9/23/2017

Flow:  605 CFS

Water Temp:  69 Degrees

I met Steve, one of my best friends, at the Nature Center to play with the fishes.  To my astounding shock the water was almost clear!  Visibility was six to eight feet.  There were fish everywhere in the feeding lanes.  The 100 yard run was on fire!  The 605 CFS made wading treacherous at best but we still accessed the proper feeding lanes and immediately hooked up on a double, a nice 18 inch bow for Steve and I landed a nice 15 inch brown, on a Green Copper John and a San Juan Worm respectively.  The Green Copper John is Steve’s favorite bug.  I bet he dreams Copper Johns.  It was the go to bug of the day I landed many on a Copper Copper John size 16 and a Bead Head Pheasant Tail Size 20.  We had so many hook ups that popped off because of the flow and most were taking the bug on the swing. 

We are booking trips in September and October, things are moving fast.  Just a reminder to all my fellow vets out there we give a 15 percent discount on all trips.

Tight Lines,

Lou

Date:  7/19/2017
Flow:  1000
Water Temperature:  65
We have been remiss in writing reports, last guide trip 1 June.  With the typical 95 degree days and massive flows, a peak of 4820 CFS it is too dangerous to guide, let alone fish.  However, there were a couple of days when the weather was cool and the flow was 1100 CFS.  I fished the Flag Hole with great success!  When the flows approach 700 CFS a side channel appears and it is immediately populated with nice fish.  On that particular day the side channel was clear and I was sight fishing to a 20 incher ++.  I landed a nice 18 inch bow on a Red SJW.
We are negotiating with a local owner to guide on his bass pond!  Further details as we work it out!  As you can see I landed numerous 3 to 5 pound bass on a purple leach pattern.  A couple of the bass actually walked the dog!  The pond also contains 30 plus carp 20 plus catfish and a few wipers.
 As a reminder, we still guide Rainbow Falls Mountain Trout.  This is an opportunity to land trophy trout in the seven pond range on the property.  The steam contains numerous rainbow species, Snake River cuts and some Kamloops all in the 18 to 20 inch range.
Tight Lines,
Lou

March 8, 2017

Flow: 100

Water Temp: 43-48

We all know the joy of sight fishing and landing the trophy trout, bass or carp. That is the reason we carry two or three rods on the Arkansas River Tailwater. When the opportunity arises we want to be prepared for the situation and able to pitch the streamer or dry without tearing down a nymph rig. Carrying a single rod with a dry or bugger doesn’t make for a productive day in most cases. The omnipresent rod always has an indicator somewhere along the leader. We love the chance to sight fish but nymphing a tailwater will be your all around go to technique.

You’ve read this from me before, right? You’ve heard many other guides say the same thing I’m sure but what occurred to me today was that you never hear much about nymphing for carp. Just the opposite really. The fact of the matter is that deep nymphing for carp can be very productive. If you can read water for trout; where the bugs are being moved by the current along with structure that makes for easy swimming the same can be achieved for the golden bones. Carp sun in shallow water but eat everywhere.

Tight lines,

Ben

Date:  2/20/2017

Flow:  87 CFS

Water Temp:  44 F

I met Patrick and Jill at 9 AM at the Nature Center, since they had all equipment we completed the paper work and headed for the 100 yard run.  Conditions were cool with little wind and lately the fishing has been very slow with extremely cold water and high winds.  It was basically the same Saturday except the water temperature was 44 degrees.  Patrick almost immediately hooked up a nice 16 inch bow pic and congrats followed.  BUG?  Size 18 annelid worked most of the morning.  Jill a newbie was learning how to tension cast and caught on immediately!  She had no hookups in the morning so we retired to the Coyote Grill for some delicious burgers and Rubens.  Right after lunch I put her in the High Note Hole and about the 5^th cast landed and gorgeous 20 inch bow.  She said that was the largest fish she has ever caught!  She continued to get strikes and finally a nice 16 inch bow came to net.  BUG?  Size 18 BH Olive Hares Ear. 

The weather is finally taking a turn for the better and we are booking trips almost every day.  Winter storage is over in less than a month and the rainbow spawn is close at hand.  So book a trip now and let’s go play with the big boys!

Tight lines,

Lou

January 1, 2017

Flow: 105

Water Temp: 38-40

I for one am happy to see 2016 end. Making the decision to end a business and lay off employees wasn’t an easy one. Not Steel City Anglers of course but Trigger, my screen printing and embroidery shop. Other friends in this community have dealt with the same issues and my heart goes out to them. Letting all my employees go was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But in every problem there is the seed of an equal or greater benefit. With my new job I’ll have days free to fish and as little responsibility as possible.

Today was a great kickoff to the New Year. The river is fishing very well with increasingly clearing water and hungry trout. Olive BH hares ears and midges made for subtle but definite strikes. Rainbows are feeding in mid speed trenches at two to three feet. Sight fishing is now available to cautious anglers and the days are just lovely.

We wish you the best fishing in 2017 and hope to see you on the water soon.

Tight lines,

Ben

November 30, 2016

Flow: 135

Water Temp: 46-48

After a few weeks of winter water storage flows I can hope that we stay at this flow through the winter. We are experiencing the first few cold days on the river and while the fishing has been technical we’ve managed to get some nice photo ops. The remarkable thing is the number of juvenile trout. The water is boiling with the little dinks. The ever-present SJW trailed by a loop wing emerger did well; not only for the juveniles but for the big trout below them. Emergers below bwo dries have been successful on dry rigs. Enjoy Pueblo and our big trout. Then enjoy Pueblo’s art and history. This town has so much to offer for food and night life after fishing.

Tight Lines,

Ben