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I hope this finds you well. As I write this, most of the snow

is now gone and the sky is clear and blue. Welcome to Colorado!

Brittany is home for her holiday break. She had a fine first semester of college, and is looking forward to returning for her second. While the rest of us get up and have at it each morning, she seems to be making up for basic sleep deprivation - you remember if you remember your first semester of college - by sleeping late. Rachel is experiencing the wonder - and full force panic - of finals this week. Jess had a school concert last night and has a school play on Wednesday.

And so it goes. Today is a good day to hug your child. See the wonder in their eyes? Isn't it beautiful?

Shan and I are working very hard and lots of hours these days, and right now I'm sick as a dog. Max, on the other hand, is healthy as a human. (?) Some sort of sinus infection that is now being fought with $20.00 each antibiotic pills. What a deal.

I've been editing and adding Solution Booklets and they are being very well received. We're continually updating the look as well as the content. Thanks to all of you who are reading them. If not, maybe it's time to give one or two a try?

This week and next are very important to the shop from a sales standpoint, and Mark, Jay and I are ready to help you and yours. If fly fishing stuff is on your Wish List, please get it from us. Thanks.

Last week I wrote quite a bit about the fishing opportunities in the area and shared tips too boot. I can't really add to them this week - review them if you will by going to last week's newsletter December 7, 2004.

Today, I'm going to do some fly tying tips. I know many of you love tying flies, but some of you do not tie, so I'm going to place a link here for those who'd like to go tie a fly. Enjoy.

The first pattern is one that our friend Frank has

contributed. I tied it at the clinic on Saturday and it was very well received. I'm going to call it Frank's Flashy BH Fly.

Catchy, huh? Frank says it catches fish - read about it at the link - so the fly ought to have a catchy name. This is supposed to be fun, so we're going to have fun if it's the last thing we do.

The pattern is a combination of several. In the world of fly tying, I'm of the opinion that there is nothing new under the sun, just patterns that combine other things folks have already done. Often, flies use new materials, too, so they look different even when the techniques and styles are similar to previous fakes.

As you build a fly selection, consider tying or buying attractor flies such as this one. They fish well, are easy to see in the water and are fun to tie!

If this is a pattern you would like, we'll make a special offer today via this email. Call 303-651-6061 or 800-651-1770 and order one dozen - four each in 12, 14 and 16 - and we'll send you a copy of our Summer Hatch Chart free. That's one dozen flies for $18.00 - the math works out to $1.50 per fly - and a Free Summer Hatch Chart.

Want to tie them? We'll send you a tying kit so you can tie the same one dozen flies, as well as tying instructions and one sample fly for $10.00.

What a deal.

Anyone out there dreaming of saltwater flats? A group of us are heading to Christmas Island just after the first of the year. Then, we have a trip planned to Belize in mid-March, and Mark is putting together a group for the Bahamas in April.

I have a question. Does anyone out there know much about blogs? They are Web Logs, by the way.

Would you like me to set one up so you could post and share fly fishing info with one another? I'm thinking of doing just that, but would like some feedback. Just hit Yes or No and let me know. More info is on the way.

Last Tuesday evening there was a meeting at the Longmont Public Library at 6PM. The DOW - that's our Division of Wildlife - held an open-to-the-public session to review and revise regulations, including fishing. The DOW uses these meetings to collect information from the public so they can make good choices in wildlife management. Several of you attended.

The DOW was very gracious and kind in collecting info and responding to what we had to say. There are changes on the way. Stay in touch for more.

Several folks are thinking that the Big T should be

designated as Wild Trout water. The river has not been stocked since about 1994 or so, so it is actually behaving that way as is. There were mixed comments on this and it seems the Wild Trout designation will move ahead.

The New Zealand Snail has in fact been discovered in Boulder Creek. This is not a good thing. There was discussion on this and Whirling Disease. The DOW takes all of this very seriously and is working to avoid the WD problem concerning the snails.

Anyone who fly fishes with waders or in a boat, please be sure you clean whatever was in the water with hot water, and let it thoroughly dry before fishing another drainage. This snail is not something we want to see distributed throughout the streams and lakes of Colorado. Just when whirling disease seems to have taken a back seat of sorts, along comes the New Zealand Snails.

A group of local enthusiasts from Longmont met last week to

form a committee that will focus on the water and the habitat of the St. Vrain River. There is much optimism on this front, and anyone who is interested in being involved with this group should contact me immediately. I'll pass your email on to the right folks so you can communicate. This group is going to do hands-on work on the river, collecting scientific data concerning bug life, water quality and so on. Then, they are going to try to build a coalition of folks who care about water issues to see what can be done to keep and enhance what we have.

St. Vrain Committee Sign Up

I'm interested in knowing more about this group, and how I could help. THANKS!

There are lots of folks around the area, including our friend Bill in Colorado Springs, who take up the banner to save lakes and streams. This is a good thing. While lakes may continue to be built in Colorado and throughout the West, they are not building any streams or rivers anymore.