9-16-12 Big Thompson

Early afternoon on the Upper Big Thompson.

I had the privilege of taking a couple of locals up to the Big Thompson river yesterday; both below the dam and in the park. It was a beautiful day, although a bit on the nippy side when we arrived at the river at about 9:30. Once the sun came over, it warmed up nice and quick though. At about that same time we were through with our in-lot instruction and we headed down to the river.

It was flowing very clear, and a slight bit on the high side as compared to where it has been. We started fishing a couple of holes right below a real nice long run. The client was casting midges, girdle bugs, rainbow warriors, and blue poison tungs. They would get a bite here and there but it was a little slow going. After moving above the bridge that was blocking our stretch, we found a really nice hole and for the first time all day I sighted some trout moving around in the shallows. Just what I wanted. They were not sipping dries but I figured I would give them a look at one anyways.

I tied up one of the clients with a size 18 Royal Wulff and an olive Pheasant Tail, we started getting some real bites.  The trout were quick on the take and although we could not get one on the hook, it wasn't from a lack of bites, especially in this particular hole above this bridge. Having realized that it was nearly 1:00 I suggested to the client that we should head into the park.

We arrived in Moraine Park at around 1:30 and ate lunch. We found a nice spot to enjoy lunch, on the back of my truck, because somebody had taken my table. Yes, it is my table. I called dibs on it at the beginning of the summer. And not to mention there was more people in Moraine than I have ever seen. There was cars parallel parked virtually the whole way all the way back to where the meadow ends and the trees begin, closer to Fern Lake and Cub Lake TH's. Unbelievable I thought. But we made the best of the situation, as I figured we would because the clients were really chill and I think they really enjoyed lunch none the less. They just seemed to be having a great time despite the slower fishing and all the people.

Having completed lunch, we drove further up the road to look for a parking spot. Finally, at the very end of the road was a spot. We geared up and now headed in the opposite direction to get started. Cutting into the woods was really nice because as I mentioned, there was just so many people. We hiked down the river a good 1/2 mile and then got started at the first big left (northward) turn of the creek coming into the meadow. If you don't know, you won't; and if you do you will. That is all I'm saying about that. Beautiful area though, I will add that.

Pictured: A look back at the bottom of our stretch of water. A.K.A. "If you don't know, you won't; and if you do you will."

This section is beautiful, but water levels were down from even two weeks ago, (See post: 9-6-12 Hangin with Mr. T).
Not only that, the visual bug activity was almost non-existent. The client even noticed this. Around 6:00 we had a pretty relevant caddis hatch and once that happened the trout really started looking up. The client got a couple more bites on a size 16 tan Caddis (EHC) but none on the cadddis emerger. The client, having felt spent, called it a day and we headed back.

Looking west towards the divide.

In all, it was a slow day. We did manage to bring one in on a size 18 Purple Haze, but even that required some special technique apparently as it was submerged when it was working. The list of flies used includes, but is not limited to (get ready for this), Stimulators, Ants (black and brown, dry and submerged), Amy's Ants, Beetles, Hoppers (parachute, baby boy's) PMX's, Humpy's (and Para Humpy's too), Adams (and Parachute Adams), BWO's, PMD's, Royal Wulff's, H&L Variants, Caddis, CDC Midge, Griffith's Gnats, Fat Albert's. And the nymphs: Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, black beauty, miracle nymph, RS-2 emergers, Girdle bugs, Sow bugs, RW's, Tungs, San juan Worms, and an array of different PMD and BWO nymphs. Holy Jeez!!!!!!!!!!   That is a lot of flies. In fact, the most I have tied on all year in one day. Unbelievably uncooperative trout.

But in the end, the client had a great day, really enjoyed everything, and plans on getting back out soon.

On a side note, at the end of the day one of the clients mentioned that she was getting her indicator to bob up and down in several spots but at the time, she assumed they were rocks. Looking back she realized they were bites. I think she herself got a good kick out of that one. A great trip and I hope (think) we got another guy hooked on this great sport.



Tight Lines!