't edit it on purpose to leave out what fly it took...it took a miracle midge.