December 31, 2012
Flow: 66
Water Temp: 39 at dam 34 downtown
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We’re finding big pods packed in small areas with huge sections of river devoid of life. Walk the high bank to find them working the water close together like that will somehow keep them warm. I’m talking of course about the fisherman. We’re seeing more traffic on the river as the rest of the state is biting cold. For the most part the typical spots are getting heavy pressure and the majority of the river is empty. Yesterday I worked upstream to one of those well known holes to find someone there already so I waved hi and hit the next section up a hundred yards and found sight fishing opportunities to a number of 18” bows. After landing a few there I hit the section a hundred yards below the early bird angler and found the same thing. Seeing red cheeks before profiles in slightly stained water with an overcast sky the fishing was technical. After a few there I witnessed a first. Some guy working downstream invaded the top of the early birds water and within ten casts snagged a duck. You could hear the poor thing quack and thrash two weirs down. Three minutes later the guy held up his prize. Satisfied that he had sufficiently jacked up that water the duck dapper moved down toward me. I’d been sitting on the weir letting the water rest enjoying a little coffee and the dog's company. “Any luck” was my greeting from the poultry pounder, I half growled some non sequitur response and turned back to my water. Seeing I wasn’t chatty he kept trucking probably to see if he could also scratch a beaver off his bucket list. A short while later the bird left his perch and I wandered up and fished if for a bit. The top still had the aura of duck poop so I hit a couple suckers and missed one trophy in the lower before passing the hole on to a local fan working up and beat feet for the best brunch in Pueblo at the Coyote Grill. Sitting under the heater gorging myself on prime rib and pork tenderloin, checking stock in Colorado’s smallest fly shop and sipping mimosas is just bliss. All with my waders still on.
Work slowly looking for trout everywhere. 80% of my catch was in flat water. Fish an attractor/emerger/midge tapered rig almost to the bottom in the fastest seam of slow water. If you’re having trouble finding open water give us a holler. There’s still plenty to explore.
Tight lines,
Ben

December 25, 2012

Flow: 65

Water Temp: 41 up 36 down

With a czech nymphing get together coming up and no obligatory domestic obligations I made my way to the river. The river was empty and the mutt and I made fresh tracks upstream from the nature swinging the ungainly FIPS Mouche regulation czech rig. I had not practiced the international method for some time but like riding a bike it came back quick and as John Wayne said in The Sons of Katie Elder it was “Katie, bar the door”.  Takes were subtle with gentle tugs or the pigtail indicator stopping mid drift. Every spot produced multiple trout and a few miles up I ran into some good friends and fished a while together. The biting cold was still a welcome change for us all and we enjoyed a little bit of serendipity.

            I’d been fretting about a holiday post but today put it in prospective. We’re thankful for this incredible river, our friends and family and a clientele of folks that have made this an extraordinary year. And 2013 is going to be even better. Thank you so much for your love, friendship and patronage. Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Ben and Lou

December 22, 2012

Flow: 68
Water Temp: 40
Hearing reports of combat fishing and an over crowed river we took a drive this morning and found it. Parking lots were full and people were trampling over each other in a half mile stretch out of nine. The rest of the river was empty. Trust Pueblo’s local outfitters to steer you to open water. Trout weren’t picky on fly patterns. We fished a random selection out of Colorado’s smallest fly shop all day. Bows and browns are feeding off half weirs and riffles below boulder clusters. Hit anything wet, adjust your depth and cover a lot of water. If you find a crowd give us a call. 70% of the hot spots on the Ark below Lake Pueblo are our little secret.
Tight lines,
Ben

December 16, 2012
Flow: 63
Water temp: 41
"Great! Now do it 10,000 more times." It’s always a pleasure working with people that have never cast a fly rod. Yeah it’s more work but I still share the thrill of landing your first fish on a 9’ rod with a funny line. We’ve been blessed with great clients that pick up quickly and catch fish. Frequently stocked areas are hitting san juans and eggs (DUH!). More pressured areas are hitting 18 bh fb hares ears below attractors. If you’re seeing too much traffic get in touch with us and learn where the local guides go to avoid the crowds. We hardly saw anyone all day.
Tight lines,
Ben

December 15, 2012

Flow: 63
Water temp: 41
Always looking to better ourselves today we picked up the Hank Patterson bible and snapped it today. Last nights fly tying party ended early so I made it to the river at the early hour of noon. Cutty-Rainbrowns were spawning today so we hit the reds. Bows like the 12” monster you see here are taking san juans with a suicide strike and running you into backing. Keep a strong grip on your beer and slap it right in their face. Slap ‘em enough and they get really mad.
Thanks for reading,
Ben

December 13, 2012
Flow: 65
Water temp: 48
Pete Gallagher gave a terrific presentation tonight and
had a solution to all our fears for the 2013 Frostbite Fish-Off. River work will finish the section they’re on and let the water rest three days prior to
tourney day. 107 new structures are planned in the seven mile stretch and modifications to existing structures hole by hole look great. Our resident CPW biologist gave thumbs up for the bugs. These improvements are designed to stand the test of time and keep the river in the channel it needs to flourish. The schedule is created to minimize the impact on the fishery as well.
Now for the fishing, contrary to the reports from those that don’t live here the fishing’s been great. We’ve seen more pressure as the cold temperatures set in around the state but to call it combat fishing is just silly. Get in touch with Pueblo’s local guides and we’ll steer you to
open water on any day. Typical Ark patterns produced today with another FFO contestant with a 16 BH pheasant tail. Trout are holding in deep pools, the takes are very subtle and depth is critical. We have a spot open Saturday from a rescheduled trip. Book now, after Christmas we have 43 more trips booked through March. Thank you to all those that have made this such a wild ride.
Tight lines,
Ben

Press Release:

Pete Gallagher of Fin-Up Habitat Consultants will be our featured speaker at this months Pueblo Trout Unlimited holiday meeting. The presentation will give a sneak peek at the redesign and additional structure and erosion control being placed in the Arkansas River. The Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter is proud to be part of this project and welcomes everyone to join us to see what lies in store for the Arkansas River.

This meeting will be held this Thursday, December 13^th at the Jones-Healy Realtors Building, 119 W. 6^th St. in Pueblo at 6:30 pm. A Holiday Potluck will be available beginning at 6:00 pm so bring a dish (I prefer Twinkies and bacon). The meeting is free and open to the public. For further information, call 564-1799.

December 8, 2012

Flow: 69
Water Temp: 44

With the kickoff of Colorado’s Smallest Fly Shop and 45 trips booked between now and April we’ve been running. Lou had a great trip Tuesday and I’m taking the next few out so I was happy to get wet today before the weather hits. Fishing was technical but rewarding with four over 20” netted. An 18 black copper john produced through the day. Tomorrow I’ll be out at the Nature Center alternating between the rock pile and the heaters on the patio. Get your Christmas gift certificates now and give the gift they’ll talk about for years.

Tight lines,
Ben