St. Vrain Angler News & Muse September 27, 2005

Greetings!

I hope you are well, thriving in life and enjoying the wonder of this lovely day. Thanks for reading and for all of the support you express each week. I'm humbled to have such friends and customers and appreciate each of you.

Thanks.

There are lots of events that need to be reported, so we'll head right to them today. It is slightly overcast today and the Denver area is aglow this morning following the Bronco's whipping of the Chiefs. So it goes. My condolences to Chief's fans, and congratulations to Bronco's fans. The overcast skies portend good fishing as small mayflies will be emerging and trout will be eating them.

We're in a seasonal change on water temps, bug activity and so on. The fish will respond to all of it, and so should we. After all, one of the differences between anglers who hook fish anglers who don't is making adjustments. Be flexible when you are on the water. Stop to observe what's really happening instead of insisting on your own ideas about what's going on. The fish don't really care what any of us think, but will respond to quietude and patience. If we put something that looks like food in front of them and they are ready to take a bite, they will eat our fly. That's the good news.

The other good news is that we need to keep going, keep fishing, keep trying and keep casting in order to figure out what is going on. I don't know about you, but I still need more time on the water to learn and to experience the wonder of it all.

Let's go fishing soon! St. Vrain Angler will help. That's why we are here. Here are a few basic tips that should help. As you need more info and so on, please drop by the shop at 418 Main Street in Longmont, drop me a line at angler@peakpeak.com or give us a call at 303-651-6061. There's also lots of info in the web page so surf around, see what you find and let me know what else you'd like to see.

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Water: The water is lower, clearer and cooler than it's been for some time. Lower water means fish will be concentrated in tighter quarters. They'll be in or near the deepest pools on the stream and they will know their lane of escape to cover. If you spook them and see them flee, you'll know where they hide, too.

Clearer water means that both of us - the angler and the trout - will be easier to see for the other, which means we, as anglers, will have to demonstrate stealth. Once in a while, when you are out there, try sitting on a rock for a bit to lower the overall silhouette you show the fish. Watch the water and you'll be surprised at how quickly the fish recover and begin moving out of deeper water and cover into feeding lanes. Try it.

Cooler water means the fish's metabolism will slow and they will feed less to keep their bellies full. During the summer they've been filling their stomachs two times a day; now they'll move towards filling it one time a day. At the same time the bugs are getting smaller and less diverse. As soon as we have several freezes, which have already occurred in the high country, the terrestrial insects which have been supplementing the fish's diet will all be done and no longer available. In addition the larger mayflies, caddis and stoneflies will be done with their emerging/mating/egg-laying cycles and smaller mayflies and midges will be the main source of chow.

Bugs: Small mayflies and midges will likely make up the lion's share of trout's diet. As the season progresses, the bugs will get smaller and remain abundant. For trout this means lots of bugs to munch and not having to move far to intercept a bite to eat; for anglers it means very accurate casts to feeding fish. Small mayflies, such as the one at the right, will emerge every day of the week. On dark, dreary days they'll be very active, emerging early and staying on the water for quite some time. The fish will feed with vigor and abandon.

Flies: Our patterns will be smaller and may drift at various levels of the water column. Early in the morning nymphs will become active and trout will begin feeding on them. As the bugs move toward the surface we'll see fish flashing in the middle of the water column as they feed on these insects. When the bugs get to the surface and emerge from their nymphal shuck the fish will begin rolling on the surface. The bugs are stuck while they climb out of their shuck and somehow the fish know the bugs are most vulnerable at this time. When the bugs emerge successfully - which probably means about 5% or so of those available - the adult dun will ride on the film as its wings dry, then fly off to molt, mate and die. At this point we'll see fish eating on the surface.

Here's a chart that should help with the basics. For more info please try my Small Mayfly Solutions Booklet. Read more on the web by visiting Mayflies. Enjoy.

Where, Flies & Rigging:

Does this help? Would you like more?

Please consider registering for a Guided Trip with Frank, Ben or I. We're ready to get you on the water and to teach you the fundamentals of fishing under Fall Conditions. Please read on for more info!

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Last week, Frank, Ben and I had the privilege of guiding and teaching a group of friends who met in Estes Park for a fly fishing getaway. My friend Jack, who's taken guided trips with us in the past, said he had a group of friends that got together several times a year for various outings, including golf and bird hunting. He wondered if I'd put something together if they wanted to do a fly fishing trip and I said, "Yes." During the summer Jack contacted the set of friends and he and five other gents decided that meeting in Estes Park during September would be a good idea. A few of the men had fly fished a little, but all of them wanted instruction and a good time. They made a good choice!

After flying into Denver on Wednesday and shuttling to Estes and getting settled into their rooms, Frank, Ben and I met them at the shop in Estes. (You'll remember that Ben was coming of the ecstasy of the big brown he landed on the Yampa the week before. He hooked it on a hopper pattern, by the way.) We the next three days. Then, of course, we went to eat. Arrangements were made for breakfast the next morning.

After a filling meal at Molly B's in Estes we returned to the shop. Several guys geared up and we all headed to the park for some casting instruction. We spent about an hour or so working on the grip, the casting stroke and several other techniques, including how to set the hook. After a look at the water in the Big T and a discussion of how to spot fish and where they would be holding we got in the cars and headed to the water. Ben and Frank went to the Park and I headed to some private water downstream on the Big T.

For George, Everette and I the day started poorly. We left Estes under blue skies and little wind and were greeted down the canyon by low clouds, spitting rain and breeze. Hmm. Other than that morning neither of these men had held a fly rod. Both wanted to do it, and before we were even on the water they were enthused about what was coming. George had purchased a new Winston fly rod, Ross reel, Patagonia vest, waders and boots and some goodies to go with it all. He'd made casts on the grass but not a single one on water.

We waded to the stream and I asked who wanted to go first? George said he would so we got into position and I pointed out a spot he should cast.

He did. And a fish ate the fly.

This is a bad omen. A fine young man with brand new gear hooks a fish on his very first cast. The line wasn't wet; the waders were not wet - other than a bit - and there wasn't even any floatant staining the vest. It just wasn't fair; it wasn't right. The fishing ghosts do not like this sort of thing a bit, and let you know by spooking every other spot for the rest of the trip. It's just not right.

Everette did hook a couple of fish on his own. Every time I moved to help him he'd turn and say, "This is great!"

The smiles that Everette and George wore for the rest of the day were lovely and bright and we had a great time together on the water.

Oh well. All three of us were pretty happy about the whole thing, but I knew, deep in my being, that this was bad news for the rest of the day and perhaps the rest of the trip.

Later, we found a nice hole under a log that blocks part of the river and Everette and I found several large fish feeding on nymphs beneath the surface. I think the fish knew we were there, but the focus on his face as he tried to put the flies in the right spot was pretty neat. George worked on his casting below us, and had a fish come to the surface to take the ant pattern he was fishing.

That evening we retired to the Stage Stop at Drake for cold beverages and chow. I played the piano, which is still there from my jazz fests during August, and we all ate prime rib, salmon and other goodies. Arrangements were made from breakfast the next morning. Everyone left with the good tired that one only feels after a full day of fishing, friends, fresh air and trout.

Day two began with chow and a long discussion of the previous day's outing. We talked lots about casting and what was really going on. Ben, Frank and I all promised to spend more time working on casting and line control during the day, so after a quick stop at the shop for a few flies and so on we headed to the stream.

I'd reserved two days on a private stretch of Big T water, and today Jeff, Carroll and I headed down while Frank went for a long hike with Everette and Jack, and Ben guided George and Mike on one of his favorite areas in the Park.

All I can say is that the fish ghosts were still active on my beat as the fish would not open their mouths to eat a fly. I suppose the ghosts told them they would die and become ghosts, too, if they ate at all that day. Who knows the whiles of fish ghosts?

Carroll and Jeff had a few sinner fish take flies, and Jeff landed at the least the one they are looking at in the net. However, both men were smiling all day. We covered some good water and all of us learned important fly fishing lessons. Line mending, casting, line control and drifting the fly were on that list. The next day, both men said the info they'd received on Day 2 helped them hook fish on Day 3. That's a good thing, right?

Meanwhile, the fish ghosts did not visit Frank and Ben, and the men with them hooked plenty of fish on dry flies and nymphs. Everette was all smiles with his Greenback and Jack wandered off to fish on his own for most of the day, hooking and landing plenty of beauties. Frank said he and Everette were not sure where Jack was until after catching a whiff of his cigar, which may be better than most GPS systems when it comes to finding a fellow angler, depending on the wind, that is.

Mike and George came back all smiles after their day with Ben, too, and overall a fine time was had by all. Day 2 was a success, and time was fleeting. The group of friends decided they'd have a cookout at their place and Ben, Frank and I went our own ways for the evening.

Day 3 found us at Molly B's once again, stuffing our faces with chow. "You won't be able to stay at the table as long this morning," the friendly waitress told me. "It's a Saturday and we'll be busy."

I promised to be gone as soon as we finished dining because everyone was chomping at the bit to get back on the water to exercise their new-found confidence and fly fishing skills. And that's just what we did.

Again, everyone had a fine day, hooking a few fish, learning and refining their fly fishing skills and enjoying the loveliness of the Colorado high country and the crisp, fresh air. Someone mentioned that everyone seemed better here than in their cubicles, even though all six of these guys had recently retired from their careers. I guess getting over the tyranny of the past is as good a thing as being on the water to escape the tyranny of the immediate.

We celebrated our time together that evening with a fine meal at Mary's Lake Lodge. A good bottle of wine was shared and smiles and warm camaraderie lit the room with joy. There was lots of discussion about fish types, where they are found and how they can be hooked. This group was very interested in environmental issues and the future of trout. We also talked about upcoming trips to saltwater, Alaska, back to Colorado to learn to tie flies and fish during winter, and the possibility of a combination fly fishing and dove shooting trip to Argentina. We'll see what happens.

After finishing we said our goodbyes and thanks, told a few more jokes about Sven and Olga and got in the cars to leave. Ben, Frank and I returned to the shop aglow from the lovely time we'd had with our delightful guests.

I know I came away with a renewed love of teaching fly fishing, which is the case after every class or session I teach. I'm looking forward to more time with Everette, Carroll, Mike, Jeff, George and Jack in the near future, and hope their retirements are full of life, fun and fly fishing.

If anyone reading this has a group of friends and would like to have a similar experience, please contact me at angler@peakpeak.com I'd enjoy doing this sort of thing as a team-building exercise for business folk or as an enjoyable outing for family and friends. Please let me know.

It's always time for fly fishing classes. Even during Fall, we continue to host our First Adventure In Fly Fishing classes. Here are some pictures from Sunday's session, which was enjoyed by all three students. Erik is fifteen and a confessed fly fishing nut. How does this happen? Barbara celebrated her birthday, and said this was her birthday gift to herself. We sang her the Happy Birthday song, and she got red. She also caught trout! Cole was learning to use his new Winston fly rod and had a fine time fishing. (He'll be entered into the drawing for a free day on the water with yours truly, by the way.)

Frank taught the class, which began with casting, then went indoors for knot tying and rigging and was followed by lunch on me. Then, after a short hike, the group fished and worked on fishing technique until after 6:00PM, it was so good.

To register for a 1st Adventure in Fly Fishing class for you and friend or family member, please call the shop at 303-651-6061. We'll do it any day you are available. How's that? We'll provide all the equipment, too, so you can try fly fishing.

Other folks are fishing, too. And they are having a fine time at it. Here are a few pictures that have been submitted over the past week or so. I hope you enjoy looking at them. I hope you'll go fishing and share a few of your own!

This Saturday, October 1, 2005, will be special at the shop, and I hope you'll stop by for a visit. From 9:30-11:30  I'll be tying streamer flies and talking about how to fish with them. We'll have some special kits put together with materials you can buy so you can tie them yourselves and the Streamer Solution booklet will be available for a special price. We'll demonstrate how these flies swim with our Fly Tester, too.

Scott's going to make a batch of his famous Pork Green Chili and I'm going to make my Chili con Carne. We'll have tortillas and chips to go with them and the pop machine will be full of cold sodas. The food will be available from 11:00AM until 1:00PM.

We'll do our drawing of folks who have purchased a new Winston rod during the month of September to see who wins a day on the water with me. You still have time to join. All you have to do is buy a new Winston fly rod this week to be entered into the drawing.

Our End-Of-Month Special Closeout Sale will continue. We've closed the Estes Angler for the season and all the inventory is in Longmont for your perusal. Take advantage of this during the week or on Saturday.

Every year Ross Reels builds a limited number of special Anniversary Edition reels. This year's reels are Evolution models that have been anodized with a special copper-colored coating. I order twelve reels. They are numbered and limited. We have 6 each available in size 1.5 and 2. The 1.5 will be $295.00 each and the 2 will be $305.00 each. These are the last of this year's reels available.

Take advantage of this very special offer and enjoy fishing one of the finest reels available. Please reserve your copy now! A 50% deposit is required.

There's more, so much more I want to talk about with you. Fishing. Life. Liberty. The pursuit of happiness. Does that sound familiar to anyone?

I spent lots of time making the tips portion of this page to help with pursuit issues, and more time writing the tale of our outing with Jack and his friends as a reminder to exercise liberty.

It was a great week for all of us in the shop and we're looking forward to another this week. You make it all happen for us, and our continuation in helping you is based on our mutual support. I don't know how many of you noted a commercial that was on the TV during the Bronco's game last night. The shopper was obviously in a big box buying bulk pickles when he saw a large screen TV and bought it. The company doing the advertisement said something about the shopper being intexicated or something like that. They then noted that the shopper could have gotten service and a great price at their store, which specialized in selling and servicing televisions.

That's the case with us, to a degree. We don't have national advertising budgets, of course. As a matter of fact this is our primary outlet to reach out to you and ask you to buy your fishing stuff from us. Often, I think that folks think we only have expensive stuff. That's not the case, however. We do have great gear that costs a bit more, and will only be purchased one time. That has an aroma of value to me. We also have fly fishing outfits - that's rod, reel, backing, fly line and leader - for as little as $99.00.

Please tell a friend about St. Vrain Angler, and please keep us in mind when you need new fly fishing stuff. We're here to help and we intend to be here for a long time.

Fly fishing is fun. It takes us to beautiful places. It refreshes our heart and mind and fills us with memories of good times in lovely places.

I hope to see you this week in the shop, or hear from you via an email. I'm at angler@peakpeak.com and will be in the shop most of the remainder of the week.

Thanks for reading! I'll talk with you again next week.