December 18, 2013

Flow 93 CFS

Water Temp 40.5- 44 Degrees

It is another fabulous day on the Ark.  I met my guest at the Nature Center at 9 AM and proceeded to complete the necessary paperwork and go fishing!!!  One thing to note, the air temp was 45 degrees.  That was at 9 AM, the banana belt in full force.  However the trout were not cooperating!  The cold water has basically shut down nymph production.  Multiple seining resulted in one nymph and multiple case caddis larva.  As soon as the temperature reached 44 degrees we began to put fish in the net.  In the end seven fish came to net and it was a good day.  Steve was very pleased and we did not realize how good we did until we met fisherman ending their day at the Nature Center parking lot.   None of them had more than one fish in the net.  Among them were a couple of pro’s from Colorado Springs and Castle Rock.  The last fish of the day was a feisty 14 inch bow in the rock piles below the Judges Hole.  The bug of the day was BH FB Peasant Tail.  It does not get much better than this folks.  Your local guides know best!

Tight Lines

Lou

December 1, 2013

Flow: 98

Water Temp: 45

I’ve been down with a very nasty bug over the holiday weekend spending short tours on our incredible tailwater. The last time I got ill I bought an over the counter med and sweated it out overnight. I found the half-full package from the cupboard to find it expired in 2011. Getting out every day didn’t help my condition much and I’m not feeling much like Superman over the last few days.

A while back I asked a few teams from the last Frostbite Fish-Off to share their experience. As fishing conditions are similar to our last report I’d like to share Jamie’s story before I pass out again. He has been one of our earliest and repeat guests and a great supporter of our TU chapter. You can read all his adventures at https://www.facebook.com/jamiesfishingjournal .

Tight lines,

Ben

I remember hearing about the Frostbite Fish-Off just before the 2012 event. It was either too late for registration or I was too chicken to sign up so I didn’t get to fish but I did show up the day of the tournament and walked a few beats. The first thing I noticed is that I got to park at Valco Bridge. Always wanted to do that! The next thing I noticed was Fly Fishing Team USA unloading some camera gear. This was going to be cool. The tournament looked great. Unfortunately walking along beautiful trout water without a fly rod in your hands is not natural. In fact it’s just wrong. No way was I going to miss 2013.

Ben Lewis and I joined “forces” and created Team Chuck and Duck. Neither one of us had fished in a tournament before so we didn’t really know what to expect. Ben and I had drawn two good beats the night before (a fun event in itself) that we had both fished before so we were feeling pretty confident the morning of the tourney. As we walked to our first beat with a dozen tangled rods however, I began to question my confidence in two dudes with way too many rods who could only come up with “Chuck and Duck”.

When it was all said and done fish were caught, old friends were caught up with, new friends were met, and Ben and I had an absolute blast. We endured paparazzi, mobs of crazed female spectators, fish that ignored us the entire morning save our last THREE MINUTES of morning fishing, speeches by Lou, and a last hour of the day, buzzer beating, jaw dropping, ROD BREAKING fish hook up! Fun was to be had each step of the way. No way are we going to miss 2014.

Jamie Roth

November 24, 2013

Flow: 97

Water Temp:  44

Today we greeted an old friend at the Nature and Raptor Center and headed out for a day of great dry fly action. I’d say the weekend was cold but I think I’ll leave that statement for the Broncos. With a perfect flow and low hanging hatches of bwo and chironomid made for slow slurping trout all day. You’re not going to land the Arkansas tailwater’s largest trout on dries but it sure is fun. Bugs change through the day so match the hatch and if all else fails tie on a griffiths gnat. When It gets too chilly stop off at the Coyote Grill and warm up under the propane heaters.

Tight lines,

Ben

http://www.thecatchandthehatch.com/arkansas-river-tailwater-winter-fly-fishing-paradise/

November 17, 2013

Flow: 93

Water Temp: 49

I’ll keep this one simple.
Clear water
Big trout
Nice flow
Zebra midge

Tight lines,

Ben

Happy Halloween

Flow: 187

Water Temp: 51-58

The Arkansas River is clearing up folks. We suspect it to be a result of low flows as the lake is still green but it’s a welcome sight. In our tail water the browns are just starting to build redds  and the season for Pueblo is opening its doors. Olive BH hares ears did the trick today. Nymph 1 to 2 feet deep for trout looking up for BWOs’ emerging.  The adults were coming off in size 20 but there were no risers.  This is the best water since April and the fishing this weekend should be spectacular!  Book you trip now, we are heading into the busy season and will have few spaces left.  

Tight Lines

Lou