May 28, 2013
Flow: 2000
Water Temp: 49
What a great weekend folks. We had two trips with great folks and
tough fishing and two days exploring. The river is not crossable until the
runoff subsides but there are still pockets to hit here and there. Pueblo always has opportunity to fish. Sunday’s outing to Lake Pueblo put me deep into backing on a nice carp. Once again the mafia bugger produced. Monday we traded the heat for the cool air at the Cross D Bar ranch in Westcliffe. Water is low in the ponds but the big trout are still healthy. Book your trip now for Cross D Bar or Rainbow Falls.
Tight Lines,
Ben

May 20, 2013
Flow: 1132
Water Temp: 48
We had a great Saturday with repeat guests who wanted to explore new water and see more of the improvement project. The Carp Hole (I know I conceded the name but I just can’t bring myself to type it) produced out of the
top trench early until I started noticing debris coming down river. The flow had jumped 200 cfs! The water clouded up and I finally called time to get back across the river.
Its days like this Pueblo’s local guides show their mastery of the river. Knowing where to cross by depth, speed and the path when you can’t see the bottom can save a client from getting dunked. Before we crossed we had to hit my j hook and pickle four ‘bows in short order. The Flag hole was disappointing but we had fun working back down to the Coyote Grill for a great lunch. I’ve said before we’re blessed with awesome guests and it’s even more of a treat when they come back. Thanks Jamie and Ben.

Sunday morning the flow skyrocketed. A 500 cfs spike will push fish into holding water and we have a number of spots that produce however, this was the first heavy flushing flow since the improvement project and the debris was epic. So we spent a while watching the new structure work. Pete Gallagher does great work. The structure makes for more holding areas for trout and the main channel (thalwag) is pushed away from the bank where it had been causing damage. I was impressed and can’t wait to begin in the upper section. The Bend hole is in dire need of erosion control.
BH 20" and San Juans. 'nuff said.
Tight Lines,
Ben

May 12, 2013
Flow: 264
Water temp: 49-60
The suckers are spawning, don’t get any on you. Spring may have
finally arrived in Pueblo. I have to wonder what went through
those anglers minds that fished today. I’m sure some calculated that mother’s day would leave the water free to fish. Others thought that everyone would think the same thing and descend on the tailwater. If you thought the latter you’d have been wrong. Then there are those that actually went and spent time with their mommy. If you did I salute you. As trout bums we have a propensity to forget holidays, birthdays and other important dates to pursue trout. I digress..
This morning the river was empty with cold water and difficult fishing in the morning but as the water warmed fishing improved. And the suckers were in the mood. If this stuff gets on your waders count on six weeks to get it off. Treat suckers as you would a rifle. They have a dangerous end. Don’t point that end at yourself or anything you don’t wish to be hit. Trout were spread out with rising water exploring. San juans, rainbow warriors, scuds and black midges produced.
Tight lines,
Ben

Cinco de mayo, 2013Flow: 61
Water temp: 52
Cajun; Noun: A juvenile loveable 18 month old 75 pound lab with a propensity to turn psychotic when a fish is hooked. Most dogs of this type and  age are energetic but this bitch needs tranquilizers. When I’m able to edit the videos suitable for family viewing I’ll get them on
youtube.


Today I was thankful to get out and test the new gear and spend some quality time with my pooch. The bass hole produced trout, bass and suckers but didn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy inside so I called Steve and Lou suggesting the reservoir for carp.

Lake nymphing for carp is a slow process that can be somewhat like bait fishing that
requires constant attention. A 14 rainbow bugger put three carp in the net for a total of 72 inches and Steve’s first carp ever. A grill with brats and plentiful Fat Tire kept us entertained. I love guiding but a man can’t live on bread alone. We’ve been blessed with a guides dream as far as guests go but it’s necessary to pursue your passion at the same time.
Tight lines,
Ben

April 27, 2013
Flow: 98
Water Temp: 52-60
It was a difficult day for Steel City Anglers today folks. Not the fishing but the morning.
We strive to give the best possible experience to our clients and  the biggest part of that is preparation. By 7:00 last night I had everything
rigged, tied, cleaned and ready for the mornings guided outing. I decided to load the truck the night before to save a few minutes in the morning.
What I found as I stepped out my front door and greeted the dawn devastated me. My truck had been broken into and my guide pack was gone. Thousands of dollars’ worth of flies, tools, leaders, jackets and all the gear neatly organized over years were swept away in an instant.
It will take a little while to replace the gear and I’m a little irascible at the moment but I’ll recover rapidly. I won’t allow a single miscreant to deter my belief that people are good. The actions of the one misguided person makes a stain on the rest. I refuse to let the few bad elements change my belief. I’m humbled by the support and outpouring from all our friend out there and I’ll be forever grateful.
Today’s fishing was slow until I started stripping an olive woolly bugger. After that it was crush, crush, and crush. A bent rod will change your prospective instantly. The spawn is over and trout are looking for protein. Rainbows are moving into fast shallow runs and sight fishing opportunities abound.
I Have a lot of new gear to buy and our bills are paid I will give the next five guests that book a trip or gift certificate paid in advance a 30% discount on their trip.
Tight lines,
Ben

April 21, 2013

Flow: 81

Water temp: 48-56

It’s been a long spawn but it’s finally over.  Trout are starting to get back to feeding and getting bigger. We’ve had a busy week with great guests, the business and lifestyle expo and giving back to the Nature and Raptor Center on their earth day celebration. I just got word that the trip we donated went for a lot of money. Fishing has been a little slow with no fault to the trout. I managed to loose every good fish I hooked today. We had a nice flushing flow early in the week but the water is clear again and trout are feeding in shallow water making great sight fishing opportunities and wary trout. Fly selection didn’t seem to matter near as much as depth and presentation.

The expo was a blast and we met a lot of soon to be converts. I managed the Trigger Promotions booth while Lou held down the fort at Steel City Anglers. Somehow we were placed at opposite ends of the expo so I put the Shanks’s Ponies to work. We had a great time and met some great people. 

We anticipate fishing to improve dramatically in the next few weeks as water temperatures rise and caddis start hatching in earnest. Book your summer trips now to ensure your date.

Tight lines,

Ben

April 17, 2013

Flow: 121

Water temp: 46

What a great week folks. Saturday we saw more bass in our top secret weir and Sunday brought flushing flows that called for a change in tactics. The small j hooks including the one in my namesake produced big hungry trout. The spawn is finally ending with some rough looking fish and a little mortality from anglers fishing the reds. After surveying a lot of the fisherman targeting spawning trout I found for the most part they’re doing it out of ignorance. We have a lot of freshman anglers out there to my delight and that is just a part of it. Leave the spawning trout be and karma will reward you.

We’re getting ready to announce a summer carp tourney July 20^th to raise money for the Nature and Raptor Center. Mark your calendar as it will be a great time. Prospecting for the tourney Lou hit the riverwalk with a red san juan worm.

Join us tomorrow at the 2013 Business and Lifestyle Expo at the Pueblo Convention center. We’ll have a mound of fish porn and be having a great time opening our corporate market.

Tight lines,

Ben

April 9, 2013
Flow: 70
Water Temp: 54
An old friend made back to the Steel City over the weekend so we decided to play hooky and show off river improvements. We’ve been so busy with trips and helping the Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter ...of Trout Unlimited the chance to fish with an accomplished angler was a welcome change. Monday’s weather was fantastic showing no sigh of what was coming.
Trout are at the end of their spawning cycle and those still on beds are tired and weak from a long spawn. We observed the first redds in early February. As you move downstream you’ll see less beds and heartier trout. Please let them be as the mortality rate can be much higher now.
Not wanting to bother the spawners we took up the challenge of Arkansas River Bass. One of the few spots we keep under our hat was prime and waiting for us. Norm ended up with a grand slam with rainbows, largemouth, smallmouth, white suckers and walleye. I landed a personal best river smallie at 18”. For details on river bass tactics call your friendly Steel City Angler guides or book your trip online.
Tight lines,
Ben

Saturday, April 06, 2013

Flow: 74
Water Temp: 50-57
Pueblo can take pride today in our river, our community and in a hard days work. The Southern Colorado Greenback chapter of Trout Unlimited (Pueblo) and the Cheyenne Mountain TU chapter partnered with Pete Gallagher of Fin-Up Habitat Consultants and Doug Krieger from CPW to restore the river to a natural state. It’s an inspiring thing to see how hard folks work when they’re doing something they believe in. We had 48 volunteers today and each and every one of them bust their tail digging, planting and removing any marking that a massive restoration project just happened. I am so proud and amazed of the contribution you all made. At the same time everyone had fun and the Cheyenne Mountain chapter provided us with a spectacular feast. I am honored to be president of this organization giving back to this river that has given us so much.

 We saw the first caddis of the season forbearing the end of the spawn. The trout that are still on their beds are tired and weak. Give them leave as they’ve had a long spawn. Fish a tapered rig as in previous posts and cover lots of water.

Thank you Pueblo from the bottom of our hearts,

Ben and the trout.