Date:  3/28/2016
Flow:  360 – 398 CFS
Water Temp:  43 – 46 Deg F
I met Kelly and Dave at the Nature Center at 9AM and they were two of the nicest guys I have guided recently.  We proceeded to the 100 Yard Run rigged up and I assessed their capabilities.  Dave hit our favorite spot and hooked up on a nice 19” bow which unpickeld and he immediately said these fish are not pushovers.  We moved upstream crossing over to the sun side for a little sight fishing.   Pictures tell a thousand words.  Dave was the first to connect with a nice fat 18 inch bow on the south side of the first weir.  The cross vein on the south bank below the first weir has always held nice bows and even though the stream has had serious damage from gravel fill in there was a small back eddy that was holding 18 to 20 inch bows probably off redd feeding.  Kelly landed a nice 18 inch bow out of that run.  Bugs of the day were size 20 Olive BWO emerger, Olive BH Midge size 20, Red SJW, Grey RS@ size 20, BH Pheasant Tail size 18.  Hatches of olive midges in the morning and size 18  to 20 BWO’s in the afternoon dictated the flies of choice.
Tight lines,
Lou

March 26, 2016

Flow: 330

Water Temp: 42-48

In the waning days of fishable flows and fluctuating flows we’ve seen some beautiful days and great guests on the tailwater. It is time for the Arkansas River to start pumping out irrigation flows and let some water out of lake. I can’t guess what this summer is going to look like but I can say for certain that the trout are doing well. Rainbows are on their redds but the spawn will be short lived with the dramatic increase in water we’re about to see. Enjoy these last few days on our remarkable tailwater. One of my last memorable trout sipped a 20 parachute adams connected to my gorgeous Douglas upstream 3wt. Hopefully the trout will get a good break in pressure and we’ll see a great return when the water drops. In the meantime have a wonderful Easter.

Tight lines,

Ben

February 14, 2016

Flow: 96

Water Temp: 41-45

February grand slam,

Apparently a bump in temperatures woke up some the other creatures in the river that go bump in the night. Anticipating crowds we sought lesser known parts and a hole known for its dichotomy but the results were unexpected. Red copper johns, black sjws and eggs were the trigger for bass, carp, catfish, trout and a slew of energetic suckers. Below Valco reports were of thin mints.

Join us next week at the Colorado Springs Boat & Outdoor Show in the Colorado Springs Event Center for great deals on trips and gear.

Tight lines,

Ben

February 7, 2016

Flow: 95

Water Temp: 38-40

Stack ‘em up. The last few weeks I’ve seen and heard numerous fishing days where two anglers fishing the same stretch of water have spectacularly different results. Exploring this phenomenon we’ve found the best practice is to start at the top of a trough and walk your presentation down past the tailouts, adjust your depth and do it again. When you find one there’s probably twenty more stacked around it. Thin mints, black size 14 rubber legs, 22 midges in black and cream and the ubiquitous SJW all produced trout. The river is clear and sight fishing has been great. Dry action has been slow with the cold but we’re anticipating big hatches as the weather warms. Book your adventure today and for every quarter the Broncos score a touchdown we will take 10% off your trip.

Go Broncos,

Tight lines,

Ben

January 11, 2015
Flow: 92
Water Temp: 33-36
I typically guide with premium 5wt rods for the health of the prey on the Ark tailwater. Landing trout quickly and getting them back in the water preserves the fishery. That being said I’ve had my eye on the Douglas Outdoors Upstream 8’ 3wt six piece for some time. The Fly Fishing show in Denver was fantastic and I walked out with my purchase and waited with anticipation for Sunday. Freezing temperatures didn’t help for dry action so I spent some time casting dry droppers to nothing to get a feel for the three weights limitations. After an hour I couldn’t find any.  Droppers and single dries pitched effortlessly. The rod cast perfectly loading  big on the back cast and making a delicate presentation on the water. After having fun for a while casting I thought I might want to fight something on the upstream.  I rigged up a three fly nymph rig wit one bb and a cork indicator and my tenth cast hooked an eighteen inch fat body that gave ten runs. Fighting our energetic trout on a three weight isn’t something I’d recommend to everybody but to me; losing a little control and giving the trout more leverage made for a great fight. Finally, ascetically the Douglas Upstream is gorgeous.
Fishing the tailwater requires patience. Study the water before you cast. Sight fishing is great but that is a double edged sword. Work the tailouts and vary the midges until you find the color then adjust for the size.
Tight lines,
Ben

January 1, 2016

Arkansas River tailwater fishing report

Flow: 88

Water Temp: 34-36

The colors of winter,

Most Coloradoans look to fall for the season of colors. Here on the Ark tailwater we look to January. As the season for Pueblo’s local guides ramps up we’re seeing the coloring of the rainbow population enhance to the beauty that makes our river such an exceptional fishery. Cream midges during sunny periods and  rs2s and black midges under clouds preformed well. Two bit hookers, HL veil eggs and olive BH hare’s ears worked all day. Some mentioned to me today that a red san jaun worked, I replied “Yep, and Bruce Jenner’s cat goes bark bark bark, grrrrr”.

The river is gin clear and sight/nymph fishing is at a peak. It’s a great time to have a guide on the high bank earning their pay. Sight fishing is great but that also means most trout will spook before you see them. Having a seasoned guide keeping you out of trout’s sight will make for a productive day. The weekend weather looks good and we have a few slots left.

Happy New Year,

Tight lines,

Ben

December 22, 2015

Flow: 80

Water Temp: 40-44

We saw a little dip in the winter flows this week and clarity improve to five feet standing in the river. From higher vantage points one can see ten. Two rods are still a mainstay on the river as hatches and rising trout appear all day.  The bigger trout are a bit deeper in this clarity and while they are feeding they are also looking up. Thinking, study and planning is critical with wary trout and making one good cast vs ten fair ones. I expect a busy weekend with decent weather so when you find a spot being vacated stop and give it a rest while you survey the water, look at the bugs and have an egg nog, the trout will come back to life.

We at Steel City Anglers want to wish you the happiest of holidays and great fishing in the coming year.

Gift certificates are available for last minute gifts. Give us a call and we’ll find a way to get them to you.

Tight lines,

Ben