February 12, 2013

Flow: 80
Water Temp: 35
What a long strange trip it’s been. Another Frostbite Fish-Off is in the books and it was our best ever. 36 anglers and 30 volunteers came together for two days of camaraderie, fun and fishing. A chilly morning session turned to a breeze afternoon but the weather held just long enough. The awards party was a good time for all. The Sports Garden crew went above and beyond to make us feel at home. All told 1,465
inches of trout were scored. Results can be found at http://www.chapter509tu.org/FrostbiteFishOff.htm . As always I had to get out Sunday to see what’s left. Early takes were on meaty patterns including san juans, eggs and check nymphs turning to rs2’s and dark midges in the afternoon. Being a little fuzzy from Saturday night and little sleep it was a short session with a lot of time sitting on my rear hanging with the dog but I got my eighty inches by waiting for the fish to show themselves. This is the first year I failed to net a bigger fish than tourney day and all I can say is a 23.5” brown is quite an act to follow.
Construction has begun in the river and the crew is rapidly moving downstream below the Valco Bridge. Please give them a wide berth.

Habitat project update: Fin-Up Habitat Consultants and Chaparral Construction started Monday at the Tree Hole and rapidly moved downstream. Improvements to the tree hole and flag hole are particularly impressive. New J hooks above Keifer’s hole are already holding trout. And there are trees! Oh my god are there trees! Currently equipment is 100 yards below the Valco Bridge. By the weekend they could be to the Flag hole. As usual Steel City Anglers is proud to report the conditions first.
Tight lines,
Ben