1st Annual Tying and Giving Back-Casting for Recovery Benefit

If you are a resident of the Colorado Spings area, make sure to mark this down on your calender.  This is going to be a great event for a great cause. I am honored to be included in such a great circle of well known fy tiers.  I am a little bummed that I have to tie and that I can't watch the others that are tying. Stop by and say hi to me and all the others that will be taking time to drive here for this function.

 

 

 

1st Annual Tying and Giving Back-Casting for Recovery Benefit
Time   
Tuesday, October 25 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location   
Colorado Division of Wildlife
4255 Sinton Road
Colorado Springs, CO
  
Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited
  
Please join us at CMCTU's 1st Annual Tying and Giving Back-Casting for Recovery Benefit! Professional fly tiers, authors, guides, members and non-members all tying and donating flies to benefit breast cancer survivors and Casting for Recovery Program.

Professional tiers include;
Charlie Craven, Charlie’s Fly Box
Pat Dorsey, A Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte River, Fly Fishing Tailwaters and Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies
Juan Ramirez, Hopper Juan Flies
Rick Takahashi, Modern Midges
Jerry Hubka, Modern Midges
Ken Iwamasa, Iwamasa Flies

Fly Shops and Guides attending
Angler’s Covey
Ghillies Fly Shop
The Peak Fly Shop
Royal Gorge Anglers
Sportsman’s Warehouse

Please visit Casting for Recovery's website to learn more about this great organization and program! www.castingforrecovery.o rg.

Hope to see you all there!!

Friday Night Funnies

Check out this funny clip from a movie.  This is Dennis Leary, so there is some foul language involved.
It made me laugh and some days this is just how it is and how I feel.

09/11/01

I usually got up and turned on the news first thing in the morning.  That morning, I didn't turn it on for some reason.  I was getting ready for work that day.  It was the first day of work for me with my Uncle Sam.  I remember going to bed the night before, worried about going back to steady work.  I was 25 and had spent the summer guiding on and off.  I wouldn't call it steady work, but I spent a lot of time on the water and in the shop.
I got a phone call from my uncle saying he was late because he was watching what happened to the WTC.  I said, "Oh, what happened in 1993"?  "No", he said, "turn on the TV".  I did and by that time both the towers had already fallen.  I was only able to watch the news coverage for about 10-15 minutes before I had to leave.  On the drive to Las Vegas, NM, about an hour from Springer, we were glued to the radio, listing to what was happening.  It was hard to hear in that old van my uncle used to drive.  I spent most of the day in the attic of a motel, running electrical wires from room to room.  At the end of the day, in the lobby of the motel, we watched Tom Brokaw report live from NYC.  It was dark by then and most of the details of the day were know by then.  It was hard to comprehend what had happened.  Even to this day, it's hard for me to comprehend what happened that day.
That day changed all of our lives.  It changed the lives of my unborn children.  Last night, watching the coverage of that day, it seamed like it hurt more than it ever has.  I've grown accustomed to the faces and names of the heroes of Flight 93.  It feels like I knew them, their lives and their story.  I guess we all do.  People have moved on, but it's still hard to watch and hear the stories of the families.
My small kids still don't know exactly what happened and why it happened.  How do you explain hatred   to a 7 year old?  How do you explain why airplanes crashed into tall buildings to a 5 year old?  In time, they will come to understand what happened on that beautiful day in September.

An old childhood friend's son was born on September 11, 2001.  I felt so sorry for her.  Imaging having your child born on one of the worst days in history.  He is now a healthy 10 year old, and that is all that matters now.

I thought those were the coolest buildings ever.  They were iconic.  I remember as a small child how I thought they were so simple, yet so massive.  They were just long cubes in the city.  Standing at the base of them was amazing.  They were huge!   I remember driving out of NYC and staring at those building for as long as I could see them.  They were that dominate in a city full of tall buildings.  I haven't been back to NYC since.

Thank you to all who have served this country.  Thank you for being a cop, an EMT, a  volunteer fire fighter, a little league coach, a Dept. of Defense employee, a nurse, a Marine, a Cadet, or anything else in between.  Thank you.

New flies for 2012, MFC

I am honored and proud to be included in Montana Fly Company's 2012 catalog with 3 new patterns for you guys to throw.  They are the Tungsten Hot Shot Nymph, the Sniper Baetis Nymph and the i-Stone, a Golden Stone pattern.

The Hot Shot is a general pattern that I use to show the fish something different.  The tungsten bead helps to bet the fly down and the red colored bead also gets the attention of the fish.  I have had some really good days on the South Platte and Arkansas River with this pattern trailing a Hopper Juan and hitting spots most people won't fish.  It is a great pattern and in the smaller sizes, I like to put on a red glass bead to reflect more color.

Tungsten Hot Shot Nymph 

Hook:      MFC 7045 or TMC 2457 Scud Hook #14-18.

Bead:       Red MFC Lucent Tungsten Bead, Christmas Red

Thread:   Brown UTC 70 or MFC 8/0.

Body:      Hareline Dubbin, Cinnamon Caddis.

Rib:         Small Copper Wire.

Shellback:  Natural Pheasant Tail.

Tail:         Natural Pheasant Tail.

Thorax:    UV Olive Brown Ice Dub.

Wings:     Brown Hen Back.

The Sniper Baetis is a sweet little pattern that you know will work on the techinical waters where big Rainbows line up to eat baetis nymphs in the late fall and early spring.  This pattern has proven it's self in the toughest hatches and on some tough fish.  A thin profile helps to get the pattern down and the fish eating it.  Easy to tie, make sure you have some of these in you box for the next time you find fish eating nymphs and emergers.  

Sniper Baetis Nymph

Rusty Brown 

Hook:      MFC Emerger Hook, TMC 2488 #18-24

Thread:   MFC 8/0 Rusty Brown

Tail:         Mottled Brown Hen Hackle

Rib:          Hareline Ice Thread, Black  

Thorax:    Rusty Brown Superfine Dubbing-very sparse

Wingcase:  Fluoro Fibre, Brown 16 strands #18-20, 22 & 24=14 strands.

Legs:        Fluoro Fibre, Brown 

The Tungsten i-Stone was developed by finding a sheet of foam that was used to pack up my i-Mac.  A little fooling around with a caddis wing cutter and some new dubbing from Natures Spirit in a golden stone color and the i-Stone was developed.  Initial testing on the Animas River was not too promising but that may not be the best place to test a golden stone pattern.  More testing on the Arkansas River was a better idea.  The Ark. is loaded with golden stones.  It preformed awesome.  The wingpads held up and the tungsten and lead helped get the pattern down where the fish are.  It has quickly become one of my favorite patterns to use year around.  

Tungsten Golden iStone

Hook:      MFC 7231 or TMC 2302 #10-12

Bead:       MFC Lucent Coffee Tungsten Bead, 2.7mm

Thread:   UTC 70 Yellow or MFC 8/0

Underbody:  .20 lead laid on the sides or lead tape.

Body:      Nature’s Spirit Amber Emergence Dubbing.

Rib:         Small Copper Wire

Shellback:  Medallion sheeting or MFC Gold Silly Skin

Tail:         Gold Goose Biots

Thorax:    Nature’s Spirit Amber Emergence Dubbing or similar.

Wings:     Brown Hen Back

Wingcase:  Computer Packing Foam Colored with Dark Brown Marker. I use foam from an Apple iMac.  Dell or HP foam would work as well.   Cut with #18 Caddis Wing Cutter.  

Some new 2012 products

I've been pouting a bit for the last week or so, since I wasn't able to make it to the dealer show in New Orleans this year.  I had been to the last few 3 or 4 in Denver and was just getting used to getting my free swag which included fly tying catalogs, sample tying materials, hats, and beer.  One year I even scored a pair of waders.  I poured over the internet trying to find out what is new this year.  I assumed that my fly patterns didn't make it into the MFC catalog this year.  I caught glimpses of new products that won best of show for this and for that.  If you look now, you can find some stuff out there that is new.  What I really wanted to get my hands on was the MFC catalog.  I had heard they had some cool new stuff.  Well yesterday as I was cruising the internets, I ran across the link to the new 2012 MFC pdf. catalog.  If you click HERE, you will get the goods.  Please note that MFC did like 3 of my patterns and now have them in the 2012 catalog.  I'll have to post some tutorials of those bugs later when I have some time.  That's also the same thing I tell my wife when she asks me to fix something around the house.

Some New Bugs from MFC, 2012

MFC also has some sweet new fly boxes and other things you have to see for yourself.  The boat box won Best of Show for best fly storage system this year. You have to check it out! The new fish print items look really sweet also.  The boat box can hold up to 4,000 or so flies.  I think I might have to tie a dozen or so more flies to fill that thing.  I am not sure how a person like me that doesn't have a boat fits that thing in the vest.

MFC Boat Box

Other items that I have played with is the new Sage "One" rod.  It's nice and I said "it's like a sniper rifle, it's that accurate".  It did make me feel like I was hitting every nook and cranny I aimed for, but maybe I just thought that since that was what I read somewhere.   It is definitely worth checking out though.  I don't think that it is head and shoulders above other high end rods, but it is right there at the top.   I'd like to have a shoot out with the G Loomis NRX, the Hardy Zenith, the Sage One and the other big dogs out there to see where it fits in.

Sage "One" Rod.  

Another new item I was able to fondle recently down at Ghilles Fly shop was the new Hardy DD & CC Ultralight reels.  These are nice also and for the price, you probably can't beat them.  They are made in Korea, if you don't mind going that route.  I prefer my reels to be made in the USA, but some don't really care as long as the fish don't care.  The CC reels have a click drag and come in smaller sizes than the DD as you may have guessed.  The double D's are bigger than the smaller C's as in life but depending on your preference, they are both pretty nice.  The DD's have a disc drag and the smaller sized DD is around a 5wt. size reel.

Some new offerings from Scott Fly Rod Co.

This year brings three new Scott Series rods for 2012.  As a Scott head, I am pretty excited.  I wish I could get one of the M series!

Scott Fly Rod Co. recently announced three new rod series for 2012. Here they are.  

Developed from our Custom Shop program, Scott M Series rods feature components and craftsmanship most often found on the finest split bamboo rods. These are heirloom quality rods that will make you proud to own them and to fish them.

The freshwater rods are appointed with blued nickel silver components like custom reel seats with amboyna wood spacers, hand made Snakebrand guides, real agate stripping guides in hand soldered nickel silver frames, strap and ring hook keepers, and unique grips turned from the very best Flor grade cork.

These rods are built on the most popular G2, S4 and S4s blanks but use the finest components money can buy. In essence this is a collectors series of rods.

A4 rods are smooth casting high line speed rods with very low physical weights. They recover very quickly and cast super flat, very precise loops, yet load progressively and transmit feel extremely well.

Scott L2h series two handed rods are designed and optimized for today’s new line tapers and casting styles. 

These rods transfer power smoothly and are incredibly stable when changing directions or applying forward stroke power. They to cast flatter, tighter loops that deliver greater distance and accuracy.

Components are top of the line, with new grips shaped from Super grade cork, TiCh coated reel seats with self aligning slide hoods, and TiCh stripping guides that feature SiC inserts. 

L2h rods deliver a new level of performance in mid priced two handers.

Need hoppers?

If you guys are looking for the Hopper Juan fly, there are many places you can get a hold of them. You can find them in several of the Denver and Colorado Springs area fly shops or you can order them through Dream Drift Flies. The link to Dream Drift Flies is to the right on the side bar. Look for the "Buy Hopper Juan Flies" button and it will take you right to my page of flies. As for the shops, Anglers Covey in Colorado Springs has them in stock, Anglers All, Discount Fishing Tackle, Trout's Fly Shop, & The Denver Fly Shop in Denver all carry the Hopper Juan. So if you need some, give them a call or stop by and pick some up.

The Hopper Juan is available in size 8-12.

Where's Waldo?

Just so you know, I haven't fallen off the edge of the Earth.  Well, it feels like I have but I haven't.  In the last three weeks or so, I have attended 2 funerals, fished 4 days, and traveled about 2,700 miles witnessed a motorcycle accident and was the first on the scene.  Nobody died, but there was lots of blood and I found out, I would be worthless if I found you on the side of the road dying. All I could do for you is pray.   I spent way too much money on gas and eating out, drank too many Cokes and sat on my ass way to long.  But, I did see some family that I haven't seen in a long time, travel some roads that I haven't been on in a while and enjoyed almost all of it.  Here are just a few photos for you since a post is worthless without pictures.

Mancos, Colorado

Arizona

11 Mile Canyon, Colorado

My client, Kevin seeing the results of throwing a Hopper Juan.

Dang Bubba, that's how it is done!  Gallup New Mexico

Umm, not sure.  

Navajo Nation, USA

Some where on 1-40

Southwest Colorado

After driving past the Rio Grande, The S. Fork of the Rio, The Upper San Juan, The Piedra, The Los Pinos and The Animas, I figured I might get some time on the water. 

But this wasn't a fishing trip as it was a trip to attend the funeral of my wife's Grandfather.  Her Grandfather fished in his younger days and spent many days in La Plata Canyon both fishing and gold panning.  Tomorrow is his funeral and as I sat in the rain on the banks of the Dolores yesterday and on the rocks of some feeder creek in La Plata Canyon today, I realized that this blog isn't just a way to tell you guys where I am and what I have been up to in the fishing world, but it serves as a journal to me, to you and to my kids.  Many times the ones we love leave us and they leave us with many questions.  We know what they liked to do in life but the pictures leave us wanting more.  There are stories that go along with the  pictures.  I guess that is why we all like to blog.  To tell just more than the stories. To have more to go with the pictures. 

With that I'll share with you what I have been up to in Southwest Colorado.  

The first trip was up the canyon to the Upper Dolores.  There was  a feeder creek that I found a few years ago that held some really nice fish.  As I suited up, the rain clouds started to build.  After a short hike, the rain started coming down.  And it didn't stop.  I caught a few fish, but it was coming down so hard that I had trouble seeing my fly and it was soaked no matter how much floatant I put on it.  I waited it out and it was socked in. I sat on the bank of the main Dolores eyeing good looking pockets on the other side, but feared that the river might rise quickly and I wouldn't be able to get back across.  I headed back down the canyon and figured I was done for the day.  I stopped one more time.  The West Fork of The Dolores was clear and it wasn't raining.  I stopped to fish.  It started raining again.  I hooked a few fish and headed back home.  The following day I wanted to hit the Animas River in Durango.  I could just imagine the fish eating PMD emergers.  I questioned all that rain falling the previous evening.  

As I arrived in Durango, I got my first glimpse of the river.  It looked the color of a terra cotta pot.  No fishing here.  My back up plan was La Plata Canyon.  I had hoped it was clear. It was and I had a spot in mind that I knew was public and wasn't too far from the road turned bad and I could still get to it without leaving part of my car on the road.   I had a great time even before I stumbled upon that feeder creek.  Just for fun, I figured I'd see if there were any fish in it.  There were.  And they were all Cutthroats.  What followed was one of the best times on the water ever.  Not because they were huge fish, but because I had fun.  I felt as if I found this secret place no one else knew of.   And the Cutthroats were willing and they were beautiful.  This what it was all about.  As I sat there I wondered how I could share my story.  

The following pictures tell the story better than any of my words could ever do.  

A shuck from the W. Fork of the Dolores River

The La Plata River in La Plata Canyon

Rigging up

There was a bunch of pocket water, perfect for dries.

One of my favorite rods, a G 803/3

First one of the day.

The Fluttering Caddis worked great to start with.

This is awesome!

A dropper worked on this fish.  Some would miss the dry several times.  Once I added the dropper, I got him.

Up next was the Juanna Be Hopper Juan in size 12.  This was  the perfect fly for this stream.  Just the right size, floated well and easy to see. 

The type of water I was fishing.  

Thinking of putting a dropper on.

See that soft pocket along that bank.  A small Brookie missed my dry about 4 times.  So I put on a dropper.

It worked.  I hooked him, but he got off.  

More brookies showed up after the first few cutthroats. 

The Juanna Be was the hot fly.  

I stumbled upon this feeder creek and decided to see if anything was in it.  

First cast on first pool and hooked up with this fine Colorado River Cutt.

I figured small flies for small fish, but luckily, these weren't small fish. 

They were beautiful.

The Parachute worked great in this water.  I went through a few though.

One of the best pools.  

Can you spot the fish in the picture?  It's just a bit lower than dead center.

I wanted to hook one on a regular sized Hopper Juan.  I missed a few fish since they couldn't take it down.  

This was my last pool I fished and this guy had no problem taking it down.  The end to a great day.