10/2/15-10/11/15 Boulder Creek Hopper Dropper Heaven

I got to get out for a little bit this morning and I headed to where I have taken a couple client trips lately; Black Tiger Fire/Blue Bridge (approximately mile marker 35). I have had several groups in this area lately and thought that I would take my turn. The browns are in bulk up mode for the winter season and it is making for some great fishing. This time of year is a terrestrial flyfishers dream. Throw on a hopper, attractor, beetle, or even an ant and have at it. The bugs, and therefore the food supply, is going to be (starting) to running low soon so if trout can get their lips on a size 12 bug right now instead of all the size 20+ midges they will be forced to depend on in the winter, all the better.

Recently, I have been throwing some smaller size 14 and 16 terrestrial/attractors on top with some beadheads on the bottom. On top, I have been fishing an Amy's Ant in 14 or a new hopper that I have been tying, discussed below. On the bottom, I have been using a blue poison tung or an all new T.U.V. mdige, which is now a neon midge. This has actually been out fishing the tung 4 or 5-1. I am sure that as far as most hopper/attractor patterns go, you will find success with most just keep it smaller and keep it buggy. On the bottom, go attractor nymph or even smaller natural replications, such as pheasant tails, hare's ears, or prince nymphs. Start thinking smaller. Not crazy small, but smaller.

When it comes to hoppers, I find that most are too large or too complicated and therefore not so life-like; especially when you consider the smaller nature of the waters that I usually fish. So when I was recently reading an older magazine lately basically talking about the same problem that offered up a smaller pattern, I ran with it. I like the Charlie Boy Hopper but find that buoyancy can be an issue. Also, as a guide fly, it is harder for a beginner to see. It's buggy, just hard to see. The new pattern that I am tying, The JR X Hopper, sits the foam higher on the hook shank and incorporates some antron dubbing, an all time floating favorite. Having slightly similar body design as a Charlie Boy, it adds a bit of McFlylon to the top for increased visibility on top of the hair wing and makes it much more client friendly. It is the first hopper pattern that I have tied up so I was excited to get out and try it. I tied it in olive but was slightly hesitant as I know that the naturals along the creek tend to run more of a brown color. But I didn't that have color foam.

The neon midge, which has become a staple in my box now, has been 'tightened up' a little and I added a pink thread head. This thing has been DOING IT. Wow. On the Big T it has been productive when others weren't. I think it takes on a scud look there to them. And on Boulder Creek, I threw it on for a client one day when a tung was kind of slow. I hadn't glued them before I fished them (I was in a hurry) and after replacing two torn up flies for my client in a group trip, one gentleman recommended I call it a 'torn thread midge'. I thought that kind of summed it up. Took it back out for myself last week after throwing a tung, and same thing. That day I think I out fished the tung closer to 10-1. I am sold on this bug and may submit it to a commercial fly tyer. I am considering it anyways. Both the neon midge and the JR X hopper are available only through me. The JR X hopper can be found, but I searched it on google and didn't find much. Just a great pattern from Scott Sanchez through a publication of mine.

So, back to fishing, I showed up to one of my guide holes. What is a guide hole? It's a hole where you can almost 100% count on a bite after showing clients a quick lesson. Often, this hole is pre-determined prior to departing the shop. In this case, it was too. This hole is right below the Black Tiger sign and I have used it for a guide hole several times with success most of the time. So when I threw my new hopper and proven midge in there and got zero bites, I definitely raised an eyebrow. I moved onto another usually successful seam opposite that hole. Nothing. Two more holes, nothing. I move up one hole to a larger, slower, deeper run. It has a decent swift current coming into it but flows overs some riffles and then bends into a deeper pool. Toss my fly, and slamma jamma all over that non-natural olive hopper. Well 5-6 trout later, in the same hole, I decided that my new hopper tie does catch trout. Yes. Yes it does. I caught a couple on the midge in that hole as well.

I ended up only fishing for another hour or so because I was just on a new fly scouting trip and truth be told, the fishing was that good. In the hour, I caught probably upwards of 20 trout and missed or lost another 20 or so. I also had at one point a trout come for my fly from under a rock and straight towards me until he got an inch away and noticed me standing there. It would have been a great picture of a trout (almost) eating. At another point, I threw my fly at the tail out of this smaller, unsuspecting riffle and I saw a trout swim over. The first thing I saw was the back side of his gills and then I tracked him into the current to under my bug before he denied it as well. He was pushing probably 16"-18" though. That doesn't surprise me though, after I saw a 20" plus trout last week in a different section. Couldn't believe it, until I foul hooked him and took him on a walk. Pretty funny story.

I did notice that early on, the trout were definitely looking for warmer water. The sunny holes were may more productive. It is starting to get that time of year I suppose. So keep your fly in those warm spots early. I was out from roughly 10-11:15. The trout were really stacking up in warmer areas. I can only imagine what that same fly combo would have done 6 hours later. Unbelievable fishing though, and really gratifying as well, having finally tied up my first hopper pattern and crushing trout with it. Definitely accomplished my need for a smaller, more realistic, buoyant, visible hopper. Needless to say, I stopped by the shop on the way home and bought brown foam. I will tie some up and then post some pics soon so you can buy some if you would like to.

Go fish some hoppers and support a hungry trout.

On another note-Ran into Robby Bear at the shop, he said he was out the night before and that the 45 minutes before the sun went behind the mountains was phenomenal. Again, try a hopper dropper late, as I thought.

And one more note-Really amazed at how well the hopper stood up. Definitely a bunch of bite marks on abdomen and bullet head, but still in great fishing shape. Guide approved.

Tight Lines.

6-2-15 Chris Goes Fishing...

I finally got to get out. Between no truck and being busy working, days out have been few and far between. So Tuesday night, the stars aligned and I made it out. I stopped by the shop first and grabbed some stuff to tie flies later, and asked Harris if he wanted to go with. Harris has made for one of my most gratifying moments as a guide. After taking him and his old man out one day a few years back, I see him working in the shop a year or two later. Success!! And now we finally got to get out for real for a change.

So anyways, let's get to it because there ain't much to report. The fishing sucks right now. Period. Really needed to get into a trout but didn't so excuse the blatant not so happy tone to the post.

Report:
Boulder Creek below the falls...blown out.
Above the falls...blown out.
Above Nederland...blown out.
So we tried the lake on top of the hill. We won't say the name. I wasn't supposed to be there. Desperate times...right?  And it was..Not blown out, but it sucked.

We did try above the falls and above Ned but no go. They are really holed up. So go find a lake. Not the one I didn't mention either. You're not supposed to be there either. Go find another lake. The high lakes look pretty cold still so anyone's guess. Bass fishing anyone? Sure. And I will post a report soon. Tight Lines...or something.

Here is a picture of a trout that didn't get caught on my last outing because the fishing sucks.

5-17-15 A New Season...

     For a lucky few, the season never ends. For these few lucky souls, the season only takes on a different meaning as time progresses. Autumn turns to summer and the crowds start to thin. The leaves turn yellow, and the browns follow suit.

Autumn on the Big Thompson...Colorful Colorado!

     As fall coldly fades, the rivers flow slower, and the trout grow as quietly as the solitude of the winter day. Before long, spring green begins to appear again and with it comes the excitement of that first dry fly take. For those lucky few that is.

     For the rest, the season starts after that first dry is consumed. The snow is melting, the ground is muddy, and the creeks are preparing to take shape before run off. The late spring, early summer season means it's time to get out that gear from last year, stock up on flies and maybe even book a trip with your favorite fly fishing guide in Colorado.    

Well now would be a great time to start thinking about a trip this summer as the fishing has been heating up, and just getting better every day.

An early spring rainbow taken on a Mirage Nymph above 4 Mile

We are just coming out of a week long rain storm that flooded some rivers slightly, but hasn't dampened our spirit for getting out there. As for the action, it's been pretty good. Here is a look at some reports from the last couple weeks.

     Boulder Creek: This river is such a little gem. I always say that, and can never say it enough. This river always has something to offer. Sometimes you have to drive up above the falls after a rain out; or even fish in town when everything between Mile Markers 28 and 40 is frozen. But you always find something. Such has been the case lately. Just as the lower canyon started really picking up and coming out of it's winter state, the rain took hold and forced anglers up. But none the less, it's still fishing good even in sub 50 C.F.S. water. Try using worms, tungs, and even a Chubby on top for some dry action. Look for the top section to be the place to go for a bit as we prepare for more rain.

Big Thompson

Tenkara Hook Up and Release