August 2011
What’s really on his mind
This is no ordinary fishing kayak. The Freedom Hawks are the first angling kayaks designed from the waterline up to allow the user to stand, safely, and comfortably, thanks to a patented integrated outrigger design. Simply pull the two levers conveniently located on either side of the hull to open the rear outriggers, and enjoy stability like you never thought possible.
The illustra3ons are from a comprehensive guide to Essen3al Knots and Rigs for Trout wri=en by Joe Mahler and published by Stackpole. The thing about Joe's illustra3ons and descrip3ons is they are so darn easy to follow. Even the most fumbled fingered angler will master all of the knots in this guide. The speed nail knot aka nail-‐less nail knot is a Gary Borger solu3on that is rigging ever serious angler should know. It has many uses beyond just a=aching a leader to a flyline. For instance I use it to 3e eyeglass lanyards made from mono or spiderwire on reading glasses to see what I'm doing, crea3ng loops in the end of a fly line for loop-‐to-‐loop connec3ons, tying in a dropper fly, and so on.
1. Looking for stress cracks 2, Trying to find a lost contact lens 3. Filling in nail holes 4. Compe3ng for a spot on the US Olympic Crawling Team 5. Tes3ng wader durability 6. Looking for their guide 7. Trying to find their wives 8. Admiring the finish 9. Searching for loca3on X men3oned in the Fly Fishing Film Tour 10. Spo^ng fish
Photo Courtesy of Val Atkinson
Insights from an obsessed wiper fisherman
Fishing Guide Extraordinaire ~ 505.350.0428 ~ tkconnor@kw.com
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Striped Bass x White Bass " "
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Hybrid Species = Sterile Please Catch & Release
Present in most of Colorado s Lakes! "
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Aurora Reservoir ~ Barr Lake ~ Bonny Lake ~ Cherry Creek Reservoir ~ Douglas Reservoir ~ Horsetooth ~ John Martin Reservoir ~ Lonetree Reservoir ~ Martin Lake ~ North Sterling Prewitt Reservoir ~ Pueblo Reservoir ~ Trinidad Lake ~ Union Reservoir ~ Wellington
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Predatory & Aggressive 12 …. 22lbs! Long, Wide & Deep bodies Broken black horizontal stripes Two rows of teeth near rear of tongue "
White bass has a single tooth patch on the tongue
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Water Temperature Water Clarity Wind Inlet conditions / water currents Structure Baitfish - Shad "
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Location & spawning
Weather Pressure / Human factors Lake Levels Keep a thorough journal
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April 1 through Mid May Target " " "
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Shallow Shelves with adjacent deep water Inlets 15 ledges
3 -4 large baitfish patterns Concentrate efforts early and later in the day I like a consistent 5-10mph breeze pushing towards structure and currents Water temp: 48 – 55 degrees
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Mid May through July 1 As temps rise fish move to 10 + water Sporadic Action w/good days Bigger attractor based patterns "
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Concentrate on structure " "
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6 , black, red, yellow, olive & brown Shad are taking cover in flooded areas Use bass fishing techniques
Look for schools of carp, concentrated flocks of birds & current spots
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July through September Water levels drop considerably Look to deeper water along dams and outlets Shad will ball up for protection " "
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Fish to the sides and underneath the bait balls Smaller flies – juvenile shad imitaions
Early morning & Late Evening & at night Typically find smaller wiper Efforts tend to switch to carp fishing
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September through end of October May find Blitzing Wiper "
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Surface feeding scenarios
Resurgence of wiper activity " "
Similar to spring fishing Look towards wind blown shores, structure and balled up bait
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6wt – 9wt rods Quality saltwater capable reels "
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Spring / Fall " "
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Smooth, sealed disc drag system Clear waters 9 – 12 Flouro leader to 1X, 2X, 3X
Summer / Deep Scenarios " "
7 – 9 Flouro 0X, 1X, 2X Warmer waters, off color
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Thermometer Binoculars Belly Boat Power Boat Waders (that DO NOT leak!) Fly Lines "
Clear Intermediate Sink Tip lines ! 3-5ips
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Full Sink 300gr ! 6-10 ips
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Fish/Depth Finder Hook Sharpener
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Strip-Strip-Strip-Pause "
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Striiiiiiiiiip "
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Two to four inch strips Long, four foot, slow consistent strips
Jigging Trolling Fan-casting – searching for fish Steelhead style cast & move three feet Reverse Double Hauling for wind
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Distance Casting in the wind "
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Competent at 50 -80
Prepare for cold weather Have a variety of flies Keep a journal Belly Boat in the truck Above all: undying patience & persistence
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Clear Waters / Inlets / Outlets / Spring Fishing " "
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Cloudy Water / Summer " " " "
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3 – 7 attractor baits Crayfish, shad, other forage fish, trout Bright colors, heavier flies Flies that move water and make noise
Busting fish "
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3 -5 shad imitations Silvers, Whites, Black, Purple Contrasting Colors
Shad Surface flies – poppers Fiber flies Jigging flies
I like flies with CONTRAST and Movement Durability and Fishability is key