July 13, 2014

Flow: 1750, wait 1310, wait 1260, wait 1610… wait! 1100.

Water Temp: Perfect.

There is a fuse burning on the Arkansas River tailwater. The Match was struck and started the countdown when we experienced the first wet year in three. Our trout have enjoyed a great break in pressure and flushing flows removed sediment and vegetation leaving a clean riverbed and soon to be clear water.

A cool summer and these flows have kept water comfortable for wet wading and trout alike. Trout are taking hard, fighting strong and releasing easily.

The length of the fuse burning down to an extraordinary season is still unknown to us but we think it will be soon. When you know something is going to explode but you’re not sure of the delay, the anticipation can be a b****.

In the meantime nymph our classic attractors above caddis pupa, telico nymphs, scuds or chronomid patterns on the edges and be careful. The undertow is still dangerous.

Tight lines,

The evil G

May 13, 2014

Flow: 513

Water Temp: 47-55

I am Jack's Inflamed Sense of Rejection. Sunday fishing the new habitat in new flows in clear water that we haven’t seen in a year made for a whole new river. The result was sighting some very nice trout in an expert way, making presentations expertly and watching big trout expertly spit flies out. With increased pressure we have bread trout that are feeding on the same bugs and flies that put this river on the books but the big boys are watching the way they move down the water column.

I am Jack’s mandala oblongata. Keep your distance and manage your mend line with the gentlest splash you can. Treat your indicator like it was a dry fly.  Keep it in the slow water below structure in an organic drift and the trout will come.

I am Jack’s smirking revenge. The benefit is, when you hook up the trout are fighting like you owe them money. Keep your tip up and enjoy the tug.

Tight Lines,

Ben

Happy 4th of July
We want to thank all of the men and women that made this country free and continue to do so. Your service comes to mind every time I cast a line and see the beauty of Colorado, one of 50 states that remain free to peruse life, liberty and the pursuit of trout.
Today we wanted to explore the pockets of water fishable along the big water flows. Every time the water subsides the clarity gets better and in a few weeks this river is going to explode. Today keeping a presentation in slow water with an attention getting top nymph did the trick. Tomorrow’s goal is carp to kick off the upcoming national tournament. Book your trip now to hunt a virgin tailwater after the first summer break we’ve had in three years. If the flows don’t cooperate we will reschedule.
We will also reschedule if I keep having nightmares about a recent film I saw, where a man's wife is brutally murdered by a serial killer, and his son is left physically disabled. Then in a twisted turn of events, his son is kidnapped, and the man has to chase the kidnapper 1,000's of miles with the help of a mentally disabled woman.
Finding Nemo is a real thriller.
Tight lines,
Ben

June 22, 2014

There’s no place like home.

Arkansas River flow:  1560

Colorado River Flow: 3100

Why a Colorado River flow on a site from a couple Arkansas River tailwater trout bums you ask?

We had the invitation to float the Colorado Saturday with Mike M. of Frostbite Fish-off fame (team Flat Beer) and get a taste of big water, a veteran guide and excellent captain offered and we jumped at the chance. Planning all week ordering stonefly patterns we’re not accustomed to and prepping for four guests Tuesday and Wednesday on our private waters we were happy with the schedule. Late Friday we got another booking.

Lou’s Tuesday trip went great battling periods of wind and bliss so I thought my Wednesday should follow suit. Unfortunately the wind for my guest started up as we walked in and never quit. We still had fun and techniques were passed on but I like results. Bookmark this report for December when Doug and I seek redemption on a tailwater trip.

Saturday with Mike was a blast. We put in at Rancho Del Rio and drifted fourteen miles down near Catamount. That sentence makes it seem easy. Mike bust his tail to ensure we had a great day. His knowledge of the river is exceptional and we were just humble enough to take instruction.

It was an incredible day hitting pockets as we zoomed by in high water with a good friend but today’s outing hadn’t been confirmed and with no cell coverage I couldn’t get all the details until we were back in cell coverage.

Somehow everything aligned and my wards for the day during the breaks in wind put out 65’ roll casts, landed some exceptional trout and are on their way to becoming great anglers.

We are so blessed, during most of the year we live five minutes from a national tailwater and we love the opportunities we’ve had. Driving close to 1,000 miles in a week reminds us how fortunate we are. In a few weeks our home water flows will recede after a great flush and break in pressure on trout and Pueblo will be on top again.

There’s no place like home.

Tight lines,

Ben

June 7, 2014

Flow: 4006

With our trout getting a summer break for the first time in three years I decided to hit Lake Pueblo in the new pontoon. Our river is blown out and wading is impossible and while we like to work this is a good thing. Historically these breaks remove the pressure on our world class trout for a bit and leave them as dumb as beaver pond brookies.

Right now both our private waters are fishing great. Both properties have great angling opportunities for folks with limited mobility and with the proper coaching a trout of a lifetime can be had.

Thunderstorms cut my day short on the lake today after sighting many big carp surfacing.

Short staggered strokes stripping an olive conehead zonker produced today and the tug is the drug.

Explore a little of Colorado and in no time the Ark tailwater will be back on top again. Book your trip now for the mountain lakes before it gets too warm.

Tight lines,

Ben

May 26, 2014

Flow: 2300

With our trout getting a summer break we finally got a chance to explore some of southern Colorado’s other waters. Saturday gave for a slow day on Lake Pueblo and the riverwalk with storms coming in. We ended up with a few bass and trout but as I went for some decent carp in the riverwalk the weather got to be too much.

Sunday Norm and I headed for Wahatoya. This water is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get. Most of my ventures there ended with bass and rainbows nymphing from the bank. This day was something different. In the morning after stripping in a few failed nymph rigs and sunken dries it was time to pull out the six weight with Rio sinking line and buggers. The tug is the drug and all morning trout were chasing the bug right up to you and screaming the reel back out after the set. Lightning put an end to the fun so we went for lunch.

Mountain storms never last long and upon our return the lake went to dries and we picked them off handily. BBQ at Obie’s in Colorado City was the Coup de grace.

Today we hit our private ponds near Westcliffe, Last year the bottom lake that held the big trout. We had reports that the water was up and big trout have been stocked. Seeing is believing and while the levels are still low the fishing was great.

We like to work and there’s probably a finite time that the private water will produce trout like this so book your trip now. This is a great property for those with limited mobility and the time is right.

In the meantime the Ark tailwaters trout are getting a good summers break.

Tight lines,

Ben