Akansas River Salida to Canon City
7:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Dave and I got an early start and headed up the road...1st stop was Ark Anglers in Canon City to pick up a few flies and get some info. Recommended flies were 2 bit hookers, stonefly patterns and Amy's Ants in red/black. Apparently the Red Quills were coming off so anything with a little red was the ticket.
We made it to our 1st pullout just past pinnacle rock and started fishing. Dave started with a hopper and Amy's Ant while I started nymphing...a couple of casts in and nothing...this was not looking good!
Dave switched up to a nymph rig too since we didn't see any fish rising and finally managed a nice little brownie on a two bit hooker.
Fish count...Dave 1, Andrew 0.
On to the next spot!
Between Texas Creek and Coaldale was out next stop. I changed my rig to a two bit hooker followed by a prince nymph and green caddis pupa.
Here we both managed a few fish! All brownies, and all taken on nymph rigs...again...no fish rising.
These guys were all actively feeding in the fast riffles and tailouts.
New fish count: Dave 3, Andrew 2
With the fish count still low, I was giving Dave a hard time since this was his "home" water in the Spring and Fall. He even makes a few winter trips up here and I've seen his pictures of some beautiful fall browns that he's caught. With the pressure on to catch more fish, we moved up to his "favorite" winter hole.
Here Dave managed to up his fish count significantly! Fish here were keyed in on green caddis pupaes and WD-40's and flashback pheasants.
While I managed a couple fish, every time I looked over towards Dave, he was doing this.
Dave was able to add 7 more fish to his count...I was only able to add 3.
So up the canyon we continued!
At Rincon, we saw some beautiful water and made the short steep hike down to the water. Lots of riffles, tailouts and pockets that held some bigger fish!
After getting the fish count up, it was already starting to get late, but Dave wanted to try one last spot right at Wellsville.
Dave changed up his rig again and was able to get into 2 big rainbows, but thanks to my poor netting skills, he lost them. Both took a pink san juan worm. He was fishing the slower moving water in the canyon while I was fishing the faster riffle water downstream. Both times, his fish ran for the faster water and were able to spit the hook after a furious fight with one of them taking Dave into his backing.
Final fish count for the day: Dave 18, Andrew 16.
I was hoping for a bigger fish count and some better fishing, but it was still a decent day. The guys at Ark Anglers were generous in providing information and flies, but unfortunately we couldn't make it happen with their suggestions.
We hardly saw anybody on the water, and the sun was high for most of the day probably contributing to higher water temps and more weary fish. We wed waded all day and the water was very comfortable.
Hot flies were mayfly nymph patterns and caddis pupaes. I wish we saw more top water action, but it just was not to be...
Again, a decent day and it was fun exploring new water! All my fish were brownies and Dave managed to net 1 out of 3 rainbows that he hooked up with. These natural fish were all beauties with plenty of fight. I'm looking forward to trying this stretch again this winter with Dave. He says he's got it dialed in for the winter...next time, I'm going to beat his fish count!
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