Modern Terrestrials: Tying & Fishing the World's Most Effective Patterns

Rick Takahashi and Jerry Hubbka have a new book available for you tying guys.  Building off the popularity of Modern Midges, they have just recently completed Modern Terrestrials.  It includes many patterns of terrestrials from tiers all around the world.  I am proud to have several patterns included.  Make sure to pick up your copy soon.  Last time, Modern Midges was backordered for a while.  You can order it off of Amazon or check with your local fly shop.
http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Terrestrials-Fishing-Effective-Patterns/dp/193475322X

New 5wt. Fly Rod Shoot Out results

If you've followed this blog for a while now, you understand that I love gear.   I have in the past, compared different fly rods and line to go with those rods and gave you my opinion.  Here and here and here.  My hands down favorite fly rods are the Hardy Zenith rods.  I don't think there is a better fly rod out there right now.  The Scott Radian came closer but couldn't touch it.

Over the last few years, there have been a couple of 5 wt. shoot outs done by George Anderson's Yellowstone Angler.  These are great rod comparisions on the best rods out there.  Just today, I received an e-mail about a new, different rod Shoot out.  Trident Fly Fishing did their own shoot out and came up with a different winner.  Take a look here.
What interested me the most with this review was that the Hardy Zenith came in 2nd place.  It was tested by various anglers and scored accordingly to how they thought it felt.  It did great and it just goes to show that that rod is definately one of the best all around rods out there if not the best!    Another thing that popped out to me was the comments on the Sage ONE rod.  Some said it was "too fast for the average angler".  I have been saying this all along!!  The Scott Radian is also another one of those rods who has a great following.  I cast this rod along several others and felt it was a bit too stiff for an all around rod for me.  It also felt that way to others in the review.  I think it is a great rod, but just a tad bit too stiff and fast.  I would love this rod in a 6wt. for streamers. The winner, the Orvis H2 is another top both rod.  Do I think it is better than the Zenith?  NO!  It is pretty darn special though.  

In truth, I think I might like the H2 4wt. over the Zenith.  That 4wt. is a special rod.   It's light and fast and smooth.  The 5 wt. is strong and accurate and better than the One and Radian in my opinion but not as smooth, powerful and light as the Zenith.  The Radian does have a special place in my heart though.  It was created here in Colorado and my casting style was formed by Scott rods.  The look of those rods are unique and there is nothing that compares to the hand scribed writing.  I don't own one.....yet.

So what are your thoughts on rods you own now? What rods do you like? Dislike?

2 days

Every once in a while I get out on my own.  This week I was able to get out twice, both with my wonderful wife.  One trip to 11 Mile Canyon and another day on the Dream Stream.  It's great to toss the flies yourself.  I have been pointing to clients and telling them where to toss those flies.  The PMDs are starting to show and that will mean some great dry fly fishing soon!

Hopper Juan Tying Kits

Hopper Juan kits are again available for purchase!  They include hard to find materials to tie 6 Hopper Juans.  Included are 6 hooks, size #8, 12 pre-cut foam bodies, 6 pre-cut over wings, rubber legs and indicator material.  You will need the thread, elk hair, super glue and krystal flash.  The kits cost $5.00 per + shipping.  Please e-mail me at juan@anglerscovey.com if you would like to purchase some kits.  I accept Pay-Pal.

In the future

there will be higher water and we will need to add more split shot and fish bigger flies.  Junk flies like crane fly larva and scuds and worms and stoneflies.  3x tippet will replace the 5 and 6x tippet.  The 5 and 6 wt. rods will be used and for a while, the 4wts. will be put away.  After things calm down a bit, it will be time to pull out that 4wt. again and that 6x tippet and tie on some Tricos.  Changing from #6 flies to #24  flies will be a shock, but that is what the fish will be eating.  Along with the Tricos, PMDs will make their appearance and for anglers who choose not to throw #24 dry flies can still dry fly fish with #18 PMDs.  Last year, the PMD fishing in 11-Mile Canyon was excellent.  This year, I feel it will be just as great.  That is why I am getting ready!  You better get ready too.  

Caddis

There are so many great videos out there right now.  Here is one of them......


Mother's Day Caddis Hatch from Lone Peak Outfitters on Vimeo.

Beatis

One of the best videos of BWOs on the water yet.   They are still out there, but not for long.....

An Ode To Baetis from Ben Pierce on Vimeo.

Big water, high water and low water.

This past weekend I was able to get back on the South Platte River.  After spending the last 6 weeks on the Arkansas River, it was quite the difference.  On the Ark, the water has been higher, colder and stronger.  It beats you down, wears you out and makes you seriously consider not getting in the water at all.  The rocks are round and hard to grip and when using studs and there are times when it hurts more than it helps.  There aren’t many places to cross the river safely and when you do, after fishing and getting beat down, you have to cross back again under tired legs.  This is possibly after the river has risen with a little snowmelt so an additional 150 CFS is added to that water volume on your way back.

The South Platte is controlled by man.  It’s not nearly as wide and as strong as the Ark.  It’s been tamed and it’s been controlled.  The granite rocks here are a dream for studded boots.  The studs grip the rocks like a cat’s claws into a leather sofa.  The water can be strong, but normally, it’s not.  There are a ton of places to cross the river, even in higher water.    There are always people fishing on that water and if you happen to fall in and go for a swim downstream, you are likely to piss off a few people.  On the Ark, you will die. 

Ark in mid April

After visiting the Ark and the Deckers section of the South Platte, I visited 11-Mile Canyon.  At 77 CFS, it was as if I was fishing a small creek.  The water was crystal clear and flowed gently over the rocks.  If wading the Deckers stretch was fairly easy compared to the Ark, this was like walking through the wet grass.  Most of the water I walked in was less than knee deep and any other water deeper, you were fishing it.  It’s easy to get lazy when wading these lower flows.  Things will change here in the future so enjoy the lower flows while you can.  Oh, and the fishing was pretty good too!

77 CFS

Late March flows

11-Mile Canyon

Clear, low flows before run-off.  

Swing with it.

 A little less than two weeks ago today, this video was taken.  In those two weeks, things on the water have changed dramatically.  This time of the year, we see a lot of different cycles.  With a good, solid snowpack this year, more water is being dumped out of reservoirs to make room for extra run off and the heavier, low level snowmelt is melting, something that may not happen on an average year.  This can change fishing conditions drastically.  Make sure you follow flows to see what your favorite water is doing before you head out.
http://www.dwr.state.co.us/surfacewater/default.aspx
This is where I go to look up my favorite water to see what the flows are like.
Here are a couple of links to a short piece of information about fishing higher water from Anglers Covey Fly Shop.
http://www.anglerscovey.com/blogs/anglers-blog/2014/4/16/fishing-high-water
http://www.anglerscovey.com/blogs/anglers-blog/2014/4/24/fly-fishing-colorado-spring
Have fun and stay safe!!!!

Snow and BWOs

If you have never fished a full blown BWO hatch as my client had not, it can be quite a sight.  We had to stop and walk away from rising fish.  It was getting late and our fingers couldn't tie on another dry fly.  There were so many heads poking out of the water, I'd see naturals float down the river like a pinball, bouncing off of the rings of a rising trout and then bouncing off another, on down the river.  For my Floridian clients, the snow was a thing of amazement.  It was truly a great day on the water, even if the true magic happened in the last quarter of the day.  

Fighting another BWO eater

Almost in!

Right between the rocks.

Success!

The walk back to the car.  It was beautiful!

Early on, before the rods were buried

The Fryingpan-Arkansas River Project video

 I stumbled upon this video the other day and watched it.  It is pretty interesting, showing the process of the movement of water in the Fryingpan-Arkansas River Project.  The use of Google Maps is pretty cool.

The Royal Gorgeous Caddis

The production of the Royal Gorgeous.  These flies are now available in local fly shops such as Royal Gorge Anglers in Canon City, Anglers Covey and The Peak Fly Shop in Colorado Springs.  These will be a hot pattern to have starting right now and going into into the summer.  Make sure you have some!