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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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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Featured Angler: Hunter Hibbard

Hello all who share my affinity for fishing and filming - or at least watching. I would like to introduce you to the newest portion of our adventure: The Angler of the Month. Once a month I will be showcasing one angler's talents and skills shown by his... (or her) performance. This will not always be a new angler, but will always go to the most deserved. Who knows, find the TOSFly crew on the river - and you might just find yourself with a pig, and as the next Angler of the Month.

Angler of the Month

Featured Angler: Hunter from Seth Jewell on Vimeo.

Three weeks ago, the crew from The Other Side Fly-Flyfishing had the privilege and reward to teach a newcomer to our fair sport - Hunter Hibbard. We've all known Hunter for years, but this is the first time he's been fly-fishing with the crew... and his first time to fly-fish at all. He's been patient, diligent in his practice, and skillful in performance. Did he deserve this month's spot? Go to the 'Vids" section, or simply push play above, and watch the video to decide for yourself. Thanks for watching.

- Z-Will

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