11/08/12 Blue River Below Green Mountain

11/08/12
Blue River Below GM
Flows 200
10:00 - 3:00

Flows below GM are perfect right now!  Fishing has been good with good sized fish being caught.  It wasn't on fire, but it was decent.  We started the day fishing a 3 nymph rig with a golden stone up top, a copper john, and then a soft hackle pheasant tail.  We managed fish on all 3 for most of the morning, but the bite died down around noon.

So I decided to change it up and put on a good old san juan and managed a few more fish!  My buddy decided to try to swing a double articulated streamer and managed 2 more nice ones!

Overall a great day!  A good mix of browns and bows.  We tried some eggs too, but didn't get any hits.  Fish were still keyed in on bigger flies and they really liked the stonefly patterns and the san juans.  A 20 incher and golden stone were my point flies for the day.  With the water dropping and temps dropping, I can see a decline in stones, but for now, the fish are really keyed in on them!  Remember, even though we fished on the private stretch, the same things will work right below the dam at GM.  Flows are perfect bringing lots of bugs into the riffles so thing big and fish big!

10/12/12 Clear Creek at Georgetown

10/12/12
Clear Creek at Georgetown
Flows 45
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Another trip to the mountains means another stop at Georgetown!  Flows are super low but the browns are stacked up nicely.  Even though it was a Friday, I did see 4 other fisherman, and a guide with 2 clients. 

The guide and his 2 clients were up at the deep pool behind the culvert, so I stayed downstream and fished the fast water all the way to the bridge and managed quite a few fish!  Bead eggs were still the favorite with a size 4 mm orange trailed by a red copper john.  Both were taking fish, with most interested in the egg.

I did get stopped by a DOW officer who was checking licenses and was happy to see him!  This little stretch gets hit pretty hard and since it is not a C&R only piece of water, it gets harvested pretty hard too.  Glad to see him out and about checking licenses and limits.

I only fished for about and hour, but caught probably 20+ fish!

Again, the hot flies were bead eggs and copper johns.  Since I only fished for about an hour, I never did change my rig up, but I'm sure similar patterns will still produce!

10/09/12 Clear Creek at Georgetown

10/09/12
Clear Creek at Georgetown
4:00 - 6:00 PM

Cooler temps means fall is in the air!  And as the cooler temps settle in, the browns start staging for their spawning run!

Clear Creek is my go to place to catch fall browns.  They move up out of the Georgetown Lake and into Clear Creek and tend to congregate here for spawning activity.

Last year, I made it here much earlier than this year so I was happy to see lots of browns stacked up under the bridge and up in the deep pool behind the apartments.  The water is way lower than it was last year, but I don't think that has stopped the browns from making their run up.  Numbers look to be about the same as last year, but that's just from eyeballing and I have no empirical data to back that.

It was relatively busy; I saw 3 cars in the parking lot, but this short little stretch can get fished out quickly when you have a fisherman at every bend and run.  Luckily, there wasn't anybody at the deep pool when I arrived, but 2 guys were fishing under the bridge and another downstream.

I rigged up with a 4 mm orange bead egg, followed by a hare's ear and red copper john.

I had hits on all three patterns, with most taking either the bead egg or copper john.  Weird since the hare's ear was the preferred pattern last year.  No need for a lot of weight, just a little to get your rig down if you aren't running tungsten beadheads.

Lots of fish were between the 12-16 in. range with one or 2 pushing 17 and maybe a  long and skinny 18 incher.

Be careful of the redds, fish are already starting to stake their spots on the gravel beds in preparation for spawning.  Avoid walking through them

Also, be careful and try not to snag the fish.  They are stacked in there tight, and they are eating aggressively so watch your indicator carefully and look for true takes and not the slight wiggle from your flies and tippet brushing up against the fish.

09/28/12 Blue River in Silverthorne and Below Green Mountain

09/28/12
Blue River in Silverthorne
Flow 52
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

Blue River below Green Mountain
Flows 250
12:00 - 4:00 PM

My buddy who always told me that he has a terrible time on the Blue was finally done with me hounding him about how great it is...

Unfortunately, with all my bragging about how good the fishing is, I managed to jinx myself and we didn't have a great morning...

We started in town at Cable hole and fished our way up to Rodeo hole and back.  We managed 5 fish between us, but nothing of size.  The biggest was a nice little 16 incher that took an epoxy back mysis.

None of the big boys were out and about, and it was pretty weird not seeing a lot of fish in the water unlike earlier in the summer.  There's still fish there, but they have become very weary of weights, lines and flies and will generally move out of the way of your perfect drift.

I'm hoping that the fishing will improve once winter hits.  The cold keeps people off the water and allows the fish a chance to move back into the feeding lanes and feed a little more instead of hiding.

Since I couldn't show my buddy a bad time, we decided to head up to fish below Green Mountain to see if we could get into some more and bigger fish.

We tied on some stonefly patterns and soft hackles and were rewarded with fish right away!

A good mix of browns and rainbows holding in the usual spots.  The flows were dropped about a week ago which made wading easy, but it wasn't high enough to float.  I think with flows right around 250, it was perfect for wading, plenty of moving water putting food in the water, but not so high that fish were hugging banks and undercuts avoiding the faster water.

I did manage my biggest fish in the private stretch which made it a stellar day for me!  My buddy was shocked to see that this piece of water held such big fish.  I'd heard reports of people catching some of these pigs, but I was glad to see that we did have some in this stretch.  I think the high flows allowed for some of the big guys to make it up which is great for wade fishing here until the snow makes the road hard to drive down.  A good incentive to make the drive up, especially since the fishing in town is getting tough.

This 25 incher took a 20 incher.  Stoneflies were the hot ticket as well as the soft hackles.  It was nice being able to fish bigger patterns!

Soft hackle pheasant tails, and hare's ears also caught a few fish.  We managed to land about 8 fish, with plenty of bigger fish getting off before making it to the net.  Overall a great day on the upper stretch.

Don't forget, even though we were fishing the private stretch, the same flies and tactics apply for fishing just below the dam.  Upsize and think stoneflies.  Browns and gold in sizes 12-16. 

09/15/12 Clear Creek Golden to Blackhawk

09/15/12
Clear Creek Above Golden
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

I only had a few hours so I thought I'd run up and see how Clear Creek has been doing!  I hadn't been there in a while, and the last time I was there, I only fished between tunnel 1 and 2.  This time, I decided to head up further and try to fish past tunnel 3.

I'm glad I did, since almost every parking spot and pull out was full of cars!  I didn't really see anybody fishing, but lots of people were hiking or climbing in the canyon.

I decided to give my new Scott A4 4 weight 10 ft rod a try since it would be the perfect rod to get some good drifts since Clear Creek isn't very wide.  I rigged up a 3 fly rig with soft hackle pheasant tail, a hare's ear, and a WD40.

2 casts in, and fish on!

A nice little brownie that took my hare's ear.  I managed to catch fish on all 3 flies and they were all brownies except for 1 rainbow that managed to squirm out of my hand before I could snap a picture.

Nothing super big, but still fun nonetheless.  After making my way upstream, I decided to switch up my flies and try a dry dropper rig.  Fish still continued to take the hare's ear and WD40, but none wanted anything to do with a stimulator, foam hopper, or even an elk hair caddis.  It probably didn't help that I was fishing during the hottest part of the day!

In any case, it was a fun few hours and not a bad drive to catch a good dozen fish.  Lots of hungry fish and flows are low and clear!

09/01/12 Arkansas River Salida to Canon City

09/01/12
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!

08/03/12 Blue River in Silverthorne and Below Green Mountain

08/03/12
Blue River Silverthorne/Green Mountain
Flows 56 in town, 375 below GM
12:30 - 5:00 PM

Kirk from Arizona  http://www.emptyflybox.com/ got in contact with me from my blog and some posts on some forums and said he wanted to fish the Blue!  Even though I was out of town on business and I only had 1 afternoon to spare, I said what the heck and made the drive up the hill to meet him and fish the Blue.

My flight landed at 10:30 and I made the drive up the hill in record time!  We were going to meet for lunch at Smashburger so I decided to scout the water from Chipotle down to the pavilion.  I heard that there were some nice fish that aren't pressured like they are right below the dam.

With only about a half hour to spare, I quickly rigged up and made my way up and down looking for promising holes and dropping some flies to see if there were some hungry fish.

Unfortunately, the fish were few and far between.  I could see some fish, but the low water and people on the pedestrian bridges spooked them.  I was only able to hook up with 1 nice rainbow that took a blue poison tung.

So off I went to Smashburger and I met up with Kirk.  Kirk had gotten out on the water early and managed a few fish at cable hole and mentioned that it was super busy.  We wolfed down our burgers and over to the fly shop to pick up a few more flies before we hit the water.

We decided to fish cable hole a little before we headed up to fish below GM, and thankfully, there was only 1 guy there when we got there.  Everybody must have taken a lunch break!

Kirk hooks up a few times, but comes unbuttoned, and I managed 3 hook ups, but only 1 fish landed...man, these guys are getting smart!  This bow took a mysis.

So off we went to fish the private stretch below GM.  We saw two other fisherman who said that the fishing has been tough.  One of the guys who was nymphing caught nothing...this wasn't looking good...

But Kirk is no ordinary angler!  I set him up on a point and had him tie on a stonefly and copper john.  He set his casts and set it right at the head of the run.  Bam!  Fish on.  A nice rainbow that put up a nice fight.

A couple casts later, and he hooks another that manages to take his whole rig.

So while he's re-tying, I jump in the hole and manage to catch my own brownie!

We keep fishing and I manage another!

After fishing this run for a little, we decided to explore a little more.  We moved downstream to the end of the property line and fished some promising looking holes.  Just as Kirk hooks up with a rainbow, the clouds decide to open up so we decide to make our way back.  Too bad Kirk lost that rainbow too...it flashed on his flies and looked big!  The clouds were looking ominous and black with potential for lightning...so it wasn't worth sticking around!

On the way back, we put a couple more casts in some fast riffles and I manage another nice brownie.

The rain starting coming down harder as we got back to our cars.  I guess it was a sign that fishing time was over...the fishing was good, but not great.  I wish I got Kirk on a few more fish before we had to leave, but the fish just weren't cooperating.

We found what the fish were munching on.  Stoneflies were the ticket.  20 inchers, tung teasers, bigger copper johns and any thing buggy and stonefly like.  I tried some drake patterns, but didn't get any hits.  Weird since this is usually the start of the green drake season down here.  Hopefully the low water isn't putting them off.

Overall a good day!  Some nice fish, and it was awesome watching Kirk make some super long casts.  His technique was impeccable and he was able to throw out some serious line.  It was super easy to just point out a hole and he would put his flies there.

Kirk was sticking around to fish the Blue until Wednesday, I gave him some ideas on other places in the area to hit, so I can't wait to see what he comes back with!

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.