Tune into Channel(s)...

      In honor of #ThrowBackThursday, here’s a story about winter fishing at Deckers, Colorado.   It faired to be my favorite river to frequent in the cold, and I often found myself among snow and ice.  Actually… from November to February, through nearly 10 trips (all successful in landing trout), I was always standing in snow or on ice.  In a state full of fly-fishermen like Colorado, it’s nice to find yourself alone on a few trips.  Sub-zero temperatures will certainly lead to smaller crowds.

      These temperatures certainly add challenges not experienced in the green spring.  Frozen eyelits, difficulty reaching the holes, and complete numbness of the hands are a few of these challenges.  But hey, the trout don’t care how cold you are.

      Perhaps the most important practice in winter-fishing in Colorado is bringing warming agents such as hand-heating pads and whiskey.  Second to that, exploring the entire river.  Likely, the fish are near motionless in the deepest channels where food still reaches their hungry mouths.  But it may take some time and experimentation to find these channels.

      Due to a fisherman’s pact, I’m not at liberty to disclose the exact location of this “money-hole”.  But I will say this:  I’ve never seen this area fished by anyone but myself - This hole offers a glorious overhead vantage from its access point, and on clear days you can see these channels carved by moss and rock. Lastly, they really seemed to love small Black Beauties and Black RS2s.  These flies pulled fish in the double digits – none were a shameful size - throughout my winter excursions.

      This winter, prepare wisely (flask of Canada’s finest distilled, perhaps), dress warm, and get out there.  In the very least, you’ll have an adventure that few will share.  And when you find those channels, you’ll find yourself lucky.

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Happy July 4th - Big Thompson River

Those of us that live in Colorado know that the Big Thompson River recently experienced a giant renovation.  What was called “the 1000 year flood” ripped through a few months ago, leaving a path of devastation.  I don’t know the biology of fish well enough, but given the destruction I witnessed on my drive up – I assume it altered their feeding patterns significantly.

It truly is a tragedy, what happened to the surrounding areas.  It will take years to repair the damage – while some may be irreversible.  The fishing, however, has begun to rebound.

If you’re looking for scenic and serene, the Big Thompson is not the river for you.  Amidst catching beautiful trout, I was actively drowning-out the screaming children and whipping go-carts in the amusement park.  Nevertheless – it was all beautiful in its own right. 

The fish were rising all day, as well as feeding subsurface.  The only successful area was between the Lake Estes Dam and the first private-property bridge.  I stuck to the same setup all day – Yellow Foam Grasshopper with a size 20 Grey, Bead-Head BWO Emerger.  No weight, 6x fluorocarbon tippet.  I caught several great rainbows throughout the late afternoon – some on the BWO, some on the Hopper.  What was most encouraging… they were rising to the hopper all day!  Slightly discouraging that I missed most of the hook-sets, but it’s been a while since I’ve fished top water.

If you’re looking for a quick trout-fix-trip out of Denver – head to the Big Thompson.  The fish are rising!  And the go-carts aren’t the worst soundtrack…when you’re catching fish.

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Colorado Rivers & Runoff

      Of all the rivers to be fished in Colorado, Cheeseman Canyon has proven to be one of the most difficult.  While its picturesque beauty is hard to overlook, the towering and daunting canyon walls and winding, roaring river is not the only intimidating factor when setting out to fish this classic Colorado waterway.  Part of the difficulties lie in the undulating 1.5 mile hike from the river’s main access point.  Then, once reached, it’s often another couple miles walk to jump the crowd of anxious anglers to find a solitary point to make a first cast.  And unless you find that pool where a school of trout are holding, there’s typically a continual hike to stay ahead and pursue some level of success.

      Fortunately, those pools can be found.  So can that success. 

      My most recent trip to the Canyon was greeted with treacherously high water – due to the annual season of snow melt.  As always, I kept hiking to find some separation from other anglers.  Between steps on a slippery, narrow walkway, I glanced at the river for any signs of feeding.  In between massive fallen boulders in a series of whitewater shoals, I noticed the glimmering of rolling and rising fish.  In an effort to give an athletic impression of myself, I’ll say I ‘ran’ down… but it was really more like sliding.

      When I was near enough to make a cast, I noticed an astonishing number of fish piled on each other in a small side-pool next to the rapids.  Hard to explain in words alone, these fish were feeding from currents coming up underneath their resting place.  My only theory was that the boulder was just deep enough to disrupt the flow, but not cut it off entirely.  The current was slowed, and was essentially “boiling” up from underneath.  With the level of the water, and the rate at which it roared, these trout has an incredible amount of food at their disposal. 

      It took a while to find the right depth, but after posting myself on the highest boulder - I used high-sticking to drift my size 16 Stone Fly with size 20 brown Miracle Midge dropper through the boils.  Admittedly, I’m usually very impatient and move locations within an hour, at best – but this pool was so intriguing, I fished for 6 hours on that boulder.

      With the water clear-as-super-clear-water, I watched that 21 inch rainbow roll into my Miracle Midge with flawless precision, coming from several feet below.  After entering the shallowest point of the pool, still chest-deep, and fighting for 15 minutes – the trout ended in my net.  My biggest advantage and disadvantage was the 6x fluorocarbon line at the end of my leader.  I truly believe this amount of stealth was necessary to lure the fish, but it took a heavy dose of delicacy to land.

      If you haven’t made it out to Cheeseman, do your bucket list a favor and go.  It’s gorgeous and difficult, and the rewards can prove to be great.  Look for pools and unusual flows to explore.  Definitely use enough weight when the water is high and fast.  

And, of course, Cast to the Other Side.

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Stagecoach Money Holes

I started fly-fishing in Arkansas.  I learned to cast a fly rod in Arkansas Rivers, catching Arkansas trout, in Arkansas humidity, with a dip in my lip… because I’m from Arkansas.  Rivers are deep and wide, and the “perfect drift” might last as long as 30 seconds with the pace of the shoals.  There aren’t shoals so much as there are ripples.  Top water happens all spring, summer and fall, and you can rip brown-trout-lip all day pulling an olive wooly bugger (I say booger, because I’m from Arkansas).  It’s a blast and an incredible experience.  Moving to Colorado, however – I became a beginner again.  Rare is the deep, slow run, and scarce is that “perfect drift”.

 

Fishing Colorado water takes precision, accuracy and flawless presentation.  These fish have seen their share of flies, and a good drift might only be a 3 second run.  For a while, I would always continue the venture upstream to avoid those whitewater flows.  And, generally, that’s the best call.  No [healthy] fish will use its energy to resist tumultuous whitewater crests.  On the other hand, fish food is primarily in main currents where the water is moving, and moving quicker.  Often times, fish will be stacked up in the slack water, where the current swirls and is pushing back (upstream) towards the rocks creating the shoal.  Food from the current floats just on the seam of the fast and the slack water, and the fish will dart in and back out again, just quick enough to nab a midge. 

 

This was especially the case on the tailwater of Stagecoach Reservoir just south of Steamboat Springs, CO.  Of all times you would expect a river to be void of anglers -that time would be 10:30am on a Tuesday.  You would assume incorrectly.  After all, people don’t live in Colorado to work.  I didn’t have time to explore, and the only available spot to cast was just under the floodgates of the dam.  Naturally, this water was truly tumultuous… like, step in and get swept away.  There happened to be one small area, carved out of the bank, where the water from the roaring current pushed out and remained significantly calmer.  I got a hunch, tied a size 14 Red San Juan Worm with size 18 Black JuJu Baetis dropper – very weighted - and gave it a toss.  It was difficult to keep the flies in a natural drift without my line being swept in the roar.  But, using the high-sticking technique, I hooked up on the second cast.  Unfortunately, the current was so swift, the fish swept away and broke my line in an instant.

 

With a stronger leader, I landed a few throughout the morning.

Next time you think about jumping that rushing shoal, look for a small area of slack.  If the water is clear, watch for a few minutes – you might just see some daredevil fish riding the seams.  

 

If so... toss that fly.  

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Slack Water - An Encouraging Word

TOSFly readers, please consider this a small word of encouragement from one impatient angler to others.  While fly-fishing is tranquil and serene, I often get very excited in the days, weeks, and months leading up to a much needed trip to the river.  That anticipation builds even before I decide to head to the stream.  It is building now as I look forward to the TOSFly annual retreat next weekend.  

I always assume perfect conditions, dream of my flawless performance, and lose count of the monsters I’ll catch just as soon as I slip on my Gore-Tex.  My wife is a mental health therapist, and I therefore feel I am qualified to diagnose myself.  I have a common fisherman’s illness called “Assumptive Bad-Assery Disorder."  You're probably familiar with it, and you may even have it yourself.  Fairly self-explanatory, this disorder leads me to believe I’m going to break every record that’s ever been imagined by any angler in the history of history.  It’s easy to build these 20-pound stories while I’m in the office.  The problem lies, however, when I make my first cast and a monster trout does not end up in my net.  “What am I doing wrong?”  I curse myself… I’m doing everything I assumed I should…

Typically, after my first five minutes of failure, I decide it’s the fly or the section of river – and I change.  I change something, or everything.  And the pursuit of monsters continues throughout the frustration-filled day, all the while I'm blaming everything but myself.  Of course, I’m awesome – a "bad ass" if you will."  Surely it can’t be my fault…

Assumption and anticipation are great things, but patience truly is a virtue.  While it may seem obvious, there probably are fish in that hole.  They probably will eat that fly – or at least one of the few I've set out for that day.  I've learned that I need to move less.  Lately, I've had more success when I fish the entire stretch of a river.  Starting in the shallow banks, working out towards the main drift, then across to #TheOtherSide (see what I did there?).  If that doesn’t work, try another shelf.  Put on another weight (or take some off), raise (or lower) the indicator, and experiment in the drifts.  Those fish are stacked somewhere. 

If you’re like me, and you’re tempted to move at a moment’s “loose-fly-line,” take a breath, and re-position your fly.  If they’re not holding in the main drift, they could be deeper.  If they aren't deep, perhaps they’re relaxing in the slack water.  It is much better to be skunked knowing you fished every inch of water than just a few “good runs.”  You may just end up with that monster… or at least end up less tired.  Just remember one thing - Cast to the Other Side!

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High Mountain Sculpin Lake, Colorado

Moving to Colorado, fishing was a primary motivator.  It wasn't necessarily the size of the fish driving me to the mountains, but the immaculate beauty of creation, and the challenge of the pure hunt.  In my four years of fishing Colorado’s freestones and tail waters, I've learned that catching a fish isn't as easy as tossing a kernel of corn in a slack water.  Having fished several of the main fisheries – Colorado River, Arkansas River, Big Thompson, Clear Creek, 11 Mile and Cheeseman Canyon… I’m always left with wanting more.

Since my relocation, fishing a high mountain lake has always been a pinnacle of dreams.  Again, it wasn't the size of fish that fed the dream, but rather the surrounding beauty.  Recently, I found it.  Just off I-70, on an unsuspecting exit, I found an oasis with clear-as-day water surrounded by daunting peaks and shadowing pines.  It was a peaceful and small lake, most assuredly holding fish.  Most-assuredly, because I watched trout hit top-water for a solid hour.  

Laboriously tossing dry flies, I decided to run the gamut on my fly box.  After hours of the same results, I pulled a streamer as somewhat of a last resort.   Streamer after streamer, still seeing fish feeding, still getting skunked.  I put on a very close resembling sculpin fly.  It was size 16 with dark hunter green color and distinctively beady eyes.  With only an hour of daylight left, 10 fish were caught.  Wildly successful compared to other scarce Colorado trips.  Perhaps it was the conditions, though ever-changing.   Perhaps it was the season, or hatch.  As I've often found in Colorado, however, it was just the perfect fly. 

I lost several sculpin flies, and resulted to the hunter green with brown hackle wooly buggers I tied years ago.  First cast, second cast, these flies landed fish without fail.  These fish weren't the trophy size monsters we all dream of, but with bright orange underbellies, white-tipped fins, and brilliant blue-surrounded-by-blood-red spots, these brook trout were the fish that inspire art - God’s art.  It was beautiful, and it was a perfect lesson of persistence in Colorado fishing. 

So what's the moral of my short story here?  Head to the high mountain lakes, and when you do, try everything.  Just make sure you have some spare sculpin flies in your box just in case.  And, as always … Cast to the Other Side.

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5 Tips for Successful Winter Fly Fishing

If you're a die hard fly-fisherman like me and the fellas at TOSFly, you can't help but eat, drink, sleep, and dream about fly-fishing. When you are so passionate about something, you can't go without it for 4-6 months out of the year while the snow falls and the flows drop. You have to find ways to go out and fish the winter water to catch some fish!

The problem with winter fishing is that it is completely different from any other time of year. With temps dropping and flows at all time lows, the fish are less apt to feed, and they are easier than ever to spook. When you sight a fish in the summer, you match the harch, throw a good cast, and hook the fish. In the winter, there is no hatch, and the fish are on the bottom, barely moving. These big guys will let the fly hit them in the face before they will even think about eating it. 

Here's the good news. WIth the right technique and a change in your normal fishing routine, you can catch some of the biggest fish of the year; and you will land them with greater success then other times of the year, namely summer.

I'm going to give you 5 tips to help you catch trout during the winter. So, read this over, bundle up, grab your de-icer and nymphing box, and go catch that HOG!!!

• Fish with more weight

It's a common mistake for most fishermen to not fish with as much weight as they should. In the winter, those fish are not willing to move. You will have a tough time finding the fish during the winter if you're not on the bottom. Weight you fly taking into consideration the depth and current, then adjust your leader accordingly. Because the water is typically warmer neat the bottom, the fish cling to the bottom, and weighting your fly will put it in the strike zone where it needs to be.

• Fish with longer leader

It's typical in Colorado to fish with only a 7.5 to 9 foot leader. However, in the winter I would highly recommend fishing with nothing less than a 10 foot leader. I personally prefer the 12 ft. 6X leaders, and I have fished some up to 16 feet. I do this for several reasons. First, the flows are typically lower, and the fish will be spooky. Using a longer leader will help your presentation. Secondly, it is important to set your rig deeper when winter fishing. I have fished my rig as deep as 7 feet before and pulled some pigs out of it. Fishing with a longer leader will help you get to those type of fish.

• Fish SLOW, I mean VERY SLOW

I have fished the same hole for an hour, and caught nothing on my first 500 casts. Then, on number 501, that 18-inch brown finally decided it was hungry and took a bite out of my midge. Maybe all those casts simulated a hatch, maybe I made the perfect cast that set the fly in his house, either way, fishing slower and working every inch of the water will help make the difference between a successful day, and a cold one.

• Fish smaller flies

Simply said, pretend everywhere you fish during the winter a tailwater. Sizes 18 to 26 are the flies I am talking about here. If you need to buy old man glasses, don't feel bad. It is tough to thread those small midges when it's 15 below and your hands don't seem to be working. Small midges, san juan worms, egg patterns, scuds, and streamers are 99% of the active food in the water at that time. Using these patters but going up 2-3 sizes will be the ticket. The winter weather doesn't allow for the growth of larger bugs, and the fish know that and stay keyed in on those smaller patterns.

• Watch that indicator

It's just the cold (sometimes VERY cold) hard fact that not every fish is going to feed during the winter. A lot of times you will see a fish, spend all day casting to him, and the big guy doesn't take a single thing. He just sits there, and you have to foul hook him in the mouth to land him (which is really not fishing in my opinion). If the fish do eat, it is just a slight movement and an opening of the mouth. You will not see the indicator go under water as your line screams out; instead, you will see a slight hesitation in your indicator. It will look exactly like your fly got stuck on the bottom for just a quick second and then return to normal. If that happens, set the hook; you probably have a fish.

My final piece of advice is this: if there is a hatch, fish it! You rarely will have a better time dry fly fishing than on the right day in the winter when the trout are rising to those wonderful blue-winged olives ever so gingerly. It is a real joy and rarity to experience, and it is a moment that our wonderful God blesses us with only on the rarest of days.

So find a local tailwater, or any stretch of open water for that matter, remember what your friends at TOSFly told you, and get out and fish!!!

Float Em high,

Dry Fly or Die --- Allen Gardner

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Top 10 Flies you MUST have for Colorado

I recently traveled to New Zealand. In preparing for my trip, I read several articles on the fly-fishing there, each of which told me how different the fly-fishing was. Nonetheless, I talked myself into thinking that fish are fish and it couldn't be that different. Well ... I caught fish, but I could have caught a whole lot more if I had better prepared myself. The point of my story is this: If you travel to a new river in a new state or country, you had better prepare yourself.

90% of what a fish eats is brown and round; the rest is presentation. While this is true, I could tell you countless stories of fish refusing 19 different flies of all kinds, shapes, colors, etc, just to take the 20th fly because it was tied with extra small wire instead of small wire. Fly selection is a key ingredient in successful fishing, especially in Colorado.

I'm here to touch on my 10 favorite and most successful flies for Colorado, and hopefully you catch more fish as a result of this article! Some of these patterns are common and will catch fish practically anywhere. However, there are some variations of patters that I am very fond of, and I'll share 10 of them with you here on TOSFly.

Number 10 
Parachute BWO

Early Spring, late fall, or any other time those picky trout are refusing your big, intimidating dry fly, this small fly is a wonderful alternative. This fly is most productive when you are forced to present to those trout in still water in an extremely delicate and inconspicuous way. I love throwing this to trout I have sighted first with 6x or 7x tippet, then watching that selective cutthroat suck down that fly ever so softly. It is productive in a variety of water bodies including lakes, streams, and rivers. Whether you have the still water or a faster current, I encourage you to throw this fly when fishing Colorado. Be careful when tying this one, however. If you don't place the wings correctly, you could face some frustrating hook sets.

Number 9
San Juan Worm

Purists, skip this selection. I try to keep it dry fly or die, but during the winter, you might as well stay in and have a beer because you're not going to catch them on dries on a consistent enough basis to make it worthwhile. So, if I'm going to break the rules, I'm at least going to catch fish. This is a great indicator fly, and when adding a double tungsten weight to the shank, you are able to get it down deep to those winter holes where the trout seem to never leave. Use this pattern in combination with a midge, and you should be golden on those winter days when nothing else seems to work. Trust me.

Number 8 
Pearl Bugger

A simple pearl chord makes this brown wooly bugger deadly in Colorado. I came across this pattern one spring, when the water was running too high to fish. I weighted it down and ran it along the banks; wouldn't you know it, in three to four casts the browns started to just hammer it. It is my "go-to fly" when the flows are beyond what any normal fly can handle.

This fly is also extremely effective in deeper pools and for some mountain lake fishing. Just be sure to weight it down with some lead wire and a nice heavy bead head. Your results will be worth it.

Number 7
Stimulator

Whether it is hoppers, caddis, or leaves, fish seem to attack this thing during the summer, and it seems to look like just about everything. I have always caught a fish throwing these flies during the summer. They are great for throwing as a lead dry and dropping a nymph below. Or you can fish it my favorite way by throwing a super small hopper behind it to see some great dry fly action.

Number 6
Top Secret Midge

You are among a very privileged few considering I'm revealing this information to you given its top-secret nature. There is no secret, however, as to how many fish this pattern will catch. What I love most about this fly is its ability to catch those large, picky fish; especially during the winter. This is a great pattern tied in brown, maroon and olive. This is a money pattern.

Number 5
Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear

It had to show up somewhere in this list. I fish this all-purpose fly whenever I don't know what the fish are feeding on because it always helps me figure out the right pattern. This fly is so versatile, you can fish it 100 different ways. After making several casts, this little fly will start producing, and it will give you a strong idea of what the fish are doing and what they are truly feeding on.

This is a must have fly in both weighted and unweighted varying sizes.

Number 4

Pheasant Tail

My uncle, Shane Freehling, claims this is the only fly he can use year-round that will ALWAYS catch fish. I think he may be right. Though the hare's ear and the pheasant tail are similar, the pheasant tail has much more definition and coloration making it a very realistic pattern the fish react to from a large distance with a competitive appetite.

When the fish are emerging, fish this like you would a streamer in small sizes without an indicator, and you will catch them by the dozens.

Number 3
Madam X

This big, bulky fly is quite the fish catcher. While most of the time smaller flies will catch fish, this fly is one of my favorites due to the size of the fish it catches. Now I've caught large fish on size #24 midges, but what's great about a size 8-10 madam x is those smaller fish cant get it in their mouths like the big browns can. I've seen voracious attacks on this fly.

I've seen a fish move from across the bank to come and get this fly. It's not about being calm and quiet with this fly; let it slap the water, let it move on the water, you'll be in for quite the show if you provide the action. The Madam X catches big fish during those warm summer days, and it never misses a show.

Number 2
Parachute Hopper

Most people define the seasons as winter, spring, summer, and fall; I describe the seasons as midge time, bwo time, hopper time, and hopper time. There is not another fly in my box (besides #1) that I wouldn't throw 100% of the time. The pattern is undeniably attractive to the fish. They must know instinctively (or by experience) that the hopper holds as much protein as it does.

I've had fish fight over this fly, jump 5 ft. out of the water for it, and chase it 30 ft. down a riffle too fast for me to stand in. This is one hatch that is easy to match. As you walk into the river, you'll see grasshoppers bouncing around your feet. Leave the rest of your flies in the car, you're only going to need the hopper in Colorado.

The trick is tying the legs so they continuously flare out away from the body as if the bug has sprung its last jump. The fish see the profile and the legs, and it is off to the races!

Number 1
CDC Caddis

I won't say it's a bug you can fish year round, but you can catch fish from May to November in Colorado on this pattern. Not only does it float well given its CDC wings, but it imitates an emerger, adult, and caddis pupa if fished correctly. I have caught more fish on a CDC caddis than any fly in my box. It is my "go-to fly" for Colorado. You can tear them up on mother's day down on the Arkansas river during the world-famous caddis hatch.

The beauty of this fly is you can tie 3 on your line in different colors, and fish them all as an adult cluster. You can also split them up: one as a dry, one as an emerger, and one as a nymph (slightly weighted to sink). The versatility, natural look, and action you get from the fly makes this fly my number one choice for flies to fish in Colorado. You can't go wrong with it if it's the right time of year.

If you're thinking about coming to Colorado, and you are looking for fly selection advice, I have others that will catch fish when all else fails. However, you are going to have 90% of your opportunities to catch fish with these flies listed above.

So pack up your gear, give me a shout, and get out here and fish Colorado!

Dry Fly or Die!

Allen Gardner

Allen Gardner is a Colorado fly fishing enthusiast who also spends a little time writing articles. He is a semi-regular contributor for TOSFly.com on topics pertaining to Colorado. Stay tuned for more of his stuff coming soon!

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Urban Fly Fishing

Unless you are one of the lucky few who can make a living elsewhere, the majority of us work an 8 to 5. The problem with an 8 to 5 job is that you are forced to miss out on a few hours per workday you could spend on some water! Yeah ... you could go on your lunch break, but lets get real, your closest trout river is at least an hour away! Good luck swinging that lunch break!

So what do those of us who are die-hard trout bums fall back on? Well, the answer is simple: Find that lake or river we drive by everyday, drop our issues with trout being the only true fish worth catching on a fly, and get our fix! I'm here to share some inspiring stories about my urban fly-fishing adventures, and I hope to inspire some of you to get out in your local lake or river and catch whatever may bite your fly!

Wanna know what I caught it on? A CDC CADDIS DRY FLY!!! Some of the most difficult fish in the world (and I've tried my luck at the large browns in New Zealand) are these fickle grass carp. The fly-fisherman's only real option for catching these buggers is to catch them when they are "clooping" for cotton seeds on the surface. I guess it is possible to catch one of these guys on a grass fly, but hooking him off the top is much more fun!

The lake I frequent is one block from my apartment, and is honestly not much of a fishery except for these large grass carp. But, on the bright side, I don't know of anywhere else in the state of Colorado that I can catch a 32-inch fish in the evening after a hard day's work. That day I caught 5 fish all over 28 inches, and I caught them all on 5x and 6x line. It was a real joy.

This is what these fish look like when "Clooping." This bad boy was about 3 feet from the bank!

I understand that not everyone can get into this whole carp thing ... you're crazy in my opinion, but I understand. So, for those of you purists, let me come at you from a different angle: TROUT.

Now, I realize this is one of the many perks I get by living in Colorado, but this is one river that is right in town and on the front range! Boulder creek has been my home creek for many years due to its proximity to my living location and the fishing quality. I've never come across a another river that provides as much dry fly fishing year round. Further, the number of quality fish this river produces is remarkable.

But, the best news of all: It's in town and less than 30 minutes from downtown Denver! Guys (and Gals) this is not an anomaly. There are countless lakes and rivers within a stone's throw that offer productive and rewarding fishing for those who just take the time to explore. I've had 40 and 50 fish days on dries and nymphs, and I've caught fish as large as 17 inches in my home creek. And the best part: It is all fishable in between classes or before and after work.

Lets face it, we are all addicted. We all want to fish that favorite spot every day, but when you only have an hour or two, don't let the fact that you can't drive an hour keep you off the water. Spend that time tossing a fly! I promise, you will not regret it.

So now it's your turn to explore the lake or river you have been thinking about during this article and catch some fish. When you do, remember to send you stories to TOSFly!!!

Till next time, toss them long and toss them well, then come to TOSFly.

~Dry Fly Or Die~

Allen Gardner

Allen Gardner is a Colorado Fly Fishing enthusiast who also spends some time writing articles. He is a guest contributor for TOSFly.com. Stay on the lookout for more of his articles soon!

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It's Worth the Work

As fly fishermen, we spend the majority of our time fishing rivers. Whether it be the freestone Elk River outside of Steamboat or the Dream Stream that winds its way between Eleven Mile and Spinney Reservoir, when one thinks of flyfishing it is always of a beautiful river. This article, however, is not about fishing rivers at all, but about fishing some of Colorado's majestic high mountain lakes. Fishing high mountain lakes requires a ton of work and dedication, but the payoff is huge.

I'll start with my favorite high mountain lake, No Name (and yes that is its actual name). It is outside of Vail, but that is all I am going say. The journey begins by driving up a dirt road that was clearly not made for normal automobiles to drive on. After bouncing around for forty-five minutes, it is finally time to throw on the packs and begin the climb. The hike in is only a mile and a half, but don't let that fool you. There is also a few thousand feet of elevation that is about to change. After winding your way up mountain goat trails and three different passes, you finally see this amazing glacier lake tucked away in a bowl somewhere in the Gore Range, with many fish just waiting to be caught.

So, I know what you are thinking, with all of this work, where is the payoff? My answer to that is simple: other than being surrounded by 13,000 foot mountains, and other than being the only one there, the payoff is the fish of course! These fish spend eight months out of the year under a frozen sheet of ice, and when that ice melts, they are ready to feed. There are two ways I like to catch the mountain cutthroats. First, in the morning when the sun first hits the lake, I like to throw a caddis (sometimes a hopper or an orange stimulator is great too) out onto the crystal clear water and watch them swarm at what they think will be their breakfast. In the afternoon, I switch to a streamer pattern and some sink tip line. I throw my fly out just beyond where the shelf drops off, let it sink, then strip it in. I don't know what is more amazing, catching the fish or watching it hunt down my streamer in that clear green water. I think high-mountain lake fishing holds a special place in my heart because every time I return, it is like catching up with an old friend. I hope I have painted a picture of how amazing high-mountain lake fishing can be. It can be a great option when you just want a change of pace or want to combine a backpacking trip with some flyfishing. Be looking out for another article to come where I will discuss the locations of some of the prime high-mountain lakes in our beautiful state.

With Love From Colorado,

~Kush

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