March 8, 2014

Flow: 122

Water Temp: 42-47

The best day of the year is coming (the beginning of daylight savings) and we are pumped for warmer days and longer evenings. Leaving the office in the dark is so depressing. Those days are behind us for another year and trout are starting to look up. Today was a beautiful break from our extended winter and warmer water woke the trout up a little. Fishing is still technical to say the least but better days are in the cards. San juans and zebra midges brought healthy trout to the net. It’s worth taking time to look for trout and explore all the slow water pockets above and below structure.

Tight lines,

Ben

February 17, 2014
Flow: 102
Water Temp: 38-42
Never give up, never surrender!
Today I was able to get out on a trip I’ve been looking forward to since the Fly Fishing Show. While we were there helping our chapter of Trout Unlimited sell raffle tickets (Great Package; go to http://www.chapter509tu.org/raffle.html for details) a handsome young man unsolicited asked me “Are you Ben?” We had a nice chat ending in a deposit for a trip.
When I ask folks what their fly angling proficiency is I usually hear one of two answers, zero or great. It was surprising to hear a humble response and an eagerness to learn.
I got to the Nature Center 30 minutes early and was able to enjoy the quiet flow of the water off the deck and savor a few cups of coffee. Then Mike and Mark pull up and it’s go time.
I thought the water was a little off color as I lamented off the deck but the reality didn’t sink in until we had worked up to Albert’s Hole. River Improvements being done reached the stretch below the Valco parking lot and they hit something big sending chocolate water downstream.
We worked back down and had lunch on the deck. With conditions as they were we caravanned up to the dam and found gin clear water and anglers everywhere. But karma stepped in and as we came up to survey a weir anglers were packing up leaving us open water. If karma is consistently a negative connatation you must not be living right.
It’s a tough road when you have a pair this eager, taking instruction, picking up techniques and the trout don’t cooperate. We changed strategy and tried again.
Never give up, never surrender! We may have run a little long but the picture and friends I made today make it worth it.
Thanks for a great day.
Tight lines,
Ben

February 7, 2014

Flow: 70

Water Temp: 37-35

We got a lot of last minute preparations done for the Frostbite Fish-Off. Thank you letters are done and we have a lot of great gear for Saturday’s raffle and awards celebration. For the first time since we put on this soiree it looks like we’re apt to earn our name frostbite. With that I would like to ask all of our volunteers and teams to dress warm and above all please be safe.

We received an update on prizes for the top anglers Saturday.

Top team wins two Scott 9’ 5wt Radians and Costa Copper 580G Glass eyewear.

Silver and bronze also receive Costa Copper 580G Glasses.

Big Fish:  An Echo 10.5 foot 4wt switch rod and a Brodin net.

For TU raffle/auction:  MFC Fly Boxes and tools, Loon accessories, Brodin net, 3 Buffs

Thanks to Comb Enterprises for the great donations.

I’m excited to see the results and showcase the Arkansas tailwater and have a great time with some of the country’s best anglers.

New improvements in the upper section are already holding trout.

Saturday 36 anglers are vying for big trout against bitter cold in clear water with unpredictable wind.

In the end I hope all have a great time, score big and take home the goods.

Tight lines,

Ben

January 25, 2014
Flow: 89
Water Temp: 36-41
Confidence isn’t a word that can inspire others to greatness or convey a great technique. It’s the result of thinking, study and planning time executed with a strong work ethic. Those principles mixed with a little creativity are the foundation of Steel City Anglers and have served us well. In our third year we are the top outfitters on the Pueblo tailwater by no small margin. It may not be the biggest pond in the fly fishing world but it’s our home and a damn fine fishery.
Today lesson in confidence is a sign the Ark tailwater is coming back to its own. As the water (hopefully) continues to warm the big trout will start making more appearances. I went today to a black and olive san juan because in the last few outings they have been productive and saved my tail on my last guide trip. My companions had a good day but switched rigs often trying to find the key pattern. 
As the sun set on a beautiful 60 degree January day we sat down at the Coyote Grille for Fat Tires and fish and chips. Another confident angler having a cabernet with his lovely wife showing some class told me of his day.
To my surprise it was very similar with the exception that his confidence pattern was a size 20 rs2.
Fish with confidence no matter your favorite pattern and experiment below it. Enjoy our beautiful weather and book your adventure now. We have confidence.
Tight lines,
Ben

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January 5, 2014
Flow: 108
Water Temp:  32.54
We don’t have much of a fishing report as we’ve been volunteering at the Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter Trout Unlimited booth at the Fly Fishing Show in Denver. Thanks to Alex Zip from the Drift Fly Shop for coming up to help and Bill Miklich for putting it all together. We sold a ton of raffle tickets for the March drawing and scored a ton of goodies for the FFO raffle after we announce our winners. Teams Scott-Costa one and two are donating a Scott Radian ($795.00) for the longest trout and six pairs of Costa Del Mar blackfin and fantail sunglasses ($250.00).
We as most of you know don’t have a brick and mortar store (and never wish to) so today when a handsome young man knee high to Peyton Manning walks up and asks “Excuse me, are you Ben?” I was a little surprised when he handed me a deposit for a trip. We usually have to bust our tail for every outing we get. Nobody walks in our font door because we don’t have one.
Talking to him and his dad it was quickly apparent that this kid is an accomplished angler and I’ll have to give him my absolute best. But then again those are the days I love the most. If you can take one good technique from us and master it we’ve done our job.
I’ve always remembered Jack Palance’s “one thing” line in City Slickers and the “one thing” is fly fishing. Fly fishing; however isn’t one trick or technique, it’s ten thousand. We learn something new every day.
Keep discovering,
Ben

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January 3, 2014

Flow: 108

Water Temp: 39-37

Start on a high note.

2013 was a great year but we’re not resting on our laurels. The Frostbite Fish- Off is just around the corner and we’re pleased to be helping the Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter of Trout Unlimited again. We still need volunteers to measure fish. Everyone is treated to lunch, goodie bags, BBQ dinner Saturday night and a rockin’ tee shirt. Training is 6:00 PM Thursday, January 9^th at Jones Healy Realtors. Sign up on the link.

Traffic on the river has been incredible. I think the Denver Post can stop writing about Pueblo now! The local guides of course have places to get away from the crowds with big trout and open water. Book your trip now as our spring is filling fast.

With the pressure we’re seeing trout all over. A few anglers unfamiliar with the tailwater can wade through good runs and scatter fish to their hiding ground. Present midges suspended early moving to the deep green water pools as pressure increases. Explore your fly box as conditions change quick.

Construction begins on the 13^th for more stream improvements. Please give the crew a wide berth.

There’s some great news we’ll be sharing in 2014 so keep your ear to the rail.

Tight lines,

Ben

December 28, 2013

Flow: 111

Water Temp: 37-40

End on a high note.

Today I went up to valco and below the dam to count close to forty vehicles. The upper part of the tailwater is being hit hard. Downstream was sparser and downtown had miles to explore. Aside from the gauging station a packed river in Pueblo means an angler every 150 yards. I spent the morning talking to folks for the most part. A few little bows came from my efforts and I was snapped off by one smartass leviathan ‘bow just to keep me humble. We traveled back down to the Nature Center to find the rock piles empty. I found a lovely young woman trying out her new Christmas fly rod and offered some casting technique. I wandered back down to my spot and after a few dead drifts had the suicide strike I’d been waiting for. Forty yards downstream it was in the net and I called it a day. End on a high note. As is the story of 2013.

2013 has been a great year. We started off helping The Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter (509) of Trout Unlimited with the best Frostbite Fish-Off in the group’s history. New scoring and venue made for a terrific event. Thanks to all who came and we’ll probably see you in a month for the fourth installment. TU also helped financially and with lots of sweat for river improvements we’re all enjoying today. Thanks for the hard work and support.

After the tourney we got back to work and booked 92 guests for the year, served close to 100 meals at the Coyote Grille and stocked a lot of gear as we continued to grow. We opened Colorado’s smallest fly shop. We’ve had our mugs in the papers, TV and radio. 2013 has been our most successful year and it appears we may have the distinction being the first guides to owe the park extra money at the year’s end. Just what we need, another bill!

We’ve certainly had our setbacks but looking back they seem so small compared to the successes and in time those will fade too. What will stick in our memories forever are the incredible days with you our guests and the smiles on your faces. For that we want to thank you and wish you the same success in 2014.

Happy New Year!

Eternally Grateful,

Ben and Lou

December 22, 2013

Flow: 121

Water temp: 38-40

Great days on the Ark tailwater.  We’ve been busy helping Trout Unlimited 509 prep for the Frostbite Fish-Off and the upcoming Fly Fishing Show January 3-5^th in Denver.

As far as the FFO goes all teams are filled. We need controllers to step up, measure fish and help make it a great event. All week long we met teams getting some practice in and getting pumped for the event.  Orientation for volunteers is January 9^th, 6:00 PM at Jones Healy Realtors 119 w. 6th Street.

At the Fly Fishing Show In Denver we’ll be there raffling off a sweet cane rod form Larry Jordan fly rods, a full day with us and half day from the Drift Fly Shop  and other fabulous prizes. Come see us and say hi.

Fishing was technical today with olive and black chronomid below attractors getting subtle hits. Depth is crucial as is natural drifts. At the apogee of your mend release a little line from your trigger finger and your fly line will brake before it hits your indicator.

I would love to put 2013 to be thanking all our guests over the last year but we’re not done yet. We have two more trips before the year ends and when this year is in the books all of you will have our eternal gratitude.

If we don’t see you on the river before we wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Ben