January 11, 2015
Flow: 92
Water Temp: 33-36
I typically guide with premium 5wt rods for the health of the prey on the Ark tailwater. Landing trout quickly and getting them back in the water preserves the fishery. That being said I’ve had my eye on the Douglas Outdoors Upstream 8’ 3wt six piece for some time. The Fly Fishing show in Denver was fantastic and I walked out with my purchase and waited with anticipation for Sunday. Freezing temperatures didn’t help for dry action so I spent some time casting dry droppers to nothing to get a feel for the three weights limitations. After an hour I couldn’t find any.  Droppers and single dries pitched effortlessly. The rod cast perfectly loading  big on the back cast and making a delicate presentation on the water. After having fun for a while casting I thought I might want to fight something on the upstream.  I rigged up a three fly nymph rig wit one bb and a cork indicator and my tenth cast hooked an eighteen inch fat body that gave ten runs. Fighting our energetic trout on a three weight isn’t something I’d recommend to everybody but to me; losing a little control and giving the trout more leverage made for a great fight. Finally, ascetically the Douglas Upstream is gorgeous.
Fishing the tailwater requires patience. Study the water before you cast. Sight fishing is great but that is a double edged sword. Work the tailouts and vary the midges until you find the color then adjust for the size.
Tight lines,
Ben