St. Vrain Angler News & Muse April 19, 2005

Greetings!

How are you doing this fine Spring day? I hope the answer is, "well" and "dandy", and that you are thriving in life. We might just as well. We've gotten new snow in Rocky Mountain National Park and lots of rain around Longmont and the Front Range the past few days. That's good news. I suspect it has once again put the wipers off - the poor fish don't know what to expect - but we need the moisture, as is always the case until there is a flood. Then we have enough water for the time being. In Colorado and the West there is either too much, or not enough on the water table. Oh well. (That's a Jack, by the way. It attacked a popper in Ascension Bay back in January. I'm thinking of doing another trip there in late October or early November. Anyone want to come along?)

In the meantime, fishing seems to be very good! We're getting lots of wonderful reports from various spots around the state and the region. It is so nice to hear the stories, share the smiles and get a few photos to share with my readers. Thanks!

Fly fishing is a pleasantly addictive affliction. It's fun, as all fishing is. We prepare, tie a few flies, plan on where we'll go, tie  a few more flies, get a pile of gear in one spot, check the fly boxes, call the local fly shop to see what the conditions are, sweat the fact we don't have the right flies, then get in the car and go fishing. This is a good thing.

It seems that a few more folks are going fishing this season, and I'm glad to see it. Fly fishing - and fishing in general - are healthy endeavors that refresh the spirit and revive the heart. I hope you are planning a trip in the near future. If you need help with the fly box, please let me know.

That's our buddy Scott on the Arkansas. He and his friend went down on Sunday, set up camp above Canon City and fished. It was lousy weather for them and they didn't see very many bugs that afternoon. They did keep trying, though, and even returned to the tent to - you guessed it - tie more flies. Now a person who ties flies by lantern light is not your ordinary angler. He is a nut.

I can confirm this of Scott, and assume it of his fishing buddy, since he's the one tying the flies, while Scott holds and aims the camera, forever saving this moment in time for us to share. Neat.

I'm not sure how the beverage in the green bottle contributes to the accuracy of the flies, but it probably dulls the hands just enough. Tying flies with stubs is somehow easier when it is under forty degrees. I wonder if this is a new class opportunity? Should I write a Solutions Booklet titled: tying with stubs on cold spring evenings? I'll bet that's pretty high on everyone's list.

Scott said they caught a few fish, but most of them were small. That's what I call arriving in fly fishing nirvana. I'm not a braggart, but I never catch many and they are always all small. I'm pleased to see that Scott is arriving so early in life.

There were a few blue winged olives. Do you see the one on the rock? I left the shot large. The bug is in the middle of the picture.

On Monday, after a restless night with little sleep due to pouring rain - after a few bottles of beverage such as this, you know what that will do in a tent - they arose to cool temps and wet grass. It was wet for a variety of reasons. A few caddis were emerging and a few more small fish were caught. Egg laying adults were abundant late in the day and the fish were lined up and munching. Scott said a foam caddis with a green egg sack near the back worked very well.

During the course of the morning a few other anglers joined them. At first, it was just a scout crew, looking for rising trout. One member stayed up high to watch the water while the other took the low road, looking for dimples on the surface or floating bugs along the bank.

Then, one of the members went to the side of the stream in order to find out what bugs were going to be active by turning over a few rocks and so on.

Wouldn't you know, though, as soon as everything was figured properly and rods strung, tippet affixed and flies tied on, another large group of rude anglers nosed right into the area, ruining the fishing for everyone. You just can't teach a Bighorn anything about fly fishing etiquette. Those bad old sheep.

Crowded streams are going to be more the norm than not, and it is important to leave our I-25 driving habits at the car and use our very best restaurant manners on the stream. If someone is in a spot, give them room. They were there fist. Ask them which way they are moving, how long they might be in that spot and so on. Be friendly. Smile. Enjoy the camaraderie, such as it might be. The old rule of encounter on a trout stream was that the dry fly angler, who will usually be moving upstream, has the right of way to the wet fly angler, who is usually fishing downstream. We know we'll be joined by other on the water, so let's be kind.

I always hope that being on a trout stream, cold or warm water lake or any angling spot soothes our worried hearts and minds, refreshing and cleansing as a cool spring shower. After, colors are brighter and more lovely. The air smells good and a smile is close at hand. We are more forgiving.

However, this fineness can be ruined by a rude angler who hops in front of another, splashes through a spot to get to another and so on. Bad manners seems to dominate much of society, which is both sad and appalling at the same time.

Let's do our part by being friendly, sharing smiles, flies, information and space, and by not imposing on other angler's spots.

This public announcement brought to you by fellow anglers who don't want to be rude.

Reports on the local streams have been good as well. The Big Thompson has produced some very good fishing with dries and nymphs. Blue Winged Olives are emerging, as are a few caddis and small stones. I found a golden stone shuck the other day, which means a few of them are emerging. I also saw a large mayfly - probably about a size 14 - with dark, mottled wings and long tails. It was lovely! I remember seeing the same bug last year about this time, and took a picture of it as it sat on my fly rod. That's the bug. I don't know what it is, but if there are a few the fish just might take them. Try a size 14 Adams, or Olive Adams, which would work just fine!

On Sunday, during the On Water Line Control Class, we saw lots of bugs under rocks - the variety was amazing! - and there were lots of small mayflies emerging. In the beginning they were very small - probably about size 26 or smaller - and then there were some that were about size 18-20. We saw one or two fish rising in a spot along the bank, just within the seam that ran along the edge. The fish was taking the flies with glee, and I ruined its morning by hooking it on a much larger mayfly emerger. I just wanted to see if it would work, and it did.

At times, trout really get locked into their feeding lies and greedily continue munching lunch as long as they are not really spooked. Take time to get into a position that allows you to make the proper presentation and put the fly in the same current lane or seam in which the fish is feeding, allowing the fly to drift naturally into the fish's cone of vision. Chances are good that they'll take it.

Always enjoy the process.

Reports from the Green have been good, with plenty of nice fish being caught and released. The stream has been crowded, but that's what happens this time of the year up there.

We also continue to get excellent reports on both Gray Reef and the Miracle Mile stretches of the North Platte. That stunning, colorful rainbow shown above - notice the eye on that fish? -  was hooked by our friend Lake about a week ago, and the smiling young man at the right, David, caught this lovely bow on Sunday, two days ago, also on the Reef. If you have a day or two to go, by all means do so. The Reef is producing lovely, large fish and building great memories for anglers near and far.

The "Mile" has also been producing good trout and good fishing. Several old-timers that love fishing that water say it is really making a comeback, which is good news for those who love that water. I haven't heard as much about the river around Saratoga, but I'll bet it is fishing well, too.

So far, as far as I know, Delaney Buttes are still iced over. Spinney Mountain Reservoir is open and folks are fishing down there. I heard that the most success was from the bank, fishing with a bobber and an egg, waiting for cruising fish to eat the offering.

The Poudre has been getting mixed reports as well, with low water conditions. Folks who have fished it are hooking a few fish on nymphs for the most part. I wonder if the early brown stones are emerging higher on the river, and if a few BWO's are around for trout to eat. Anyone have info?

Closer to home, Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is open and ice free. Ryan was up there on Sunday and said fish were rising. A float tube was required to get out far enough to cast to them. Give it a try. Lower stretches of streams in the Park are open and fish are eating bugs and fakes, while some areas still have lots of snow, making the streams inaccessible. Go and give it a try, keeping the lower Big T as a backup.

The St. Vrain is low, but a few folks have hooked a few fish. Most of the reports say the fishing has been slow and tough, which seems the norm on that stream early in the season. The fish are primarily wild browns, and they are just snooty little critters. Oh well. Keep trying. Use a small attractor dry, such as a coachman trude, and a small nymph dropper. Fish edges, the tail of riffles and so on. Enjoy the process, and the beauty. I love the St. Vrain. It is so beautiful! How blessed we are to have a wild trout stream so close. Let's protect it, too.

Well, that's lots of fishing info, and I hope it helps. There's plenty of open water and the fishing is there to be had. I hope you will go soon, then go again. Remember, I'm calling 2005 the year to go fishing, again. Too many folks have not gone enough over the past few years, and that is not healthy. It may lead to a disease called Toxic Stress Syndrome from A Lack Of Fishing (TSSfALOF), or tassaloff. Anything with that name is dangerous, and should be monitored and treated properly. Take several dry flies, a spool of tippet and your fly rod to a local stream or bluegill pond, tie the fly on and cast it on the water. It's the only known cure.

Questions? Where to go? What to use? How to rig? How to tie? How to cast? How to fish?

Your friends at St. Vrain Angler have answers, and we'll happily share them with you.

Classes have been going great! On Saturday we had a casting class that was full - full of fun, information, smiles and good times. We also had a guided trip with grandpa, son, and grandson. They had a great time on the water! On Sunday we had a 1st Adventure in Fly fishing class, and an On Water Line Control Class. WOW! Thanks to everyone who attended, and for the great feedback I've already received.

What's coming? Here's a list of classes and dates. Please let me know what interests you and sign up soon. The classes have all been filling fast, so find your time, then drop me an email (angler@peakpeak.com), fill out the form below, call the shop 303-651-6061 - whatever works for you! We solve fly fishing problems, and help you know how to meet conditions at hand! I love teaching people to fly fish, and have been doing so for over 20 years. Join the fun! Thanks.

Gear & Goodies News

I just got a very large order of fly tying materials in the shop. Please come by to see what's new and let me help you learn how to use them for the flies you'd like to tie!

We also just received a large order from Redington Fly Rods. WE have lots of models and several price ranges. Often, folks say they think fly shops only have high-priced product. Did you know we can set you up with a Redington Crosswater outfit - fly rod, reel, line, backing and leader - for less than $100.00? It's true. We have several available. There are also outfits available for under $200.00, and a 5-piece fly rod for only $195.00! All of the rods have lifetime warranties and really work well. Why buy stuff from a big box that can't help set it up, or teach you how to use it? We'll help, and guarantee the gear will work. The new CPS (Core Performance Series) of fly rods by Redington are great rods. All are 4-piece and come with a lifetime warranty, bag and case! We have 3-12 weight rods in stock, and they sell for just $249.00! Great as an upgrade, a backup, or a starting fly rod. Come on in and do the wiggle test, then take one out to cast it.

If you purchase a Redington outfit or fly rod this week, I'll give you 20% off any Redington Clothing in stock. This is great stuff, and is a great deal!

The Sage Closeout Continues. There are still rods available. Please check this spot Sale for info, then give me a call to select the rod you'd like to own. Please take note of the lovely outfits available, too. These are great deals, and once they are gone that will be that.

St. Vrain Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited continues to grow and thrive! At the recent State Rendezvous, held on the Crystal River west of Carbondale, our club received the Most Improved Chapter award! This is exciting doings.

The St. Vrain River Project continues to move ahead. In order to fun the operations for the coming year the club is hosting an Auction and Fundraiser on May 20, 2005. That's a Friday evening. The doors will open at 6:00PM at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Longmont, behind Old Chicago Pizza on Ken Pratt Blvd. AK Best will be the featured speaker, and lots of good stuff has been procured for the auction. I'm donating a Winston Rod to the High Rollers Raffle.

Well, I think that's about all that I have for this fine day. As always, thanks for reading, and for your comments. I also appreciate everyone's support in the shop and kind remarks about my writing. I've begun writing a regular column for Fishing & Hunting News. If you see it, please let me know.

I hope you are well, planning a fishing trip in the near future and then another one. We're doing Guided Trips these days, and they've been going well. Folks have a good time while they learn more about fly fishing skills and techniques with one of our friendly, professional guides. We love teaching fly fishing, and setting folks up with the right gear for the conditions at hand.

I hope you will take advantage of what we offer, and always look forward to seeing or hearing from you.

Please stay in touch, and enjoy the process of living, learning and enjoying life. It's a good thing, life.