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St. Vrain Angler News
& Muse November 30, 2004
Greetings!
All usn's is
hopin' all you'uns is doin' fine.
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I was just to
Shan's family's home in Southern Ohio for Thanksgiving and a wonderful
50th Anniversary party for her parents, and that's how they talk in them
thar hills. I always kid the kids to watch for Hillbilly Crossing signs
when we get close - and with no offense intended whatsoever. Shan's
family is a delight; they just talk funny. It will take her a few days
to recover her new language, which is no longer Southern Ohio speak. |
We had an
interesting drive - straight through in both directions, departing Longmont
on Tuesday evening at 7PM and arriving in Cambridge on Thursday morning at
3:30AM, and leaving Cambridge on Saturday evening about 4PM and arriving in
Longmont on Sunday evening at about 7PM. Shan drove three hours heading
east, and four heading west. I handled the rest of it. You have to chew
sunflower seeds; it took two bags full.
There was lots of
snow and ugly roads, and plenty of very bad drivers, exercising their right
to drive poorly while destroying lots of cars and disturbing people's
schedules in the process. To say it was slow at times would be like saying
fly fishing is interesting - not an understatement. So, we got back and the
furnace in the house wasn't working - I have to fix that when this missive
is done and safely on its way to you - and so on and so forth. You know.
We had a great
time, spent good time with our daughters, who all enjoyed each other's
company, and got to see parents, in-laws, cousins and all 'em while
celebrating and being thankful. It was wonderful! Thanks to all the Pattison
family for everything, and congrats all the way around! Great stuff,
families.
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Can you fly
fish when it is cold out? Yep. And it is fun, too. One of the things
that I enjoy about winter fly fishing is that the days are short, crisp
and bright and let you know you are truly alive. My fingers get cold and
so does my nose. (Is there poetry there?) And when the day is over, I
take my rosy little cheeks along to a local diner - the first one on the
other side of the river is fine, by the way - and have a hot bowl of
soup. Somehow, soup tastes better after a brisk day in a trout stream,
casting midges to rising fish. |
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We stay at
the 11-Mile Motel in Lake George. A fine place, with a restaurant just
across the street! How convenient is that?
It's about a
20 minute drive to the fishing. |
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The weekend
before last, a fine group of hearty folks headed to 11-Mile Canyon for
just such an experience. If you recall, when they left on Saturday in
the late afternoon it was snowing pretty good, and the roads, according
to the media, were unfit for car inhabitation. They made it fine,
checked into the cabins and had some dinner. The next morning, after a
big breakfast and another cup of coffee, they were off to the canyon for
some fishing. |
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It was clear
and bright up there, so there wasn't much wind and no snow. They entered
the canyon after paying the entrance fee - it's a pay to play area, by
the way - and headed up towards the dam. |
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Mark said
when they got to the river it was covered with rising fish! They were
everywhere, eating midges from just under or on top of the water.
The group was
geared up with midge patterns and ready to go. They rigged leaders with
long, light tippet material, tied on small flies and approached with
stealth. Mark said that when he got to the water he tried to take a few
shots of the fish. The picture above, for example, has lots of rising
fish, but it is hard to tell. Just trust us on this one - or not. |
Maybe you should
head on down there yourself to discover how many fish can rise in one pool?
A fine idea? You bet!
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This
summer, we had the privilege of meeting Dave and Jared. They
decided, as fathers and sons will, that fly fishing was a good idea,
so they bought some gear and waders, took our classes and a guided
trip and figured out that they liked fly fishing fine.
And they
did pretty well. Jared had his moments when the fishing - or maybe
the catching - was tough, and his interest waned from time to time.
Dave asked us about this trip and we said it would be a good idea
for them to join the fun.
And they
did. Dave took Jared out of school for a day - don't tell anyone -
and they joined the group. |
Seeing rising
fish is one thing. It excited the spirit and refreshes the mind. In
short, seeing rising fish is invigorating!
Catching them
is another thing. Jared and dad - as well as our other fine feathered
anglers - kept trying. Something about that many trout rising in one
area grabs and keeps an angler's attention, you see. Mark worked with
everyone, discussing the techniques and presentation required, then
stood behind Jared as he cast to a few trout.
And what do
you know? He hooked one! |
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And the fight
was on!
Dave and Mark
did some coaching - I wonder if Jared was listening? - and the fish was
eventually close at hand.
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This canyon
is full of wild, feisty trout. With light tippet and small hooks,
landing them can be a real challenge - as though the hooking wasn't
enough of a challenge in and of itself! |
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As you can
see, Jared landed this fish, and was a happier man for it.
Think his dad
was proud?
Do you think
memories that will always live on were made?
I do. |
We'll be hosting
other trips to 11-Mile during the winter, so please stay tuned, keep
reading, and let us know when you can go. We usually spend Saturday and
Sunday night at cabins or a hotel, eat at local restaurants and fish
together. The shop doesn't charge anything, but someone goes along to help
in any way possible. These are great times to try gear, learn to tie new
flies, better understand streams and the techniques of the season. |
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Our Christmas Catalogue is on the way. There are some very
special offers contained within. If you would like to receive it, please fill
out this form and we'll get a copy to your doorstep ASAP. If you already
signed up, it's on its way to you!
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Holiday Hours
Monday-Friday 9:30-6:00
Saturday 9:00-5:00
Sunday 11:00-4:00
We're located at 418 Main Street in Longmont.
There's lots of free parking behind the shop, off Kimbark between 4th
and 5th Avenue.
On
December 11, 2004 Longmont hosts its Holiday Parade!
This is
fun for everyone!
The
Holiday Parade is on Main Street, in front of the shop and begins at
5:00PM.
Join the
family fun!
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Events & Opportunities!
Saturday Morning Clinics Continue: We meet at the shop from 10:00AM until
noon, and I tie flies of one description or another. Questions are always
welcome, and a fine time had by all.
We'll hold clinics on Saturday December 4 & 11, then take a break until
after the first of the year. Please mark your calendar, and make a point of
stopping by for a fine time. |
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On-line Sales
Here's what we're doing. In addition the catalogue that's being mailed out,
we're putting info on this site in case you'd like to buy gear that way.
There are some great deals, and I'll be working on this almost every day,
adding info and opportunities.
If you have any questions, please
call us at 303-651-6061, or 800-651-1770 if you live out of our calling
area. We'll help in any way that we can.
Please remember this: everything we sell is guaranteed to work. That's it.
We want you to be satisfied and to enjoy using the things you get from us.
Please take advantage of our friendly offers. We accept PayPal over the web,
and credit cards of checks when you call us.
Thanks! |
Today's E-mail Special!
An
item that's always been in demand is a good travel fly tying
 bag.
We've had some great ones, but they were all pretty expensive.
Guess what? I found one that is only $59.95, and it is a beaut!
Here's the e-mail deal for today. If you drop me a note
(angler@peakpeak.com) or give us
a call (303-651-6061; 800-651-1770) this week, we'll sell the bags for
$49.95. I promise this is already a great deal at the advertised price.
Save $10 this week only, and buy a few hooks to tie flies!
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We have copies of
our Solutions Booklets available. They are $7.95 each. Winter Fly Fishing,
Fish! Bugs! Flies!, Presentation 101, Caddis,
Getting Started in Fly Fishing, and several more are available.
Mark and I hope
this finds you well, enjoying the cold air and warmth of the Holiday Season,
which is upon us whether you want it or not!
We hope to see
you, or hear from you soon. Write as you will, stop by, give us a call - or
do all three. We love seeing and hearing from our friends, and we look
forward to fulfilling your fly fishing dreams.
Talk with you
again next week!
Dale Darling |
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