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St.
Vrain Angler News & Muse February 22, 2005
Greetings!
Thanks to all of
the new folks who've signed on to receive this weekly missive. It goes out
every Tuesday by about noon or so
 after
I'm done composing and writing it. I sure appreciate my faithful readers;
thanks! Thanks, too, to all of you who recommend that friends sign on and
enjoy a bit of fly fishing fun.
There are a
variety of goodies in today's News & Muse. Please read it in good health and
with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Enjoy!
Today is overcast
in lovely Longmont, Colorado. One thing we're pretty sure of is this: it
won't stay this way for long. I hope this front is generating more snow in
the high country. There was a good storm in the San Juan's over the weekend
and the snow there had lots of water. I'll let you know more next week as
Shan, Jess and I are driving to Durango later this week to listen to
Rachel's Jr. Recital. She's been practicing with diligence and is ready to
toot her flute. I wrote a piece for her to play. I hope Wolf Creek Pass is
plowed and in good shape! We'll see
I may try fishing
the Animas a bit, and my friend Ken talked about coming down so we could hit
the San Juan for a few hours one day. We'll see. Andy, who lives that way
and is presently in New Zealand with his dad, says the Animas gets muddy
when it snows or rains, but when it is clear there are plentiful good trout
in the river right through Durango. We'll see.
Any Thoughts on This?
Last week was
interesting. I was thinking that all of the folks who tied flies at the West
Denver TU clinic were from fly shops or
local folks who love tying flies - no one was there from a big box store.
Then a friend from Texas wrote to me asking why his local fly shops had
closed. In fact three shops had gone out of business and he was at a loss to
know where to go to talk fly fishing and to get the goods he needed. I'm
going to enclose some of what he said - not my words, friends - and open a
forum with those of you who will respond as to your thoughts.
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Hi Dale
How are you? Sounds like things are going well up there. Down here today
and yesterday we saw the sun for the first time in weeks. Its been
rain, rain and more rain. A lot of "Texas snow" as well. I still
managed to get out and take another deer for the freezer. Last one of
the season I suppose. I am ready to go fishing again. I will head out
this afternoon after work to test the crappie. If its good I may call
in sick later this week and hit my favorite spots. I got the fishin flu
you know what I mean.
Bad news for the fly anglers in the Austin area. Another shop closed
down. First it was Austin Angler (was in business for over 15yrs)and
then Austin Outfitters.
The only guys left are Sportsman Finest($$$$$) and Sportsman
Warehouse($$). I was wondering if you could tell me why a fly shop fails
to stay in business. The Angler said he could not compete with Ebay as
the rods he sold went for a fraction on ebay. I have no idea why A.O.
went under other than he is now setup in Vegas. I intend to look him up
next time I am down there to see what, why and why. He left and now the
two places left are it. The Warehouse is like a Cabelas and the help
staff is like an upgrade from Wal-Mart. "Most" of the people are stuck
up and act as if they don't have any time for you, but not all of them.
I "Hear" that Sportsman's Finest is a mom and pop outdoors shop where
money rules and if you don't have any they don't want to talk to ya. So
in lieu of a bad experience I will put up with the goobers at The
Warehouse until Cabelas opens up down in South Austin.
So that being said: I cannot describe the warm feeling we got from you
guys at Estes. Ya'll made us feel very welcome and we thank you. The
Austin Outfitter was a great shop and I will miss them as the two we are
left with
leave something to be desired. I hate to say it but I never made it to
Austin Angler. I hear they were great. So tonight at dinner raise a
glass to the small shops for down here in the south ya'll may be a dying
breed. Keep up the great work and we will see ya later this summer.
The note was signed by our friend, but I'll
leave that blank here. |
Last night we had
a great class - Bugs & Flies! There were about ten of us, and after
discussing bugs and flies - imagine doing something like that on a Monday
night! - we got onto the subject of the shop and how people shop.
I keep asking
myself if small, specialty businesses have a chance in the climate of our
society. Local hardware stores are gone, replaced by big boxes; most small
grocers have been gone for some time replaced by chains - although our local
meat market is still thriving; and so on and so forth.
All of the folks
in the class said they wanted the shop to keep going - they were at the
class, and enjoyed the time together and the info we shared very much - and
they assumed most folks were of that opinion. When I told them how often we
get people coming in with gear that's been purchased from big box stores or
shows and ask us to set it up for them, some of these folks were appalled,
asking how in the world anyone would have the gall to do something like
that. When I said it was the norm for us, they could not believe it.
That's enough.
You know what I'm talking about. Times have been tough for us, but we're
hanging in there, offering lots of classes and opportunities to help folks
learn more about our passion: fly fishing. It's getting to spring; folks are
going to start
 getting
the hebegeegies to get out and go fishing again. When it comes time to take
a class, buy flies, tippet and so on, or a new outfit don't forget who loves
you: it's your friends at St. Vrain Angler and Estes Angler.
Thanks. Your thoughts and opinions are welcome, by the way. What can
we do to better serve your fly fishing needs? |
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Special Offer! |
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The year 2005 is the year to get back on the water. We're going to
have great water conditions and lots of great places to fish.
For many, the
past few years have seen more than just a drought concerning water
conditions; it has also been dry for folks to get out and go fishing. At St.
Vrain Angler and Estes Angler we're going to change that this year, by doing
more and more to help you get out and enjoy the time you have to fish. Fair
enough?
In addition to
classes listed below, we're going to host several very special events. The
first one is designed to help get your gear ready. Here it is:
This week,
February 25-26 - that's Friday and Saturday - we'll
clean your reel and fly line, check the fly line to backing knot, tie on a
new leader with our special splice knot and supply you with two new spools
of fresh tippet material - 5- and 6X - so you're ready to get out for Spring
Fishing! The price is $15.95 and includes the cleaning, checking, a 7-1/2'
Rio 5X tapered leader, tying and two spools of Rio PowerFlex tippet. That's
a good deal.
In addition,
you'll receive a $5.00 coupon that can be applied to any future purchase,
including a new fly line if we deem that is necessary. Now, it's a better
deal!
On both days,
from 11:30 until 1:30 we'll have free hot dogs and chips ready for you to
eat.
Sign up now! This is a good deal,
and a good way to be certain your reel, fly line, leader and tippet material
is ready for Spring Fishing!
Sign me UP!!
Lines, Leaders & Tippet Special! for complete details! |
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A week or so
ago, Chris and I took the dogs out east to run, play and get muddy while
we shot clay pigeons. On the way out, Chris was asking about fly lines
and I promised to say something in the newsletter. Here we go.
Did you know
that the rod weight - 5-weight - is based on the fly line? The rods are
designed to cast a certain weight of line. That weight is in the first
30 feet of fly line. All fly lines that carry the 5-weight designation
weigh the same amount. Often, folks think a
weight-forward weighs more than a double taper, but that's not the case.
The weight is in the first 30 feet of line.
If the line
floats or sinks, it is due to the design and coating of the line, not
the weight.
Tapers -
weight forward, bass bug, pike, saltwater, double taper and so on - are
how the line progresses from one thickness to another. Still, the first
30 feet of line weighs the same, regardless of how it tapers.
The front end
of some tapers is very gradual and this should create a smoother
transition of power from the cast to the leader, causing more delicate
presentation. Bass Bug tapers, on the other hand, go from the thin
portion the leader is tied to back to pretty fat very fast so the
majority of the weight in the line is distributed toward the front,
causing the line to accelerate more quickly in order to turn over large,
wind resistant flies.
Does this
make sense?
When you fish
with a 5-weight rod, use a 5-weight line. Unless
 most
of the casts you make are very short, in which case it would make sense
to use a 6-weight line so the 5-weight rod will bend and load.
There are
issues floating around with rod builders and line manufacturers
concerning the stiffness of certain fly rods. The line folks have to
stick to the specs defined for the line weights. But rod builders can
make the rods as stiff as they want, which often means they cast better
when the line is heavier.
Mark, Jay and
I will do all that we can to help you get the right line for your rod.
Let's talk about it, and see what will work best for your casting style
and fishing preferences. We'll get you the right line. |
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For the St. Vrain/Estes Angler Spring
Rendezvous!
We are excited
about this one, friends. On Sunday, April 3, 2005 we'll host our First
Annual Spring Rendezvous at the Estes Angler in Estes Park, Colorado. Ed
Engle, local author, angler, fly tier and all around great guy, will be with
us from 10AM until 2PM, signing books and tying flies.
We're
going to charge $50.00 per person, with family discounts available. What
will you get for $50.00?
Well, first you
will get access to a phenomenal day of fly fishing instruction. We'll call
it a Spring Tune-up. After we get your reel and line ready, we're going to
work on casting, tying, knots, bugs and feeding you some good chow.
Beginning at
8:00AM we'll have hourly sessions on
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Distance
Casting |
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Loop Control |
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Accuracy
Casting |
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Line Control -
on the water! |
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Fly Tying |
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Entomology -
how to figure out what bug is what, and what fly to use to imitate it |
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Hot dogs,
brawts, sodas, lemonade, coffee, chips, cookies and other snacks
(11:30-1:00PM) |
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A coupon
booklet that is worth more than $50.00 in goods, classes and guided trips! |
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Much more,
which we'll tell you about as it becomes more clear. |
There will also
be door prizes! And, lots of fun.
For more details
and to sign up, please follow the link. Sign up soon for this one, fly
fishing friends! You'll be glad you did!
Spring Rendezvous! |
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Should
you need a good fishing story, stop by the shop and talk with
Mark. He just got back from two days on Gray Reef with our friend Joe
and I'm sure both of them will have lots of stories to tell. Mark is a
great angler is loves sharing what he knows about flies, rigging,
casting and so on. Please take advantage of him this week, and get out
fishing soon!
It sounds
like the shop trip for this weekend is set with lots of folks
 excited
to get out fishing for a few days. Call the shop at 303-651-6061 and
talk with Mark about the details.
We continue
to get reports of lots of big fish being caught up there. Olive scuds,
small midge patterns and other bugs seems to be what the trout want.
Larry's been up lots of times and has reported great fishing. Uncle
Thomas is tying midges that work great, and we have them in the shop.
It's a long day trip, but folks do it.
Locally, with
each passing day we are closer to Blue Winged Olive
emergences - that's one at the right, in the process. In the meantime
midge fishing is good on the Big Thompson - the river continues to open
and the water warm up - and a few folks have been on the St. Vrain as
well. The Poudre is fishing fairly well, and lots of folks have been
visiting Waterton Canyon and reporting decent fishing. (Jay and Ken went
last week and got beat up, however.) It sounds like Cheesman Canyon is
doing well, and we know 11-Mile Canyon is usually good. If
 the
wind doesn't blow you to Colorado Springs, the Dream Stream between
Spinney Mountain and 11-Mile Reservoirs will be good.
The key to
fishing now is to get out and actually go fishing. Hunt a feeding
fish, figure out what it is eating, put yourself in position to get the
fly to the fish, make the cast and build memories that last.
Then, go
again.
How may we
help you?
Want to know
about bugs? Take our Entomology 101
class. Good info about bugs, how they live and how trout feed on them.
Need to know
which flies to use? Take our Bugs
& Flies! class. We had a great time last night on this one, and
I'm looking forward to doing it again.
There are
only two session for each class remaining. Take them soon. Learn about
the bugs and the flies and enjoy a relaxing evening in the fly shop with
other angling friends. |
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When we do
any classes - at least the ones that I teach - the issue of presentation
always comes up. We can tie good flies, identify the bugs, know which
fly to tie on and how to tie it, but getting the fly to the right spot
sometimes escapes our ability.
The key to
hooking fish is getting the fly in the right spot at the right time with
the right drift to a hungry fish.
To improve,
practice. First, take our
Introduction to Casting Class to re-learn the basics, refresh
your casting stroke and enjoy time outside being entertained by Mark.
Then,
practice correctly. Bend the rod. Form a loop. Control the shape of the
loop and the speed of the fly line. Practice accuracy.
Then, take
our Line Control Class.
Get on the water and apply good casting to good presentation.
To prepare
for all of this, to find out more about casting in the comfort of Estes
Park, join us for the Spring Rendezvous!
on April 3, 2005 at the Estes Angler.
If you have
questions, please stop and ask them - we're at 418 Main Street in
Longmont - or drop me a line at
angler@peakpeak.com We'll do all that we can to solve your fly
fishing problems. |
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Calendar of events. Please
follow the link to find out what's up at the shop. There are
classes, clinics, seminars, TU meetings and much more! Join the fun!
It's 2005: Year for fly fishing fun! |
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Swaps |
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St. Vrain Angler
Swaps have become popular, and rightly so. Not only are they fun, they offer
tremendous value to our angling friends. Right now we're focusing on fly
tying. Our second Hook Swap is scheduled for Tuesday,
March 8, 2005 at 5:30PM. The Hook Swap is limited to the
first 10 folks who sign up, so sign up soon!
We charge
$110.00. You get a hook box and 10 styles and sizes of hooks in lots of 100
of each. That's 1,000 hooks! That's a great deal!
Our famous
Hackle Swap will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2005 at 6:30.
Everyone who's
taken advantage of our Swaps will tell you they are great fun and a great
deal. It's your turn! Drop us a line at
angler@peakpeak.com, give us a call at the shop at 303-651-6061 or fill
in the form below. We'll get you set and ready to go!
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Classes
Class Schedules
Introduction to Fly Tying Classes are held at the shop
and start each evening at 7:00PM. We're usually done about 9:30PM and lots
of fun is had by all. Two scheduled sessions remain. They'll begin on
March 15, 2005
April 19, 2005
Please
call at 303-651-6061 to reserve your time.
Tuition is $70.00 per person and includes our Intro To Fly Tying Solutions
booklet and all the materials we use during class time.
Sign Me Up!
See the
Class Schedules for the next sessions
available.
A new session of
our
Intermediate Fly Tying Class
begins tonight. We're going to have
a fine time. Tonight we'll tie
the Caddis Family, and it will be fun! We plan to tie mayfly patterns, work on wing and hackle techniques and
much more.
This is the last
Intermediate session we have scheduled. However, if it fills and there is
still interest we'll do another one. Tuition is $75.00 per person. If you
would like to join me - Please call 303-651-6061 to reserve your time.
Sign Me Up!
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First Adventure in Fly Fishing Class
This is another great opportunity to get back on the water and learn
or review the basics. I hope you'll join us! |
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Shop Hours
Our days of
having Monday off to fish are over. Either Mark, Jay or I
 will be in the
shop. Here are shop hours for the rest of the Winter, Spring and Fall.
Please stop by, have a cup of coffee and get some goodies to tie your next
fly or to prepare for a fishing outing.
Monday:
9:30-6:00 (Specialty Classes start at 6:30PM)
Tuesday
9:30-6:00 (Tying Classes start at either 6:30 or 7:00PM)
Wednesday:
9:30-6:00
Thursday:
9:30-6:00 (TU Board meetings are 1st Thursday of month at 6:30; TU Meeting
at VFW on 3rd Thursday at 6:30; specialty Classes on the other Thursday
evenings!)
Friday:
9:30-6:00
Saturday:
9:00-4:00 (Free Clinics from 10-Noon)
ESTES
ANGLER will open in March. I'll keep you posted on our progress in getting
it up and running!
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Solution Booklets |
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I would be
remiss not to mention them here again. At the Tying Clinic on Saturday
lots of folks looked at and expressed an interest in my Solution
Booklets. When I told them they cost $9.95 each or were three for
$20.00, several folks said they wanted them. When I mentioned that I'd
looked into getting them printed by a pro, but the cost to print full
color was at least $10.00 a copy, most folks realized that in addition
to the great value the booklets had in content, the value of the books
was magnified because they were in full color.
Order your
copy by completing the form below. We'll either mail them to you, or you
can stop by and pick them up on your own. Get one for a friend! You'll
be glad you did.
I really
appreciate the support and encouragement I've received while working on
these booklets from so many shop friends. I hope many of you will take
advantage of the great deal we're offering you and buy a few copies.
Thanks so
much!
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Well, that's
all for today. I've cut things short as I just had a vertigo attack.
Still, I'd like to get this out and wish all of you the best. Max, the
golden retriever, is being a baby and whining, too - just like me?
I hope you
are well this fine day, and continue to wish you all the best.
Talk with you
again next Tuesday.
Mark, Jay and
I all hope to see you in the shop soon, and hope that you'll take
advantage of our Line, Leader, Tippet offer this week.
Hey: go
fishing soon.
Thanks.
Dale Darling |
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