High Country Angler | Spring 2014 by High Country Angler

North Platte River Casper, Wyoming Photo by Trent Tatum

Request Your FREE Adventure Guide at FishCasper.com

1.800.852.1889

THE WORLD’S M O ST A D VA N C E D POLARIZED LENS Experience World Altering Color and Clarity The Frontman ChromaPop™ Polarized Ignitor

PHOTO LOUIS CAHILL

smithoptics.com/chromapop 4

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

www.HCAmagazine.com

Fly Fishing

Hunting

Ranching

Conservation

North Fork Ranch Bailey, Colorado

ideal secluded retreat, this 505-acre ranch offers exceptional recreation within a 1-hour drive of Denver. With over ½ mile of the North Fork of the South Platte River, this Orvis endorsed fishing lodge and ranch operation enjoys guided trophy trout fishing for anglers of all skill levels with accommodations for up to 40 guests. Parcel options available. $7.7M, Was $9.25M

Ranch on Roaring Fork Crystal Lake Resort

Sleeping Dog Ranch

Tarryall River Ranch

Aspen, Colorado

Pine, Colorado

Lake City, Colorado

Lake George, Colorado

• 282 acres in Snowmass Canyon

• 38 acres with private fly fishing

• 309-acre recreational retreat

• 90-acre premier dude ranch

• 1 mile of private Roaring Fork

• 1 mile of North Fork of S. Platte

• 2 miles of Cebolla Creek

• ¾ mile of Tarryall River

• Parcel options available

• 8-bedroom Bed & Breakfast

• Exceptional dry fly fishing

• Bordered by Pike National Forest

$6.1M, Was $12.5M

$2,700,000

$2.65M, Was $3.5M

$2.65M, Was $2.95M

866.734.6100 | Brian Hartley | 303.455.1521

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

Additional high quality inventory can be viewed on our site. Several new legacy fishing properties will appear soon!

EDITORIAL •

BY FRANK MARTIN

HCA Ezine

e’ve had several milestones in our eleven years of publication here at HCA, but none as exciting as the launch of our new HCA Ezine this issue! In the past, readers have been able to view the last few years of magazines on our website using our Digital Online Viewer, and we’ll keep those issues archived in the future. But that feature has been more of a backup to the print magazine, not an additional resource. Now, all that has changed! Beginning with this Spring 14 issue, we’re launching our new and improved HCA Ezine, which is an expanded version of the print magazine. You’ll find all the same content, but with even more great articles and features. All of our print advertisers will be represented, but online we’re able to actually link to their websites. See an ad that piques your interest? Just

HCA Staff P U B LISHER S

J ac k Tallo n & Frank M ar tin

click on the ad to learn more! We’ll also have the capability of embedding videos, and plan to utilize that feature in coming issues. Hard to do all that with a print magazine, though believe me, we’ve tried. In our first HCA Ezine, you’ll find feature articles from some of the most knowledgeable people in fly fishing, like Mike Lawson, Charlie Craven (aka: the Fly Guy), Tyler Bowman, Shawn Ash, and Brian LaRue. And we’ve got even more great features lined up for the future. Best of all, just like the print magazine, HCA Ezine is completely FREE! Just go to www.HCAezine.com to check it out! While you’re there, don’t forget to subscribe to our free email newsletter, so we can notify you each time a new issue is posted online. And don’t forget to shoot us an email to let us know what you think!

REIMAGINE

C O NTENT C ONSU LTANT L ando n M ayer

EDITO R IAL

Frank M ar t i n, M anagi ng Editor f rank@ hc am agaz ine.co m Landon Mayer, Editorial Consultant Ruthie Mar tin, Editor

ADV ER TISING

B r i an L a R ue, S ales & M a r keting, b r ian@ hc am agaz i ne.co m, D i rec t : ( 714) 944- 5676 K andily n M ar t i n, E z i ne Ad S ales. k andi ly n@ hc am agaz ine.com Cell: ( 719) 432- 8317

DESIG N

David M ar tin, Creative Direc tor & Graphic D esigner w w w.reimaginedesigns.com

P HOTO G RAP HY

Frank Martin, Landon Mayer, Brian LaRue, Angus Drummond

STAF F WRITER S

Frank Martin, Landon Mayer, Brian LaRue, Bill Edrington, Joel Evans, David Nickum, John Nickum

Copyright 2014, High Country Angler, a division of High Country Publications, LLC. All rights reserved. Reprinting of any content or photos without expressed written consent of publisher is prohibited. Published four (4) times per year.

THE

DESIGNERS OF HIGH COUNTRY ANGLER MAGAZINE WEBSITE.

WE WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR NEXT WEBSITE OR PRINT DESIGN PROJECT

To add your shop or business to our distribution list, contact Frank Martin at 719-265-4082, or email frank@hcamagazine.com. D i s t r i b u te d by H i g h Co u nt r y Pu b l i c at i o n s, L LC 7 3 0 Po p e s Va l l e y D r i ve Co l o ra d o S p r i n g s, Co l o ra d o 8 0 9 1 9 T E L E P H O N E 7 1 9 - 2 6 5 - 4 0 8 2 FA X 7 1 9 - 5 9 3 - 0 0 4 0

Published in cooperation with Colorado Trout Unlimited 620 Sixteenth Street, Suite 300 Denver, CO 80202 www.coloradotu.org

info@reimaginedesigns.com

WWW.REIMAGINEDESIGNS.COM 6

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

www.HCAmagazine.com

©Missing35mm

Amazing Colorado Adventures

Hundreds of miles of scenic waterways and thousands of new fish released each year make Gunnison-Crested Butte a true mecca for anglers. The Gunnison, Taylor and East rivers offer some of the best fishing in the world for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Cutthroat and Kokanee salmon. Blue Mesa Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir, and Pac Man Pond offer bountiful catch too. Cast your line in a place where state records are made – and bring home the story of a lifetime!

Free Vacation Planner (877) 277-3429 ColoradoFishingTown.com Proudly served by

www.HCAmagazine.com GCBTA-HighCountryAngler_FullPage_April14.indd 1

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

3/24/14 5:33 AM

Bow Fiddle Ranch - Centennial, Wyoming

SUSIE Q RANCH

SADDLEBACK RANCH

BOW FIDDLE RANCH

SUN VALLEY, IDAHO

PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO

CENTENNIAL, WYOMING

The 537± acre Susie Q Ranch, 40 minutes from Ketchum, is one of Sun Valley’s premier fishing properties. The ranch features tasteful improvements, lush pastures, and nearly 2 miles of world-renowned Silver Creek.

Encompassing both forks and the confluence of the San Juan River, the ranch features excellent privacy, outstanding fishing and panoramic views. 8 miles from Pagosa Springs. Co-listed with Roger Horton, Dutton Creek Realty

Located on the Little Laramie River, near Centennial and adjacent to Medicine Bow National Forest, this 3,600± acre property is a picturesque and productive property. Excellent fishing and functional improvements.

Reduced to $12,500,000

$11,900,000

$6,925,000

ASPEN MEADOWS RANCH

WELCOME CREEK RANCH ON ROCK CREEK

ROCK CREEK FISHING RANCH

FISHTAIL, MONTANA

MISSOULA, MONTANA

PHILIPSBURG, MONTANA

A 245± acre unimproved ranch on approximately one mile of the East Rosebud River. Only 60 minutes from Billings and just south of Absarokee, the ranch has extraordinary views of the mountains, abundant wildlife and privacy.

Welcome Creek Ranch on Rock Creek includes almost 130 acres with approximately 3,000 feet of Rock Creek frontage and a timber frame home with guest house. Incredibly convenient location 35 minutes to Missoula.

This 99± acre property fronts on Montana’s famous Rock Creek. Forest service borders the property and a tastefully remodeled (2005) antique log home sits at the edge of a meadow. Private bridge access.

$2,450,000

$1,650,000

S A LES 8

AU CTIO N S

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

WWW.HA LL A N D HA LL.CO M

LOANS |

MANAG E MENT

INFO@H ALLAND H ALL.C OM

APPR AISALS |

www.HCAmagazine.com

406.65 6. 75 00

SPRING 2014 VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 2

FEATURES 10 THE LEAD ATTRACTION BY LANDON MAYER 18

COLORADO RIVER BY BRIAN LA RUE

CHEESMAN CANYON AND DECKERS BY PAT DORSEY

HCA EZINE ADDITIONAL FEATURES 30

CDC CADDIS PUPAE BY CHARLIE CRAVEN

TIME FOR TERRESTRIALS BY MIKE LAWSON

ORVIS HELIOS 2 REVIEW BY BRIAN LA RUE

WHAT DOES SNOWPACK MEAN FOR ANGLERS? BY SHAWN ASH

CHATFIELD & WATERTON CANYON BY TYLER BOWMAN

DEPARTMENTS 6 EDITORIAL

BY FRANK MARTIN

LET’S GO FISHING BY BILL EDRINGTON

HCA GEAR BAG BY BRIAN LA RUE

FIT TO BE TIED BY JOEL EVANS

14 26 28

COLORADO TU SECTION 42

PRESIDENT’S LINE

21ST CENTURY WATER PLAN

BY RICK MATSUMOTO BY STEPHANIE SCOTT

ARMSTRONG CREEK

BY RANDY SCHOLFIELD

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLYATHLON BY ANDREW TODD

THE LAST CAST

BY JOHN NICKUM

DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! Have High Country Angler delivered right to your mailbox.

Subscribe online: www.HCAmagazine.com COVER PHOTO: Michael Burgess, Photo by Landon Mayer

Find High Country Angler Magazine on

TOC PHOTO: By Landon Mayer

www.HCAmagazine.com

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

The Lead Attraction by Landon Mayer

ust as the race for the Oscar Awards illustrates that the supporting role can complement the lead attraction, the same can be said for fly selection. In an attempt to get noticed by all the fish in the river, supporting a two-fly rig with something to attract the fish will often result in a take of the fly below. Trout, especially large trout, are opportunistic feeders that have to constantly eat to maintain size. Pairing a small fly that imitates a natural food source with something bright or oversized as the lead will make sure that no opportunities are missed. 10

High Country Angler â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2014

During the thaw as spring waters begin to warm, anglers can rely on matching the natural food supplies of midges and baetis that trout need in cold flowing rivers. With common sizes ranging from #18-24, it is easy to get stuck into thinking that downsizing is the way to go. Yes, fish will consume big numbers of these insects during the course of the day, but it is sometimes not enough to get the targetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention. Try thinking outside of the box by up-sizing one imitation on your dual, or three, fly rigs.

www.HCAmagazine.com

Beyond Ham and Eggs By ham and eggs I mean the favorite, and often over-fished, San Juan worm and egg patterns. These are great imitations when conditions are right, but they can also turn fish off in reverse conditions. The ideal setting for an egg is in high flows often connected to spring run off, when the non-escaping meal is swept off the river bottom and delivered right to the trout. Worms are also abundant in high flows following rain and snow. As the banks swell with moisture, the worms come out to play. The other half of high and dirty is low and clear. This is when the subtle and natural fly is best as the trout have a great line of sight to detect what looks like a real meal. Some of my favorite imitations resemble leeches, scuds, sow bugs, and for rivers that supply them, Mysis Shrimp. Adding these large realistic meals to your rig as the lead fly can trigger fish to look even in the most exposed environments. Now you are ready for all of the flow conditions you will see in the fluctuating days of Spring. The following are some go- to clear water patterns: Mayer’s Mini Leech (Brown/black) #16-14, Dorsey’s UV Scud (olive/orange) # 16-14, Ray Charles Sow Bug (grey) #18-14.

Tumbling Targets In this coldwater season, trout are lethargic in most of their movements—including when it is time to feed. I for one do not believe that when the fish are not willing to chase a big target, it is time to retire the streamer rod. Instead, I focus on areas of the river that contain deep water and structure. These can be classified as prime feeding areas that, if your imitation can remain in these great holding zones, increase the chance that the fish will take the fly. I refer to this setup as “tumbling your target” into the area where the lethargic fish are holding. Using a twitch or swinging your flies into the cover area will supply erratic movement to the fly without removing it from the productive water. The fly will at times appear as if it is tumbling along the river bottom—making it a perfect non-escaping food supply for the trout. Some of my favorite patterns are #12-8 Lawson Cone Head Sculpin, Barr’s Meat Whistle (Ginger) #10-6, Craven’s Gonga (olive) #10-8. www.HCAmagazine.com

Vi Visistit the n the N ew w w Weebsit G e id bsi ee tod e Guuid Toda ay Ph eddTtrript y o t o P hoto grapipss Vid g h e raph y Videoo and and M mory oree!!

Landon’s books & DVDs are available for order on his website!

w w w. l a n d o n m a y e r. c o m WWW.LANDONMAYER.COM Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

The Lake Effect Many of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest trout can be found in still waters abroad. Spring is a favorite time for many who know that on some waterways, these cruising giants will enter the river and begin their migration. While these fish are still trout, they can take on a markedly different attitude than the resident river trout, and they maintain a diet that consists of much larger food sources which exist in their place of origin. A good mental approach to fly selection for these moving targets is to match food in its original size as it is found in that lake.

High Country Angler â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2014

www.HCAmagazine.com

Midges and scuds are two of the most prolific meals ranging in sizes from #16-12 on many still waters. Productive patterns include Garcia’s Tungsten Rojo Midge (red) #16-14, Hunchback Scud (olive/ tan/orange) #16-10, Chan’s Chromnomid Pupa (black with red rib) #18-14, Mayer’s Tungsten Tube Midge (black/red/copper) #18-14. When achieving a matched size and color, you will often trigger a response from the lake fish that are used to seeing them. Not to mention the bonus of having a larger hook when battling big targets. Attaching one of these big meals as your trailing fly will also let you know if the fish you have sighted are coming in from a larger body of water, or reside locally. With all three of these setups, anticipate the same slow reaction after the initial hook set. It will take a few seconds for the fish to headshake to the water’s surface or just below. I encourage anglers to apply smooth acceleration on the lift so you can stop abruptly and absorb the heavy slow movements of the trout. Just like putting something cold in the microwave, it takes a minute to heat up. After the slow beginning to a fight, the action will speed up tremendously as the fish’s instincts kick in. The larger the target, the more rewarding the entire process can become during one of the best seasons for hunting trophy trout. The learning curve which you can leap over while battling Spring conditions is awesome. From a sight fishing point of view, learning to read the trout’s reactions, migration, and feeding behavior will take you to the next level. On your next trip, try upsizing some of the meals in your Spring box. Matching the large meals that can result in more takes when most are thinking small will cause you, too, to become a believer in the lead attraction.

Affordable Lodging in Beautiful Gunnison Colorado

37478 W. Hwy 50 Gunnison, CO 81230

Come Ice Fish the Blue Mesa & Taylor Reservoir!

Ask About Our Fall & Winter Specials! • Rooms $69 - $109

• Continental Breakfast • Free WIFI • Onsight Massage Service • RTA Shuttle to Crested Butte • Balconies Overlooking Golf Course • Parking for Boats & Trailers • Exercise Room • Laundry Facility • Friendly Staff That Loves the Outdoors!

1-800-642-1650 Local (970) 641-1650

www.waterwheelinnatgunnison.com

FRYING PAN CABIN RENTALS 2561 Frying Pan Rd. Basalt, CO 81621

• 1 & 2 Bedroom Cabins on the Frying Pan River • Fully Equipped Kitchens, Outdoor Decks, Grills, Etc. • Approx. 1/2 Mile of Privately Owned Property for your Fishing Pleasure • On the Four-Star Frying Pan River • Close to Historic Downtown Basalt Call for Availability & Rates:

(970)927-4010 or (970) 618-6572 307 East First Street,

Salida, CO 81201 About the Author.

Landon Mayer is a veteran Colorado guide and author of several books, including Colorado’s Best Fly Fishing, from Stackpole Books. He has co-produced 2 fly fishing DVDs with John Barr, both available from Mad Trout Media. Visit Landon’s website at www.landonmayer.com.

www.HCAmagazine.com

*2 or more nights Sunday through Thursday 10% off Friday and Saturday Must mention this ad when booking Advanced reservation required

*15% Discount for Anglers!

1880s Railroad Boarding House

1-888-228-1410 www.ThomasHouse.com Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

LET’S GO FISHING •

BY BILL EDRINGTON

Striking Gold Again

“I

t’s the best the Arkansas has been in 100 years,” says Doug Kreiger, Senior Aquatic Biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. I’ve known Doug for a number of years and can readily say that a statement like that from a fisheries biologist doesn’t come lightly. Doug, along with Greg Policky, our Arkansas fisheries biologist, has cobbled together a river ecosystem that has turned from a heavy metal polluted fishery in 1993 to a Gold Medal Fishery in 2013. Two decades of hard work. I’m not much for giving any government agency kudos, but these two gentlemen deserve all

the praise we can bestow upon them. Greg has worked with many agencies, groups, and individuals to bring back this river from basically a third tier fishery to one that just gets better and better every year. When the Wildlife Commission gave Gold Medal status to the entire river from the Lake Fork confluence at Leadville to the Parkdale Bridge, we gained 102 contiguous miles of water that not only met the standards for Gold Medal Status but simply crushed them. A river needs to consistently produce 60 lbs. of trout per acre of water with at least 12 trout being over 14 inches in that sampling. The Arkansas, in the 2012 sampling, produced over 170 lbs. per acre with 75 fish over 14 inches. Fish in this river are now living to be upwards of ten years old, which means the old days of never catching big fish are over and have been over for a decade now. Even though I am old, I have not been around long enough to qualify Doug’s 100year claim, but I have fished this river for over 40 years and have lived on it for nearly

BILL’S PERFECT RIBEYE First of all, if you’re going to eat a good steak, don’t try very hard to save money on the beef. Buy choice, grass fed beef steak, cut around 1 ¼ inches thick. I like bone in rib eye. Please do not cook the steak until it is at room temperature. Steaks just out of the refrigerator lack the flavor you’re after. I put mine on the counter for a least one hour. Rub the steak with a little salt and black pepper, then drizzle extra virgin olive oil on both sides and let that set in for a few minutes. Get you grill up to a minimum of 450 degrees. Put the steak on one side and sear for 5 minutes. Turn it over and do the other side for only about two minutes. This should give you perfect medium rare with no worries if the steak is thick enough. Adjust down the time if it is thinner. Good steak should be served with a great red, dry cabernet and some grilled asparagus on the side….potato if you like.

TUNGSTEN BEAD CADDIS LARVA HOOK: TMC 2302, #16 BEAD: TUNGSTEN, BLACK, 3/32” THREAD: 6/0 BLACK RIB: ULTRA WIRE, SMALL, CHARTREUSE OVERBODY: MICRO TUBE, SMALL, CLEAR UNDERBODY: UNI-STRETCH, GREEN (WORKS BEST APPLIED WITH A BOBBIN) THORAX: ICE DUB, PEACOCK BLACK • 1. Start thread behind bead and tie down wire, moving thread to hook bend • 2. Cut end of tube on an angle and tie that corner down at bend • 3. Move thread to behind bead and tie in Uni-stretch at that point, Whip finish tying thread and clip it off • 4. Wrap Uni-Sretch to bend and back, forming slim taper. Re-attach tying thread, tie off and clip Uni-Stretch • 5. Wrap tubing, then ribbing • 6. Dub thorax about size of bead, then finish

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

www.HCAmagazine.com

30. I can honestly say that it now fishes like you would expect Gold Medal water to fish. It is not a tailrace fishery like the Frying Pan or Taylor, so you don’t have a bunch of pigs slammed up close to a dam for photo opportunities, even though my face does appear in a few of those over the past years. The Ark will, however, produce very big numbers of fish between 12 and 18 inches and the occasional lunker over 20 inches. I know where they all live….NOT, but I do know where some of them live. We consistently take very large fish on streamers from a boat or just drifting big Stoneflies on the bottom. Like most rivers, the larger fish do not seem to play on top regardless of the hatch conditions. The only dry flies I seem to take very large fish on are adult Stones, fished along edges during high water. I did an article for this magazine on high water fishing a while back, so you might want to dig it out and refresh your memory. Speaking of Stoneflies, another accomplishment of Grey Policky’s is the stocking of Pteronarcys californica, commonly known as the giant salmonfly. They are widespread over the Western US and were in the Arkansas in the early 1980s but did not survive. With better water conditions

EASY JAMBALAYA

Built by hand,

one at a time.

This is a Louisiana staple like Chicken Fried Steak in Texas and it’s easy to make if you don’t make it difficult. 2 cups yellow rice 4 cups chicken broth Two pounds Andouille sausage One pound cleaned, shelled shrimp ½ pound cooked, chopped chicken One chopped green bell pepper One yellow onion and 5 cloves of garlic chopped One chopped jalepeno or habanero if you want it really hot Tablespoon red pepper flakes One tablespoon Emeril’s Cajun seasoning Add a little olive or vegetable oil to a hot 5 quart skillet or sauce pan. Saute the onions, garlic, and peppers until translucent, then add the sausage, chicken shrimp and sear them well. Add seasonings, rice and broth. Bring to a boil, then turn to low and cover for 45 minutes. Do not remove the lid for any reason. It should not need extra salt due to the chicken broth.

www.HCAmagazine.com

www.islander.com

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

LARRY’S EGG LAYING CADDIS HOOK: TMC 100 SIZE 16 THREAD: BLACK 6/0 BODY DUBBING: BROWN ICE DUB HOT BUTT: CADDIS GREEN ICE DUB WING: BLEACHED ELK HACKLE: BROWN DRY FLY HACKLE

and our voluntary flow management program, we all expect this experiment to be successful. During 2012-13, over 85,000 nymphs were stocked in the Arkansas in the reaches around Salida. During the 2013 season, we observed adults and nymphs as far down river as the Texas Creek area. These big bugs take flight on thermals and with the additional stocking this year, could inhabit the entire river before too many years, much to the delight of the fish and anglers alike. Even though the Arkansas does have little fish for the big ones to eat, this addition of “Chicken Fried Steak with gravy” is a wel-

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

come addition to the buffet line. Last year we not only saw Salmonflies, but increased numbers of Red Quills, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, as well as a relatively new appearance of Green Drakes and Gray Drakes. There’s not much wrong with a #10 Mayfly either. It is ironic that the river that has always been known for its gigantic Caddis hatches, and still is, is now known for its big Rainbows and diverse Mayfly hatches. That is simply the mark of a healthy river that last year was the number one fished river in Colorado with over 100,000 anglers enjoying this water. No longer is the Arkansas known just for its magnificent whitewater opportunities and kayak races,

it is now known for its fly fishing opportunities. With over 60 miles of the 100 Gold Medal miles being public, managed by State Parks and Wildlife, the Arkansas is hardly ever considered to be crowded. Even with this new enhanced status, I still expect you to have plenty of elbow room. I’ve thrown a few old recipes at you this issue. A lot of folks still have trouble grilling a good steak. It’s all about the simple things like the meat being room temperature and the grill being very hot as well as a few little prep items. This is foolproof, so I expect you to totally impress your backyard guests with this steak. I’ve also included a great Cajun staple, Jambalaya. Mine is easy to make Located in historic downtown Idaho Springs directly across from Beau Jo’s Pizza

Full Service Fly Shop PO Box 291 Idaho Springs, CO 80452

303-567-1500

www.clearcreekﬂyﬁshing.com

www.HCAmagazine.com

and you can hurt yourself eating it if you’re not careful. Also, for flies, I have included a new Caddis larva by my old friend Larry Kingrey and his faithful Egglaying Caddis which never fails to produce when the chips are down. Come enjoy my river with me this year. If you would enjoy instruction and a great meal on the river, I’m for hire this year. I am not a traditional guide. If you want to catch a bunch of fish, then I’ll let the shop set you up with a fish hound. If you would like to spend a day learning some new stuff, cooking and eating on the river, and enjoying an all-around fly fishing experience, then give the shop a call. I am old but I’m not cheap……..yet.

About

The

BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN...

Author.

Bill Edrington is a retired sociology/criminology professor who has owned Royal Gorge Anglers for over 20 years. He has authored several books and magazine articles. You may follow his fly fishing and cooking adventures on his new blog “Tight Lines and Tasty Spoons” at www.tightlinesand t ast yspoons. blogspot.com.

www.HCAmagazine.com

7513 GRANDVIEW AVENUE, ARVADA,CO (303) 403-8880 WWW.CHARLIESFLYBOXINC.COM

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

Colorado River Your Home Field Advantage by Brian La Rue

Photo courtesy Dustin Harcourt

ost inexperienced anglers see the Colorado River as a muddy, whitewater, crazy torrent in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Sure, some know about Lee’s Ferry, but you and I know about the great fishing found along the Colorado from Rifle and beyond, to its headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park. Given the immense fishing opportunities, I’ve interviewed multiple sources to help us dissect the river for this feature. For starters, let’s hit the upper reaches and work down toward Grand Junction. Reid Baker, guide manager for Freestone Outfitters in Denver, helped break down the productive water from the Pumphouse upriver, calling the Upper Colorado the “bug factory.” “When your readers get this issue, we should see the bug factory starting to fire up, kicking out salmon flies, golden stones, PMD’s, tricos, caddis, little yellow sallies and red quills,” said Baker. “Anglers walking and wading through the many access points around Gore Canyon, Parshall, and Kremmling will enjoy great streamer fishing pre-runoff and post-runoff. I like to throw flies like the Skulpzilla to target fish on switch rods, making big swings through tailouts and eddies.” The most sought-after hatch on the Upper Colorado leading to Gore Canyon is the salmon fly hatch, which usually occurs in late May through early June. Baker advises anglers to try the Byers Canyon section, which offers the best river conditions for targeting fish with large dries. If timed right, Baker says that you can see splash marks on the rocks where eager fish have already plucked the bugs off the wall. “As flows taper off, anglers will find my favorite hatch, the little yellow sallie hatch,” said Baker. “Mid-July, you can typically count on this hatch. August and September mean terrestrials and droppers such as midges and blue-winged olive imitations, so ac18

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

tion keeps rolling along. Simply choose heavier bugs to get down and match the conditions, but for rigging, stick with a leader in the 2X-4X range. “Overall for this stretch, it is hard to beat the Upper Colorado in spring, especially when the fish are big and few people are around,” says Baker. “The biggest wild fish in the drainage spend the year holding in Gore Canyon’s class V whitewater, and move out in the spring to seek out spawning habitat or chase warmer water in a nearby tributary. This is your best chance to catch a true wild trophy fish in the system.” Adding some specific fly patterns for this region and beyond, Zeke Hersh, owner of Blue River Anglers, served up some flat surface dries and favorite droppers that are sure to increase your catch rate along the Colorado. “The proven patterns on the Colorado in our area include Parachute Madam Xs in yellow and royal, Chernobyl Ants, Fuzzy Wuzzy in tan and orange and Streambank Hoppers in tan,” said Hersh. “As for the dropper, try Crystal Pheasant Tail Pears, Bubble Back PMDs, Bubble Back BWOs, Bead Head Princes, Rubber-Legged Squirrels, and an assortment of Pat’s Rubber Legs.” From the Pumphouse to Dotsero, John Packer, owner and senior guide at Fly Fishing Outfitters in Avon, offered his many years of knowledge of the river. “The Pumphouse to Dotsero is about a 30-plus mile stretch of navigable water, but the 16-mile section from Pumphouse to the state bridge is the most popular,” says Packer. “However, in the past year, new access points at 2 Bridge near McCoy, Derby Junction near Bond, and the Double Falls access at Horse Creek have created much more float fishing and wade fishing access. The new access has really increased the amount of floatable water and created shorter sections. If you prefer wading, in the next couple months, wade fishing at both Pumphouse and Radium www.HCAmagazine.com

is very accessible, especially during the salmon fly hatch in June. Caddis, PMDs and golden stones are the main hatches that time of year.” Packer typically floats the river the majority of the year, from May through fall, with only some warm water concerns in July and August. The stretch sees stoneflies, caddis, and early-season streamers in May. By June, caddis, salmon flies and golden stones add to the fun. “Salmon fly adults and nymphs or tan Elk Hair Caddis are best fished on 5X tippets, but if you throw streamers, stick with 2X leaders,” said Packer. “A variety of hoppers and caddis get going in July and August on this stretch. I like Dave’s Hoppers, Para Hoppers, Schroeder’s Hopper and K.C.’s Creature. “As the season pushes on and we see the first freeze, a larger gold medal PMD and streamers begin to take over most of our fly boxes,” continued Packer. “Don’t count out a size 12 royal Wulff or Para Adams.” “Overall, this fishery is very scenic, adding to the overall experience of great trout fishing,” says Packer. That brings us to Dustin Harcourt, owner of Harcourt Fly Fishing 3G, 3G

• Local Green River fishing guides • Guided float trips on both freestone/tailwater stretches • Day and/or Overnight wilderness fly fishing horseback trips from our unique camp with a cabin, wall tents and tipis

Mention this ad for a 10% Discount

970-668-2583

BLUERIVERANGLERS.COM

Full Service Fly Shop & Year Round Guide Service

281 Main Street • Frisco, CO 80443 www.HCAmagazine.com

adventures@grbto.com

(307)733-1044 www.GRBTO.com Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

meaning three generations of guides tackling the Lower Colorado from Grizzly Creek down river. Yes, his dad John is guiding, and Dustin is getting a hand from his two guide-to-be sons who are quickly learning the trade on the net. “The Lower Colorado is broken down into many different sections defined by boat ramps,” says Harcourt. “Floating the river is the most effective technique, as wading becomes very hazardous thanks to monster, ankle-breaking, moss-covered boulders and big water, but this also means incredible habitat for fish. Access is also tough, so it’s best to give it a drift. Harcourt also added that flows are a constant factor on big water like the Colorado. Early spring and winter flows can hover around 1500 cfs, but the river can swell to 30,000 cfs on heavy snow pack/ thunderstorm years. “The Colorado is like a massive freestone river as huge water years destroy holes and create new ones,” said Harcourt. “The beauty of a freestone is that it truly is alive. When water is high, I don’t get near it, as it is incredibly powerful. The high mark typically is in the month of May and early June. She drops quickly and as soon as it clears, say June 20 to July 4, it is game on. I feel it is one of the best float fisheries in the U.S.”

Action on the Lower Colorado in April and May sees midge, baetis, caddis, and stoneflies crawling around. It is also egg time. Harcourt suggests targeting the river in late April to enjoy one of the largest caddis hatches in the world. “Instead of midge clusters, we have caddis basketballs in spring,” says Harcourt. “May has a great stonefly hatch but often, besides the last two drought years, it is unfishable due to muddy flows. After runoff, you could have six different hatches going at the same time in one day. Stock up on Drakes, Sallies, PMD’s, Caddis, Red Quills, Golden Stones, Baetis and

Terrestrials. “For August, water temperatures rise and hatches slow,” added Harcourt. “Tricos and a little caddis and red quills will be out, but by September, the river cools and the fish go on the bite. Fish your streamers early, and if there is cloud cover, try Baetis and Red Quills until October. Lastly, midge hatches take over in November and run through March.” Much like the rest of the Colorado River, we are talking good flows and a chance at something special, so Harcourt also suggests 2X to 4X fluorocarbon rigs, depending on your arsenal. Scaling

FOR SALE

The Ultimate Mountain Sports Home!

$495,000 • Private Fly Fishing - Colorado River Below Granby Dam • Membership to Legendary Ouray Ranch Owners Club • 35 Acres with Water Rights MLS #14-232 • Hay Production and Pasture Contact Dennis Saffell to see this property • Spacious 36’ x 48’ Horse/Toy Barn 970.531.3200 • dsaffell@cbmp.com • 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath House www.cbmp.com

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

www.HCAmagazine.com

down to 5X in the summer might be the only time you have to drop down to fish a smaller size 18. “Overall, every year I float the Colorado and find new bonuses and gems,” said Harcourt. “Until the day I die, I will never stop learning about this river and the art of fly fishing. If it was always the same I would have quit years ago.” So go use your home field advantage and float the Colorado this year. It is a huge river, so proceed with caution. Wading the Upper and Middle Colorado is possible, but to truly experience this magnificent river is to float it with a knowledgeable guide like the ones quoted in this story. Break out your best map or GPS card too, and try a tributary; you never know what you might catch this month. Remember, practice catch and release, and take pictures!

UNTAPPED • UNTAMED

About The Author.

High Country Angler contributor Brian La Rue enjoys giving fly fishers ideas of where to go for an adventure. His work can also be seen at his Examiner.com Denver Fly Fishing page. You can contact Brian by writing to brian@HCAmagazine.com.

* KremmlingChamber.com

Willowfly Anglers Guide Service at Three Rivers Resort

• 30 years of experience on Colorado’s best rivers • Located in Almont, Colorado on the Taylor River • Walk Wade or Float Trips offered daily • Gunnison River – Taylor River – East River • Spring Creek – Cebolla Creek – Lake Fork • Private Ranches for the ultimate experience

Make it a complete vacation with lodging at Three Rivers Resort!

1-888-761-FISH (3474) www.3riversresort.com www.willowflyanglers.com www.HCAmagazine.com

• Beautiful cabins, lodge rooms and vacation homes • Summer time restaurant • Complete fly fishing shop • General Store • Rafting, horse back rides, zip line, rock climbing and more!

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

Photo courtesy of Pat Dorsey

Cheesman Canyon & Deckers

a Decade After the Fire by Pat Dorsey

he Hayman Blaze to date is the largest fire recorded in Colorado history, scorching more than 138,000 acres in Douglas, Jefferson, Park, and Teller counties. I must admit, the Hayman Fire was one of the most depressing moments in my 25-year guiding career. The forest surrounding Cheesman Reservoir was completely devastated, which facilitated the denuded landscape to deposit harmful debris into South Platte watershed via feeder streams and other steep-sided terrain. After this massive inferno, the river’s substrate became a graveyard of soot, ash, and silt. The gin-clear stream that once gushed from beneath Cheesman Dam became gray and looked like hydraulic oil. Schoonover Gulch, the first ravine 1/3 of a mile east of Cheesman Reservoir, was one of the main culprits for the heavy concentrations of decomposed granite and other insect-choking sediments that filled in many of the popular fishing holes. In many areas, the encroaching decomposed granite was measured in feet, not inches, clogging prime trout habitat. Other areas with comparable terrain near Johnson’s Camp, Rainbow Pool, and Cattle Crossing also experienced similar erosion, which further added to the problem. The end result was a decimated aquatic life and rapidly declining trout population. Other tributaries below Cheesman Canyon, including Wigwam Creek, Fourmile Creek, and Horse Creek were also problematic, adding additional sediments, silt, and other rubble to the South Platte corridor near the community of Deckers. The real saving grace was the Wigwam Club’s sediment trap at the confluence of Wigwam Creek and the South Platte River, which collected tons upon tons of sediment before it could enter the river. The truth be told, the Wigwam Club’s sediment trap is one of the main reasons that the section above the Deckers Bridge has responded quicker than the stretches below Horse Creek, where substantial flooding other than sedimentation has been a reoccurring problem. 22

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

Despite the adversity of the Hayman Fire, flood, and severe erosion, the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon and Deckers has made a remarkable comeback. It’s been a slow, longdrawn out process, but it appears we are heading in the right direction. The burn scar has healed itself with a wide array of natural grasses, wildflowers, aspens, and other foliage, which has stabilized the soil, slowing down the invasive sediments entering the river. The river’s substrate is improving by the year, and aquatic vegetation has taken a strong foothold throughout the river’s corridor. The real tell-tale sign that the river is bouncing back is the aquatic life—the hatches over the past two seasons have been nothing short of excellent! Anglers who frequent the South Platte can expect to find reliable midge hatches year-round in both Cheesman Canyon and the Deckers area. Tailwater junkies who visit this area will need to carry a wide assortment of larvae, pupae, and adults to imitate the various stages of a midge’s life cycle. By the latter part of

www.HCAmagazine.com

Fishin Real E March, extending through May, anglers will have the opportunity to experience some excellent dry fly fishing with bluewinged olives. Overcast conditions or inclement weather produce the best surface activity, as the high humidity levels stall the development of the emerging mayflies, keeping them on the water for longer periods in comparison to bright sunny days. Don’t let the bright and sunny conditions fool you, though— trout will still eat Baetis nymphs with a vengeance, despite the bluebird conditions. This can be some of the best nymph fishing of the season in the South Platte corridor. Mid-summer brings caddis, pale morning duns, yellow sallies, golden stoneflies, and tricos. The caddis populations were decimated after the fire, but their numbers have risen with improving water quality, and are actually better now than before the Hayman Fire. Anglers will need to carry Brachycentrus and Hydropyche caddis larvae, as well as Elk Hair Caddis to imitate the adults. The trico spinner fall has been spectacular for the past two seasons, bringing serious dry fly enthusiasts to the Cheesman/Deckers area in search of technical, yet rewarding fishing. The trico hatch has been dubbed the “white wing curse” because it will bring the best (or worst) out of any seasoned dry fly angler. Scores of rising fish will feast on these spent wing mayflies for two hours each morning, producing some of the best dry fly fishing of the summer season. Autumn brings more blue-winged olives and reliable dry fly fishing until the middle part of November. As the downstream demand for water becomes less important for agricultural users, anglers can experience some phenomenal dry fly fishing with the stable flows. The Psuedocloeon, or the tiny fall blue-winged olive, is one-to-two sizes smaller than its spring counterpart, so adjust your tactics, techniques, and fly selection accordingly. The Cheesman Canyon section of the South Platte has been more resilient than the Deckers area. Cheesman Canyon remains a wild trout fishery with a selfsustaining population of rainbows and browns. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the comeback of the South Platte rainbow, overcoming fire, flood, and whirling disease. My regular guided trips into the “canyon” each season provide evidence of several year-classes of rainbows in the Cheesman Canyon, which suggests the river is as healthy as ever. Toss in the www.HCAmagazine.com

Private fishing on the Colorado!

Dan Pass, Realtor

Serving the Entire Metro Area

303-877-5715

Local Realtor & Fly-Fishing Guide

For Sale!

2.22 acre lot in the Ouray Ranch Anglers Club! 1.4 miles of Private Water on the Colorado below Granby Dam 2 well stocked private lakes and Horse corals 8 bedroom lodge, Both sides of river owned!

Call to set up your private showing!

w w w. d a n p a s s . c o m

America’s Fly Shop 1532 Bergen Parkway Evergreen, Colorado 80439 phone: 303-674-4700   flyfish@bluequillangler.com    Colorado Outfitter #914

Full-Service Fly Shop, Outfitter, & Sage Fly Fishing School

Annual Fly Fishing Extravaganza! SATURDAY, May 10th

9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Meet Factory Reps, cast the new rods and win prizes! Celebrating the passion of Fly Fishing and 26 Years in Business, This is a free event with presentations hourly by Pat Dorsey, Steve Parrott, Bob Dye, Kerry Caraghar, Landon Mayer, Frank Smethurst, Al Ritt, John Barr and many more. For those who can not attend in person, this will also be a

“Live Streaming Event”

Come and meet John Gierach 11:00 am until 2:00 pm

For more information sign up for our newsletter on our website:

www.bluequillangler.com Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

Photo courtesy of Pat Dorsey

robust population of brown trout and you have a well-balanced fishery. According to Jeff Spohn, Aquatic Biologist for the Upper South Platte Basin, the lower canyon has 3,978 fish per mile and the upper canyon has 5,425 fish per mile. This data was collected from the mid-November electro-shocking of 2013. These numbers are impressive; in fact, they are not to far off from the numbers prior to the Hayman Fire. I knew the river was making a strong comeback (from my catch-rates) and the electro shocking data proves my assumptions were correct! The Deckers area has presented more challenges for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife in comparison to the fabled Cheesman Canyon section. Make no mistake about it—Deckers is showing signs of progress, too. The parking lots tell the story: hordes of anglers are once again fishing the Deckers area, and most importantly—they are catching fish! The Colorado Parks and Wildlife have been conducting an aggressive stocking program to give the Deckers area a boost. “We are currently stocking approximately 200 thousand three-week-old, greater than 1” WD resistant fry, rainbow trout in the Deckers area. Most of these fish go into the nursery areas of Fourmile 24

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

The River Run Inn 8495 County Road 160 Salida, CO 81201

Janet Franz, GRI Pinon Real Estate Group

Office: 719-539-0200 Cell: 719-239-0204 www.pinonrealestate.com

• Beautifully restored home on Historic Register with 1/8 mile of Gold Metal Waters on the Arkansas River • 6 bedrooms each with their own bath • Includes a renovated 3 bedroom caretaker’s home • Private lake and picnic area on the river • Adjacent to BLM with additional 2 miles of river access • For a photo portfolio on internet go to: www.riverruninn.epropertysites.com www.HCAmagazine.com

Photo courtesy of Mark Adams

About

The

Author.

Pat Dorsey has been guiding for over 23 years, and still spends more than 200 days a year on the water. He is Guide Director and partner of Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen, Colorado. Pat is the Southwest Field Editor for Fly Fisherman Magazine, and the author of several books, including A Fly Fishing Guide to the South Platte River, Fly Fishing Tailwaters, and Tying and Fishing Tailwater Flies. To learn more about Pat, or to contact him, go to www.bluequillangler.com.

and Horse Creeks when water quality allows. Otherwise the fish go into juvenile habitat in the main stem when flows are high. We are also still currently stocking approximately 3-4 thousand 10” rainbow trout each season from the Tee Pee fence downstream to Scraggy View Picnic Area,” said Jeff Spohn. The heaviest fishing pressure has been between the Deckers Bridge and the Tee Pee Club. What many anglers fail to realize is that the lower river (below Deckers and Trumbull) is less crowded and actually has more fish per mile than the upper stretches. The November 2013 electroshocking data shows there are 1,757 fish per mile below Deckers, compared to 1,215 fish per mile above Deckers. Spohn notes, “These are numbers of trout (both rainbows and browns) per mile. Please realize that these numbers do not include our wild youngof-the-year fish or the fry stocking numbers mentioned above. These numbers are for age 1 plus trout only.” All rivers experience highs and lows over time. Thankfully, one of the most pristine fisheries in the Western United States is well on its way to being better than it ever was. Time will tell, but it looks like a promising future lies ahead!

C O N N E C T W I T H T R O U T S F LY F I S H I N G . DISCONNECT FROM THE WORLD. T R O U T S F LY F I S H I N G . C O M

Trouts_Printads_PRESS.indd 1

www.HCAmagazine.com

DENVER, CO

2/4/14 10:13 AM

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

WILDERNESS ADVENTURES PRESS GPS DATA CARDS

e all know our Colorado rivers and lakes, but there is always a question regarding a new access point. I spend a lot of time looking at Google Earth, but why spend time searching numerous websites or even You Tube, when Wilderness Adventures Press Inc., the company known for its “A Fly Fishing Guide” books, now offers a Colorado Fishing GPS Maps Data Card? This easy-to-use data card offers the most comprehensive angling maps with GPS coordinates and topo maps for 73 of Colorado’s best rivers and lakes. They

are available on a micro SD data card. With more than 1,300 GPS coordinates for every fishing access, boat ramp, campground, dam, USGS gauging station, fly shop, and sporting goods store, you will always have the information at your fingertips. All you have to do is simply plug the card into your GPS device or smart phone and you’ll get step-by-step directions to the access site or shop you want to go to. You can also create your own waypoints for your favorite fishing spots on any river or lake. The Colorado Fishing GPS Maps Data Cards are compatible with Garmin units, Android phones, eTrex(2011), eTrex Legend HCX, GPS map76CSX, NUVI models 50, 205, 250, 255, 275, 760, 850, 1200, 1300, and 2350. The card will work with almost any GPS unit, phone, tablet, or computer that has a data card slot. In addition to Colorado, Wilderness Adventures Press Inc. also offers Montana and Washington. The company will also offer Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and California soon. For more information, log onto http://store.wildadvpress. com or call (866) 400-2012. 26

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

HCA

GEAR BAG BY BRIAN LA RUE

WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW RIVER TO FISH,YOU WANT TO KNOW THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE FISHING ACCESS...

Fishing GPS Data Cards Gives you instant fishing access sites for rivers and lakes on your Garmin GPS and Android smart phones and tablets.

Just insert the state-specific chip into your unit and get detailed color maps showing fishing accesses and adjoining land ownership. The chip also includes sporting goods stores and fly shops with addresses, phone, web and GPS locations. Only $29.95 per state. Available now for Colorado, Montana, and Washington Coming soon: Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Oregon, California

Get your GPS state chips from Sportsman’s Warehouse.

http://store.wildadvpress.com • 866-400-2012 www.HCAmagazine.com

www.HCAmagazine.com

Spring 2014 â&#x20AC;¢ High Country Angler

FIT TO BE TIED

•

BY JOEL EVANS

A Pattern for the Ages

n the last issue of HCA, I summarized the history of the hook. So in this issue, why don’t we take a brief look at the history of fly patterns? Not laying claim to any in-depth research, I did an internet search, looking for “the oldest pattern.” What I discovered was that literature describes patterns that are centuries Partridge and Orange old. One could even say that, continuHook: Size 12 wet fly ing the hook lesson, Thread: Orange, 8/0 the earliest patterns Hackle: Partridge feather, were some material wound around the shank or feather tied on the most ancient of hooks. However, making the distinction between literature and a documented pattern, the general consensus is that one of the oldest documented patterns is the “Partridge and Orange.” I had difficulty finding a definitive answer, but nonetheless this pattern has been around a long time. FULL The Partridge and Orange is a soft hackle fly—a general R

group of patterns known not for imitating a specific insect, but instead made to imitate an insect hatching. Soft hackles are tied with a thin body and hackles that move in the current, so they are also referred to as a kind of wet fly. They are also called “spider flies,” not because they imitate a spider, but because of the long, soft hackle and its movement. Partridge as a hackle and orange as a color is but one example. Other feathers such as starling, and other colors such as green and yellow have been popular. Soft hackles are relatively easy to tie because they are tied sparsely. Using a standard length wet fly or nymph hook, a thread body is typically double wrapped on the hook shank. Soft hackles are traditionally fished wet, often with an acrossstream cast followed by a downstream swing, and in groups of two or three flies. The current movement or angler-induced movement causes the soft hackles to vibrate, triggering a strike. But as with any fly fishing rule, there are no rules, so try it other ways—including stillwater.

About The Author.

Joel Evans is a fly fishing writer, photographer, and long-time member of Trout Unlimited from Montrose, CO. You can contact him via the HCA editor at frank@hcamagazine.com.

COLO

Offer Expires 5/31/2014

DVD Included!

$27.95 ISBN 978-1-892469-29-8

Step-by-step fly pattern tutorials develop your tying skills one pattern at a time. After completing all seven patterns you will have the skills to tie most of the flies you will ever need. Available from your favorite retailer or give us a call.

1-888-511-1530 www.nononsenseguides.com 28

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

www.HCAmagazine.com

Moose Tracks Manor • 3 Bedrooms, 2 baths, Sleeps Nine • Available Year-Round

970-812-3090 moosetracksmanor@gmail.com

Lakeside log cabin on a small, trout-stocked private lake near Grand Lake, CO, and on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park

www.HCAmagazine.com

Nearby are the Colorado and Fraser rivers for great fly fishing, as well as Grand Lake, Shadow mountain lake and Lake Granby for some of the best lake trout fishing in the Rockies!

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

CDC Caddis Pupae by Charlie Craven

cross between a tomato worm and what you scrape off your windshield after a long drive, caddis pupae can be called nearly anything but pretty. Their gangly legs, gelatinous bodies and budding wings group together to form one of the most unpleasant looking bugs on earth, but trout love them. This ugliness is the first thing that strikes me when I look at natural caddis pupae. Most insects have a certain streamlined appeal, but caddis pupae just look like something you pulled out of your nose. This outward appearance made it tough on me for years, as I really don’t enjoy tying scraggly looking unkempt flies, but in order to really get a match for this bug, I had to sort of look away and do what had to be done. While there are several good patterns available to match this stage of the caddis, I always feel better about developing and fishing my own patterns, if for no other reason than to gain the confidence that is built in to fishing a pattern of my own design. I find that when I design a fly, I have a particular use in mind, and because I can tailor the fly to my needs, it will fit into that mold perfectly. Sometimes. The pattern I’ll present here has been in development for several years now and I am still not sure that I can say it is done. Like everything else I tie, I am always fiddling 30

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

with this pattern, adding, subtracting or substituting materials to get the look I am after. This pattern starts with a light wire scud hook that matches the hunched up curve that the natural presents. I am often asked if I think curved imitations outfish straight ones, and to this I can confidently say no. While many patterns are tied on the curved hooks to better align with the curved profile of a natural, we have to remember that most often we are looking at a picture in a book or perhaps even a live insect held in our hand. Keep in mind that you would curl up a bit too if something plucked you out of your house and rolled you around in their palm too. My point is that insects can curl up and straighten out under their own power and at any moment in time, given their natural habitat, they could be elongated or curled up and the fish are used to seeing them in either state. That being said, I tie my caddis pupae on a curved hook because I like the way it looks. I like the way it looks. That’s it. It’s okay; we can do things like this. The body of this fly has changed several times over the years and I still carry several versions of it in my fly box. While I have finally settled on the dubbed body shown here, early versions were tied with two tone wire bodies and even latex sheeting. I have used the dubbed bodies www.HCAmagazine.com

now for several years reasoning that I can Hook: TMC 2487 or 2457 #12-18 Bead: (optional) Black Tungsten, 2mm match the color Thread: Lagartun 74 Denier Olive of the natuRib: Brassie Sized Chartreuse Ultra Wire rals better with Shellback: Brown Super-Floss Abdomen: Pale Olive Haretron Dubbing dubbing, and Wingbuds: Brown Super-Floss have been quite Collar: Natural Dun CDC happy with the Antennae: Shrimp Flouro Fiber Head: Black Rabbit fur evenly mixed resulting efwith Black SLF Prism Dubbing fects. The shell back I use on my pattern is made from Super Floss, a stretchy spandex elastic material sold under several different brand names. Spanflex, Flexi-Floss and Super Floss are all essentially the same material and any one of them will work fine for this pattern. I also use this same material to create the budding wings on this pattern. Super floss is very durable, has great movement and is easy to work with making it perfect for this application. When tied in across the front of the fly as I have on this pattern, the Super Floss flexes and kicks in the drift, creating lifelike movement in the fly. The rib on this fly, as subtle as it is, was a particular sticking point for me. I liked the streamlined effect created with very fine wire, but the prominent segmentation and color bands resulting from the larger Brassie sized Ultra Wire seemed to match the color bands of the natural better so I finally settled on sticking with the bigger stuff. I think the bigger wire also adds some “hotness” to the dubbing, creating a bit more life and variegation. Perhaps the most important and effective addition I have made to this fly is the CDC collar. When wetted down and saturated, CDC turns from an incredibly buoyant material to an incredibly lively soft hackle. Wavering strands of wet CDC immediately made me think of a caddis pupa the first time I saw them and complete Craven’s Caddistrophic Pupae

www.HCAmagazine.com

the gangly leg effect of this bug to a “T”. I finished the fly off with a loosely dubbed head of SLF Prism dubbing mixed with black rabbit fur. Mixing these two dubbings together makes for the ideal blend of flash and bugginess. I pick the dubbing out after it is applied to further this effect and let the loose strands veil back along the body and collar. I added the Morpho Fiber antennae one day in an attempt to add a bit of class and finish to the fly. I had originally used a few strands of well marked lemon wood duck flank and really liked the effect, but I soon found that these delicate fibers were short term tenants on the fly and would break off quickly when fished. A few strands of markered Morpho Fiber fit the bill nicely and added a bit of fish attracting sparkle to the pattern while also being much more durable. I have also used the more easily attainable Flouro Fiber in shrimp color for these antennae and like that look as well. I like to think that I have managed to take this ugly little bug and make it into something that has a bit of appeal to my eye, although as I get older, I realize it really doesn’t matter what I want in the fly, it is the fish who decide. I tie this pattern both with and without a bead, depending on where I want to fish it in the water column. Many times I have encountered fish keying on caddis just a few inches under the surface, and a pattern without a bead sinks just enough to get down and hang in the upper levels of the current. Once wet, the dubbed body provides just enough weight to get the fly through the surface film, but not so much as to plummet it to the bottom. I like to fish a fly like this behind a dry and I keep my eyes peeled for the small ‘blip’ it makes when it hits the water so I can follow its drift to the fish. Most often I can see the fish rise up and eat the fly like a dry, just a bit under the surface. The only thing better is when the fish really does eat the dry, but that story is for another chapter. The addition of the bead makes this fly a bit more practical for everyday use. The black Tungsten bead pulls the fly down deeper and faster than the non-beaded version, allowing me to fish it through deeper or faster moving water with the confidence that the fish are going to see it. I believe a weighted fly drifts more slowly than an unweighted pattern, and thus stays down where the fish can grab it longer. This may all be in my head, and Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

trust me, we all have things that are just in our heads, but I truly do feel that a heavily weighted fly is more effective than one that bounces around in the currents and gets pushed up to the surface. I always fish either version of this fly all the way through the cast, letting the line pull tight at the end of the drift and swing the fly toward the surface. Rarely do I actually get a grab when doing this, but every now and again, if the fish are really on a bite, you’ll get one to chase it down and crush it. I have even had fish grab the fly as I strip in line to make the next cast. When they want it, they really want it. It is no secret that I love drifting rivers in a boat and drilling dry flies into bank side targets and that was exactly the plan that Matt and I had for the day. Matt Prowse is my good friend and one of the very best oarsmen anyone will ever meet. He has what seems to be an innate talent for putting me and the boat in the right place at the right time. As we set off for our evening float, I confidently tied a #16 Mugly Caddis to the end of my leader and proceeded to cast the fly tight to the banks and under every branch and limb I could reach. Our sense of anticipation was high but we floated several hundred yards with caddis pelting our faces without a strike. We eddied up and had a brief chat about perhaps hanging a dropper off the dry, as it seemed the fish were feeding mainly under the surface. Fishing an indicator is out of the question when we’re in the boat, a sort of self imposed rule to keep both of us interested and entertained. At least with a dry, the rower still gets to call out targets and see the fish rise, and in many cases, rowing and directing is just as fun as fishing, or at least that’s what I tell Matt when he’s in the center seat. The biggest compromise either of us will make is to concede to a dry/ dropper rig, or if things get desperate, a hopper/copper/ dropper. Indicators have no place in our boat; they’re just not what we came for. If you think fishing an indicator is boring, try rowing the boat and watching it. You’ll need a pillow! So we elected to tie on a short dropper with a caddis pupae under the dry. On this particular river, the dropper prevents the pinpoint bank tight casting I prefer, and requires that I fish a bit further out along the drop a foot or two from the bank. This drop-off leads the way from the super skinny water along the bank out into the deeper faster currents of the river and many fish will hang just off the drop in the safer depths and pick off bugs as they come by. We pulled the boat out of the eddy and proceeded slowly downstream, with Matt back rowing to keep the boat sliding along just slower than the current. I cast the dry and dropper as close to the drop as I dared and before long we came upon a nice pod of rising fish. Now the beauty of the dry/dropper rig is that you can cover 32

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

two levels of the water at once, and we had not given up on the dry fly, but simply added in the dropper to better our odds until the hatch got going. As we slid in tight to get a bit closer to the risers, I fired a cast down the seam that was feeding the fish. The boat was set up perfectly, slightly above and out from the fishes feeding lane, allowing me a long, drag free drift down to them. The Mugly bounced along the seam, patiently awaiting its doom, and we counted the seconds until the fish would rise up and eat it. With my eyes intently locked on the dry, I almost missed the flash underneath it. It took my mind several seconds to remember the dropper fly was still down there and the fish had just taken the easy way out and eaten the CDC Caddis Pupae instead of my dry! I finally set the hook and uneventfully either landed or broke off the fish, I don’t recall which and at any given time I am prone to do either. I do remember that we floated the rest of the river with that damn caddis pupae stealing all the takes until we finally took it off so the fish could concentrate on the dry. I’d like to say that we caught as many fish on the dry as we did on the pupae, but it would be a lie. The fish clearly preferred the pupae that evening and it showed me that given the choice between the adults on the surface and the pupae slightly underneath, the fish tend to lean toward the pupae. So now I am a bit more careful about letting a sunken fly steal away my summertime dry fly fishing, but I keep this les“Article excerpted from Charlie’s Fly Box, son close at hand Headwater Books, 2010. Reprinted with permission of Charlie Craven & Headwater when things get Books. All rights reserved.” slow.

About The Author.

Charlie Craven is owner of Charlie’s Fly Box in Arvada, Colorado. He is an accomplished fly tyer and creator with a number of recognizable patterns on the market, most available through Umpqua Flies. He is the author of Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying, and Charlie’s Fly Box (both from Headwater Books).To learn more, or to purchase Charlie’s books, visit www.charliesflyboxinc.com.

www.HCAmagazine.com

Photo courtesy of Mike Lawson

Time for Terrestrials by Mike Lawson

rriving at a stream to find the surface covered with mayflies, caddis or other aquatic insects, with dozens of trout rising, is about as good as it gets in fly fishing. I’ve seen the most experienced anglers fumble and tremble with anticipation at such a sight. The major drawback is that these hatches can be of very short duration, especially when the weather is warm and dry. Often the dry fly angler is forced to change to nymph and streamer tactics when the bugs aren’t hatching. If you love dry fly fishing as much as I do, you should consider fishing terrestrial patterns. Ants, beetles, hoppers, crickets and other land-based insects are frequent visitors of spring creek waters. Once these terrestrials end up on the water, they are there to stay. No amount of struggling will free them from their eventual watery demise. Trout are accustomed to seeing these helpless insects on the surface.

Non-Hatch Periods

Non-hatch periods are excellent times to fish terrestrials. Many trout streams have lots of clear, shallow water areas near the stream bank, where it’s easy to locate large trout. I like to work upstream slowly, looking for fish. You have to train your eyes to look through the surface, not at it. Look for any unnatural movement that might give away the location of a lunker trout. These big trout have an excellent way of camouflaging themselves. Often a shadow or a tail showing along the weeds is all you’ll see. When I find a good fish, I like to make an upstream presentation with www.HCAmagazine.com

a small terrestrial like an ant or a beetle. If you get the cast over the fish and it doesn’t appear to show any interest, try giving the fly a slight twitch. Make sure to twitch the fly just as it enters the window of the trout’s view. If you try to apply any action to the fly after it is fully in the field of vision, you’ll risk spooking the fish. I first discovered this tactic several years ago in New Zealand. Most New Zealand streams do not support concentrated hatches of aquatic insects. The method of preference is to walk upstream looking for fish. The trained eyes of a skilled Kiwi guide can spot a large brown trout at 80 feet. It became a personal challenge to see if I could spot the trout before the New Zealander. Although I was seldom successful, I learned a valuable skill that has brought many happy returns on my home waters. Water clarity, breezy conditions, undercuts, and deep pools can prohibit you from actually seeing your fish. Now you’ll have to search the water, probing each likely-looking spot. Such situations dictate the use of larger patterns like hoppers, crickets, and large beetles.

Terrestrials during Hatches

Concentrated hatches of aquatic insects should not prohibit the use of terrestrial patterns. When I get frustrated trying to match a hatch, it doesn’t take me long to switch to a beetle or an ant. I have confidence in those patterns because I know that trout see good numbers of terrestrial insects throughout the duration of the season. Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

Early one spring I was fishing a section of the Henry’s Fork above my home in Saint Anthony, Idaho. Like most western spring creeks, this water produces some extensive midge hatches, and the trout can become very selective. This day they were particularly tough as I tried all of my favorite midge pupa patterns with only a small degree of success. I finally resorted to pumping the stomach of one of the only fish I managed to catch. I found the legions of midge pupa and emergers that I expected but I was amazed to also find a good number of small beetles. I couldn’t believe there were beetles out and about so early in the year. You can guess the rest of the story. The next time out I had a field day with a size 20 black beetle. Sometimes you may encounter “hatch-like” conditions when numbers of terrestrial insects arrive on the stream surface in large concentrations. If you have the right pattern, you’ll probably encounter the kind of dry fly fishing you only read about but thought would never come. Mating flights of flying ants, beetle infestations, or windy weather conditions can all land sufficient numbers of insects on the water to trigger a feeding frenzy. That’s when you’ll need the right pattern, just like when you encounter heavy hatches of aquatic insects.

I was fishing the flat water of the Harriman Park section of the Henry’s Fork. The early morning hatch produced a good Trico spinner fall. About mid morning the larger Callibaetis spinners started showing up. I had taken a few fish and was confident as I stalked a trout with a rise form that indicated “The Big Tug.” He was stationed about 20 feet out from the bank and was feeding steadily. I positioned myself about 30 feet outside of the fish and slightly upstream. Several good drifts over the fish with a Partridge Spinner produced no interest. I paused from my fishing and studied the fish. His rise forms had changed from the soft, sipping rises of a trout eating spinners. Now he was moving around and feeding with loud, slurping rises that indicated he was really starting to enjoy his work. I focused on the surface close to me and saw what was creating all of the excitement. There were large, brown antlike insects with dark grey wings all over the place. I’d seen them before and don’t know whether they’re actually flying ants or termites, but I know they drive fish crazy when they get on the water. I’d learned from past experience to not show up on the water during August without an ample supply of the big flying ant imitations in my fly box. I cut the tippet back to 4X and installed a size 12 dark mahogany flying ant.

Beetles

Ants & Termites

The debate continues as to whether trout actually show a taste preference toward ants. I’m no expert with regard to the biological behavior of trout, but my experience dictates that trout do show a marked preference for ants when there are sufficient numbers of them on the surface. I have seen it too many times to believe otherwise. Last August 34

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

If I were forced to pick only one single dry fly pattern, without hesitation I would choose a black beetle. Even though I have seldom encountered situations where I knew that trout were actually feeding on beetles, I have probably caught more fish on their imitations than any other fly. When I encounter selective fish actively feeding on a mayfly hatch, I find myself wasting no time switching to a beetle after my mayfly patterns are turned down. There are many excellent beetle patterns but my favorite is a black foam beetle. I used a standard dry fly hook with a wide band of flat foam pulled over an underbody of peacock herl. I wrap the materials down with heavy size A thread which I also use to make the legs. I have found thread to be much more durable than other materials for the legs. Beetles made from deer or elk hair are also good but aren’t nearly as durable as the foam beetle. Some anglers only fish beetles and other terrestrial patterns near the bank. Remember, beetles have wings and can fly well. They are as likely to end up in the middle of the stream as near the bank. Years ago I fished with small beetle patterns almost exclusively. One year, when my wife, Sheralee, ordered flies for our fly shop, she made the mistake of ordering size 10 instead of size 20 beetles. We couldn’t believe our www.HCAmagazine.com

eyes when the flies arrived and we saw the huge beetles. We didn’t dare send the flies back because it was our mistake. I figured those giant beetles would never sell and we’d have them forever. One day Bob Kelly, who was guiding for us at the time, had an older gentlemen whose eyes were fading. He took a few of the big beetles for his trip to the Harriman Ranch. When they came back at the end of the day, they were very excited. Bob found a good fish that was rising steadily to Pale Morning Dun Mayflies. His client couldn’t see the fly no matter what pattern they tried. He finally went to the big beetle and the trout slammed it the first cast. The fish measured well over 20 inches and Bob dubbed the size 10 Beetle, “Sheralee’s Mistake.” They landed several more large rainbows before the day’s end. The size 10 beetle bin was empty well before the season was over. Sheralee’s mistake has accounted for plenty of nice Henry’s Fork Rainbows in the years since.

ing the grassy banks offers the best situation for hopper fishing, doesn’t mean that you should neglect the other areas of the stream. Like other terrestrial insects, hoppers can fly and they are likely to end up anywhere in the stream. I learned this lesson on the Henry’s Fork years ago when I was younger and thought I knew all the answers. I was guiding a guy and we were fishing the Pale Morning Dun hatch. He couldn’t see his fly and became very frustrated. When we found a nice rainbow that was rising steadily to the small, light colored mayflies, I suggested he try a parachute pattern with a white wing. “I’d like to try a hopper,” he said. “It will never work out here in the middle of the river,” I replied, “but try it if you want.” That’s when I learned to never say never again. That fish acted like he’d been waiting all week for that hopper to float by. The pattern you use is very important when fishing hoppers and crickets on spring creeks. Large, high-floating flies designed for visibility usually won’t work very well. Natural grasshoppers float in the surface film, not on it, sort of like an iceberg. These days every good fly tier has his own hopper pattern so there are lots of good ones available. My favorite is still the one I developed almost 25 years ago, before there were so many other great patterns

Hoppers & Crickets

Hoppers remain the favorite of all terrestrials. The best situation for hopper fishing is to drift the fly along an undercut grassy bank. Deep undercuts are ideal and offer your best opportunity to catch a real lunker on a dry fly. You’ll be surprised, however, at how shallow the water can be and still conceal a large trout. You must cover each bank thoroughly—as though there is a lunker under each bank. Once, on Poindexter’s Slough near Dillon, Montana, I caught the largest brown of the day under a bank with water barely deep enough to cover the trout’s back. Just because fishwww.HCAmagazine.com

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

to choose from. Its called the Henry’s Fork Hopper and incorporates the use of elk hair to form the bullet shaped head and segmented body. It floats low in the surface film exactly like a natural. I tie it in several color variations as well as a black cricket pattern. Another consideration with regard to fly pattern is the size of the fly. I believe small hoppers will be much more productive on spring creek waters than large ones. Size 12 is the most common size but you may need to go as small as size 16, especially if you are using crickets. We westerners still haven’t caught on to the effectiveness of small black crickets. Eastern anglers have long known how deadly a small black cricket can be on finicky, spring creek trout. Although most trout are caught by blind-fishing hoppers, I have witnessed occasions when trout were actively feeding on hoppers that were being blown into the water. It’s called “the grasshopper wind” and if it happens when you are on the stream, its another one of those times when you should take time to be thankful you are there. You might need to shorten up on your leader because it takes a pretty stiff breeze to blow the grasshoppers into the water. Keep your eyes up and down the bank for as far as you can see. A big trout makes a sizeable disturbance when he eats a hopper. The cicada is another extremely important terrestrial insect which can be found on many trout waters. Most notable is the Green River below Flaming Gorge in Utah. These fat insects can approach the size of a man’s thumb. They live in the ground as larva for several years according to species. One of the most common is the 17-year variety. When they emerge from the flock to mate, many end up on the water where the trout gorge on them. I haven’t seen many of them near our local waters, but Cicada patterns really work. I guess it’s because they are just different enough that the big trout can’t resist checking them out.

Other Terrestrial Insects

Any land-based insect that ends up in the water can be important to the spring creek angler. I have seen leafhoppers, house flies, wasps, moths, and spiders in samplings I’ve taken from trout stomach contents. I’ve even found cigarette butts for that matter. You have to decide which terrestrial patterns will best prepare you for the water you plan to fish. I have a close friend, whose name will remain anonymous, who ties a wasp pattern that looks so realistic 36

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

that I’m afraid to touch it. Although I have never fished with a wasp fly, I always carry an assortment of small leafhoppers and jassids in my terrestrial box. Those tiny flies have scored with spring creek trout on several occasions. Several patterns will match other insects in addition to the naturals they were tied to represent. An example is the black beetle. I’ve often seen good numbers of small, black spiders on the surface of the spring creeks that I fish. I don’t know what type they are or how they get there but I do know that a black beetle is deadly when the black spiders show up. There are several types of insects that are black with a wide body including houseflies, horse flies, etc. that a black beetle will do an adequate job of imitating. One of my favorite streams is surrounded by large fir trees. I had great fishing one late summer morning and was packing up to leave after the mayfly hatches had ended. There were a few sporadic rises but without enough intensity to hold my interest. As I ate a Snickers bar on my way back to the car I noticed the rising was starting to escalate. I still couldn’t see much on the water, but decided to hang around. Soon I realized that there were good numbers of large, light-colored moths descending from the trees. Many of them were landing in the water and the trout were going for them. I looked in my box and thankfully I spotted a couple of size 10 light Elk Hair Caddis. The party was over when I snapped the last Elk Hair Caddis off on my back cast. Those trout were so zeroed in on those moths that they wouldn’t even look at anything else. I later discovered that the large moths are locally called Spruce Moths and they only occur every few years in cycles. I have also found them on the Henry’s Fork and the Madison. I’ve known about the importance of terrestrials since I was a small boy, too young to fish alone. Early in the morning I would follow my grandpa in the meadows picking up the sluggish grasshoppers before the air temperature warmed enough for them to fly. I never forgot how effective it was to thread one on a light hook and drop it over an undercut bank. There is an excitement of a trout smashing a fat terrestrial that is seldom equaled in any other way. During mid summer, the fly box I keep most handy in my vest is the one that is filled with terrestrials.

About The Author.

Mike Lawson is owner or Henry’s Fork Anglers in Last Chance, Idaho. He has been fishing and guiding in Idaho for much of his adult life. He is the author of several books, including Fly Fishing the Henry’s Fork (co-authored by Gary LaFontaine), Spring Creeks, and Fly Fishing Guide to the Henry’s Fork. You can contact Mike via his website at www.henrysforkanglers.com.

www.HCAmagazine.com

HCA

GEAR BAG BY BRIAN LA RUE

ORVIS HELIOS 2

hen I fly fish, I like to throw small dries, big terrestrials, nymph with tiny midges and clunky stonefiles, but I also love to rip my fair share of streamers, so I guess you can say I need a versatile rod that is light enough for technical applications, but stout enough to handle bigger bugs, sink-tips, wind, and of course, the common whopper. That’s why my new go-to rod is the Orvis Helios 2, 9-foot, 5-weight tip flex. Yes, the oldest fly fishing company in the business of making fly rods continues its sporting tradition of excellence, and the H2 is a prime example. It’s a beautiful piece of work. Handcrafted in Manchester, Vermont, the H2 takes on a brilliant blue, accented by a little splash of red and grey. The only knock I had on the rod when I first held it was the digital camo reel seat. I’m not a fan of camo, but with a reel in action and your mind on the prize, I got over it in a hurry. The cork handle grip is comfortable and the lightweight balance and feel of the H2 was amazing in the showroom and even better on the water. Having thrown the original Helios a few times, I quickly noticed the lighter, high performance feel, www.HCAmagazine.com

out-dueling the H1 in all feel and weight categories. My first outing with the H2 came on the East Walker near Bridgeport, California with a nymph setup, and quickly moved to a streamer when things turned nasty with wind and rain. The rod loaded the floating line effortlessly. I flipped my nymphs and midges into run after run--challenging myself to lay casts under branches and over logs to see just how the H2 would let me nail my targets. A couple rainbows in the 18 to 21 inch range topped off the first outing. Since then, Truckee River cutbows and browns to 24 inches have also found their way to the net. Best in-hand, on-the-water feel of any rod I’ve ever fished. For more information, go see the guys at your local Orvis shop and ask to “Test Drive” the H2. You can also learn more at www.Orvis.com. Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

What Does the Snowpack W

hat does snowpack have to do with fishing? Put simply, everything. The majority of precipitation in and near the Rocky Mountains comes in the form of snow. Without snowpack, there would be no snowmelt, no water to feed into the rivers, and without water the aquatic ecosystem struggles. It seems obvious, but is often under-appreciated and overlooked. Snowpack affects everything from the amount of water in our rivers, to the success of a spawn, to the potential hatches for a year. All of these combine to affect the overall health of a fishery. Winter snowpack lays the foundation for spring, summer, and fall flows. As every Rocky Mountain resident knows, in the months of March, April and even May, the snow will continue to fall. Although not ideal when cabin fever is at its peak, fly fishing enthusiasts know this is great insurance for the summer months. This winter, in the Rocky Mountains, the snow has been falling and continues to pile up in the higher elevations. The more snow we receive, the better off we will be for the months that follow. The gradual melting of the snow acts as a delayed release mechanism, allowing the river levels to remain consistent through much of the summer despite almost no precipitation. While not all states have the same concern for water and snowpack, those situated along and in the Rocky Mountains know how important it really is, affecting everything from drinking water, agriculture, aquatic life, wild fires, recreational activities, and beyond. For most, the concern for snowpack is based on household/landscaping and agri38

High Country Angler â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2014

culture. However, for the anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, concerns are more focused towards its effects on their favorite hobbies, from skiing in the winter to fishing in the spring, summer, and fall. Many residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; careers and favorite activities depend on a good snow year throughout the winter months. So with all this talk about how important snowpack is, where do we sit? Well, according to Snotel reports, Colorado is looking pretty good, with the South Platte River drainage at 145% of average, as of March 14th. Many other drainages are also currently above average, with the statewide snowpack at 116% of average. However, the same cannot be said for all drainages throughout Colorado, such as the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, and San Juan Drainage, which are at 88% of average and the Upper Rio Grande at 85% of average. Montana, Wyoming and Idaho are all looking good as well for snowpack this year. Montana is sitting great, with the Missouri Mainstem basin at 154% of average, the Upper Yellowstone at 149%, Madison at 122%, Bitterroot at 160%, Gallatin at 142%, Lower Clark Fork at 124%, and the Upper Clark Fork at 144%. For Wyoming, the Bighorn Basin is at 108%, Powder River at 113%, Upper Green River at 116%, Lower Green River at 110%, and Lower North Platte at 108%. Idaho should be looking good as well, with the Henry Fork, Teton Basin at 105%, Snake Basin above Palisades at 127%, Salmon at 106% and Clearwater Basin at 117%. All four states, known for their incredible fly fishing, should have good flows for the 2014 season based on www.HCAmagazine.com

Mean for Anglers? by Shawn Ash these snowpack reports. For fly fishing enthusiasts operating on freestone streams and rivers, it is the snowpack that will be supplying all of their water throughout the year, as it melts from the high peaks and makes its way down into the river drainages. As the inches fall throughout the winter, the potential for good flows all season will continue to grow. In years with minimal snowpack and a lack of run-off water in the rivers, juvenile and adult fish are susceptible to the stressors caused by low flows, becoming more prone to disease and even death. When there is a lack of water in the rivers, water temperatures typically increase and available habitat decreases. These stressors elevate the chance of an entire age class of fish being wiped out. When that happens, it can affect a fishery for many years down the road. The more snowpack in the mountains means bigger and better runoff. While some anglers would prefer not to have their fishing interrupted due to runoff, it is a very important process for rivers. The sudden snowmelt in the spring brings high water levels, flushing out river systems of sediments and old debris. This “blowing out” of the rivers is an integral part of the river cycle, as it opens up crevasses and space for macroinvertebrates, a major food source for trout, to live and thrive. Run-off containing old debris can create logjams—providing excellent fish and macroinvertebrate habitat. The new woody debris added to the system provides food, shelter and habitat to many of the river’s inhabitants. As anglers, we love it when a river that we fish consistently changes due to run-off. Granted, www.HCAmagazine.com

sometimes it takes away our favorite cut away bank where that big brown used to lurk, but it often creates a new and even better spot. Run-off reshapes our rivers, creating an ever-changing system. As with many things, though, there is a fine line here. If there is not enough snow, we find ourselves in a drought, with shortages in drinking-water supply, tightening up water rights, and affecting agriculture, recreation, and fire season. If there is too much, if there is such a thing, we have flooding and surface erosion. In short, water affects everything. With all the snow we are having this winter, people are now starting to be concerned about what will happen in the spring. Will we be able to store much of the run-off water, or will we have mass flooding like we did in September here in Colorado? In the Rocky Mountain States, snow pack is carefully monitored, as we need to be ready to store snowmelt runoff, but at the same time have the space available to do so. Snow pack in itself isn’t enough to fully determine runoff. You have to take into account both snowpack and weather in the spring. For instance, if we receive above average snowfall throughout the winter, but the spring brings mild temperatures, the run-off can be long, low and drawn out. However, if we have that same amount of snow, but the spring brings consistently warmer temperatures, we can receive a quick, high run-off. While we are on the topic of run-off and its effects, some may say, that’s great and all, but how do I fish it? There are Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

a number of different techniques and ways to fish during these events. During run-off, fish will tend to congregate in slower, more protected water, such as behind boulders or in back eddies near the bank. Look out for these areas and target the slower water. This can actually make the fishing incredible, as the fish are often stacked up in a few small areas. Try fishing with more weight, as their ability to see flies are decreased in the murky water. You need to get the flies right to them, in order to trigger strikes. The fish’s ability to see works both ways, however: fish have a harder time seeing flies, but also have a harder time seeing you, so you can often walk right up on them. As to fly selection, there are two basic schools of thought: large and dark, or small and flashy. We prefer the larger and darker flies when we make our selections. Large crawling insects such as stoneflies are often washed into the current as rocks are overturned, and tumbled around from the rushing water. We suggest using larger flies like the Kaufmann Black Stonefly nymph. They can be more visible to the trout with their dark color and large size. Also, try using a San Juan Worm. Terrestrial Worms are washed into rivers from the banks in high flows, and can be very prevalent during run-off. However, if high flows are not your thing, you can always fish lakes and ponds in the flats. Tailwaters have regu-

lated flows, and will often remain at average water levels when everything else is blown out, so be sure to weigh all your options. Always check the flows before you head out to fish, so you know what you are up against. The USGS is a great resource for checking flows all throughout our western states. Water is not a force to be messed with, especially if you are uncomfortable in high water, so always remember safety first. Most of the Rocky Mountain Regions should be looking forward to a season of great flows and reservoirs that will be filled to capacity. Keep in mind that the spring months along the eastern half of the Divide are typically when we receive large portions of the winter snowfall. While sitting in snow traffic and shoveling the driveway are not ideal, it’s the snowpack that keeps the water coming. Let it snow!

About The Author.

Shawn Ash is Fisheries Manager and Pro-Staff Guide for the Flyfisher Group in Denver, Colorado. He has a degree in Biology Field Ecology, and is responsible for overseeing the land and streams of the property managed by the Group. You can reach him through their website at www.theflyfishergroup.com.

Chatfield & Waterton Canyon: Then & Now

by Tyler Bowman 40

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

www.HCAmagazine.com

s a young fly fisherman, I was fortunate to catch my first trout on a fly rod in Waterton Canyon— just minutes away from the urban suburbia of my youth. It was also in the canyon where I experienced my first insect hatch: a blanket emergence of caddis with small browns and rainbows seemingly rising to fluttering bugs throughout one of the more picturesque riffles in the canyon. After that moment, I was hooked on fly fishing, no pun intended… But what worries me now is that today’s youth might not be granted with the same outdoor privileges and experiences that I was so blessed to receive. Colorado’s Front Range is home to perhaps one of the most unique and infamous trout fisheries and water drainages in the west: the South Platte River. And with tributaries like Boulder Creek, South Boulder Creek, and Clear Creek, the fly fishing opportunities surrounding metro Denver are endless—or at least they should be. A recent hike into my home waters of Waterton Canyon yielded a somewhat different fly fishing experience than that of my childhood. The canyon is still as pristine as it once was. Just minutes from Denver, it’s hard to believe the area is still home to bighorn sheep, mule deer, waterfowl, and a whole host of unique flora and fauna. And for the trout fisherman, the aquatic insect life is also something to marvel at: the river hosts an incredibly healthy and diverse mix of stoneflies, mayflies, caddis, and midges. During my hike I was simply amazed to remember the quality of some of the water features in Waterton Canyon—deep pools, long riffles, slicks, and runs. It looked like a trout should be rising in every tail out and pocket, but that wasn’t the case. I managed to hook a few six- to eight- inch rainbows, but for the most part, Waterton Canyon seems to be somewhat void of perhaps its most precious resource: trout. Granted, I didn’t hike super deep into the canyon, but what I am stressing in this article is the importance of good fly fishing close to home. For the angler willing to hike or bike and seek out the most remote pockets and deepest holes, there are certainly trout to be found. But I think the lower stretches of the canyon and Chatfield State Park could easily support more “catchable rainbows” in the eight- to teninch range. Low winter time flows have done a lot to eliminate healthy and sustainable trout populations in places like Waterton and Chatfield State Park. Meeting a minimum flow requirement on this section of water might be improbable if not impossible due to the water needs of Denwww.HCAmagazine.com

ver and the Front Range. However, regulated fish stocking during the summer angling months can help to increase the overall productivity of the fishery, while providing anglers—our youth in particular—with quality angling opportunities close to home. Colorado Parks and Wildlife have been doing their part to help supplement the river—designating the South Platte above Chatfield as a wild brown trout fishery, and stocking hofer strain rainbow trout above the Kessler water treatment plant. The division has also stocked rainbow trout above Chatfield Reservoir in hopes that they will move downriver—creating further angling opportunities. But what truly threatens the ecosystem surrounding the South Platte, and Chatfield State Park in particular, is the Chatfield Reservoir Reallocation Project. The project proposes for more water to be stored in Chatfield State Park. The maximum storage capacity of the reservoir would be increased by 12 vertical feet—causing threatening changes that would destroy much of the riparian habitat in the park. Riparian habitat surrounding the South Platte River would become flooded and transformed into mud flats. Moreover, it is unlikely that the proposed water storage will even be able to sufficiently provide the amount of water that Colorado’s Front Range will need in the future, and other options for water storage certainly are feasible. The Army Corps of Engineers plans to issue a final decision about the project in April 2014. Now is the time to have your voice heard in order to protect one of our most precious resources in the Denver metro area. Fishing close to home is the key to helping parents and mentors expose today’s youth to the world of fly fishing and the great outdoors. Chatfield State Park is a true sanctuary on the Front Range for many different species of plants and animals, and it should be kept that way. Perhaps nowhere more so than Chatfield State Park does the South Platte River have more character and beauty as it flows through a unique and beautiful riparian zone, connecting the great people of Denver with nature and timeless experiences. For more information on what you can do to help save Chatfield, please visit www.savechatfield.org today and have your voice heard.

About The Author.

Tyler Bowman is a Colorado native whose passions include fishing, hunting, writing and photography. He especially enjoys fishing western rivers for trout and upland bird hunting.

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

PRESIDENT’S LINE • RICK MATSUMOTO

Sustainability and Accountability gan the process of introducing formal policies (e.g., Conflict of Interest, Code of Ethics) and reference documents (e.g., Committee Charters, Job Descriptions) that bring us into alignment with non-profit best practices.

n organization that is able execute its strategic plan is generally a successful organization. A president that is able to do what he said he was going to do is generally a successful president. It’s about accountability. With this in mind, I’d like to share what I personally set out to achieve as President of Colorado TU when I was elected in April 2013. Here is an excerpt from my first column for High Country Angler:

I think you’ll agree that at least by this measure of accountability, Colorado TU has had a successful year. We’ve made ourselves stronger and more professional, we’re more disciplined about the business of non-profit conservation, and as a result we’ve ensured that our mission will continue to advance for years to come. But we’re not done. While we have terrific organizational momentum today, true sustainability is about much more than today or even this past year. It’s about whether programs and processes are established in ways that the organization continues to achieve long after I’m gone. Here’s to the second year of my term, a year in which I promise to continue improving the sustainability of Colorado TU!

About The Author.

Rick Matsumoto is the president of Colorado Trout Unlimited. You can contact him via the CTU website at www.coloradotu.org.

“…my vision for the next two years is to focus on the sustainability of Colorado TU as a stronger and more professional conservation organizaCody/Yellowstone tion. The health of our organization is just as important as our work for the health of our rivers. We need to look internally for ways to be more disciplined about the business of non-profit conservation. We need to look externally for more varied and more consistent sources of funding. And Professionally with a more sustainable Colorado TU, we can ensure that our mission will continue Guiding Anglers to advance for years to come.” for more than 25 Years!

Country’s Premier Fly Shop

The Finest Flyfishing Anywhere! Now Booking for 2013 Trips

Here are some examples of how we’ve improved the sustainability of Colorado TU over the past year: • Protect Our Rivers license plate. We took 256 donations for nearly $7,000 in the first two months the plate was available. • River Stewardship Council and Coldwater Conservation Fund. Thanks in no small part to the efforts of Chris Herrman, our relatively new fundraising director, we have seen an over 20% growth in membership in Colorado’s River Stewardship Council donor program. • Corporate Sponsorship. The Protect Our Rivers corporate sponsorship program now includes the river-friendly H20 Car Wash, and increased ad support from Rep Your Waters. • Non-Profit Governance. We be42

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

• Full & Half Day Guided Trips, Walk-ins Welcome • Great Hatches/Wild Trout • Fish Year Round • Certified Professional Fly Shop since 1984 • Orvis™ Endorsed Outfitter/Guide & Authorized Dealer

1107 Sheridan Avenue Cody, WY 82414 • 307.527.7274 Mooncrest Outfitters, Inc. • USFS WAP286 • BLM WYO20-RUO7-009

Shop online

www.northforkanglers.com www.HCAmagazine.com

| 303-396-1898 | 303-449-2911 Follow Us!

www.HCAmagazine.com

Spring 2014 â&#x20AC;¢ High Country Angler

Creating a 21st Century Water Plan for Colorado

t is conventional wisdom that water in the arid west – including here in Colorado – is a most precious resource that must be managed wisely to meet diverse needs for farms, cities, and industry, and our rivers themselves. So it may come as a surprise that Colorado is one of the only states in the West that does not have a formal state water plan. On May 14, 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to commence work on the firstever Colorado Water Plan. The plan is intended to help Colorado prepare for its water future. Specifically, Governor Hickenlooper ordered that the plan address the projected shortfall between future water supply and demand (aka “the gap”)and help Colorado reduce the “unacceptable” practice of converting agricultural water rights to municipal water uses (aka “buy and dry”). A draft of the plan is due to the governor by the end of 2014. The final product is expected one year later. The CWCB has asked the public to comment on the water plan through the nine Basin Roundtables – groups established in each major river basin and made up of various interests including some limited environmental and recreational representation. The Basin Roundtables have been instructed to gather comments from the public and deliver their draft. Trout Unlimited has stepped up to the task to provide comments to each of the Basin Roundtables with hopes that the Colorado Water Plan will include plans that are fish-friendly. This is a once-in-alifetime opportunity for anglers to get our concerns heard and addressed in Colorado’s one and only master water plan. To get involved with your local TU chapter and their efforts to impact the plan, please reach out to Stephanie Scott at sscott@ tu.org. The best way for concerned citizens, communities, and businesses to influence the Colorado Water Plan is through their local Basin Roundtable. Created several years ago for each major river basin in the state, the roundtables are intended to provide the grassroots forum that informs the state plan as each roundtable prepares its own “basin implementation plan” for inclusion in the Colorado Water Plan. To get involved in your basin, it is best to attend the basin roundtable meetings 44

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

by Stephanie Scott

and speak up about the issues that you feel need to be addressed in the plan. The CWCB is also taking comments via online submission. You can provide comments electronically and find local meetings to attend at www.coloradowaterplan.com. Past water planning in Colorado has been focused on large reservoir and pipelines to move water from where it flows naturally to farms and cities where it “makes the desert bloom.” Now it has become increasingly clear – to some at least – that water resources are limited and must be wisely used and managed, with greater appreciation for healthy rivers themselves as valued resources for Colorado – not simply as conduits for transporting water to other locations. So what should a 21st Century water plan for Colorado look like? Colorado TU has offered some basic principles that we believe should be part of the plan: • Solutions need to respect local needs for water in all parts of the state.

• There is no “silver bullet” – meeting future water needs will take a balanced strategy including high levels of water conservation, increased re-use of water, innovative water-sharing efforts between cities and farms instead of “buy and dry” transfers, and carefully designed locally-based new water projects that avoid harmful effects to rivers and communities. A large new Colorado River basin diversion is not the answer for meeting Front Range needs. • The Colorado Water Plan must include meaningful efforts to protect and restore healthy rivers and the environmental and recreational uses they support. Healthy rivers are vital to our economy and quality of life. • Laws and policies should encourage creative water management, instead of creating more roadblocks to innovative problem-solving. With these principles in mind, Colorado can create a 21st Century plan that will truly meet its needs – for cities, farms, and rivers.

To Learn More.

To learn more about this story and Colorado Trout Unlimited, visit, www.coloradotu.org.

Island Acres

38339 US Hwy 50 Gunnison, CO 81230 970.641.1442

• Walking distance to the gold-medal waters of the Gunnison River • Near Blue Mesa Reservoir • Vintage charm and ambiance • Great outdoor space • Multiple room layouts • Fully stocked kitchens • Spacious boat parking, including free long-term for multiple stays

www.IslandAcresResort.com www.HCAmagazine.com

Cabin in Sportsmans Paradise Lake George, CO Offered by:

RE/MAX Performance, Inc. Call Irene J. Tanis

$215,000

800-677-1109

irene@irenetanis.com

MLS 4149943

40 miles west of Colorado Springs on the upper South Platte River with 2 miles of quality trophy fishing; 5 stocked ponds; gated community with caretakers; borders National Forest; 2bd/1ba, 1104 sf cabin on 1.2 acres of meadow surrounded by aspens; 1000 sf Trek deck wraps around cabin; totally ADA accessible.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado 2 Properties with Incredible Fly Fishing with Big Game & Waterfowl Hunting

Tellier Ranch

77+ Acres with 3 bdr. Farm House & Outbuildings 4 Miles from Steamboat Springs $2,870,000 • YampaRiverProperty.com

2 miles down river

Crawford Property

2/3 Miles of Yampa River Frontage - Both Sides! 167.25 Acres, Ponds & Sloughs 6 Miles from Steamboat Springs $2,595,000 • SteamboatRiverFront.com

Ron Wendler

Broker Owner, cri, cdpe, rmcb Member of Trout Unlimited 970.846.7500 moble • 970.875.2914 direct • ron@mybrokers.com • RonWendlerRealEstate.com

509 Lincoln Avenue, Steamboat Springs, CO • 970.870.8800 • MyBrokers.com www.HCAmagazine.com

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

Armstrong Creek: A Grand Vision of Restoration

By Randy Scholfield

e’re standing on the bank of Armstrong Creek, high in the mountains of northwest Colorado. On this summer day, a group of gung-ho volunteers from Shell have made the long trek on bumpy forest roads to this remote, spectacular valley, called California Park. They listen as biologists from Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Forest Service explain how to plant willows, sedges, and other native plants along the muddy banks. The workday unfolds amid laughter and aching backs—a flurry of activity planting plugs in the muddy banks. Armstrong Creek doesn’t look like much: it’s small enough to step across. But it’s a key part of a much larger restoration vision coming together in the upper Elkhead watershed. TU and its partners are trying to solve a complex puzzle: How to put the pieces of a 30-mile watershed back together? How to restore an entire functioning, interconnected landscape? “A common shortcoming of restoration projects is that the scale of treatment is too small to produce the desired effect,” said biologist Brian Hodge, TU’s Colorado Water Project manager for Northwest Colorado. He explained that at the reach scale, restoration may improve habitat and result in localized increases in fish abundance, but it will not necessarily increase the total fish population. By working at the watershed scale, here and elsewhere in the West, TU and partners hope to restore healthy habitat and create “metapopulations:” large, interconnected and interbreeding populations of fish that can better withstand the assaults of nature and humans, from drought and development to climate change. Humans are inescapably part of the landscape here in California Park. Rick Henderson, a Forest Service biologist, tells the assembled group about some of the human history of California Park, which is not immediately apparent to the untrained eye. Settlers discovered this area in the late 1800s; there were homesteads, logging camps, and stock driveways. In more recent years, livestock, elk, and herbicide ap46

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

943 W. Hwy 50 Pueblo, CO 81008

Huge Selection, Great Prices, Superior Service,

.... you get it all at The Drift! (719) 543-3900 • Full Service Fly Shop • Huge Tying Selection • Knowledgable AND Friendly Service • Guided Trout Fishing on the Pueblo Tailwater • Guided Bass, Wiper and Carp Fishing at Lake Pueblo and Lathrop State Parks • 10% Military Discount with ID

www.thedriftflyshop.com www.HCAmagazine.com

plication influenced the riparian landscape. Over decades, a variety of impacts resulted in soil and plant loss, eroded upland slopes, and widened, shallow stream channels. On this stretch of Armstrong, the channel flattened out to twelve feet wide and a few inches deep. Not good habitat for fish. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we can narrow the channel and get vegetation growing, we can get a healthy fish population going,â&#x20AC;? Henderson says. He brings out a plastic tub of water and shows the group some native fish theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve collected that morning: Speckled Dace, Mottled Sculpin, Mountain Sucker, and Colorado River Cutthroat Trout. They are evidence that these streams are still alive and wild. Colorado River cutts were once plentiful throughout the upper Elkhead watershed. On a recent survey, though, Henderson found only 2 cutts in a 400-foot stretch. He said he would expect to find about 50 cutts in a healthy stretch of the same length. From a biological perspective, much of the watershed is damaged and impoverished. There had been talk, on and off in recent years, of restoring the Elkhead drainage. But the task seemed daunting, and bigger than any one group. A few years ago, TU, the Forest Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife agreed to make a run at it. They began pulling together a team of stakeholders. Additional partners and contributors include the Routt County Conservation District, Shell, Tri-State, the City of Craig, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Yampa-White Basin Roundtable, and the Colorado River Water Conservation District. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This project illustrates the effectiveness of partnerships,â&#x20AC;? said Hodge. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come a long way in a relatively short amount of time.â&#x20AC;? Today, the goal was to finish replanting the newly-restored stream channel. The vegetationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;sedges, willows, and aldersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;will anchor streambanks, reduce water velocity, and provide cover and cooling shade for trout and other native fish. Colorado River cutthroat inhabit only 14 percent of their historical range. But they are survivors. Trout Unlimited would like to see them thrive again. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 20 years, if I can fish with my son up here, that would be great,â&#x20AC;? says Jackie Brown, a project partner with the Routt County Conservation District. The work of healing here at Armstrong Creek gives hope.

Hayden Mellsop Fly ďŹ shing guide. Real Estate guide.

Recreation, residential, retirement, investment. 5IF EJĂľFSFODF CFUXFFO MPPLJOH GPS ZPVS TQFDJBM QMBDF BOE mOEJOH JU 1JOPO 3FBM &TUBUF (SPVQ 4BMJEB 0ĂśDF ] $FMM XXX )PNF 8BUFST DPN INFMMTPQ!QJOPOSFBMFTUBUF DPN

To Learn More.

To learn more about this story and Colorado Trout Unlimited, visit, www.coloradotu.org. www.HCAmagazine.com

Spring 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ High Country Angler

The Rocky Mountain Flyathlon

have long believed that the best fly fishing spots in Colorado can’t be found by flipping through the majority of guidebooks that you currently have sitting on your shelf. Nor are they frequently updated in colorful chalk on the big board of flow conditions at your local fly shop. And they certainly aren’t in locations where most guides choose to venture (at least not with clients). No, to get to my best fly fishing destinations in Colorado, you are going to have to work harder than that. Because these special places are “back there.” Way back there. To get to these waters, you will have to drive on paved roads until you get to dirt roads, until those dirt roads narrow and then run out. Even then, you will still have many miles to go, on foot, often up crushing inclines on trails which may or may not have not been maintained in a while. And when you finally get there, you will not catch twenty-inch brown trout or pig rainbows. But you will be happy. Alone, exhausted from the journey, and surrounded by the most majestic landscapes that the Centennial State has to offer, you can catch a piece of Colorado’s natural history. And when you see that signature orange slash along the lower jaw, in an instant, you will know that the effort was worthwhile. Because this is fly fishing in Colorado. It is the relentless pursuit of this native high that can only be found within the high mountain lakes and streams contained within Colorado’s many wilderness and roadless areas, and within the remotest of remote reaches of our national parks, that led me to discover what I call the “flyathlon.” As the father of two young girls, my time away from home is inherently limited, so to be a good dad and still get my cutthroat fix, I pack lightly and carry a sevenpiece, three-weight stick. And I run. I run so that I can maximize my minimal free time reaching out to these beautiful fish. I run so that I feel like I earned it. And then, back at the trailhead at the end of that remote and narrow dirt road, I typically enjoy another of Colorado’s finest—our superior craft beer. 48

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

by Andrew Todd

Run. Fish. Beer. Simple as that. It turns out, while I may be the first one to formally put a name to this Colorado multi-sport experience, I now know that I am not the only flyathlete. One afternoon several years ago, as I eagerly described the concept to a friend, he quickly cut me off, indicating that this is something that he has done for years. And the movement has grown quickly from there. Last August, fifteen brave pioneers dragged themselves out of their tents/beds to make the journey to Monarch Lake in Grand County, Colorado, to compete in the inaugural (yet entirely unofficial) Flyathlon race event. Many toed the start line having endured wave after wave of soaking rain as they stood around the

www.HCAmagazine.com

pre-race campfire the night before, drink- approximately 7 miles total length, with likely be legendary. So that we can give ing some of Colorado’s finest craft beer. opportunities to catch brown, rainbow, back, we’ll also include some fundraisThe race day premise was simple: Run brook, and cutthroat trout (bonus time off ing to help benefit native trout conservaaround Monarch Lake, catch a fish, and for the native fish!). Participants are en- tion through Colorado Trout Unlimited. do it as quickly as possible. The bigger the couraged to spend the weekend in the San There will be cool prizes for the top finishfish you caught, the more time that was Luis Valley, as camping sites will be pro- ers and top fundraisers. If you are a closet 964” of trout were scored by an incredible roster of teams. Thank taken off at the end of your run. Of the 15 vided with the event registration for Fri- flyathlete, or just want to give something you to day our competitors, volunteers sponsors race participants, more than half hooked, and Saturday evenings.andThe event for is making new a 2014 try, please consider joining us in Salanded, and documented their catch. And sponsored by several fine Colorado brewguache in August. our best event yet. while some were thwarted by the fishing eries, so the post-race celebration will gods, everyone had a wonderful time. -Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter 509 After that first event, the feedback that I received was amazing. So this year, I am taking the event, and the concept, to the next level. The 1st Annual In the Colorado Rocky Mountain Flyathlon will be held San Juans & near Saguache, Colorado, the weekend of The Most August 15th-17th. The event will be perRoadless County mitted through the U.S. Forest Service, Guided Trips In the making it “official.” The course will be Schools & Clinics Lower 48

The Sportsman Outdoors & Fly Shop

Beginners to Advanced Corporate Specialists Full Service Fly Shop Sales & Rentals Families Welcome Open Year-Round

To Learn More.

For more information about the Flyathlon or to participate in the August event, please visit my website at www.flyathlon.com, or send me an email at cutthroat@gmail.com.

Lake City, Colorado

970-944-2526

www.lakecitysportsman.com

964” of trout were scored by an incredible roster of teams. Thank you to our competitors, volunteers and sponsors for making 2014 our best event yet. -Southern Colorado Greenback Chapter 509

www.HCAmagazine.com

Spring 2014 • High Country Angler

THE LAST CAST

•

JOHN NICKUM

Evolutionary “Art:” Is it Important?

A report published last November discussed the relationships between the physical appearances (phenotypes) and genetic makeup (genotypes) of cutthroat trout in the southern Rocky Mountain region. The information is interesting, and the photographs of the trout were beautiful; however, is this kind of study and the results from it of any real importance to us anglers?

Yes, I think this information is important. Let’s discuss some of the reasons that make it important. I will admit, however, that just like art created by humans, the beauty of art created by Mother Nature sometimes “lies in the eye of the beholder.” Also, we may differ in how much importance we attach to various aspects of evolutionary art. I start with a viewpoint that some people may consider more philosophical than biological. Mother Nature’s art is based in the genetic makeup of each life form, right down to the individual. Each individual’s genetic base is influenced by an array of physiological factors and environmental factors. The base and these factors end up producing the characteristics that we observe in each individual. My philosophical belief is this: we should never willingly, or willfully, discard these unique genetic materials. Most of us would consider the willful destruction of a Rembrandt painting, or a Michelango sculpture, to be a criminal act. I apply similar standards to the creations of nature. Never willingly discard unique genetic material. At this point readers might be asking, “What’s this philosophical stuff got to do with my fishing?” That’s a legitimate question. The simple answer is that fisheries managers make management decisions based on their understanding of fish genetics, as well as population dynamics. Genetic factors are only one of the factors that fisheries managers consider, but, especially with rare and/or imperiled fishes, genetics can become a decisive factor. Preservation or restoration of an imperiled species, sub-species, or even a specific population, often takes priority over the immediate desires of anglers for a maximum catch rate. A major finding of the recently published study on the genetics of cutthroat 50

High Country Angler • Spring 2014

trout in the southern Rocky Mountain region was that there had been more unique genetic strains in the streams of the region than managers had recognized. A hundred years ago, in the minds of most managers and most anglers, a cutthroat … was a cutthroat… was a cutthroat. Sure, some of them had unique markings, but they were all cutthroat trout. When recruitment to specific populations could not keep up with the demands of anglers, more fish were stocked, and one cutthroat was as good as another. Today, differences in appearances, such as color, or markings, or scale counts, or gill raker counts, or other meristic factors are considered to be important. They are indications that the various populations have been separated from each other long enough to evolve unique characteristics. Modern managers believe that we should be careful, very careful, about mixing one population with another. The arguments among fisheries managers, environmentalists, and scientists typically center on the question of whether or not the observed differences in appearances—be they anatomical, physiological, or genetic—between populations of fish are adaptations to local conditions, or just random genetic events unrelated to long term survival. I am skeptical about the importance of so-called local adaptation as it pertains to long-term survival of populations—especially in dynamic, rapidly evolving populations such as cutthroat trout. Modern molecular genetic analyses can detect extremely small variations in the genetic constitutions of individuals— differences that have nothing to do with the morphology, physiology, or behavior of the individual. After all, these analytical techniques can distinguish one human being from another. We have to be extremely cautious in claiming that a specific difference in DNA sequences detected by molecular analysis techniques represents an important, even essential, adaptation to local conditions. In addition, we must recognize that local conditions change rapidly, in all probability faster than genetic adaptations can be fixed in the genetic constitution of a population. This is especially true in the case of cutthroat trout. Consider the changes in specific stream habi-

tats in the Rocky Mountains over the last 10,000 years (a time span that is small in the world of evolutionary changes), as the region developed following the end of the last Ice Age. Add to those changes the changes caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires, and it is understandable that adaptation to specific local conditions could be a harmful adaptation rather than a helpful survival characteristic. “Just a minute,” some readers may be sputtering by now. “You said previously that these small differences in appearance and behavior were important to anglers; now, you are saying that they are not real adaptations. What do you mean?” In my opinion (and this is the “Old Professor’s” opinion—albeit an opinion based in science), there are two basic reasons for attaching importance to the relatively small differences that distinguish one population of cutthroat trout from other populations. 1) Science is always a work in progress, and the final answers about local adaptations have not yet been developed. The recent study showed that the differences in appearance and morphology are related to genetic differences. Perhaps additional evidence will be found showing that these small differences really are important local adaptations. It seems advisable to be cautious until we know for certain. 2) Evolutionary art. I suggest that cutthroat trout are beautiful animals, and these variations in their appearances simply add to their beauty, and in turn to the beauty of nature. Think how boring it would be if every trout looked just like every other trout. Anglers must do their part to protect and preserve the beauty of nature –evolutionary art.

About

The

Author.

John Nickum, is a retired PhD. fishery biologist whose career has included positions as professor at research universities including Iowa State and Cornell University, director of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s fisheries research facility in Bozeman, MT, and science officer for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mountain-Prairie Region. He was inducted into the National Fish Culture Hall of Fame in 2008. www.HCAmagazine.com

leƒrn the fly-fishing bƒsics bƒsics

for free fly fishing 101 & 201

(Class spaces are limited. Call or stop by to reserve a spot.)

photo: Justin Karnopp

Coupon valid on full-priced items only. Expires June 29, 2014. Offer not valid on purchase of merchandise at orvis. com, or through any Orvis dealer, outlet store, sale event, or catalog. Not valid with any other promotional offer. Not valid on gift card purchases. Limit one card per customer, card must be presented for discount. No cash value. Offer valid on full priced merchandise purchases only. Offer not valid on previous merchandise purchases. Not valid on sale items.

Free Trout Unlimited membership —a $35 value. Upon completion of the course, you will receive special in-store offers valid toward purchase of Orvis products.

For dates and locations visit orvis.com/flyfishing101 Pƒrk Meƒdows Park Meadows, CO 8433 Park Meadows Center Drive Lone Tree, CO 80124 www.HCAmagazine.com 303-768-9600

Cherry Creek Cherry Creek, CO 2701 East First Avenue Denver, CO 80206 303-355-4554

Boulder Table Mesa Shopping Center 629B S. Broadway Boulder, 80305 Spring 2014 CO • High Country Angler 303-554-0122

Bigger Fish... Better Stories.

www.coloradoflyfishingreports.com 52

High Country Angler â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2014