10-15-14 Big Thompson Tailwaters

Late afternoon fishing below the Estes Dam

The T is fishing great right now. It's pretty technical; good drifts and fly selection are key. While up there, you will notice that a lot of people aren't catching fish. Therefore, they leave by noon (usually earlier), and you get the place practically to yourself.

It's been beautiful up there. The trees are turning colors and we even had a bugling elk cross the road by the bridge and come over and hang out with us for a while. Most days, temps are getting up to the 60's and it's perfect fishing weather. And, a nice bonus, the Go Kart track hasn't had the stereo on "The Boss" everyday, non-stop, as they are closed for the season. 

Early in the day, we are seeing a lot of midges, and a Jujubee in red or black, or zebra midges in the same colors have been getting it done for me. A midge larvae in red or black will also wake em' up. Keep it small, like a size 20 or smaller. An 18 will get some trout but you will be rewarded by going smaller. I have also been using a Hull's U.V. midge as well, in purple or red. As far as on top, I have been using a V.C. midge, or a Ninja midge as I have known it, and they have been pretty hot early. I have been using black and grey in the tiny sizes of 24 and 26. Put these guys behind another, more visible, dry fly and you will see them more than you might think.

A panoramic of the straight away opposite the Go-Kart track. 

High sticking a riffle section with a BWO hatch.

As we transition into the later part of the day, you will see the Baetis coming off. Pretty epic hatches some days. For these guys, I have been using extended tail BWO's in size 18 and I have also been using a new Craven recipe, a Jujubee emerger. This is a recipe that I found in my last issue of whatever fly fishing magazine I get (?). I tied some up, tied one on for a client a week ago and they have been crushing it since. I have been fishing these above and below the surface, about 18" behind on point. I will post it and have them for sale on the Flies for Sale page soon.

Other flies that have been catching fish are Smoke Jumpers, CDC BWO's, Parachute BWO's, and Moleflies for the Blue Wing Olive hatch; and Stuck in the Shuck midges for the a.m. and p.m. midge hatch. Soft hackle sow bugs and miracle midges will still pull out a couple as well, especially when it is slower.

Towards the end of the day...notice all the rises in the run on top. 

~Tight Lines!~