Stagecoach Tailwater Report

Small Runs like this would hold about three to four fish. Farm a few out then move upstream. These fish were eager to take a fly even if the presentation was not "perfect".

During lunch the entertainment was watching fish taking dries with regularity. At one point I think I saw four fish rising at once.

The last hour of light on the river made us start to really fish hard. Trying to get the last few fish of the day before the ride out, we really wanted to take advantage of the great weather.

Deep wading right below the damn. The coldest spot on the river.

Rigging up next to the sled, what a way to travel because of the lengthy hike in there was only one other person back there. A private tailwater, not too bad.

Your typical run, what was really fun about these fish was how the reacted to pressure. Fish through, catch a few, spook a few, wait 10 minutes and the run was fresh once again.

The product of great genetics.

Hook UP!

Fishing right below the damn, remember the feeding order. The big ones eat first.

A nice brookie to end the day.


And now watch the video...

An EEZEE Tie Damsel Nymph

For the pattern recipe and the tying instructions go to
http://lojsflytyingbugstuff.blogspot.com/
Or click on “LoJ’s Fly Tying & Bug Stuff” in the LINKS OF INTEREST Section.

~ LoJ

Three Reports In One

Big Thompson:

There are quite a few slots of water open throughout the canyon. The fishing was great, when you could find a deep hole to sink some nymphs down into. Size 20 Ray Charles seemed to be the ticket and a small black midge also took a few fish. We only fished for a hour and a halfand landed about 8 fish. The fish are piled up right now and if you find a hole that produces you should stick with it until you pull a few fish out. I cannot wait for March when we get to see more of the river again as the ice recedes.

Boulder Area Ponds:

Ice fishing the Boulder area ponds was great this weekend. It seems like you just need to find that hot spot and drop small bright colored jigs down the hole. You should be tipping your jigs with meal worms to give yourself a better chance. If a hole does not produce you should keep moving; if the fish are there, they will bite right away. Had a chance to catch quite a few Perch this weekend, an some were in the 10" range. It sure is fun to drink some ice cold Budweisers and pull fish out of the ice every few minutes.

South Platte River at Deckers:

I frequent Cheesman Canyon, but this Monday I decided to head to Deckers for a change of pace. I arrived at 8:00 and battled the ice, but at least I didn't have to worry about any crowds. I sight fished a big Rainbow for about 20 minutes and eventually hooked up with a 16"-18" Brown lurking in the shadows behind him. As they day warmed and 10:00 rolled around, I started to see some of the best action of this year. Small Rainbows around the 10"-12" range were caught just about every other cast. Some Browns were mixed in and they tended to be a little bigger. The crowds came in around 12:00, but the fishing remained the same. I stopped counting after lunch and just enjoyed one of the best days of fishing I have had in a long time. Size 20 electric caddis were on the menu and size 22 jujubees were also on fire. If you have never been to Deckers, I strongly suggest checking it out; there is a reason why so many people frequent this section of river. Personally, I still like the serenity and solitude of the canyon, but if you can get to Deckers early it can be quite breathtaking to watch the sun illuminate the river.

Baja Informational Meeting

photo: Jeff Debrown - The Reel Baja

Interested in going to the East Cape of the Baja? Dont know whats its all about and want to find out more? Want to come on a Guided Trip to the Baja?
Come meet tonight at Front Range Anglers at 7pm to disuses fly patterns, gear, techniques, and where to fish. We will also be talking about the trip that we are running through the shop on March 31st - April 3rd, with seasoned Guide Jeff Debrown of the Reel Baja. Click Here for more info. There will be flies, suds, and a slideshow for all who are interested.

See you tonight!

Enough Already!

Report: Cheeseman Canyon 2/6/10

Over the weekend I managed to find some time, but more importantly some warm weather and headed down to the Canyon to find some quiet time on the water. The temps over the weekend were warm but the canyon walls are tall leaving quite a bit of snow on the edges of the river, making the upper canyon feel a bit like the ice box.


Fished for a bit in the shade before quickly realizing that even though there were fish within eye sight, they were lacking any hint of enthusiasm to take a fly and my hands turned into mittens after landing two that actually decided to eat.


So, I walked for a while, 15 min up and down the hills along the Gill Trail and found a stretch of 200+ yards of water that was bathed in sun, looking very warm compared to the blue frozen hue that I had left. Upon getting down to the waters edge I found rainbows that had slid back to the end of the pool that were looking up, and occasionally rising to an adult midge.


I dropped my pack, had a snack, watched, checked my rig, and prepared to fish this near perfect section of stream. After fishing through the first pool, very slowly I might add, the fish had a case of the spook, I got a call on my walkie talkie. The group that I had arrived with and left in the shade, my ride; was cold, discouraged, and ready to head out. I finished fishing up to the top of the run and grabbed my pack and trudged up the hill over a bend or two, back into the shade and out of the canyon.


All in all the fishing was good, tough but good. Fish were eating, as long as you could get a perfect dead drift to them with long leaders, 12ft+ and small flies seemed to be the ticket, no surprise for this time of year. Chasing tailwaters is the name of the game and look for conditions to continue to improve as overnight lows keep rising.


Now is the time so get out and fish.

Renzetti Wing Burner Fly Tying Demo

Here is a new toy that Renzetti has recently released, new caddis and Mayfly wing burners and material. These wings can add a very realistic look to your flies without much effort. Rob Kolanda demonstrates on how these work on one of his grey drake patters.
We have the burners and wing material here, if you are interested in doing this to your favorite flies.

CTU Gala/Auction ~ March 19, 2010

This event contributes a significant part of the funding needs for our cold water fisheries Throughout the Rocky Mountain West, the challenges facing trout streams continue to grow. New water projects are being proposed that could dry up flows on some of our most treasured trout streams. Watersheds on our public lands face threats from widespread logging, road building and energy development. Through it all, growth continues to put more pressure on streams and create more need for on-the-ground habitat and projects. Trout can’t fight for themselves; they need your help to survive. And that’s what Trout Unlimited is all about – working on behalf of anglers to protect fisheries.

How can you help? Consider making a contribution to to the Auction by clicking on the link below.

CTU’s annual gala, the largest fishing-oriented auction in Colorado, will be held in the Denver area on March 19. We are looking to raise more than $40,000, and all proceeds will be dedicated to trout conservation efforts – protecting instream flows, improving habitat, preserving water quality.

Auction Up!

Now you can support CTU when you bid on - or buy - items on eBay, courtesy of the eBay Giving Works program. Its so easy an angler can do it!

Get your feet wet. Click here

The “Mothers Day” Caddis Hatch is just around the corner!

For the pattern recipe and the tying instructions go to
http://lojsflytyingbugstuff.blogspot.com/
Or click on “LoJ’s Fly Tying & Bug Stuff” in the LINKS OF INTEREST Section.
~ LoJ

Grey Reef Fly Fishing Trip

Have you been looking for an excuse to shake the winter blues? Feel like you haven't been out fishing in forever...well get you gear out of the closet because we are running a group trip up to the Grey Reef on the North Platte. Come fish for one or two days, which ever fits your schedule better, but on Sunday we have booked a guided float trip with the North Platte Lodge. Last year around the same time boats were averaging 20-40, not bad. We have hotel accommodations booked for Friday(optional) and Saturday so come early and walk wade the river with us then on Sunday get a full day float in. Grab your fishing buddy, tie up some flies, and get up to the Grey Reef.

Trip details:
April 9th(optional) 10th, &11th 2010
$275 for one night $315 for two nights - Price is based on Double Occupancy rooms.

Drive up yourself and fish with us.
See this link for more info...and to register.

We've Got Discounted Tickets - $12.00 each

The film will be at the Boulder Theater on April 1, 2010 ~ Doors open at 6:30 pm

If you don't get your tickets now you probably won't get in!