UPDATED 06/15/2008

Fishing News
Project Healing Waters
Invasive Species Prevention
Get the Lead Out!
Trip Opportunities
Buy Licenses Online
State Wildlife Area Access
Local Shop Events -
SAFETY & Other Information
General Information
Good Fishing Practices 
Fishing Reports at Fly Shops / DOW
Weather Reports
Recent Reports, Stories - Tales updated
Old Stories and Such
Product Reviews
Fly Fisher's Aquatic Insect Guide

Send Comments to the webguy

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Fishing News

Quote:

I am often enjoyably challenged when fishing.
That's why I mostly go after stupid fish. I need to match the angler with the quarry. - Fish Slime

Fishing (fish'ing)
1. n. the art of casting, trolling, jigging, or spinning while freezing, sweating, swatting, or swearing. - Ken's Sport in Brdigeport California

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Mandatory Boat inspections at state park Lakes Pueblo, Navajo, Cherry Creek, Chatfield and John Martin state parks. All watercraft will be subject to inspection for zebra mussels, including boats, jet skis and trailers. Boaters are asked to drain all water from their hulls, engine wells and lower units of engines; clean their hulls; dry not only their boat but also any fishing gear, skis or other equipment; inspect all exposed surfaces and remove all plant or animal material.

2007 Regulation Changes not listed in the Regulation Brochure:

The Colorado Wildlife commission, meeting in Sterling on Oct. 11, in effect made the emergency limit enacted for Antero Reservoir in August permanent. The daily bag and possession limit at the reservoir is two trout, with no size restrictions.
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2008 DOW Southwest Region fishing Projection

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Pictures from our 32nd Fly Tying Clinic are now posted to the web. Click Here
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Fly fishers dreaming of the days ahead on Colorado lakes and streams can amplify their visions by immersing themselves in “Fly Fishing Colorado”, a new feature-length DVD from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW).

More than two years in the making, “Fly Fishing Colorado” takes viewers on a year-round tour of fly fishing adventures spanning the entire state, from the loftiest reaches of alpine lakes to warm-water reservoirs, and all points in between. Anglers will get a firsthand look at the best fly fishing that Colorado has to offer, as seen through the lenses of DOW’s revamped video production unit. Read More

Hofer Strain of Rainbow crossbred with stocked rainbow trout showing some real strong indicators for being WD resistant. : For the first time since whirling disease decimated most naturally reproducing rainbow trout populations throughout Colorado more than a decade ago, new strains of rainbows have reproduced naturally in the Gunnison River and in ponds located along the Frying Pan River near Basalt. DOW press release.

Trout Unlimited and Public Fishing Access Issues

Colorado Trout Unlimited's Executive Director, David Nickum, wrote an article for the High Country Angler which clearly explaining the access issues. It is now posted on the CTU website. Read the Article

It has been decided that further review of the position TU should take with respect to private vs public access rights. TU's mission is the conservation of cold water fisheries but such activities can cause varied differences of opinion with respect to rights of access when raising funds for projects requiring large donations and/or the need to involve privately held tracks of land. Here are two PDF documents sent to the TU National Leadership Council for their review at the National meeting held in September 2007

Document 1
Document 2

Download zipped file with both documents

Project Healing Waters

Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers have joined together to aid the recovery of injured war veterans. They accomplish this through providing veterans with training in fly tying, fly casting and fly fishing. Equipment and training is provided to the veterans at no cost to them. This includes special equipment needed by the injured veteran. To learn more and/or donate money read this.

You can donate to Project Healing Waters by purchasing Temple Fork Rods as described here.

Beyond Project Healing Waters there is also the Wounded Warrior Project

Bird Watching - There is a new website dedicated to identifying bird watching locations and trails through out Colorado. It has occurred to me that some of you might find it useful in getting your partner to go with you on you fishing adventures. Where they can go birding while you are fishing. Take a look:
http://www.coloradobirdingtrail.com/

Ever want a dictionary definition of a fly fishing term? Try this dictionary

The next threat to fish in Colorado - is it VHS?

The State of Utah is studying Ho-Ha rainbows for resistance to Whirling Disease.

Baghdad School of Fly Fishing:
It has come to my attention that many of us still do not know that our troops are fly-fishing in Iraq. That is right. There are fishes and fly fishers in Iraq-Asp, carp, shaboot, manger, barbel, and our soldiers ..... at Suddam's Al Faw Palace, Camp Victory. A little break from the stresses of living around a dangerous part of the world. Here is the website for reading the blogs from the organizers of the Baghdad School of Fly Fishing.
I think you will enjoy it

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We don't have a lot of loons around these parts but I have heard them on occasion but we certainly have lots of ducks foraging the bottom of the streams we fish where they can easily ingest lead weights. I sure do like to watch those Bald Eagles soaring up and down the South Platte river, too. Lets help keep all of them around. Here is another reason to use alternative material weights instead of lead weights. Get the Lead Out poster

Weights with Tungsten or Tin are safer.

If you plan on fishing Rocky Mountain National Park or Yellowstone National Park lead free weights and flys are required.

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There are no trips planned at this time.

San Juan River, New Mexico- Mastering the Winter Moods of the San Juan

Green River / Flaming Gorge - fishing, camping, and lodging information
Look here for the info that Bob Untener and Dave Brady have gathered together for your use.

Yellow Stone National Park - Fishing Regulations -PDF file
Note that in the park lead is not allowed in weights or in flies.

Rocky Mountain National Park - "Use of lead sinkers (or other lead fishing materials such as lead weighted flies) is prohibited in all park waters." Only one or two flies are allowed. Not three as allowed by the state fishing regulations. The park has lots of high mountain lakes and small wild stream fishing with excellent opportunities to see wildlife. Fishing Information links
RMNP 2006 Fishing Regulations - zip file . Also see the RMNP Fishing Page and rockymountainnationalpark.com web page. FlyFisherman.com has an article by Ross Purnell addressing some of the many and varied fishing opportunities in RMNP's streams. "Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park" Here is a map of RMNP

Blue River - The Blue River coming from above the Town of Breckenridge flowing into Dillon Reservoir then past the outlet malls in Silverthorne then through the valley and Green Mountain Reservoir to it's end at the Colorado River exhibits lots of varying characteristics by season and even by the day. There is the free flowing mountain stream type, a renown tail water section, and private water fishing sections. Pat Dorsey's article "The New Blue" in Fly Fisherman Magazine is a good primer on the where and how to fish the Blue. May people develop a love hate relationship with it. I currently have a hate relationship but that is another matter.

Colorado River - The Fly Fisherman Magazine has a couple of articles about fishing the Colorado River in Colorado on its online website. Colorado River Sampler by Ross Purnell who used to be a Fort Collins resident but now lives in Pennsylvania.

Roaring Fork River - Ross Purnell tells you about fishing the famous Green drake hatch on the Roaring Fork in this flyfisherman.com article. "Colorado's Roaring Fork River"

Eagle River - "Where Eagles Soar" is Ross Purnell's article on flyfisherman.com's website giving you the low down on fishing this popular river destination.

Fishing South Park Ranches - Park County has agreements with seven ranches in the south park for fishing access on private leases. The county has stream improvement projects planned or completed on the lease areas. Here are the particulars to access these areas.

Mysis Shrimp - The Frying Pan, Taylor and Blue rivers have short sections of the rivers that are renown for exceptionally large trout. One of the main reasons for the trout's size is the Mysis shrimp in the reservoirs above those sections of the rivers. The shrimp get pulled out of the reservoir as water is released and the shrimp are ascending and descending in the water column. Dan Wright's article in Fly Fisherman magazine, Mysis Shrimp, explains the important details you want to know about fishing these famous spots with Mysis shrimp fly patterns.

Midge Tactics - for tail waters such as below Spinney Mountain, 11 Mile Canyon, Ruidi and Taylor Reservoirs or the San Juan. Ross Purnell's article in Fly Fisherman Magazine

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Colorado Fishing Licenses and the required Wildlife Habitat stamp
by Phone or via the Internet: BUY your Colorado Licenses online -

The Wildlife Habitat Stamp is ALWAYS required for access to "State Wildlife Areas"
Even if you are not a hunter or fisherman you need this stamp for access to any of the 241 "State Wildlife Areas" (SWA).

Click here for links for online ordering or applications for fishing licenses in other western states.

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We have lost a lot of our Favorite Local Fly Shops in the last couple of years. They are still the best source of good experience and fishing information. It would be very good for them and us to keep them around so please do purchase your equipment and supplies at their establishments. To help spread the word about events that they are having I have created this section to point to their websites events page (not always possible to point). The underlined names are links to the shop's website. The following links should take you to each shops events page. It is that time of year where the shops are having lots of guest tiers showing up on Saturdays. Take a look

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Sunglasses -

You definitely want polarized lens. If they are polarized a tag will say it. With polarized glasses you can see the river bottom a lot better for wading plus you can see fish a lot easier - due to the reduced glare. Cheap polarized glasses will work just fine. They will scratch easily but they are cheap and weigh less. You can replace them several times for the price of glasses with glass lens which are a lot more scratch resistant but are some what heavier feeling on the face. If you have problems with getting a head ache or are not comfortable then you can get expensive brands ($80 to over a $100). The expensive ones may or may not be more comfortable and may or may not give marginally better clarity. Yellow or amber lens work great early in the day and late in the afternoon. But for all round use brown or copper lens work the best. Gray is better for driving than fishing. Besides that, you need to protect your eyes from the stronger UV Rays that are encountered in these Higher altitudes so look for ones that have UV protective coatings rated at 99 -100% protection or say “UV absorption up to 400nm”:Mayo Clinic information on Sunglasses and UV protection. This straight dope on Sunglass UV protection may interest you also. The Glaucoma Research foundation offers this advice. For an expanded explanation of sunglasses and polarized lens read this Cabela's Buying Guide.

Eye injuries from fishing are the No. 1 sports-related eye injury. Sunglasses will also protect your eyes from bad casts by yourself or your fishing partners. They also will protect you when you are yanking on your line to un-snag it or when a fish throws the hook out. Accidents do happen even to the most experienced individuals. Having clear lens safety glasses for evening or night fishing would be a big plus.

Wading:

Salida fisherman dies wading the Arkansas River, 2006
Man dies wading while fly fishing on the Battenkill in June 2006.

Exploding the Fatal Wader Myths - A fisherman's article about testing water filled waders.

Wading techniques and equipment - Everyone needs to read this very good 3 page article
Also, this article has some additional wading tidbits that are important.

Your wading shoes may be a danger - Read this article

Float Tubers and tooners

-You need to read this near death story to understand more about- Being prepared for The Unexpected

Stay hydrated. The following is from a FF forum on the web:

Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.
Because at high altitudes with low humidity evaporation occurs rapidly you will not perceive that you are loosing as much water as you are.
Even mild dehydration will slow metabolism as much as 3%.
Having adequate water makes the walk out a lot easier.
Check out Mcnett "Straw Filter" or the Katadyn system for filtering water - thus you don't carry the added weight of water.
Or carry a hydration pack - it is convenient to access so you are more likely to use it than something you have to dig in your pack for.

Sun Screens - Click here for information to help you select a good sun screen for fishing. Many are not good enough for what you need. The sun's UV rays are a lot stronger here in Colorado due to the thinner air and high altitude.

Insect Repellents - Ticks, West Nile Virus and comfort while fly fishing are three of the reasons you should know more about the repellents that you should select for fly fishing.

Mountain Lions- From the DOW Tips for Encounters with cougars.
Black Bears - Tips for Encounters. Some of these are different than what is recommended for Grizzly Bears. There are not any grizzlies in Colorado. The Bear Resource page on the DOW website is full of articles that will help you live with bears and how to avoid dangerous encounters with our bears. The DOW Bear Resource Page.
Grizzlies, Interesting facts that may lighten your fears.
Venomous snakes Interesting facts that may lighten your fears
lightening strikes: what to do when outside.

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac - The FDA recommendations

Bird Flu:

The Avian Influenza virus dies very quickly when it is not on a live bird. Thus you will not be able to get avian flu from feathers used in fly tying or on flys that are already tied. Many of the feathers used in fly tying do come from foreign countries. Thus, as flocks of birds are destroyed in these countries to prevent the spread of the flu, the availability of feathers, such as CDC and Chinese hen hackles, can be negatively affected.
DOW information

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Fly Fishing Terms:
Ever want a glossary of a fly fishing terms? Try this one
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Trout Identification:

What do Cutthroat, Rainbows, Brown trout and brook trout look like? Look here.
Rio Grand Cutthroat trout are found in the lower part of Colorado into New Mexico. In the western part of the state you might find transplanted Snake River cuththroat trout. Colorado River Cutthroat and Greenback Cutthroat trout can look very similar. Greenback cutthroat will be found on the eastern side of the Front Range mountains. On the western side of the front range mountains, which are the Continental Divide, you will find Colorado River Cutthroat trout. Both of them may display vivid spawning colors and display larger spots than rainbows and other cutthroat trout species.

Here are a couple pictures of small Greenback cutthroats you might encounter in one of our front range smaller streams as well as on the eastern side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Photos courtesy of D. Brady

Notice the orange "cut" under the jaw which all cutthroat trout have to one degree or another. Greenbacks and Colorado cutts are noteably known for their large spots. Note that the spots are smaller and fewer at the front of the fish. The spots get more dense on the back. The spots tend to be more roundish,too. They typically are a deeper greener on their backs than on their sides with the sides being more olive. The vertical grayish blotches are called par marks and can be quite dominant on young fish and disappear as they age. The pictured Greenback was caught in Oct but it still has some orange on the belly from its spawning color. Greenback cutthroat trout must be released back into the water, no matter what, as they are on the threatened species list. Colorado River Cutthroat trout are not on the threatened species list.
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Knots for You:
Knot testing? Do your own knot tests to compare one knot against another knot. It is easy to accomplish and does not take any special equipment. Knot test procedure and sample results
Do you want to learn some alternative Knots?
The above page also has links to a number of web pages demonstrating various knots. Just find a knot and click on it and it will take you to a site that has lots of other knots, also. Take me to the knot links
For low light and/or finger numbing weather conditions try tying these knots
I have now added some non-fishing knots that I use a lot.
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Flyrod and Reel-

For general trout fishing if you are to have only one rod then a 5 weight or a 6 weight in 9 foot is the best thing to have. An inexpensive reel with click and pall drag will work for most situations. If it has a disk drag, instead of the click and pall, it will be even better. Beyond that; having lots of money and listening to the experts and trying lots of equipment you can refine your choices of equipment to fine tune it all for different types of fishing and fishing environment situations. In that case you will end up with a number of rods and reels. You are right. When I started I thought I should get a fast action rod even though it was recommended that I get a medium or slow action rod. Beginners do better with slow action or medium action rods. I figured I would grow into the fast action quickly. It has been about 5 years and still have the fast action rod. I like it but I think I would like a medium action rod even more. So I recommend that you start with a slow action or medium action rod with the intent of selling it later on and move onto a fast action rod when you are ready. For a beginner wanting to find out whether or not he will like fly fishing I think one of the starter kits that comes with a rod, reel, and line is an excellent option. All those boo rods you hear people talk about are slow action rods. So just keep that in mind.

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Fly Patterns to Tie:
Best instructions on the web : done by a excellent fly tier in my opinion. This other web site has patterns for many flies listed; tied by some very good Colorado fly tiers

I found this new website showing all the Roadless Areas on Forest Land:
http://www.roadlessland.org/

Migratory Bird Regulations - For those that tie flies, It is unlawful to possess feathers of migratory birds. Here is a list of Migratory birds.

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FISHERMAN'S CODE OF ETHICS - the Federation of Fly Fishers website.
ETIQUETTE - on the Cutthroat chapter of TU website.
SMALL STREAM ETIQUETTE - A brook trout WildTrout.com webpage.

Don't disparage those that do not believe in your same ethic of catch and release. If it is an illegal activity then contact Operation Game Thief - 877 265 6648 (#648 if you have Verizon). Or on the web

Avoid transporting Invasive species
Practice Good Catch and Release Methods
Surprising Catch & Release Mortality data
Ontario Canada Catch and Release Mortality Rate info - contains information about trout
Much higher predation rate for Released fish - University of Illinois study indicates that fish not released with in 4 minutes have a much higher rate of predation by other fish due to lactate build up in the body

Colorado Fishing regulations

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West Denver Trout Unlimited FORUM: on Yahoo groups. Ask for a fishing partner. Ask Questions about fishing.


Info from the DOW:
Where to Fly Fish

The following reports are now being updated weekly for 2008
DOW 2008 Fishing Forecast
DOW Fishing Report - Denver Metro -
DOW Fishing Report - Northeast Region-
DOW Fishing Report - Southeast Region-
DOW Fishing Report - Southwest Region-
DOW Fishing Report - Northwest Region -
DOW Stocking Report

Bug life in Waterton Canyon - Cutthroat Chapter info

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Fly Shop Fishing Reports:
The following reports are maintained by the individual fly shops. Some of them are not updated often or maintained at all during the winter months.

Flies and Lies - South Platte Anglers - Deckers
Angler's Covey - Colorado Springs
Ark Anglers - Buena Vista, Salida, Pueblo
Bill Edrington's Report at The Royal Gorge Anglers - Canon City
The Blue Quill Fly Shop (Pat Dorsey)- Evergreen
Anglers Roost - Ft. Collins
Cutthroat Anglers - Silverthorne Central CO
Gore Creek Anglers - Vail Central CO
Gorsuch Outfitters - Edwards / Eagle Central CO
Bucking Rainbow Outfitters - Steamboat Springs North Central CO
Taylor Creek Shops - Basalt / Aspen Western CO
North Park Anglers - Walden Northern CO
Cimmarron Creek Outfitters - Montrose Central Western CO
Almont Anglers - Almont Central Western CO
Dragonfly Anglers - Crested Butte Central Western CO
Riggs Fly Shop - Ridgeway Southwestern CO
Duranganglers - Durango Southwestern CO
Wolf Creek Anglers South Fork - Southwestern CO
Conejos River Anglers - Antonito Southern CO
Rainbow Lodge - San Juan River NM
North Platte River Fly Shop - Casper Wyoming
Trout Creek Flies - Flaming Gorge, Dutch John Utah

various other shop reports at - coloradoonthefly.com

Colorado's Stream flows - Division of water resources - Colorado - Open the link and click on a region of the map to access the various rivers and lakes in the region.

Weather Report -

CDOT Travel Information - cotrip.org: 303-639-1111 or instate toll free 877-315-7623
Littleton - Intellicast forecast
Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park
Deckers - Weather Underground
Cheesman Canyon- Bailey is similar in elevation& location
Dream Stream, South Park - Fairplay
11 Mile Canyon - Lake George
Arkansas River Head waters - Leadville
Arkansas River Middle Section - Salida
Arkansas Rvr lower section - Cotopaxi
Colorado River, Upper Section - RMNP - Grand Lake
Colorado River at Williams Fork- Parshall
Frying Pan - Basalt
Yampa - Steamboat
Grey Reef - Alcova,WY
Green River - Dutch John. Utah
Weather Underground stations for Colorado

Also look at our links page for more fishing info.

Want me to list additional sources - email me the links

The purpose of this part of our site is to provide you with reports on products that our members have tried. If you try something new and either like it or not, why not submit a product review for the benefit of the rest of our membership. Lets put some things here that the novice would find of great interest even though all of us "experts" take it for granted. Enjoy!!!

Gil has run across a fishing journal that is made by a company in Steamboat Springs. If you are interested in a journal take a look.

Home Made Fly Holder Tool:

Pressalite Radio Dry-bag for your two radio

Zinger: are those little recoiling tethers for hanging things on your vest here are some thoughts about their use.

Abel Perfect Tool a multi-use fly fishing tool

Black Diamond LED light & Pelican pencil light:

Foam Strike Indicator

Attaching your Landing Net to the back of your vest:

I used to have a hard time reaching up and behind me to retrieve my fishing net while battling with a fish. Also, when walking, it seemed like it bounced against my back a lot. Kind of like a pendulum because the bulk of the net was hanging low while the handle was high on my back. But worst of all I was always getting it tangled in brush as I bullied my way through it. (That maybe due in part to me being short.) . . . . . . read more.

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Fly Fisher's Aquatic Insect Guide

Former WDTU member Steve Molten, who was our resident insect aquatic expert, has moved back to Northern Virginia. But before he left, Steve developed an on-line guide to aquatic insects which is now available in the fishing section.
Check it out there or click on "Fly Fisher's Aquatic Insect Guide."

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