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North Platte River Casper, Wyoming Photo by Trent Tatum
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EDITORIAL •
BY FRANK MARTIN
HCA Ezine a Hit!
I
n case you haven’t heard, High Country Angler is now available in two distinctly different formats: A print magazine, as well as online in the form of an Ezine. With the print version, we just celebrated our eleventh year of publication, and we couldn’t be more excited. While a lot of print magazines have gone the way of the dinosaurs, at HCA we’re still going strong. For those who worry about us phasing out the print version, you can rest assured that we have no plans to do that any time soon. We believe in dancing with the one who brought us to the prom, and print has always been our bread and butter. Our HCA Ezine version just launched with the Spring 14 issue, and the feedback so far has been phenomenal! We assumed there would be a market for an online version, but had no idea how well received it would be. With the Ezine version, we’re not re-
strained by page count, so we’re able to bring you tons of extra articles, features, and photos from your favorite fly fishing personalities. In this issue, you’ll find an informative article on fishing strategies for the Bighorn River by “Mr. Bighorn” himself, Hale Harris, owner of Bighorn Trout Shop. Hale knows the Bighorn better than most of us know our own mothers, so you know you’re getting solid advice! We’ve also noticed a lot of ladies on the river these days, so we decided to run a feature piece on “The Women of Fly Fishing.” Brenna Richardson, proprietor of the Rods, Reels & Heels Facebook page was kind enough to help us us out with that one. You’ll find her feature article in this issue of HCA Ezine, along with a ton of great photos! Be sure to check it out at www.HCAezine.com., and as always, thanks for your continued support!
REIMAGINE
HCA Staff P U B LISHER S
J ac k Tallo n & Frank M ar tin
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
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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.
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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
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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!
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3/24/14 5:33 AM
ONCE IN A 100 YEARS... CREEDE, CO The legendary Phipps La Garita
Fishing Ranch, in the Phipps family for over 100 years, is now being offered for sale. Located in southwestern Colorado and long considered a premier, private, fishing property on the Rio Grande River, if not the entire western United States. Phipps La Garita Ranch consists of over 1,800 acres commanding 2.5 miles of the Rio Grande River and over 3.5 miles of Bellows Creek. Additional fishing is available in Senator
Creek and 4 large ponds that are situated directly in front of the main improvements. Charming owner’s home and guest quarters feature a classic log cabin design, comfortably accommodating 24 people. Senior water rights are substantial. A privately held property with large exclusive river access, improved stream fishing and four lakes is a rare find in Colorado today. This property offers unlimited recreational opportunities. $8,950,000 www.masonmorse.com/lagaritaranch.
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HCA EZINE CONTENTS SUMMER 2014 VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 3
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ALPINE, WYOMING BY A.J. SWENTOSKY
30
BIGHORN RIVER FISHING STRATEGIES FOR 2014 BY HALE HARRIS
FEATURES
34
THE WHO OF FLY TYING BY JOEL EVANS
36
FLY FISHING COLORADO’S HIGH ALPINE CREEKS, PONDS, AND LAKES BY SHAWN ASH
40
THE WOMEN OF FLY FISHING BY BRENNA RICHARDSON
12 WIND WISDOM BY LANDON MAYER 22
GUNNISON RIVER BY BRIAN LA RUE
DEPARTMENTS 6 EDITORIAL
BY FRANK MARTIN
LET’S GO FISHING BY BILL EDRINGTON
HCA GEAR BAG BY BRIAN LA RUE
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COLORADO TU SECTION 46
PRESIDENT’S LINE
48
COLORADO’S WATER PLAN
50
BY RICK MATSUMOTO BY STEPHANIE SCOTT
SAVING THE FRASER
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TROUT IN THE CLASSROOM
54
COLLEGE ANGLERS
56
BY JEFF FLORENCE
THE LAST CAST
BY JOHN NICKUM
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SOUTH FORK RANCH
SUMMIT SPRINGS RANCH
CENTENNIAL , WYOMING
WARREN, IDAHO
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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. Outstanding fishing and functional improvements.
Surrounded by Payette National Forest, this is one of Idaho’s iconic wilderness ranches encompassing 235± deeded acres in 2 separate parcels with extensive frontage on the South Fork of the Salmon River. 35 airmiles north of McCall, Idaho.
The 3,785± acre Summit Springs Ranch borders national forest and features a custom-built fishing cabin and 2 miles of a trout-filled spring creek. Located approximately 2 hours from Sun Valley and Idaho Falls.
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CREEK RANCH HOMESTEAD
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TARRYALL MEADOWS RANCH
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO
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Custom five bedroom log home with barn/guest quarters on 11.5± acres overlooks 2,400± acre Creek Ranch with access for fishing, hunting and riding. Co-listed with Prudential Steamboat Realty, Pam Vanatta and Cameron Boyd.
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.
Just 45 minutes from the Breckenridge ski resort, this 240± acre mountain ranch features 1.75 miles of trout fishing on Tarryall Creek in a stunning setting at the base of the Continental Divide.
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Reduced to $1,200,000
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POGNA RANCH
DOUBLE RAINBOW RANCH
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Located 6 miles south of Crested Butte and less than 30 minutes from the Gunnison Regional Airport; this 541± acres of vacant land is adjacent to public land and features over one mile of frontage on the East River.
This hanging (hidden) valley ranch north of Shell, WY is spectacular and private. Lush green meadows, huge views, a large lake and beautiful improvements surrounded by public lands are just some of many attributes of this ideal retreat.
Welcome Creek Ranch features approx. 130 acres with 3,000± ft. of Rock Creek frontage and a timber frame home w/guest house. Missoula is only 35 minutes away. Excellent year-round access off a paved road. Forest Service borders on two sides.
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ASPEN MEADOWS RANCH
MONTANA FISHING RETREAT
ILLINOIS RIVER RETREAT
FISHTAIL, MONTANA
CLINTON, MONTANA
WALDEN, COLORADO
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.
Premium fishing creek with two ponds, 3200+ sq. ft. home, National Forest boundaries, 3/4 mile of Ranch Creek, tributary to Rock Creek. Private meadow, timber, mountain views, extreme privacy. Close to schools, markets and other services.
Picturesque mountain retreat features 137± acres highlighted by two miles of the meandering Illinois River and a 3,500± sq. ft. custom log home overlooking the river valley and surrounding mountain ranges.
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I N FO @ H A LLA N D H A LL.C OSummer M | 42014 06 .6•5High 6 . 7 5 Country 00 Angler
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Wind Wisdom by Landon Mayer
T
he scene is set as you look out the window, mentally preparing for the day of fishing ahead. While driving to the river you begin to notice the trees swaying back and forth, when the steering wheel all of a sudden pulls hard to one side. Oh no! It is going to be an obnoxiously windy day! I also used to dread these days on the river, but after spending half my life in the wind I quickly learned that this can produce great results, even when the hatch is blown off the water. The following tips will help you gain wisdom with the wind—both on moving and still waters. Before we dive into the windy wonderland, I have to encourage anglers if they have not already done so, to become a Buff believer. Placed around the back of your hat and molded under your thick-sided shield glasses, this material tool will cover your ears and honestly block out the annoying sounds and feel of the wind. This is the first step in remaining comfortable when dealing with the wind, as well as allowing for a clearer mind while focusing on the target.
and leader, collapsing as it attempts to unroll. To start, slow your casting motions down to prevent the fly line or leader from tailing over itself. There are two approaches to casting in the wind: head on with the gust blowing into you directly, or casting from the side. When facing the wind, allow the rod to hold at a 12 o’clock position, and allow the fly line and leader to go aught from the force of the wind. I use the reference of holding a flag with the stars and stripes at full staff. From this vertical angle with your elbow at your side, drive the tip of the rod straight down to water level with force. This will create a straight path of the rod tip to the water’s surface—letting you cut through the wind like a knife through butter.
Like a Knife Through Butter Conventional casting in the wind can lead to unforgiving tangles with the loop of line 12
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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In still waters, this cast can be a day saver as well. The bays and edges where the wind is blowing towards shore will possess the warmer water temperatures from surface heat blowing in, as well as large amounts of food. Try to position yourself facing the wind, or, if conditions are too extreme, angle your cast and presentation at 45 degrees, giving you a slight advantage for distance in each cast. The second challenge is when the wind is blowing at your back. Instead of false casting behind you, lift the rod to the down streamside at 3 o’clock and pause. The line will load from the tension of the drifting on the water’s surface. Start a forward rolling motion with the rod, and a straight arm using smooth acceleration. The wind will grab the line and leader, rolling it forward with force, presenting your flies in a straight line to the area where you’ve cast.
Head On It is common for anglers to try and place the wind at their back for relief. Yes, this can be effective in many ways, except in the heat of summer while trout are looking up facing the wind. All the potential food supplies on the bank have a chance to land on the river’s edge, and large trout know and see this. A fly fisher can use Ants, Hoppers, Beetles, and Mice—all with potential success. When you present head-on in a breeze, don’t shy away from slapping the top water meal on the water’s surface. Not only does this give the trout an aggressive visual to see in the water’s surface disturbed by chop, it also creates vibration that can trigger big fish to take. When you face the wind head-on with dry flies, don’t get stuck in one area. Remember that trout will disperse throughout the river in choppy water. I like to cast and walk, following the flies as they ride down a long stretch of river with a grassy bank. The more water you cover, the better odds you have of catching quality trout. The wind will create a lot of disturbance on the surface, causing your fly to mimic the twitch or skate that is common with these big meals.
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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!!
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Let it Ride A huge headache we all have is trying to mend against a gust. It can be done but usually the white caps on the water’s surface will defeat the purpose. I have become a believer of letting it ride with the wind and waves. Use a swing style drift, creating tension in the leader and flies. With an extra piece or pinch of shot, or a new imitation with weight, you can reach the right depth, and mimic other natural food sources that are also along for the crazy moving or still water ride. Be cautious of the takes using this tension approach: there is almost no room for setting the hook. With a taut line and pressure from the swing flies in the chop, the trout will literally set themselves. Simply grab the cork handle after the cast, and hold on, letting the low startup inertia on the reel do its job. Followed by a smooth lift or your arm and rod, the fish will not stand a chance in the wind conditions. While many anglers shy away from windy days, or call it a day when that af-
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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ternoon menace makes an appearance, remember these tips, and you might just find yourself catching quality trout on an unpressured waterway. And that….is worth its weight in gold.
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.
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LET’S GO FISHING •
BY BILL EDRINGTON
Fly Fishing Old School....Back to Your Roots
A
s I get old…..older, I often find myself transporting my mind—what’s left of it—back to childhood days and the excitement of catching fish on a fly rod. Good whiskey will do that to you, but I regress. At around age 10, I learned to use a fly rod. That was very early for most kids my age in the 1950s, but my Dad enjoyed the “long rod” very much, and he taught me what he knew. We enjoyed fishing…period. Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, we fished private bass lakes and enjoyed the closeness to the mountains of Northern New Mexico. At home, I quickly discovered you didn’t have to use a Zebco 202 and a minnow if you didn’t want to. Catching largemouth Bass and 3 pound Crappie on a popping bug or a drowned hopper on my Shakespeare President was fun, and my Mom could cook them up with fried potatoes and cornbread like no one else since. I’m afraid that if I still lived there, a couple big Crappie would still have to come home with me, if they even exist anymore. I remember the times we used to fish live hoppers in the Cimarron and the Pecos, especially when the water was high and off color. A hopper with a split shot right above it and drifted close to the 16
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
JOE’S HOPPER HOOK:
3 OR 4 X LONG HOPPER HOOK
THREAD: WHITE OR YELLOW TAIL:
RED HACKLE FIBERS
BODY:
YELLOW YARN OF YOUR CHOICE
RIBBING: BROWN HACKLE, TRIMMED ON SIDES WING:
2 MATCHED TURKEY QUILL SECTIONS
FRONT HACKLE: BROWN AND GRIZZLY
bank, was good for big Browns and Bows. The takes were hard and deliberate, and fish would hit the current and run downstream, putting a young boy’s skill to the test. There came a time when the worms disappeared, but it seems that I fished live hoppers this way until I was in my twenties. We still ate fish back then, and as a college student, anything that didn’t come on a stick or in a bun was a welcome sight. Hoppers on a fly rod worked on the Guadalupe as well as they did on the Rio Grande, so why change? After I started spending lots of time in Colorado with my good friend Steve, on his ranch in Tabernash (this is now in the early
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BEAUTY COMES FROM WITHIN...
BOWTIE WITH GRILLED CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS This is one of my favorite summer pasta recipes. It’s light and easy to make on the road. Pasta: Farfalle (Bow Tie Pasta) Sauce: ½ butter ½ extra virgin olive oil seasoned with dried oregano, salt/pepper, smoked paprika, pinch of red pepper flakes Your favorite mushroom, sautéed in the sauce Grilled asparagus seasoned with salt/pepper Parmesan cheese…2 cups, half in the sauce before adding pasta and half topping Grilled chicken breasts or tenderloins seasoned with salt/pepper, smoked paprika
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Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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FUR ANT HOOK:
DRY FLY HOOK….12 TO 24
ABDOMEN: DUBBING BALL SUPERFINE DUBBING OR FINE BLACK FUR HACKLE: BLACK ROOSTER HACKLE THORAX: DUBBING BALL SUPERFINE DUBBING OR FINE BLACK FUR
70s), he and I decided that bait was simply not a respectful way to fish, even though we did still whack a few big Browns in Ranch Creek. That quickly gave way to catchand-release as our newly discovered philosophies about protecting the eco system and the creatures that live in it came to fruition. I may have changed some in my life
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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since then, but those notions are still my core beliefs, and I don’t suspect that I will change now, nor do I want to. Being an environmentalist is not always a popular thing to do, but I’ve made it this far and that’s what I am. Back then, I was convinced that by the time I was 60, we would be driving cars that were powered by something
BILL’S FISH TACOS WITH PINEAPPLE PICO DE GALLO These are great for dinner or make em up streamside while your buddies open you a cold Dos Equis. Pineapple Pico De Gallo….make this up in advance and put it in the cooler. ½ fresh pineapple cubed Handful of cilantro One Jalapeño and two Anaheim chilies ½ red onion 2 cloves garlic Salt and pepper to season Place half the pineapple and all the rest in a blender and fine chop. Add the remainder of the pineapple. If it’s not hot enough, hit it with some habanero hot sauce to taste.
UNTAPPED • UNTAMED
Fish: Your favorite on the grill. Do this with Salmon if you have fresh or if you don’t, frozen Mahi Mahi or Cod will do. I like salt/pepper, cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a rub. Heat corn tortillas in oven or on grill on low heat to soften. Place a little shredded Romaine on the tortilla and top with fish pieces and avocado slices. Drizzle pico on top and finish with crumbled queso fresco
other than the combustion engine, but I’m now 66 and it looks like I was wrong about that. As fly fishing has progressed, or digressed, whichever it may be, the patterns we use for hoppers, beetles and ants have given way to flies www.HCAmagazine.com
* KremmlingChamber.com
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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made of foam that wouldn’t sink if you tied a tire iron to them. The hopper/dropper rig has precipitated that in my belief. It is all about the nymph hanging off the dry fly as the target pattern. Some of the hopper impressions sold now are not really hoppers at all. They are large globs of foam topped with antron wings and other hi vis attachments. Beetles and ants are the same. These flies are all designed to ride high on the water surface and not slightly under the surface where fish actually eat terrestrials. When a terrestrial falls or gets blown into the water, it tries to take in air through its spiracles. What happens then is the same thing that occurs if you take a deep breath when you jump in the swimming pool. You’d better have your head above water or you will drown—and so do terrestrials. Hoppers should be presented FULL COLOR
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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Fishin Real E with a “splat,” not delicately. If a fish eats one of the modern hopper patterns, it’s a small creek fish, a dumb fish, or one that attacks it just as it hits the water. If you use many of the foam patterns in a size 10 or 12, fish may take them because the profile is the same as a Golden Stone adult. Don’t get me wrong now, I like to fish many of the modern patterns; I just don’t usually fish them as a hopper. I fish them as a strike indicator that looks like something alive with a hook in it. Brown trout are unusually aggressive to big flies and therefore, these things are lots of fun. However, if you would like to take a trip back in time a little, get you a couple of Joe’s Hoppers and a Fur Ant or two, and go fishing on a breezy summer afternoon. I’ve included both those patterns tied by my good friend Larry Kingrey, who endorses my belief that terrestrials should be drowned. He also drinks the same scotch that I do, so he’s always good for a couple of flies on a trip. The food that I have included in this article is good summer fare. One is a great light pasta recipe with bow tie pasta: farfalle with mushrooms, grilled asparagus and grilled chicken. The other is a great fish taco that can virtually be made with any white fish, a pineapple pico de gallo, and avocado. Both these recipes are easy to make and are great for summer fishing trips which I hope you take a lot of.
About
The
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.
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21
W
hen most hear “Gunnison,” they think about some family friend that went away to college or know it as one of the coldest winter places in the Lower 48, but for folks like you and I, we instantly think of deep canyons, big bugs and gold medal tributaries. Add in gorgeous surroundings and big fish, and you have the perfect setting for a multi-day trip to Southwest Colorado. Starting on top of the Gunnison in Almont, anglers find a dilemma as three fantastic fisheries welcome anglers. More on the East and the Taylor later, but for now, let’s tour the upper reaches with Eric Grand from WillowFly Anglers operating out of the Three Rivers Resort. “To kick off the summer season after runoff in early June, we start seeing great dry fly action on the Gunnison as giant golden stones, caddis, PMDs and Colorado green drakes start showing,” said Grand. “On normal years, it is best to float the Gunnison to fish these early summer hatches, as flows tend to be above 1,000 cfs and wading access can be limited.” “If you are going to wade the Gunnison, late July, August, and September are the best months, as flows drop into the 500700 cfs range,” added Grand. “Fishing around Almont in fall really gets good on streamers, as it gets interesting with Kokanee and big trout running up the system from the East River. Egg patterns and streamers keep producing until things get cold and midges take over.
“Overall, the Gunnison is a great river to float or wade, while the Taylor and East Rivers make for some great wade adventures,” added Grand. “The average fish tends to be between 12to 16-inches, with many fish pushing more than 20- inches, but we always see fish in the 25- to 30-inch range. The Upper Gunnison River drainage is a great area for a fly fishing vacation, and there is something for everyone.” Pushing downriver towards Blue Mesa and into the town of Gunnison, there is a lot of what I would consider untapped water. This is the kind of stretch where breaking out a topographical map or browsing Google Earth might come in handy. Sure, Gunnison locals and guides know some hot spots, but with so many focused on the beautiful waters around Almont and the canyon stretches below Blue Mesa, you can find a gem along the way. Next on my Gunnison tour is one of my favorite spots in Colorado: the East Portal. Tim Keeney at Toad’s Guide Shop in Montrose and I hit the area a couple seasons ago, and it was not only fantastic, but the surroundings were beautiful. There were lots of bigger ‘bows and browns here. The whole time we fished it, we only saw two other anglers in the miles of water we covered. The river is large here as it flows through the beginnings of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In fact, that’s the only drawback: you are going to have to pay a National Park entry fee, but if you are like me, get a season pass and go to three parks in the year, and it will pay for itself.
Gunnison River:
Picturesque, Productive, Perfect By Brian LaRue
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
www.HCAmagazine.com
Your standard nymph rigs dropped down to suspending fish, big terrestrials and streamers will all work here. Fish it just before runoff like I did, or give it a two-night camp and stay at the East Portal Campground. Speaking of an adventure and a multiday option, in researching this feature, I also talked with Bill Dvorak of Dvorak Expeditions and Ryan Gluek of Double Haul Anglers. Both guides run trips into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison--the kind of trip that ranks high on my bucket list. How about yours? “We typically float about 14 miles through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, which is famous for its giant stonefly hatch late May through June; depends on water flow and temperatures when it comes off. These trips run 3-days/2nights, but later in the year we offer a 2-day/1-night trip.� Just looking at the pictures or watching these guys’ videos makes me want to run to the nearest Orvis shop and load up on Rogue foams, flush floaters, and golden stones--especially for early season action. “Other bugs like caddis, yellow sallies, BWOs, PMDs, hoppers, and stimulators are the most consistent dries throughout
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the year,” said Dvorak. “For nymphing or droppers, try copper Johns, Prince nymphs, hare’s ears, flash back pheasant tails, stone fly nymphs, and San Juan worms.” For best results in the canyon, think about rigging a 6-weight, especially if you throw a streamer in high water,” said Dvorak. “Otherwise, stick with a 5-weight. The average fish will run 12to 16-inches, but we see a number of 22-inchers, and a client caught a 31-inch rainbow not long ago. “This is a special trip,” adds Dvorak. “This is Gold Medal water, in a National Park that’s often described as the little Grand Canyon, and there is a maximum of two commercial trips per day with a limit of 12 total ( 4 guides, 8 clients). Clients typically book another trip as soon as they get off the water from their current trip.” “My favorite time to fish the Black Canyon is the spring salmon fly hatch in June,” says guide Ryan Gluek. “Another great time is September, as hopper and streamer fishing really takes off when the browns become extremely aggressive. “The Black Canyon is like no other river I have fished,” added Gluek. “With its beauty, ruggedness, and steep sheer cliff walls, this river makes you work just to get there, but the rewards of beautiful wild trout in a pristine environment are well worth the efforts. Spend the time for a three-day trip and take this place in--it will leave everlasting memories.” The East and Taylor are Gold Medal fisheries of their own. I love throwing streamers like a rainbow-pattern Zonker, Hare Sculpin or Double Bunny on the East. June, July, and September or October are fun months. The Taylor on the other hand can be good all the time, especially in winter or early spring for monsters. Unfortunately, most of the Taylor is private, so unless the land owner ever finds a soft spot in his heart for public fly fishing or offers some kind of rod fee access, it will always be a “what could be” for me.
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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. 24
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
Dani and Rob Wattles www.HCAmagazine.com
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Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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Alpine, Wyoming:
Why is it Not a Trout Town?
by A.J. Swentosky
A
lthough you won’t find an official definition for the term, most of us know a “trout town” once we’ve visited one. Craig, Montana, for instance, is a Trout Town. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, this small town has only 43 residents. Despite the small population, there are at least 3 fly shops, thanks to a nearby river that’s overpopulated with 17 – 19-inch trout, which are inclined to rise to a dry fly. Throw in a couple of restaurants and bars, along with daily gatherings of local and traveling fly fishermen, and a true trout town forms. West Yellowstone, Montana could also be considered a trout town. Although the population may be a just a little larger and the tourism is significantly greater, this small town is within either a short walk or a short drive to an endless amount of world-class fly-fishing opportunities. A considerable portion of the people pumping gas, buying lunch, and just walking the streets are likely to have trout on the brain. If these two towns are trout town prototypes, it may be safe to conclude that a small town surrounded by remarkable and plentiful fly-fishing opportunities is a good candidate for a trout 26
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
town. In addition, the locals and visitors must also have an appreciation and enjoyment for the activity. Given the plethora of high quality trout fishing in and around Alpine, Wyoming, it will come as a surprise that this little town 37 miles southwest of Jackson Hole has not developed into a “trout town.” With a population of 818 and just a handful of small restaurants and bars, the town certainly meets the size requirement. Given the close proximity to several national forests, including Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targee, many of the locals and most of the traveling tourists have outdoor recreation on their minds. As for the requirement of world-class fly-fishing, there’s an overabundance. The Upper Snake River meets up with the Grey’s River right in Alpine, and then immediately dumps into Palisades Reservoir. The nearby Salt River also feeds Palisades. This means that you have three tremendous rivers for trout fishing within walking distance from the center of this small town. If you’re willing to drive 20 minutes to the other side of the Palisades Reservoir, you’ll reach the beginnings of the world famous South Fork of the Snake River. How about smaller www.HCAmagazine.com
streams filled with native cutthroats? There are too many to keep track. The town of Alpine literally sits at the confluence of some of the best fishing in the West.
Upper Snake River
The Upper Snake River is an 80+ mile stretch of water extending from Jackson Lake inside Grand Teton National Park and ending at Palisades Reservoir in Alpine. This entire stretch is strictly a Snake River Fine-Spotted Cutthroat fishery, with the exception of a very few migratory brown trout that occasionally work their way upstream. Everyone knows that cutties like to eat dry flies and these Snake River cuts are in large part responsible for that reputation. The river has ample access points for both wade and floating anglers, although floating is usually a much more effective method during the height of the fishing season. In the early spring season during pre-runoff time, however, the wade angler can walk into what seems to be an endless amount of braids and pools in and around Jackson Hole that hold some of the most beautiful fish you’ll find anywhere. Once the flows come up in May and June, it’s time to get in a drift boat and get your foam on. Casting big bushy and foamy flies can sometimes raise fish after fish. Although it’s usually hard to put the dry fly rod down after May, the persistent streamer fisherman can hook up with a truly large cut or two if he or she knows where to look.
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South Fork of the Snake River
Some fisherman hold the opinion that this is the best dry fly river in the U.S, although this statement is sometimes doubted by those laying eyes on this large river for the first time. Although winter flows usually sit at a comfortable and easily wadeable 1,000 to 1,500 cfs, by June this river may be pushing at 15 times that size, due to irrigation demands in Idaho. Good fishing flows range from 900 cfs to 16,000 cfs, although some locals and guides don’t mind it when it’s even a little bigger. From the outflow of Palisades Dam, which is a 20-minute drive from Alpine, the South Fork flows for approximately 64 miles before meeting up with the Henry’s Fork. All 64 miles have extremely productive trout fishing. The top section of this river is the Palisades to Conant section, stretching about 17 miles. With an average of 5,000 to 6,500 trout per mile, there is a nice mix of Yellowstone Cutthroat, Fine Spotted Snake River Cutthroat, and Rainbow Trout, with some nice browns lurking around as well. The next section is more secluded as it flows 26 miles through a deep canyon. With several campsites available along the way, this makes for a great overnight float trip that can often be as much of a scenic and wildlife viewing expedition as it is an unforgettable fly fishing trip. Finally, the last 22 miles of river flows from Byington to Menan Buttes access sites, and is dominated by brown trout. Although the salmo trutta are present up above, this is the prime section for those that like to target big browns on big streamers. Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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Rowing this section, however, can be treacherous at times, due to potential logjams, sweepers, and diversion dams. It’s imperative to check with a local fly shop before floating this section to make sure you’re aware of the hazards and diversions. All three sections of the South Fork contain good to great hatches of stoneflies (including a truly famous salmonfly hatch), PMDs, Baetis, Drakes, Mahogany Duns, Caddis, and Terrestrials. When these hatches are occurring, fish are almost always responding. Fish of all sizes reside in the South Fork and almost all of them are willing to rise to large dry flies and hoppers.
Salt River
In my opinion this is one of the most underrated rivers in Wyoming, which is a good thing for the local anglers. Although the river flows for 70+ miles from its headwaters to Palisades Reservoir, the section from Afton, Wyoming to Alpine, Wyoming is most conducive to good-sized trout. Relative to the Snake and South Fork of the Snake, this is a much smaller river that mostly flows through agricultural land. The rainbow and cutthroat trout average between 12 and 14 inches and can be caught with nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. I’ve witnessed some amazing overlapping hatches on this river, consisting of dense PMDs, Red Quills, and Lime Sallies all coming off in impressive numbers at
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
the same time. There are quite a few wade access points; however, the amount of fishable water at each access site is limited due to neighboring private properties. The exception to this access limitation is the bottom stretch of water immediately above the reservoir. When Palisades water levels are on the low to very low side, there may over 4 miles of river bank to walk and wade. Although there are some deep pools and big boulders in this water, the upper stretches above Etna tend to have much better riparian and trout habitat. When the water flows are right, float fishing from Afton to Alpine is usually the most productive method for fishing this river. The big allure for many anglers on the Salt is the migratory brown trout that pour into the river in the fall. As these big browns run up the Salt out of Palisades Reservoir, they can be extremely tough to find. However, if you’re lucky enough to intercept them or know some of their most common staging areas, the fishing here can be as good as anywhere for yellow, orange, brown, and black alligators and anacondas. Fortunately, the potential for hooking up with a nice brown doesn’t end after the spawn. It seems that a few of these big fish still get picked up throughout the spring as well.
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Grey’s River
If pursuing native Snake River Cutthroat on foot is your thing, then the Grey’s River is your paradise. From its headwaters in the Wyoming Mountain Range down to its confluence with the Snake River in Alpine, the Grey’s River is the longest freestone stream in Wyoming. Although it’s possible to catch rainbow, brook trout and brown trout here, colorful Snake River Cutthroat are the main quarry. Although the average fish are between 11- and 13- inches, 20-inchers are there, and they’re willing to eat big dries, big nymphs, and big streamers. The fishing picks up here sometime around the end of June or beginning of July, depending on runoff conditions. Although this river fishes well through September and even October, the fishing can be plain silly within the first 2 - 4 weeks after runoff. In true cutthroat fashion, these beautiful fish will nonchalantly rise out of deep runs and pools when a medium to large dry fly floats overhead. Hatches include BWOs, PMDs, several caddis, yellow sallies, salmon flies, golden stones, and a plethora of hoppers, although this really isn’t a match the hatch fishery. Throw on a yellow or orange Chubby Chernobyl and you should be good until late July. At that point it can be wise to size down a
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bit with Humpys and smaller hopper patterns. If for some odd reason fish aren’t coming up later in the season, nymphing with a Pat’s Rubber Leg or Jimmy Legs fly should lead to a bent rod. A good rain will turn the Lower Grey’s River to chocolate milk, which ultimately turns the main Grey’s River off color. When this happens, the angler can simply drive above the Little Grey’s confluence and the river is often still clear up there. The other option is to continue to fish below the Little Grey’s, but focus on the deepest pools with larger and flashier streamers. Although the Upper Snake, Salt, Grey’s, and South Fork of the Snake are the main attractions right in or near Alpine, Wyoming, there are endless miles of small productive streams. Furthermore, a 90-minute drive can put you on rivers and streams such as the Green and New Fork Rivers around Pinedale, Wyoming, the upper and lower stretches of Idaho’s Henry’s Fork, and the Teton River. The town of Alpine is a geographical epicenter to some of the best fly-fishing in the Rocky Mountain West, although with only one small fly shop, this may not be readily apparent at first glance. Although Alpine may not be the first town that comes to mind when you think of a true trout town, it probably should be.
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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Bighorn River Fishing Strategies for 2014 by Hale Harris
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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L
earning to adapt to changing conditions is the key to being successful on the Bighorn River. Here are some techniques, tackle tips,¬¬ and strategies that will help you catch more fish this season. To begin, water flows are high this year. I don’t expect flows to come down until early July. You’ll need to get your fly to the bottom. Many people fish split shot, and shot still performs dependably; however, many of the Bighorn Trout Shop guides use tungsten putty to weight their leader. Tungsten is a metal that is actually 10% heavier than lead. The name “tungsten” comes from the Swedish words tung sten, meaning heavy stone. Tungsten is indeed a heavy metal, but don’t get this confused with Metallica or Iron Maiden. The element tungsten can be mixed with various substances to create a putty that is pliable and can be rolled onto your leader. There are different name brands; here is an incomplete list: Hareline’s Soft Tungsten Tacky Weight, J.P.’s Brown Nymphing Mud, Loon’s Deep Soft Weight, Tung Fu Tungsten Putty, and Cortland’s Tungsten Putty. These products have slightly different properties. Some are very soft and sticky, while others tend to be of a firmer consistency. They all work—the softer ones are handy when the weather is cool, while I favor the firmer types in the heat of summer. Lately, I’ve been mixing different brands, folding and kneading the product in my hands in order to create a finished product that has the precise properties I desire. I hope to market a “Tungsten Kneading Made Easy” DVD series soon. Many people don’t know how to use tungsten putty. You don’t just pinch it on in a small glob. You need to roll it out, making a tapered, cigar shape. If you’re a fly tier and you’ve dubbed fur, this is basically what you’re doing with the putty. Roll it one direction very tightly between your thumb and index finger. If the ends start to separate from the line, fold it back toward the middle and roll it out again. I usually put the tungsten above my tippet knot just to ensure that it doesn’t slide. If you apply the putty correctly, it generally stays put, but moss and other debris could pull it loose, so I put it above the tippet knot just to be safe. During high water, there are holes and drop-offs where you can do well with a Czech-nymphing style of fishing. Czech-nymphing originated in Poland. No, I am not making this up. This is not www.HCAmagazine.com
to be confused with Polish dry fly fishing, which originated in Yugoslavia. Anyway, Czech nymphing discards the strike indicator. The angler uses weighted flies, and generally fishes “in close,” relying on the weighted fly and weighted leader to get you down in a hurry. You follow the fly down with your rod tip and try to stay in contact with the fly as it bounces on the bottom. You feel the strike rather than see it. You have to be selective as to where you fish this system. The Bighorn is not a river that has a lot of pocket water, but high water creates more of the type of water— namely rips and deeper drop offs—where getting down quickly is the priority. I guided a guy recently who fished with the U.S. Fly Fishing team. He was able to use a modified Czech-nymphing system to his advantage in some of the faster, deeper water, but his partner out fished him in the gliding runs. Let’s talk about strike indicators. It may not be a subject that generates a lot of passion among fly fishing purists, but the fact remains that the majority of Bighorn River fish are caught while fishing nymphs under an indicator. Thingamabobbers and their ilk are the most popular indicators among our guides. Thingamabobbers are basically industrial-strength balloons with little holes or handles built into them for looping your leader through. They float well and can be moved up or down your leader easily. They come in different sizes and colors. Most of the time we’re using the ¾” size. In low water or for certain wade-fishing purposes, we sometimes use the ½” size, and we occasionally use the 1” size during very high water. I tend not to use the 1” size very often because people make fun of me and call me a “bobber fisherman.” Some people use regular balloons as strike indicators, inflating them to the size they prefer. I recommend a water balloon in the brighter colors. The balloon loyalists maintain that they have more sensitivity than the commercial Thingamabobbers. Balloons are definitely less expensive; however, they are quite fragile, and an errant cast will pop them. Yarn indicators are used by some. Yarn is very sensitive and it lands on the water delicately. Small yarn indicators are great for fishing light nymphing setups in shallow water. Oftentimes the shallow water angler is “sight fishing,” casting to a trout that is holding near the bottom, yet is visible to the angler. Yarn indicators
are perfect for this, as yarn spooks fewer fish than the bobber style indicators. For sight fishing purposes, keep the size of the indicator small. Using subtle colors like white or tan also helps. Angling pressure can make Bighorn River fish, particularly the larger trout, especially wary, and utilizing some stealthy techniques can reap rewards. There are a number of ways to attach yarn to your leader. Probably the slickest system I’ve seen uses the New Zealand Strike Indicator Tool. This tool allows you to use a small piece of clear plastic tubing (junction tubing if you tie tube flies) to anchor the yarn to your leader. The setup can be moved up or down the leader easily, and the size of the indicator can also be adjusted. Google this product and you’ll find videos on how this all works. You can purchase the tool and kit at our shop. The downside to using yarn indicators is air resistance. If you’re fishing a big yarn indicator and the wind is blowing, it’s not fun to cast. Pinch-on strike indicators are also an option. These are the small, foam indicators with adhesive on the back that allows you to stick them to your leader. Examples include Palsa, Rio Kahuna, Umpqua Strike Detector, and Lightning Strike. Pinch-on indicators are easy to use and do a good job when you’re using a small amount of weight. They’re not a bad choice when your fishing shallow water, and you need a small strike indicator that’s easy to cast. The downside to pinchon indicators is that you can’t move them without tearing them off and applying another one. And they leave a sticky residue on the leader. Let’s talk about the double fly setup. Our guides generally fish two flies, whether they’re fishing nymphs or dries. The larger fly, acting as somewhat of an attractor, is used as the up fly, while a smaller fly is used as the point fly. We recommend tying the bottom fly directly to the bend of the hook of the upper fly. There are less tangles this way. This Spring, a popular nymphing setup has been a #14 Hotbead Sowbug up, with a #18 Red Midge Larva below. The larger bead-headed Sowbug helps get the flies near the bottom, plus it adds visibility to the setup, allowing trout to see the rig more readily than if you were fishing two very small flies. Below 3-Mile Access, the guide will sometimes switch the upper fly to a San Juan Worm. This is because the character of the water Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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changes as you move downriver. There is faster, deeper, more turbulent water below 3-Mile Access, plus there are more aquatic worms in the water. Dry fly fishermen across the western U.S. fish two fly rigs, especially the ubiquitous hopper dropper. We fish hopper dropper rigs on the Bighorn, especially as mid-July approaches. Hoppers with Atomic Worms (floss version of the San Juan) on the point are very effective. As we get later into the summer and early fall, we sometimes substitute a caddis pupa pattern for the worm. While float fishing, concentrate on the water near the bank, or in the shallower riffle areas. The distance between the hopper and dropper is around three feet for this type of fishing. A subtler brand of dry dropper fishing
HCA
GEAR BAG
is often employed on the Bighorn. During hatches we fish a larger dry/smaller dry combination, the larger fly serving as the “indicator fly” with the match-thehatch fly on the end. Depending on the angler’s eyesight, the indicator fly can be quite large, or, (and take the Baetis hatch for example), it might be nothing more than a slightly larger, dark-winged Compara Dun that is easy to see against the surface glare. Fishing a sunken nymph below your dry can be very effective. Fishing this setup over rolling or bulging fish often elicits a strike, and it is an effective rig for those who lack the finesse necessary to get perfect, drag-free drifts on the surface. An almost endless variety of dry dropper combinations can be used, and if you target the banks or shallower water,
you can enjoy lighter tackle fishing all day. The Bighorn is a river with myriad opportunities to catch fish, but you have to be willing to respond to changing conditions.
surroundings. They are by far the clearest sunglasses I’ve ever had the privilege of wearing. Gone is the question of “which sunglass do I grab today?” The Smith Op-
tics Dovers are phenomenal. Designed for active adventurers like us fly fishermen, the Dover should be an essential part of your go-to gear. They have great coverage--blocking glare from front, side, and back angles--allowing anglers to focus on the dries, indicators, or spot a trophy upriver in the shallows. Polarized glasses are a must. As a fly fishing retailer, I get a lot of questions about what a person needs in order to get started fly fishing. I always set them up with a rod, reel, line, waders, boots etc, but I also always suggest a good pair of polarized glasses. Having now experienced the Dovers first hand, I simply tell them to go with any Smith’s model with ChromaPop technology, and you can’t go wrong. For more information go to www.smithoptics.com or ask to see a pair at your local Orvis shop.
BY BRIAN LA RUE
SMITH OPTICS PUTS THE ‘POP’ IN YOUR NEXT SUNGLASS
I
once wrote a feature about polarized sunglasses and thought I knew it all. All the top companies sent me a pair (12) and there were a few standouts, but 10 years later, I had the chance to literally see the light as I slipped on a pair of Smith Optics Dovers. Featuring ChromaPop technology, the lightweight glass lens Dovers help your eyes/brain eliminate color confusion, giving you a quicker, more vibrant view of your
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
About The Author.
Hale Harris grew up fishing the trout streams and rivers of the Rocky Mountain West. He has many years of experience guiding anglers in Alaska and Montana, and his articles have been published in several flyfishing magazines. Currently, he is the co-owner of Bighorn Trout Shop (www.bighorntroutshop.com) in Fort Smith, Montana, one of the premier fly shops and lodges on the Bighorn River.
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SHARKWAVE MAKING A SPLASH ALL OVER THE MAP
S
cientific Anglers has long been on the cutting edge of fly line creation, for all of my lifetime. From the company’s famous Mastery Series to revolutionary ideas like Sharkskin, SA has outdone themselves this time with its latest Sharkwave. Textured flyline has never felt so smooth!
quick flip of a stimulator. High floatation and ease of casting and mending set this 3 wt. line apart from my past experiences. Sharkwave is by far the highest floating line I’ve fished in years. When it came to throwing the 8 wt. Sharkwave, you might say I found it to be a well-rounded line suitable for everything I could literally tackle. It threw a Schmidterbug to largemouth with little
effort, it handled a couple Maholos under an indicator at Pyramid, and also allowed me to tug big Clousers in the surf. It passed each test with flying colors--all three of them. This triple-colored line has earned a spot in my arsenal… how about yours? For more information check out www. scientificanglers.com or give your local fly shop a call.
The Sportsman Outdoors & Fly Shop In the Colorado San Juans & The Most Roadless County In the Lower 48
SharkWave, the world’s first tripletextured and triple-colored fly line, features Sharkskin texture in the tip section, Mastery textured divots along the belly and running line section, and a smooth tactile reference point where the head meets the running line. What does this mean in layman’s terms? Well, it means you have the best of all worlds. They have combined all the best line characteristics where you need each feature--allowing you to shine on the water. Tired of your old fly line sinking? Well, SA offers Improved Dry Tip Technology for Sharkwave, as this line is loaded with microballoons, or microscopic beads filled with air or gas that are mixed with PVC. This construction lowers the density of the fly line, helping it float higher on the water. Combine this feature with a high contact angle of 110%, and not only will this line float higher, but the textured surface will also trap air- giving it better floatation, shootability, and durability. SA has also included line identification with Sharkwave. This will help you pick out your outfit for the day; no more wondering, “Is this my old 4 wt. or my new 5 wt.?” I recently got to sample a selection of Sharkwave, including a 3 wt. and an 8 wt. I started off with the 3 wt. on a small backcountry lake. The line easily rolled a small nymph rig, but also allowed for a www.HCAmagazine.com
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Winter Classes Starting in November 2013 Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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FIT TO BE TIED
•
BY JOEL EVANS
The Who of Fly Tying
B
ooks have been written about the history of fly tying, so in a short magazine column I can only touch on the volumes of history we have for our hobby. But I felt it important to remind ourselves that the myriad of tools and materials and patterns have a beginning. So, I have recently deviated from writing about a specific pattern to a historical review: first looking at the history of fishing hooks and how we evolved from wood and bone to metal (but otherwise hooks have changed very little in centuries); then considering what the first fly patterns used by ancient man may have been to one of the first known published patterns—the Partridge and Orange; as a final review in this series, it seems appropriate to look not at the what, but at the who – fly tyers. Lost to history is the name of the first fly tyer, if he or she even had a name. Somewhere very early in the history of mankind, the hunter included fishing in his skill set. Not for pleasure (well maybe!), but for sustenance. Fast forward to written history, and famous fishing names such as Dame Juliana Berners and Sir Izaak Walton begin to surface. Modern fly tying icons include a number of people. But to me, the person and name that I think is most significant to today’s fly tyer is Helen Shaw. Helen Shaw lived from 1910 to 2007, and began tying flies as a young girl, eventually making a business of it. In 2002, Helen was awarded the highest honor in fly tying, the Bud Buszek Award, given by the Federation of Fly Fishers. Certainly there were other skilled 34
fly tyers around the country in the 1900s, and given the recreational popularity of fly fishing and modern mass communication methods, there was a great sharing of patterns and techniques in both verbal and written form. What is different about Helen is how she shared her skills. Teaming with her husband, Hermann Kessler, a photographer, they produced a book that elevated fly tying communication from the written form of teaching, to the visual form of teaching. Her book, Fly Tying, first published in 1963, didn’t just tell us how to tie flies; it showed us how to tie flies. It was a new visual way to demonstrate everything—from the simple such as attaching thread to the hook—to more complex techniques such as mounting and spreading dry fly wings. In other words, we communicate and learn much better with pictures, and her writing combined with photography brought that to us. Think for a minute how you learned fly tying. Maybe in person, but probably also using pictures in books, or from one of the many free videos available today on the Internet. Who knows what the next great step will be in fly tying, but for now, we owe a great deal of credit not just to those of centuries past whose names may be lost to history, but also to those from our lifetime who progress the hobby.
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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.
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Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
35
Fly Fishing Colorado’s High Alpine Creeks, Ponds, and Lakes
I
f fishing amongst the crowds is not your idea of being out in nature and fishing, then try hiking up to one of the many beautiful high-elevation bodies of water that the Rocky Mountains has to offer. From Arizona to Montana, the Rocky Mountains hold many hidden gems, just waiting to be fished. The vast majority of these alpine creeks, ponds, and lakes are found in roadless/wilderness areas, and are often only accessible by foot. Fishing at these elevations can be absolutely incredible, rewarding, and worth the trek. There are no crowds to
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fight, no human structures to be seen, just magnificent scenery and fishing opportunities. As opposed to some of the popular rivers or lakes in lower elevations, alpine waters are usually somewhat unknown because so few anglers actually visit these spots. When someone does find a gem of an area, they often keep it to themselves or only tell that one close buddy so as not to give away their hard-earned treasure. So while there may be little pressure and incredible fishing opportunities, the question becomes, “Where do I go?”
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
by Shawn Ash I would tell you my favorite spots, but that would take some of the fun out of it, not to mention just giving away my hard-earned treasures. So, to get started, look at a topographic map in an area that you are interested in. Consider selecting locations within driving distance, a wilderness area you have never been to, or National Forest land you’ve heard is beautiful. Whatever criteria you choose, just start looking. If you are new to alpine fly fishing, I suggest starting out looking for lakes and ponds, as they are the easiest to identify on a map, rather than small creeks. As an added bonus, the former can be fished without having to worry about the effects of run-off, or a previous rain or snowmelt. On the flip side of that, if you are going to an area above 9,000 feet, make sure you check the previous couple weeks of weather, or wait until late June to July to make the trek, as some of these ponds and lakes can still be frozen. Most alpine areas are federally or state-owned, so you usually don’t have to worry about trespassing onto anyone’s private property, but take the extra time to double check the area and your intended route. Even with your detailed topographic maps and Google Earth, it’s always a good idea to check with the local experts, such as the nearest Forest Service Station. They usually have helpful information and insights, or will be able to refer you to someone who can help. Your local officials are a very valuable—often overlooked—resource, and are happy to help. Once you have your destination identified, pack for the hike. In most alpine areas, an 8’ 6” or a 7’ 6”, 3-weight rod will suffice. I find that a 3 weight is plenty big enough to fight almost any fish you will encounter in the high country, and also sturdy enough to fight the wind in certain instances. www.HCAmagazine.com
Also, the shorter rod length gives you a little more mobility when trying to make casts in tight areas. However, if all you have is a 9 foot 5-weight, that will work great too. As for fly selection, I like to pack a variety. There is nothing worse than getting somewhere and realizing you left your dry box at home, or that the one fly that you know will crush, was left sitting on your tying table. I prefer dries at higher elevations, but anything from nymphs to streamers will do the trick, too. As with any fishing, fly selection is situational, so make sure and bring an arrayed arsenal of
aquatic and terrestrial imitations with you. Whenever hiking into these high elevations, always pack accordingly, and never forget your rain gear: you might not need it when you have it, but you never want to get caught without it. However, don’t let a little moisture stop you from getting up and fishing. The fish are already wet, so a little rain usually never hurts. As far as waders go, I usually skip them, and shiver my way through the freezing snow runoff water, but if you’re willing to pack in the little extra weight, they are great to have. After you have picked a location, packed for your trip, and made it to the location, it’s time to fish. After a long hike in and you finally see the water, the last thing you want to do is wait a moment longer, but take the time to observe the water before doing anything. A lot of times there is a big trout lurking in the shallows. This is sometimes your only opportunity at these big guys, before they spook to the depths. Wading in right away or not taking the time to observe the water is an angler’s most common mistake when fishing alpine waters. The fish are often more easily spooked, but will usually eat just about anything when properly presented. This is because many of these areas are only icefree for a few months out of the year, giving the fish a shorter window in www.HCAmagazine.com
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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order to fatten up for winter. There is something about not only having to work for the fish, but also having to work to get to where the fish are, that is so rewarding about alpine fishing. Part of the fun is the preparation required for the journey, looking through forest service maps, detailed topographic maps, zooming in with Google Earth for a closer inspection, looking for that high alpine lake or stream that is far enough from the beaten path, and preparing all the necessary gear. This to me is the only way to do it, especially when you find that gem of a lake or stream. Share your find with a buddy or two, and escape to one of these remote areas to enjoy the scenery and catch some wild trout.
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
About The Author.
Shawn Ash has been fly fishing since he was 14 years old. He grew up in Pennsylvania, fly fishing the limestone trout streams, as well as fishing for warm water species such as bass, pan fish, and pike. In 2008 he moved to Montana in pursuit of more trout waters and an education in biology. After graduating with a degree in Biology Field Ecology and getting familiar with big fish and big water, Shawn’s passion for angling inspired him to pursue a career as a professional fly fishing guide. He moved to Colorado in 2013 where he found his place in the industry. As Fisheries Manager and Pro-Staff Guide, for the Flyfisher Group, Shawn can be found at any one of their properties ensuring that the streams are properly managed and maintained to create unforgettable angling experiences. Shawn’s easy going personality, fun and informative approach to angling makes him the perfect guide for anglers of all ages and experience levels. You can contact Shawn via their website at www.theflyfishergroup.com.
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Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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The Women of Fly Fishing by Brenna Richardson
O
ne of the great aspects of fly fishing is its ability to capture the interest of a variety of people. Women are no exception, with many finding their true passion on the rivers. In fact, women have been involved in fly fishing for centuries. According to some historians, the first documented female angler was Dame Juliana Berners in 1496. It is believed that she wrote A Treatyse of Fysshynge Wyth an Angle. During the 19th century, Mary Orvis Marbury not only tied thousands of flies, but also published the bestselling book, Favorite Flies and Their Histories. This remains a standard reference for identifying flies, even now. In the 1930s, the fly fishing world was introduced to Joan Wulf, perhaps the most widely known woman fly fisher today. Despite a strong presence in history, a female on the banks of the river, even a few years ago, would have turned heads. Now, that too is becoming a part of history. While there are no exact figures, the number of women involved in fly fishing has drastically increased in the past decade. Fly rod and reel companies are now offering multiple products which cater to women, including a variety of colors. From boots to waders and fishing vests to packs, companies are
Brenna Richardson
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
Heidi Lewis photo by Kristen Kile
designing gear tailored to a female’s physique. The smallest of fly shops as well as the biggest players in the industry have taken note, and are now providing women with high quality options. While companies have made strides to offer better gear, many women agree there’s still a long way to go. For most women though, it’s not just about the purple and pink rods and reels, but what the sport offers them. Olivia O. of Maine explains a “high stress job as a medical sonographer keeps me stuck inside a hospital 40 hours a week. Fly fishing has become a way for me to clear my mind and get away from it all.” For others, like Jessie B. of Montana, fly fishing is an “addiction that really took off when I decided to turn my self-destructive lifestyle around and get sober. Fly fishing and reflective time at the river really fills a void in my life that I had been dealing with for a long time.” Many feel fishing has a natural ability to take off the edge and allows relaxation that all too often can be elusive in such a fast-paced world. Women are also turning to the water for camawww.HCAmagazine.com
Aileen Lane Lindsey Vonn,
Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Downhill Skiing
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Katie Fielder Anderson, Fishing Guide
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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Sarah Roenholt, Denmark
Katie Fielder Anderson, Fly Fishing guide
Jennifer Rieske
Heidi Lewis and Aileen Lane
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High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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Elenora Trosberg, Argentina
Diana Blanco
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Michelle Bryant
Tara Olson
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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Kelsey Rygh & Kandilyn Martin
Sami LaRue,
Daughter of Brian LaRue and future Fly Fishing Professional
44
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
Holly Finn
www.HCAmagazine.com and Daughter Paige
raderie that can only be understood by and shared with another female angler. Missy P. recently started The FlyGal Diaries, a “Sisterhood of the Traveling Fly Rod.” Missy, a breast cancer survivor explains, “There are two rods that we send to women all over the United States and Canada to fish with. We all share our experiences and capture photos using the FlyGal Diary.” Being able to pass along their stories to the next lady and FlyGal readers has proven exciting and fun. Even with the increasing number of women on the river, it is safe to say that fly fishing currently remains a “male-dominated” activity. By no means should women be deterred from giving it a go, though. Sheer muscle is not needed. Technique, precision casting, and a sort of finesse that women tend to naturally have, is far more critical. Women with different skill levels and experience would like to see the continued growth of females in the sport. Most women find it hard to find advice, guides, and even fishing buddies. Kelly Harrison of Missoula, Montana says it “would suffice just to have a female counterpart who can row and be willing to spend ten to twelve hours on a river prowling for big trout.” Kelly adds that “the community needs more female guides and a stronger network, but I take stock in knowing we are the ones who will pave the way for future women anglers. We can set the tone for serious fly fishing women and make it our own.” Jessie agrees, but attributes a large amount of the current increase of women anglers to social media because, “we are all able to connect with others who share our passion.” Women may have been introduced to the sport by a grandfather, father, brother, or significant other, but long gone are the days of fishing only because of that male counterpart. It’s the thrill of catching the big one, casting to new species, and continuously bettering oneself as an angler. For the majority of us, fly fishing is not just a hobby, but rather a journey and adventure. It’s a passion we will be able to pass on to generations down the road, and there is a peace and comfort that the river always seems to offer up. Let’s get out there and claim our history on the river.
Dierdra Harcourt, Harcourt Fly Fishing 3G
Patti Bantam
About The Author.
Brenna was born in Montana and exposed to the rivers at a young age. In 2012, she caught the fly fishing bug and has been fishing non-stop since. She currently lives in Colorado, where she fishes year-round. The winter is her favorite time to fly fish, and trout are her favorite prey, but she says she’ll cast to anything that bites. To follow her on Facebook, look for the Rods, Reels & Heels page. Or go to: http://www.facebook.com/RodsReelsHeels
www.HCAmagazine.com
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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PRESIDENT’S LINE • RICK MATSUMOTO
“Protect Our Rivers” ernment agencies often require this type of preparatory work before they’ll consider granting additional funds. That gives me a greater appreciation for the importance of $20,000, understanding that Colorado TU has the ability to leverage it to attract so much more. The $25 that you contribute to get the
Protect Our Rivers license plate doesn’t just go to buy a few willow plants. It is seed money that allows us to attract the funding necessary to restore miles of rivers and protect in-stream flows that benefit entire watersheds. I urge you to go to ProtectOurRivers.net and get your license plate. Every drop matters!
T
he “Protect Our Rivers” license plate has been available since January. Through May, some 400 people have donated over $11,000 through ProtectOurRivers.net. The license plate program is forecast to raise $20,000 for river conservation by the end of the current fiscal year (September 30, 2014). Having just toured the Big Thompson watershed to see the incredible magnitude of the flood damage from last September, I have a greater appreciation for the enormous amount of work and money that is needed for recovery efforts. It makes our $20,000 forecast for the license plate seem like a drop in the bucket. It’s really a drop in the ocean when you consider that the Big Thompson River is just one of dozens of rivers in the state that deserve some form of attention from Colorado TU. In the face of such monumental needs, it feels rather pointless to gather drops. But those in the investment community would say otherwise because they understand the concept of seed money. It’s early funding, before the work begins, that is used to inform the use and amount of funding that comes later. As such, seed money often starts the funding for projects that are 10, 20, or even 50 times larger. In terms of river conservation, seed money is used to fund aquatic research, public awareness campaigns, environmental impact studies, river restoration design plans, and more. These efforts help validate the need for further funding, provide direction to ensure the funding is used effectively, and determine the total amount of funding necessary. In fact, gov-
Offer Expires 8/31/2014
About The Author.
Rick Matsumoto is the president of Colorado Trout Unlimited. You can contact him via the CTU website at www.coloradotu.org. 46
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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Protect Ou r Rivers, Colorado! When you hit the road for you r next fishing trip, show you r su pport for Colorado’s rivers by displaying this ultra-cool license plate on you r vehicle.
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Donate just $25 to Colorado TU, and you are eligible for a “Protect Our Rivers” license plate (plus standard state specialty license plate fee and registration). Proceeds support on-the-ground river conservation and education programs through Colorado TU – your dollars go directly back to helping the rivers you love. Get your plate by visiting www.protectourrivers.net.
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Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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T
Trout Unlimited & Colorado’s Water Plan
he need for Colorado’s Water Plan has been coming for a long time. Colorado is one of the only states in the West that does not have a formal water plan. On May 14, 2013, Governor Hickenlooper issued an executive order directing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to commence work on the first ever 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 (aka “the gap”) between future water supply and demand, and help Colorado reduce the 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 best way for concerned citizens, communities, and businesses to influence the Colorado Water Plan is by connecting with their local basin roundtables. Created several years ago for each major river basin in the state, the roundtables 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. There are nine basin round tables: the Arkansas, Colorado, Gunnison, Metro, North Platte, Rio Grande, South Platte, Southwest and Yampa/ White. Each of these nine basin roundtables are working in their communities to gather public comments and develop first draft basin plans by July. Developing Colorado’s first ever water plan is no easy task. However, as a river conservation organization, Trout Unlimited could not let the opportunity pass to speak out for protecting the fish and water that our members need today and in the future. Since December, we have been reaching out and assembling input from staff and local chapters so that a unified Trout Unlimited voice can be heard in each of the river basins. We successfully collected and developed over 50 pages of fish-friendly, conservationminded principles that we are asking the state to include in the water plan. TU is the only conservation organization that provided such basin-specific comments 48
by Stephanie Scott
during the first public comment period for Colorado’s Water Plan. TU’s comments included broad state principles as well as basin-specific ideas and concerns. Among the major points TU has raised are the importance of healthy rivers for Colorado’s economy and quality of life; the need to promote conservation and efficiency in water use; and support for alternative agricultural trans-
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
943 W. Hwy 50 Pueblo, CO 81008
fers that can make ag water available for urban needs in dry periods without permanently drying up irrigated lands. While we have done a lot of work already, there is much more to be done. Just because we have submitted comments to the CWCB, does not mean that they will be included in the final state water plan. With all of the high water demands for utilities, new development, agriculture,
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Final 2015 CWP Submitted to Governor Executive Order to CWCB
Draft CWP Delivered to Governor
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Additional Draft Sections of CWP Released
Final BIPs submitted to CWCB
Additional Draft Sections of CWP Released
Second Draft CWP Released for Public Review
Public Comment Deadline for Draft CWP Sections
Public Comment Deadline for Draft BIPs
Public Comment Deadline for Second Draft CWP
Public Comment Deadline for Draft CWP
and other various stakeholders, it is important that we continue to provide a strong voice for the health of the rivers in Colorado. The first drafts of the individual basin water plans are due in July, and will be our first glimpse into how the basins and the state are addressing our concerns. TU will continue to press the state to incorporate these important principles, but we can’t do it alone. We need local support in each of the basins to show that there is strong community support for healthy rivers to be incorporated into Colorado’s Water Plan. Whether you are a farmer or rancher, a business owner, a sportsman or sportswoman, or a concerned citizen, the roundtables need to hear from you. We encourage you to attend roundtable meetings to talk about the importance of healthy rivers and streams to Colorado.
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Saving the Fraser
T
he Fraser River is about to get a new lease on life, thanks to years of effort by TU volunteer leaders, staff, and members. Once a favorite stream of President Eisenhower, who made Grand County his “Western White House,” more recent years have seen the Fraser under increasing stress with sedimentation and elevated stream temperatures. A key part of the river’s decline has been extensive diversions from the Fraser and its tributaries through the Moffat Tunnel and to the Denver metro area – diversions that total 60% of the river’s natural flow. So when Denver Water proposed to expand its diversions from the basin for storage in an enlarged Gross Reservoir, TU stepped forward to fight for the Fraser. The goal was to ensure that the new Denver project – called the “Moffat Firming Project” – only proceeded if Denver was required to put in place protections to secure the Fraser’s future. From public outreach through a series of videos featuring Fraser the Trout and his search for water (visit defendthecolorado.org to check out the videos), to community events like the “Riverstock” music festival to celebrate the Fraser and engage residents with its conservation, TU has been working to get the message out. From careful technical analysis of draft environmental studies, to detailed legal analysis and negotiations, TU’s legal and scientific teams have been working hard to fight for appropriate river protections. Local chapter leaders have been passionate and effective spokespeople, and TU worked alongside dedicated partners like Grand County and local businesses and landowners, including Devils Thumb Ranch. These allies shared the goal of protecting the Fraser, and brought their authorities, skills, and resources to the effort. It took a decade of hard work, persistence, and tough, complicated negotiations, but earlier this year Trout Unlimited, Grand 50
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
County, and Denver Water announced a major agreement on a package of protections for the Fraser. The agreement, if adopted as a requirement of the Moffat Firming Project’s federal permit, holds the promise of a healthy Fraser River far into the future. The agreement includes vital protections for the Fraser, as well as resources and a new collaborative effort called “Learning by Doing,” designed to address future and existing impacts to the river. As part of their commitment to the process, Denver Water has pledged $6 million for river restoration work in the Fraser basin and on the Upper Colorado. One thousand acre-feet of water each year is to be released in the Fraser basin (and a like amount from Williams Fork Reservoir) to benefit river flows at key times. Another 250 acre-feet of water will specifically help with flows during high-temperature periods, and operation of their system will help to maximize benefits to the river and provide flushing flows, while maintaining the water yield for their customers. Learning by Doing is the linchpin of the agreement, and represents a new way of doing business. “The Fraser River was already in decline,” explained CTU’s David Nickum. “Simply blocking Denver and maintaining the status quo wasn’t going to work. What Learning by Doing does is bring Denver Water – along with other key partners like Grand County and Colorado Parks and Wildlife – together to work with us to benefit the river.” Through the Learning by Doing program, the partners will gather baseline data and monitor river conditions over time, and then make adjustments in how to manage the system and deploy resources so as to address not only the expected challenges but any unexpected problems as well. A key final step is ensuring that this multi-party agreement does get incorporated into the Moffat Firming Project’s federal www.HCAmagazine.com
permits. TU wrote to the US Army Corps of Engineers urging them to do just that. “We believe that implementation of the MECP, as a whole, provides the best opportunity to prevent impacts and improve conditions in the areas most impacted by the Moffat Project,” wrote Mely Whiting, counsel for TU, in the organization’s official comments. Hundreds of individual TU members have added their voices as well, writing to the Corps to support these river protections. “This agreement … will protect a river which has been allowed to deteriorate for the past decade,” wrote Jim Belknap, a TU member who grew up in the Fraser Valley. “Please help restore the Fraser River to a healthy, thriving river – the type of attribute of Colorado’s natural beauty which has always been one of the state’s greatest attractions and economic strengths.” “I have fished the Fraser River for 20 years and the new Moffat Tunnel would be disastrous unless you make the Mitigation and Enhancement Coordination Plan [the TU/Denver/Grand County agreement] part of the federal permit,” wrote Tom Ciaglo. Perhaps nobody has worked longer and with greater dedication to save the Fraser than Kirk Klancke, a long-time Fraser valley resident and president of the Colorado River Headwaters Chapter of TU. “The Fraser is the lifeblood of our community,” said Klancke. “As an angler and Fraser Valley resident, I’m gratified that this agreement keeps To Learn More. our home waters To learn more about this story and healthy and flowColorado Trout Unlimited, visit, ing.” www.coloradotu.org.
Denver Water’s Commitments to the Fraser Basin • $4 million for river restoration in the Fraser basin • $2 million for restoration on the Upper Colorado River • 1000 acre-feet of water for use at key times in the Fraser • 1000 acre-feet of water for release from Williams Fork Reservoir • 250 acre-feet of water to help address high stream temperatures in summer • Restoration of native cutthroat trout to a selected area stream • Use of flexibility in their operations to provide flushing flows for river health • Participation in “Learning by Doing” • $2 million more, if needed, to help address high temperatures and sedimentation
www.HCAmagazine.com
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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Photo courtesy of Jeff Florence
Stream Explorers on the South Platte
By Jeff Florence
C
olorado Trout Unlimited supports a “Trout in the Classroom” program in which students raise rainbow trout from eggs until they are ready to be released into a natural river. With sponsorship from Suncor Energy, Trout in the Classroom (TIC) helped students in 10 different schools throughout Colorado raise their very own trout. One school in particular, Academy High, raised and released approximately 65 to 85 rainbow trout. Taught by teacher, Mike Sanchez, students at Academy High in Thornton were able to help build a sustainable water environment in their classroom for trout eggs to hatch. By monitoring the water quality every day the students learned how to keep the water habitable for rainbow trout as they grew. After seven months of raising the fish, on June 5, students released their trout into the South Platte River at the Carson Nature Center in Littleton. Prior to releasing the trout, the students acclimated the fish to their new home waters. Each group had a bucket containing about 10 fish. They gradually dumped water from the bucket into the river and poured some river water back into the bucket. By slowly adjusting the water temperatures, they ensured the fish weren’t killed by a sudden change. “A change of a couple of degrees is a lot 52
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
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• 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
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for the fish,” said Garrett Hanks, Colorado Trout Unlimited Youth Education Coordinator. “If we just dump them into the river, they could go into shock.” While raising the trout, students constantly tested the water for pH, nitrate, dissolved oxygen and coliform levels. For student Amber D’Amico, testing the water every day was her favorite part of the whole process. D’Amico was first interested in TIC because she wanted to learn more about the fish. “Seeing the fish go made me sad, but it was fun to test the waters everyday,” she said. While at the release, the students also tested the river for pH, nitrate, dissolved oxygen and coliform levels. Looking at water quality in the river showed students that clean water supply is not only vital for aquatic species, but for all of the species that rely on the river – including people. “The South Platte is a major water supply for the Denver Metro Area,” said Hanks. The TIC program was launched by former CTU President Sharon Lance. Lance heard about the program in other states and fought hard to bring the program to Colorado. According to Lance, because of the testing Colorado requires for whirling disease, the state had never approved such a program. Lance wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and continued to advocate for TIC until it was approved by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Trout in the Classroom is the capstone course within Colorado TU’s South Platte River Explorers program. The River Explorers program, funded by Suncor Energy and currently working with Mapleton School District, focuses on conservation, watersheds, and fishing. The program begins with middle school students continuing through high school, integrating curriculum across multiple years and multiple subjects. The South Platte River Explorers starts with a middle-school Stream Explorers lesson which introduces kids to the basic skills of working with aquatic ecosystems, as well as fishing. As students continue through the program, the RiverWatch component allows them to study water quality and macroinvertebrate populations of rivers. The program also includes the National Fishing in Schools Program (NFSP), focused on fly fishing skills and techniques. Trout in the Classroom is the capstone course with high school students. The most engaged students in the program also can participate
in a week-long fly fishing and conservation youth camp put on by Colorado Trout Unlimited. . With support from Suncor Energy, South Platte River Explorers has done very well in its first year. According to Brandy Radey, Senior Advisor at Suncor, “we are always looking for ways to support conservation in sustainable communities.” Suncor relies on the environment and Radey says they feel it is part of their duty to play a major role in environmental conservation. In the future Suncor is looking to continue with South Platte River Explorers as well as other youth education and conservation projects. Mile High Youth Corps, which specializes in land conservation, is another example of how Suncor is helping conserve the environment. After the release, students followed Skot Latona, South Platte Park supervisor, along the river where he informed students about conservation work done by the park. Over the last few months, the park has changed the flow and landscape of the river to improve the overall aquatic environment. Trout Unlimited played a big role in getting approval for the conservation efforts. “Trout Unlimited was at every board meeting with the city to get the approval and funding,” said Latona.
As part of the project, the park narrowed the river from 100 feet to 40 feet, ensuring that water flow is maintained. According to Latona, when the river was 100 feet wide, at times of low flow there would be a very little current. The park has completed over a quarter mile of work on the river and over the next year will complete two more miles. The park is home to over 300 different species of animals, including birds, snakes, fish, and larger animals such as deer and coyotes. The park consists of flood plains that will help reduce future flooding impacts. Carson Nature Center is roughly 30 percent water, compared to the state of Colorado at three percent. To get an idea about what other species live in the park, both large and small, students also took samples from the South Platte River for macroinvertebrates. They will look at them under a microscope in class, explained Sanchez, to learn what other species call these waters home and gain a better understanding of the habitat. Although Trout in the Classroom is relatively new to Colorado, it is thriving. Thanks to the partnership among Suncor, Trout Unlimited, and teachers, TIC will continue to grow and help educate kids about trout, environmental conservation, and how clean water helps improve life overall.
To Learn More.
To learn more about this story and Colorado Trout Unlimited, visit, www.coloradotu.org. www.HCAmagazine.com
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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Photo courtesy of Kyle Perkins
College Anglers Connect in Steamboat
“G
reg hadn’t caught anything, so I called him over to my hole,” George Cornelson recalls the scene on the Yampa River running through Steamboat Springs. Moments later Greg Sayles hooked and landed a 20” brown—the largest fish of the competition. But it wasn’t the big fish which sealed the victory for Colorado College in the first annual Colorado Trout Unlimited Intercollegiate Fly Fishing Tournament; it was the teamwork. The tournament was formatted so that teams were not rewarded for pure numbers of fish caught and released, but rather for working as a team and demonstrating all manners of angling creativity. Species diversity, total team support, and assortment of techniques used to catch fish all scored bonus points, and were ultimately the deciding factor in the rankings. “What put us over the edge was with thirty minutes left; our judge and I were sitting on the bank, and nothing was eating below the surface, when he spotted a few risers,” says George. “So I had to try to get the maximum points, points for using a dry fly. Once I got mine we had the rest of the guys cycle through in hopes for the same.” In the end teamwork paid off, and Jacob Twersky, Greg Sayles, and George Cornelson of Colorado College brought home the trophy. They would be the first to tell you, though, that it wasn’t the hardware which was the best part of the tournament, it was the people. George put it best: “It wasn’t as much about the competition as it was the camaraderie. It was great to meet fishermen from all over the state, probably one of the highlights of my 54
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
senior year.” Teams came from all over the state to participate. CU-Boulder and Adams State each sent a team. Colorado College and Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat both supplied two full rosters. To be eligible for the contest, the participants had to be a member of a Trout Unlimited 5 Rivers Chapter. These are typically university-sanctioned fly fishing clubs, but operate as an independent TU Chapter, working closely with support from their local chapter. There are currently six TU-affiliated 5 River College Chapters across the state. Steamboat Springs and the Yampa River provided a
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perfect venue for the first annual Intercollegiate Fly Fishing Tournament. The local chapter, Yampa Valley Fly Fishers, Colorado College, the 5 Rivers fishing club, and Colorado Trout Unlimited got together to provide meals and coordinate the tournament’s details, culminating in an awards dinner and trophy presentation. Yampa Valley Fly Fishers and the Greenbacks stepped up to provide loads of volunteer support. The Steamboat Flyfisher generously opened their doors each morning for gearing up and advice on flies and locations. Ultimately it was the combined effort which made the tournament a huge success. Trout Unlimited’s record for collaboration and volunteer support was again at its best, and exactly the legacy we hope to pass on. As a follow up to the competition, a 5 Rivers Rendezvous is in the works for the fall. The fall get- together will highlight a larger TU initiative, and encourage the members to get their hands dirty in a restoration project. Colorado Trout Unlimited hopes to provide an outlet for college students to get in touch with something bigger than their clubs, while also making potentially rewarding connections for their futures. These connections may come from a fellow 5 Rivers Chapter member, or from an industry professional and a job opportunity after graduation. At the very least, participants will be exposed to a community of conservation-minded anglers and the work that they do. If you are attending college in Colorado and are not a part of a fly fishing club, if your school does not have a club, or if you or your club wish to participate in our intercollegiate events, please contact Garrett Hanks at ghanks@tu.org for more information on how to get involved.
To Learn More.
To learn more about this story and Colorado Trout Unlimited, visit, www.coloradotu.org. www.HCAmagazine.com
Businesses Help Protect Our Rivers! River-minded businesses can help Colorado’s rivers through their generous contributions under Colorado TU’s “Protect Our Rivers” program. The program offers businesses recognition in Colorado TU’s outreach to 11,000 members, the ability to integrate the program into their own marketing while letting customers know that they care about rivers, and of course, makes a difference for the rivers that benefit all Coloradans and our economy. We would like to recognize our current Protect Our Rivers sponsors, and encourage you to support the businesses that support TU and Colorado’s rivers:
Upslope Brewing Company, an award-winning Colorado brewery, knows that healthy rivers brew the best beer. Upslope contributes 1% of the sales of its craft lager to Colorado TU through the Protect Our Rivers program. www.upslopebrewing.com
Freestone Outfitters is a premier Orvis-endorsed outfitter operating out of Littleton and offering outstanding walk/wade and float fishing trips on both public and private waters. Through a “round up for rivers” program, Freestone offers its customers the chance to add a $25 donation in support of TU to their trips, and matches those contributions as part of its commitment to conservation. www.flyfishfreestone.com, 720-448-5621.
Rep Your Water offers creatively-designed gear that allows you to show your love for your home waters. They not only celebrate those waters, they give back to them - 1% of sales of Colorado merchandise is contributed to Colorado TU. www.repyourwater.com
Dvorak Expeditions, Colorado’s first licensed outfitter, has been providing quality river experiences since 1969. Dvorak offers TU members a 10% discount - plus donates 10% of the purchase price to Colorado TU – on three-day backcountry float fishing trips through the spectacular Gunnison Gorge and full-day float fishing trips on the Arkansas River. www.dvorakexpeditions.com, 1-800-824-3795.
H2O Car Wash, in Highlands Ranch, has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in its water use and recycling systems, making it the most river-friendly car wash in Colorado. Owner Hayden Shamburger is an avid TU member and fly fisherman, and he is always eager to show off his state-of-the-art water reclamation and filtration technology. H20 hosts onsite fundraising events where a portion of proceeds are donated to Colorado TU through Protect Our Rivers. www.h2o-carwash.com.
Summer 2014 • High Country Angler
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THE LAST CAST
•
JOHN NICKUM
River Recovery is Possible
Q
Some of the announcements concerning the Upper Arkansas River recovery and new “Gold Medal” status seem a little too good to be true. Is it really possible to restore a river and recover a recreational fishery that was so degraded for decades?
A
I love the skeptical attitude displayed in that question. Scientists, including the “Old Professor,” tend to be skeptics. Of course, I must admit that the ten years that I spent in Washington, DC only heightened my personal skepticism. I learned a lot inside the Beltway, including, never trust someone who says, “Trust me.” Always ask them to show you the data—show you numbers. In the case of the Upper Arkansas River, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission (CPW) has the data. The numbers gathered over the last ten years show that the Upper Arkansas is back— back to conditions and trout populations that haven’t been in the waters downstream from Leadville for more than 100 years. Anglers can now fish 102 miles of river with trout populations of more than 60 pounds per acre of water, and at least a dozen of those fish more than 14 inches in length. What did it take to accomplish this remarkable achievement? The first steps in restoration are recognizing and acknowledging that problems exist, then understanding that those problems can be solved. It’s also important to understand that there are subtle differences between recovering a fishery and restoring an ecosystem. The fishery is just one part of the ecosystem, albeit a very important part. Efficient and effective restoration should always begin with a comprehensive plan. The specific problems that led to a dysfunctional ecosystem must be identified, and strategies for removing them must be formulated. In the case of the Upper Arkansas, the primary problem was chronic pollution from old mining operations. Trout could not survive long enough to reach trophy size, let alone reproduce. Even if the trout could 56
survive long enough to support a fishery based on stocking, the invertebrate community that feeds the trout population was not adequate for long term survival and growth. It takes an aquatic community to sustain a fishery. The Upper Arkansas restoration project began with a comprehensive survey of existing conditions, which was followed by actions to remove the sources of pollution. Once the worst pollution problems were addressed, actions to ensure adequate in-stream flows and desirable structure could be addressed through improvement projects and a collaborative flow management program. One of the things that always impressed me over my career has been the ability of stream invertebrate communities to re-establish themselves once appropriate water quality and physical structure is in place. With these in place, much of the invertebrate community (aquatic insects) returns, and life for trout is good… provided that there are no short term episodes of reduced flows and/or toxic pollution. A comprehensive monitoring plan for water quality conditions and in-stream flows must be part of the long-range management plan. The recovery and restoration never could have been accomplished if the basic characteristics of the river had not been of high quality. Colorado trout anglers who fish the Upper Arkansas are fortunate in several ways. First, they now have a Gold Medal Trout water to fish, but, secondly, a foundation for future projects has been established. The pattern of cooperation among individuals, landowners, nongovernment organizations, and government agencies can be used for additional recovery and restoration projects in the future. However, we must always remember that restoration requires an ecosystem with “restorable” conditions, as well as a lot of effort from a lot of people. Consider experiences from other locations and think what could have happened to the Upper Arkansas River. Whitewood Creek, downstream from the Homestake mines in South Dakota, is a relatively small creek containing process-
High Country Angler • Summer 2014
ing wastes (especially cyanide) from the gold mines. At one time it was void of all forms of typical aquatic life most of the way to the Missouri River—over 100 miles downstream. Given the fact that it is a warmwater stream flowing through the prairies of western South Dakota for most of its length, it cannot support a high value fishery. No one, including all levels of government agencies, has been willing to consider restoration of the upper reaches of Whitewood Creek, even though it is a designated Superfund site. Finding agreement on the goals and objectives for a recovery and restoration project can be an impossible task. If purists insist on complete restoration, back to conditions that are thought to have existed at some time in the past, it’s highly unlikely that the project will get off the ground. A recovery goal of a functional system that supports a high quality fishery does not require that everything be exactly as it was at some previous time. However, if imperiled species are, or were, present and the goal is to have selfsustaining populations of those species, simple recovery of the fishery may not meet legal requirements. Issues related to water rights and the rights of the landowners on the watershed can add complications and actually block projects, such as the recovery of the upper Arkansas River trout fishery. Colorado anglers are, indeed, fortunate that this recovery effort has been successful. Now, the angling community must be vigilant to ensure that the recovery is permanent.
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
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