St. Vrain Angler News & Muse October 12, 2004

Greetings!

I hope this finds you all well, enjoying the loveliness that Fall offers. Many folks say that Fall is their favorite time of year, with lovely days, cool nights, crisp air and a cacophony of colors. It you are included in that group, please enjoy. I hope some of your time is spent with a fly rod in hand, standing in a stream or pond casting to wayward fish who want to get fat!

Thanks to friend Frank for the picture at left. He's been out, and you'll get to read a full and delightful account of his outing as you read on.

Our first two free Saturday Morning Clinics have been sparsely attended due to lovely weather, and that is how it ought to be. Those who have joined us from 10-noon have had a fine time learning some tying tricks and fishing tips. Thanks for joining us, folks! Mark and I both hope to see more folks, particularly as the weather turns. In the meantime, fishing, when possible, is better than hanging out in the fly shop. We always look forward to seeing and helping you, but when you are on the water everything is good. Yes mon.

The fishing is very good at this time. Most of the folks we're speaking with who are out there doing it are enjoying good time, rising and feeding fish and building memories. They're also probably lying, but you know how you can tell when an angler is lying: moving lips. Oh well, like pigs in mud, we like it.

I was thinking yesterday and last night about Scotland. I guess that's fair enough since my niece, who just returned from a year in Scotland, took me out to breakfast yesterday and showed me her pictures. They were beautiful, and she had a fine time learning about the outdoors and how to teach outdoor skills to kids. The pix and stories reminded me of our Scottish heritage, and of books that I've read. There is lots of lore in Scotland. Maybe it's the Scotch that's brewed in every town that has a name, but there could be more to it.

They have standing stones, which tell stories of something important to those who stood them up, and they have what I think are called cairns - that could be wrong - that are somehow magic and could take a person from place to place, and from one time to another in history. If the person could not get back to the same spot with the same phase of the moon, they would be permanently caught in space and the time they were sent back to upon entering the cairn.

And so, I daydreamed, as I am wont to do from time to time. Alright, all of the time. I imagined finding a standing stone at the mouth of a river and being transferred from stream to stream. What would I find this time of year? As you might imagine, you're going to find out.

On the Front Range, we have the Poudre, the Big Thompson, St. Vrain, Boulder Creek, Clear Creek, South Platte, and Arkansas. The streams have similarities, and differences. They suffer from flow issues in one form or another, often depending on weather or the water lords who may - as they did recently - to significantly raise or lower water levels. All of these streams have wild trout with good structure and habitat, and enough deep pools to hold fish. The riffles are teeming with beatis preparing to pop, and brown trout are going to spawn. All the fish here are putting on weight to survive the coming winter, and are feeding as often and for as long as possible.

On the other side of the hill we have the North Platte, the Yampa, the Colorado, Blue, Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, Gunnison, Rio Grande and all of the wonderful streams in the SW part of the state. While certain of these streams are larger than those along the Front Range, there are likely more similarities than differences in structure, bugs and fishing techniques.

The section of this page called Fall Fly Fishing is getting closer to being done. Please read it for fishing tips and much more. I've put lots of work into this page in an effort to help you know how to meet the challenges you'll find at this time of the year, and hope you will enjoy reading and studying it. Mostly, I hope you'll use some of the advise contained within and get on the water and fish. Follow the link and see what you think. Ah, good poetry gives me gooseflesh.

I planned on extrapolating on the cairns and standing stones, but I'm not sure I'm that creative in writing at this time. This morning, Frank sent me a wonderful story about an outing with his son last week, and he gave me permission to share it with you. Here it is, from an angling friend who is out there fishing. Enjoy Frank's account of two days with Tim. Thanks Frank!

Thanks for sharing this with us, Frank. I really like the Dream Net picture, and wonder how our friends and readers will fill theirs?

With fish, perhaps?

In an old book that our friend Rodger shared with me some time ago, the gentle author said that from time to time one of his friends would call and inform him that they were going fishing on such and such a date, for so much time and at such and such a cost, and that he should be ready to go. The author would argue that he did not have the time, the money or the expertise to go, but his friend always insisted and they almost always went. On each trip, his friend would tell him that they were making deposits in their memory banks that would gain in interest as the years passed, but could never be withdrawn or infringed on in any way - other than by adding more deposits, which was his intent. This went on for many years.

I rather assume that both of these men are gone, passed on to perfect fishing waters where trout always rise to dry flies and are tough to hook, but there's plenty of time to try. Do you suppose they regret any of the time they spent on the water? Or money they spent getting here? I wonder.

Friends - and family - fishing together is a good thing. We need good things. Just listen to all of the political rhetoric and slam ads. Aren't they just full of wisdom and encouragement?

Study the candidates and make the right decisions. Vote.

Let's go fishing.

Build a few memories of your own by joining Mark for a Shop Trip this Sunday, October 17, 2004, to Cheesman Canyon on the South Platte. Mark was there again the other day and said the fishing was very good. He expects it to remain very good, too. Folks are going to meet at the shop on Sunday at 6:15AM to leave by 6:30, and will return between 6-7:00PM after a fine day of angling delight. Call Mark for details, but plan to join him for the fun. You can reach him at 303-651-6061, or by dropping me an email at angler@peakpeak.com. I'll forward it to Mark.

There's one more story I'd like to share. This one came from our friend John who attended a weekend streamer tying session. Here's what he had to say:

I like hearing this sort of thing, and appreciate it when folks share. I hope you enjoy it, too!

On the streamer front, here's a patter I tied last Saturday, and one that folks seemed to enjoy. I'm pretty sure this fly will work well, particularly where there are sculpins, which would be on the Western Slope.

Want to see how to tie this one? Just follow the link and I'll walk you through it. I do have a few of these flies in the shop that I tied. I'm not sure I'll tie any more of them, either. If you'd like a few, call Mark and ask him to set them aside, or stop in and get a few. I'd love to see a picture of a fish with one of these guys in his mouth!

Tie the MudZonk. Do you like that name? It's what it is.

Here's what we're doing in an attempt to fulfill your fly fishing dreams:

Most people who sign on to get the email are interested in receiving info on Classes and Guided Trips. Please follow the links for updated info and schedules on what we offer. All of our classes and guided trips are going great. People are learning and enjoying fly fishing.

If you have a special event for your business, a few friends, family members of any type of club and need a program, please let us know. Fly fishing is entertaining and both Mark and I enjoy doing instructive, entertaining programs as time allows.

Fly Tying Classes are scheduled through the Fall. Pick the one that fits your schedule and join us. Classes are from 7-9:30 PM Tuesday Evenings, and begin on the following dates:   as you can see, it is time to register for the October 19, 2004 session.    November 16, 2004. It's time to get signed up for the next session, which begins in two weeks.

Please call to register: 303-651-6061. I've just finished revising the Introduction to Fly Tying Solutions Booklet, which we provide with the class. It promises to be more helpful and useful.

Thanks for reading. Please remember that we are here to help: we want to help, we're waiting to help, we're hoping to help. Won't you take advantage of us in the near future?

We all hope to see or hear from you in the near future. You can call us at one of the above phone numbers, write us at angler@peakpeak.com or visit this web site by wandering around.

If you need anything, please call us first. Chances are pretty good we'll have what you want, and what you need. This is a slow time for us, and we really need to keep selling stuff, trips and classes so we can continue to write and help you with fly fishing delight. Keep us in mind, won't you?

Talk with you again soon. There are some great things on the way. Please stay in touch.

Dale Darling

    Hoping that more writing - and composing - are in the near future.

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