April 19, 2018

Flow: 376

Water Temp: 43-54

Hi there, fly fishing fans, career angles, trout junkies, and neophytes. We are in the last weeks of wadeable flows for the season but I hope the high flows won’t be as drastic this summer and we can get back to work ASAP. The last week or so has shown a great dichotomy of species, takes and aggressiveness during the fight. I’ve seen more little bass in the last few sessions than I’ve seen in a long time. The water is clear and during “prime time” the trout are feeding on our rivers extensive BWO hatch. Any pattern similar will do you well. But with the clarity you need to work upstream with caution. Trout are all over the river so fishing new runs can be advantageous. BWO risers and spinners are getting good results. But then, again, I had a superb take on a purple egg sucking leach. This is the time of year to carry three rods but Sight more than you fish.

Study, plan and think about your presentations. An olive RS2, Loop wing emerger or green copper john enticed great takes.

Tight lines, Ben

Flow: 97.4 CFS

Water Temp: 38-41

New beginnings,

2017 was not a year that I will treasure. I closed a business laying off eight hard working people, decided to try driving a cab to learn something new and add to my repertoire. That work did teach me something and I should have had a shorter tenure for poor employers but twelve hour graveyard shifts take the wind out of your sails. 2017 ended with the loss of my fishing buddy and wonderful dog Diamond. My guiding time was greatly diminished but I had a short number of great guests. I have to tip my hat to Lou for taking the reins and putting in the work. So in summary 2017 as a year should write up a report, print it out, fold it up to nothing but corners and put it up its hooha.

2018 is looking up. I’m back to a gainful employer that understands guiding comes first and we’re really getting into winter fishing now. As usual for the river fishing becomes extremely technical for a month or so as we  reach our lowest temperatures and sunlight. And then we get to fish the comeback. That being said I can’t remember a grand slam in January. After a fun but disheartening day Saturday I did some thinking, study and planning time to choose my spot and presentation. The result was a nice smallmouth bass, a few nice trout and two walleye.

The lesson is; attitude and activity will win the day. Fish hard with a soft cast. You can put trout down fast in gin clear water. Measure twice, cast once. Carry two rods and be ready for some fun with dries.

Tight lines,

Ben

December 5, 2017
Flow: 103
Water Temp: 45
Fishing dogs…
In our sport canine companions have never been a necessity like hunting dogs are; but somehow seem to be a special element of what we do. They don’t sight fish or give hints to the correct pattern. They can’t find lost flies or bring a net (not until my next dog) or do much to service our task of landing trout. A good angling pooch just walks with us from weir to weir, sits patiently and may give a trout a kiss from time to time. But we wouldn’t think of going fishing without them. They’re our companions on the water and as many stewards of these animals know we make a few casts and then turn around and check on them. For the most part they are sitting  on the bank waiting for us to hook up or move or fall in. To them it doesn’t matter if you lose the biggest fish of your life or put it in the net; your buddies may give you the business if you screw up but your canine loves you unconditionally. So we take them with us, and I think all that do so are better people for it.
Saturday I lost my fishing buddy Diamond. At nearly twenty years old we had a great day fishing just a few weeks ago but her little body failed her rapidly and I finally had to get help to give her peace. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and I will love her forever…
But I’d do it again in an instant.
Thank you Diamond for a lifetime of love and friendship. My heart is broken and I still hear your footprints around the house, you were a very good dog.
Thank you for letting me get that out; The fishing right now is on a pendulum. Bring three rods set up for dries, streamers and nymph rigs with adjustable depths and look long before you make a cast. The water is still green but if you look before you leap you can get a dozen attempts at trout in slow (quiet) water. In fast water there have been some good numbers and our neophyte friends can get in a lot more attempts at them without spooking them.
Thank you all that befriended my pup over the years and if this inspires you to go get a fishing friend, go to the shelters and rescue one. That’s where I found her.
Tight Lines,
Ben, Lou and Diamond

Small business Saturday Special Discount!!

We at Steel City Anglers are offering a 40% discount on all trips in honor of small business Saturday. 

What an incredible way to purchase a gift certificate for Christmas, a birthday, or just because!  Go to www.steelcityanglers.com book your trip and $100.00 deposit to hold the date. We’ll shoot you an invoice with your discounted balance.  We will check our calendar and send you a gold leaf certificate.  This offer expires on 12:00PM midnight on November 27^th.  Thank you all for eight years of great trips.

10/6/2017

Flow:  395 To 480 CFS

Water Temperature:  63 Degrees

This is a special trip for me, I have been a member of PPF (Pikes Peak Flyfishers) for over 20 years.  This is the best fly fishing club I have ever been a member of.  We have donated a trip for their annual auction since Steel City Anglers was formed.  Steve and Rob were a kick to guide.  It is not often that we guide experienced fisherman and it was a whole lot of fun. 

The fishing conditions were the worst you can imagine!  The water was brown/green flowing at 395 CFS to start and went up a hundred cfs while we were on the water.  We had 20 MPH winds gusting to 40 MPH and a falling barometer.  The only bugs that worked all day were an Olive Hares Ear and a Blue Copper John both size 18.  We landed only one in the Hundred Yard Run and the rest in the Flag Hole.  We are just a little over a month from winter storage and clear conditions!   Trips are booking for October so give us a call the conditions are improving.

Tight Lines

Lou

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