March 30, 2013

Flow: 85 cfs
Water Temp: 46-54
Our small little business and Colorado’s smallest fly shop want to thank everyone for our best month ever. We’ve had the privilege to take out some spectacular guests in March. We have guided a huge dichotomy of folks this month from wounded servicemen (thank you for your service) covering the spectrum to business professionals.
The last week has been busy with a lot of anglers and pressure on the fish and, for the most part, everything went great. Trout are still in full/ post-spawn and fishing has been technical, but at the end of the day, I’ve not heard a complaint. We’ve had some great trips and caught some very nice trout without disturbing the spawn.
Fish a tapered rig with an attractor, emerger and annelid in that order, covering lots of water to hook up. If you have a question we are here to serve.
Thank you Colorado for a spectacular March and have a happy Easter!
Tight lines,
Ben

3/18/2013

Water Temp: 43F

Flow: 81 CFS
What a great morning to be guiding. It was cool but not freezing like so many mornings have been in March. Met Lee and Jay two police officers from a Denver suburb, got the paper work out of the way and beat feet for Albert’s Hole. Have I mentioned that Albert’s Hole ROCKS!!! Lee wanted to use a dry dropper and broke for the slick water above Albert’s and being an excellent fly caster began hooking up on a brown midge emerger dropped off a Royal Stimulator. Jay was another story, he had never nymph fished before, and the learning curve was steep. His first cast he hooked up on a nice bow that got off, but he was encouraged to say the least. The big bows were up against the rocks and down deep, which is typical of Albert’s early. Once he got the tension cast down he landed some nice bows all day, as did Lee. Early afternoon the wind began to howl and we were sight fishing to 18 and 20” bows that simply would not take what ever we were pitching. The wind put everything down so we broke for MO MO’s for an incredible bunch of Japanese cuisine, and called it a day. It was a great day!!
Tight Lines
Lou

March 12, 2013
Flow: 93
Water Temp: 45

The spawn is on, and off, and on.

We’ve been so busy I’ve neglected to celebrate the best day of the year. The one morning that shows promise for the coming season and the precious gift of time. I’m speaking of course of the beginning of daylight savings. Having the river
as my backyard means I now have two hours or more a day to give our readers the skinny on the water. We’ve been so busy with great guests that the opportunity
to get out is welcome (nine folks this week alone).
We’ve had so many changes in water temperature the spawning cycle varies widely from area to area. Full blown reds, pre spawn and post spawn rainbows are all over. Heavy equipment trundling down the river certainly didn’t help but it was a necessary evil. If you find actively spawning trout or ‘bows not feeding take a short walk and you’ll find better conditions. We’ve been fishing Colorado’s smallest fly shop’s standard fare with great success and all flies are $1.25 including tax. Visit the shop, patronize the Coyote Grill and see the great work the NCRP is doing.
Tight Lines,
Ben

March 9, 2013
Flow: 92
Water Temp: 43
The early bird gets it on the san juan worm. Weather forecasts
provided for a small window of quality fishing and with the help of a midnight Pueblo trout bum snack of green chili cheese fries I was up ...early. Boy howdy do I mean early. I hit the improved
structure below the Silverline bridge and was thoroughly impressed. As is
typical of this section it was browns four to one over rainbows with brows on the egg and ‘bows on the san juan. Big patterns in the morning moving smaller as it warms have been a staple this winter. What Pete Gallagher and Fin-Up Habitat Consultants, CPW and our chapter of TU have done is improving an already superb fishery. We have the best tail water in the state thanks to more river stewards than I can mention. In our little community we have a Zen Master, an Evil Genius, an infinite strider, a lady Fishologist and her husband the bald guy that have put the Steel City on the map. All these folks have put in the work to ensure our tailwater thrives. For the complete story stop in at the Drift fly shop or call your 24/7 guides at Steel City Anglers. We don’t have the retail shop but our phone rings all day and night. The increased traffic on the river has been a point of discontent for many locals but I’d rather have the notoriety when we need help and water. Come to Pueblo, spend a few bucks,
visit Colorado’s smallest fly shop and have fun in this community. We are here to serve you.
Tight lines,
Ben

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March 5, 2013
Flow: 94
Water Temp: 40
What a difference a day makes. We’ve seen a lot of weather in the last few weeks with some exceptional customers. Somehow with 12 guests in two weeks the stars aligned and every day’s been beautiful and yet we received the moisture we so desperately need. Fishing has been technical with depth, dead drifts, and presentation having precedence over fly selection. Use your “confidence” patterns. The scuds available in Colorado’s smallest fly shop have produced very well on the bottom. New and restored structure from the improvement project continues to impress me. If the river is busy and you can’t move much give the water a break. A 10-15 minute pause can renew most spots and trout start feeding again. A quick note on etiquette: If you see an angler’s gear on the bank next to a hole with no-one in it they might just be taking our advice and giving it a pause or using the facilities. Ask first before wading in. We all want the best spots but outrunning a senior citizen isn’t the way to get there. In Pueblo there is a good chance that person is a veteran.
River improvements are below City Park and moving rapidly downstream.
Tight lines,
Ben

 

March 5, 2013
Flow: 94
Water Temp: 40
What a difference a day makes. We’ve seen a lot of weather in the last few weeks with some exceptional customers. Somehow with 12 guests in two weeks the stars aligned and every day’s been beautiful and... yet we received the moisture we so desperately need. Fishing has been technical with depth, dead drifts, and presentation having precedence over fly selection. Use your “confidence” patterns. The scuds available in Colorado’s smallest fly shop have produced very well on the bottom. New and restored structure from the improvement project continues to impress me. If the river is busy and you can’t move much give the water a break. A 10-15 minute pause can renew most spots and trout start feeding again. A quick note on etiquette: If you see an angler’s gear on the bank next to a hole with no-one in it they might just be taking our advice and giving it a pause or using the facilities. Ask first before wading in. We all want the best spots but outrunning a senior citizen isn’t the way to get there. In Pueblo there is a good chance that person is a veteran.
River improvements are below City Park and moving rapidly downstream.
Tight lines,
Ben