March 15, 2015

Flow: 317

Water Temp: 40-48

Luck is a physical law as much as gravity is. Luck; or “good fortune” is a set of circumstances that favor to bold in life that do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. The law of inertia is well more known; an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Put the two together as a modus operandi and you equal success.

I had the opportunity this month (with my colleague and graphic artist) to buy out the business I’ve worked for the last five years. Steel City Anglers has been easy to manage from a business standpoint , no employees, rent and little inventory. We sell ourselves, give all our knowledge to our guests and give back to the river through TU and it all come back to us tenfold. I just dove in head first with nine employees and a massive book of business shipping worldwide. Thank you Luke and Jamie for the great deal on Trigger and the opportunity to keep this empire growing.

Fishing the Ark tailwater has been the same formula. Do the right thing and keep positive inertia the rewards will come. Fishing has been technical to say the least, but perseverance pays off! With the flows going up trout are moving around and sight fishing is abundant. The increased flows are churning up some sediment with clearer patches upstream.

Saturday Lou pulled on of the ballsiest moves I’ve ever seen in guiding. He took two rookies off the tailwater to the HARP river walk flowing at two cfs. Ten carp and three rainbows later I have to say he called it right. I joined the troupe around 2:00 after a Project Healing Waters orientation at Peterson AFB. I gave a hand and after the trip was done I waded in and pulled out a carp, smallmouth and bluegill. After my rainbow from just out of the Nature Center deck I only needed one more species for a grand slam but I hung it up as dusk brought a cold breeze. Fish your confidence patterns all day like it was your first cast.

Maybe I’m jaded by the “luck” we’ve had but I’m astonished by the negative blogs by some southern Colorado guides complaining about the crowds, improper handling of trout, fist fights slashed tires (looks like force majeure to me) and arguments on the river. Rather than give people a sour look all day we will continue to be cordial but diligent in educating those new to the sport where and where not to fish.

Book your adventure now before the river blows out. The river at spring flows has a lot to offer.

Tight lines,

Ben