March 23, 2014

Flow: 102

Water Temp: 42

The weather is here, I wish you were beautiful.

The spawn is on. Redds are appearing everywhere and in the few windows of sunny skies the trout are offering good but subtle take and great fights. Our trout, like us have waited for winter to end the spawn is going to hit like fleet week.

Dylan (my 12 year old ward for the day) put his first trout in the net after a good fight and a bit of coaching. Unfortunately just before I hit the shutter his 18” fat ‘bow came back to life and wriggled out of his hands.  It hit the water running with little chance to net it. Dad (Nick) covered the tab on another great brunch at the Coyote Grille and made me smile many times with the father- son banter as they learned the techniques of fly fishing.

42 degree water temperature allows for well oxygenated trout to fight hard and get right back at it when released. Use eggs and eggs and eggs but stay off the redds or you’ll find my boot in your rear.

Tight lines,

Ben

March 22, 2014

Flow: 110

 Water Temp: 42

If I could get down on my knees and pray for spring to show its face with results I’d ask for a cure for cancer. In the meantime we will do our best to mitigate the wind and cold before our long awaited spring comes. We had a double double today with a cold morning and tough conditions. We persevered and in the only break in the clouds Maggie hooked up on a nice ‘bow and with a little coaching kept her tip up and brought it to the net. Lou took a usual Saturday off to guide Bob and imparted some great traits and tactics.

Rainbows are finally coming into spawn mode. Stay off the reds or you’ll get my boot in your rear but there are plenty of ‘bows above and below feeding and the browns will below them eating eggs.

With the Span going off full blast the hobby lobby egg is getting suicide strikes. We have a tailwater on the verge. All we need is a few warm days.

Tight lines,

Ben

March 10, 2014

Flow: 109

Water Temp: 43-48

Guides report,

There are no big trout left in the Pueblo tailwater. No BWOs are hatching. Fish are not taking san juans, 18 BH hares ears and they certainly aren’t devouring eggs. Your best bet is to stay home and watch golf.

Tight lines,

Ben

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