10/19/2013

Flow 203

Water Temp 59 Degrees

What a perfect day for a trip, clear skies, no wind and 70 degrees. I met my guest at the Nature Center parking lot, did the inevitable paper work and headed to the fast water between the rock piles and the 1^st up stream “J” Hook.  The water is so murky wading in deep water is dangerous at best.  We fished the fast water, which has been a producer of quality fish for weeks.  At the risk of using the same cliché, meat and potatoes works.  The first two fish to the net took a Pink Egg, then a Red San Juan Worm.  After numerous fish all day and an incredible lunch at the Coyote Grill, we ended the day with a fat brown that took a size 16 Bead Head Pheasant Tail.  God, I love my river!

It is fall in the Rockies, that means spawning browns on the Pueblo tailwater.  Pre spawn fishing for big bull browns will be the best ever.  Book your trip asap, pre-spawn  can be short, 2 weeks max.  Once that is done please stay off the redds. 

Tight Lines

Lou

October 14, 2013

Flow: 230

Water Temp: 56-62

Water temperatures have been out of the red zone for a week now and the trout are loving it. Trout from 13” to 20” are lively and releasing easily. Flow fluctuations should be much lower as we near November 15 when it will go to constant rate. The only disadvantage is the clarity. 18” to 2 feet and it’s been slow to clear. Streamers, san juans, eggs and BH 20” foot the bill for numbers with bwo nymphs attracting the larger, smarter ‘bows.

Join us this Saturday as we and the Nature and Raptor Center host an outdoor showing of Where the Yellowstone Goes as it follows a 30-day drift boat journey down the longest undammed river in the lower 48. Intimate portraits of locals in both booming cities and dusty, dwindling towns along the Yellowstone River, illustrate the history and controversies surrounding this enigmatic watershed leading to questions about its future. Connect with colorful characters, get lost in the hypnotic cast of a fly rod, and experience silhouetted moments of fireside stories on this heartfelt river adventure.

Bring a lawn chair and jacket as we enjoy the film on the deck of the Nature Center at 7:30 on a beautiful fall evening. $5.00 per person.

Tight lines,

Ben

October 6, 2013

Flow: 252

Water Temp: 65 at the Dam – 57-63 downtown

Visibility: 24”

With a blown transmission, blown water heater (literally) and another guide trip to Rainbow Falls with a spectacular father- son pair of guests I haven’t had a good eye on our home water. This morning I was motivated to change that.

Water clarity is poor with a good flow. The lake for the first time in a generation does not have a thermocline. With that information it’s hard to speculate when the water will clear. That being said the water temperatures are out of the danger zone and it won’t be long before our browns start to get amorous. Protein patterns are producing well in the 18” to 19” class and the Arkansas River Tailwaters’ trophy trout will be waking up soon. Trout are everywhere but the easiest fishing is nymphing in mid-fast seams where trout have to make a snap decision and even with the diminished visibility trout are easily spooked. Cover lots of water and never give up. The same seam you just landed a 15” holdover stocker may hold a 22”+. Big flies, big files, big flies. Size 14 BH prince nymphs or iridescent glass bead annelids are producing well.

Join us on Saturday the 19^th at 7:30 PM on the deck of the Nature and Raptor Canter as we host Where the Yellowstone Goes. Bring your own lawn chair. Just $5.00 a person with half going to the Nature Center.

Tight lines,

Ben