06/24/12 Blue River Below Green Mountain

06/27/12
Blue River Below Green Mountain
7:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Flows 492

1st float trip of the season!  They finally raised the flows on the Blue enough to float.

We decided to get to the Blue Valley put in early to avoid the crowds and the heat of the day.  We ran shuttle and noticed that we weren't the only ones with that idea!

There were already 2 cars at the take out, so we hustled back and got on the water by 7:30.

As we were getting the boat ready, I decided to get a quick drift right where we launch the boat, and quickly had a nice brownie that took a pat's rubber leg!  A good sign the for the day.

So we shoved off and fished some fishy run and managed a few more brownies on the pat's rubber leg and a 20 incher.

No pictures...got those fish back in the water quickly so we could pursue bigger fish!!!

As we made our way to Jurassic, the fishing slowed just a bit...a few missed strikes, but no fish to the net, so Josh decided to tie on a big articulated streamer and managed his 1st fish!

A beautiful bow that absolutely hammered the streamer.

We switched up rowing duties which allowed me to bring a couple fish to the net!  A few more small brownies and a "dink" bow here and there, with a few big boys sprinkled in.

My biggest of the day was this bow that took a pellet fly on the Jones Ranch.

Josh was able to score his biggest fish just before the Jones Ranch on a copper john.

Fishing was good, but not great.  We did have good luck finding some big fish, but the fishing wasn't lights out like we've seen before on the Blue.  We didn't see any fish rising, and all fish were taken on nymphs.  Pat's Rubber Legs, Copper Johns, Tung Teasers, 20 Inchers, and Pink San Juans were hot flies.  The pellet fly brought 2 fish to the net, but we didn't see any pellets in the water which is probably why it didn't produce like it normally does.

Lots of changes to the diversions and braids were done on the Jones Ranch.  Time will tell if this will improve or harm the fishing.  For now, it helps make some of the diversions easy to navigate, and at higher water this could be a plus!

Flows are still "low" so if you're going to float, account for extra time.  A float that normally takes 5 hours ended up taking 7.

06/21/12 Blue River North of Silverthorne

06/21/12
Blue River North of Silverthorne
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Flows 53

I had work obligations in the mountains so of course I brought along my rod to fish the Blue in town.  A buddy called and asked what I was up to and I told him to meet me at cable hole and we could catch some fish and call it a day.

The fishing in town has been good, but not great.  Lots of pressure and lots of fisherman all over the river.  Fish are getting smart and are staying out of feeding lanes for most of the day avoiding any fly that drifts by...

It doesn't mean you won't catch any fish...it's just much more technical now...
Here's one from cable hole...

And the fly it took...an orange larvae in size 18

The fly actually looked more red at the shop, but in the sun it looked way more orange.

Shortly after catching this fish, my buddy showed up and hollered that we need to get out of town!  He had found a spot north of town where the fishing was insane...

I was skeptical, but I hustled up the hill and we drove a little ways north of town.

I switched up my flies to a 20 incher, a tung teaser, and a prince nymph since I heard reports that the stoneflies were starting to come up.

All 3 flies produced lots and lots of fish!!!  This spot was on fire and fish were even rising.

My buddy caught his personal best with a 24 in, taken on a dry.

Of course there were smaller fish...a few brownies even...

Here's a long skinny guy...

But the majority of fish were bruisers that were +20 in!

What an incredible day!  We had lots of fish to the net, and quite a few that were able to break us off.  This spot was definitely a wonderful place that not a lot of fisherman know about unless they're exploring the Blue north of town.  Today definitely taught me a lesson to sometimes take a risk and try to fish a new place instead of going to the old stand by.  Especially with how the fishing is declining in town, this spot was a great escape from the crowds and lock jawed fish!

06/17/12 Arkansas Below Pueblo

06/17/12
Arkansas Below Pueblo
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Flows: 130

Father's Day!

After fishing the Ark a week before with the flows around 400, I was disappointed to see the flows drop to 130.  The problem was I didn't realize this and showed up at the river and noticed it was significantly lower!  Oh well...

I headed to the water treatment plant and immediately got into some fish!  Nothing big...seems the bigger guys had moved out of the faster runs into deeper water for cover but it was good action!  Around 7:30 I noticed a lot of fish rising and the water was literally boiling with fish rising.  I switched my nymph rig to a black foam back emerger and a black rs2 and proceeded to catch fish on almost every cast!  Again, nothing big...but it was a memorable morning.  And of course I forgot the camera in the car...

After meeting up with the wife and kid for a Father's Day breakfast, we decided to head back to the river and bring Kaycee along in her backpack!  She really loves that thing and loves looking around as mommy or daddy fishes.

Brenda started off by catching a couple nice fish and this 17 incher was pretty much the norm when we fished the deeper runs.

Another smaller guy, but the action was consistent and Brenda ended up catching 4 and lost quite a few more before we could net them.  She was so excited that she didn't want to leave!

I even managed to catch a Brownie!

But of course my wife out fished me...making her 17 incher the biggest of the day!

Fish were taking two bit hookers, pheasant tails, rainbow warriors, 20 inchers, and all types of mayfly patterns.  Lots of mayflies were in the air as well, but no fish were really rising in the mid day heat.  I think if we stuck around longer, we would have seen a nice hatch as the temps went down in the afternoon.

Overall a great Father's Day!  Good fishing and quality time spent with the wife and kid!

06/14/12 Clear Creek below Georgetown

06/14/12
Clear Creek below Georgetown
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Flows: 99

I didn't have time to drive all the way to Silverthorne and I also didn't have enough time to properly fish!  So a quick trip up to Clear Creek should satisfy my fishing itch.

The flows have been going up and down with warm temps driving some snow melt into Clear Creek.  The water is still very clear, and especially below Georgetown Lake.  A lot of the runs where fish lie during lower flows are blown out, but fish are feeding in the riffles and in the pocket water just below the dam.

Nothing too big, but plenty of fun on a 3 wt.  Just be careful right below the dam.  Lots of the logs and rocks are shifting or moving with the higher flows. 

Fish were taking red micro san juans, size 18 pheasant tails, and rainbow warriors.  I also had a few take a two bit hooker and a red copper john.  Mayflies are on the menu, but I didn't see any fish rising.

Fishing is good, so get out to the Creek.  Bring your 3 wt and you can turn a couple hours of down time into some great fishing!  This little stretch doesn't see many people so you have a great shot at some hungry fish and not seeing another person!

 

06/08/12 Clear Creek at Georgetown

06/08/12
Clear Creek at Georgetown
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Flows 119

Flows are up since the last time I stopped by Clear Creek, and the fishing is better!  The water is a little off color, but the fish are on the feed.

Decent fish for clear creek all between 8-12 inchers.

Fish were in the deeper slots and not as active in the riffles, mainly sticking to the heads of runs.

Here's a brownie that took a rainbow warrior.

I worked my way down to the inlet and picked up fish all along the way...near the bridge, at the bend, at the inlet...

This was a nice little side trip and it was good to see the flows up and the fish more active.  The last time I was here, the water was low and fishing was relatively slow compared to when the browns were spawning, but now the fish are moving and eating making this a great stop for some quick fishing!

Hot flies were guide's choice hare's ears, rainbow warriors, and a grey biot midge.

06/08/12 Blue River in Silverthorne

06/08/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Flows:  75

A quick trip up to the mountains for some work and play!  My 1st stop was the Blue in Silverthorne, and it was a zoo!

I had planned on getting up there much earlier, but ended up getting on the water at 10:00.  There were already 5 cars in the little pull out at cable hole and 3 guys were already fishing.  I walked to the tail end of the cable hole and promptly proceeded to pick up a few nice fish!

Same old brooders, but they are starting to wise up a little to flies and presentations.  A fly that usually does very well here netted zero (zebra midge) and most fish are taking smaller and more "natural" looking flies.  Basic black midge larvae, cream midges, and emergers were consistently taking fish.

I even had quite a few take a size 20 stalcup's mysis and a size 18 craven's mysis.

I always run a 3 fly rig through here with a mayfly pattern, a midge, and then a mysis.

As cable hole got more and more crowded, I decided to head down river and explore a bit. 

My next stop was I-70 hole and you could easily see a few brooders hanging out in the tail out.

I pulled 2 fish out of here and kept moving downstream...

The hole just below wildernest rd. also had a few stacked in it as well and even a few were feeding in the riffles.

After working the riffles and catching 3 dinks, I moved down to the foot bridge and the 7-11 hole.  There were 3 guys down by 7-11 hole and another 2 above so I settled in below the footbridge. 

With a large crowd of people watching, I managed to hook into a nice fish and was playing it well, until it took a turn a jumped the waterfall and then spit the hook...a collective "awwww" from the crowd was my consolation prize!

Another great day on the Blue...the fishing might seem like it has slowed down, but the fish are just getting a little smarter and the fishing pressure is up.  I didn't see another person between cable hole and the footbridge so walk a little and find some solitude.  The brooders are all over this stretch and you won't need to fish shoulder to shoulder with some.

Hot flies for the day were mysis and midges.  Dorsey's Top Secret in a size 20, and a black thread midge with midge tubing were two flies that I didn't change and were consistently catching fish.  Use a 5x leader, and drop 6x after your 1st fly.  I still run fluro, but I don't think it's necessary...but with the low flows and clear water, fluro might help you catch a few more fish.