FLY FISHING THE DENVER SOUTH PLATTE
RICK MIKESELL TROUTS FLY FISHING
DSP HISTORY • • • • • • • • • • •
THE DENVER SOUTH PLATTE WAS CRITICAL IN THE FOUNDATION OF DENVER AND THE SURROUNDING SUBURBS AMERICAN HUMORIST ARTEMUS WARD ONCE DESCRIBED THE RIVER AS “A MILE WIDE AND AN INCH DEEP” THE HISTORIC FLOOD OF 1965 (40,000CFS VS. 800CFS HISTORICAL) CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE THROUGHT THE CITY, AND WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THE CREATION OF CHATFIELD RESERVOIR AND CHANNELIZTION OF THE MERTO RIVER, WHICH HAS CREATED THE STREAM WE KNOW TODAY LONG FORGOTTEN AND POLLUTION RIDDEN, GREAT STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AND AQUATIC STRUCTURE IN THE LAST 20 YEARS NATIVE SPECIES INCLUDED THE PIKE MINNOW, FORCED TO NEAR EXTINCTION BY OVERFISHING FROM EARLY SETTLERS AND POLLUTION CARP STOCKED AS FOOD FISH 1879 (476 INDIVIDUALS) SEE ”FREEDOM FOR THE RIVER QUEEN; 2012 JOHN H DAVENPORT CARP ON THE FLY PIONEERED BY BARRY REYNOLDS & BRAD BEFUS IN THE 1990’S AS WATER QUALITY IMPROVED RECOGNITION AND EXPLOITATION OF OTHER ANGLING OPPORTUNITIES EMERGED IN EARLY 21ST CENTURY MAJOR STREAM IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE LAST DECADE, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE GREENWAY FOUNDATION, DENVER TROUT UNLIMITED, CPW, AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHILE GREAT STRIDES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE FISHERY, IT IS STILL PRIMARILY MANAGED FOR IRRIGATION AND STORM RUNOFF THE CHATFIELD RESERVOIR REALLOCATION PROJECT BEGAN IN 2017 AND UPON COMPLETION, WILL PROVIDE GREATLY INCREASED STREAM FLOWS TO THE URBAN RIVER
TAILWATER SECTION – CHATFIELD DAM TO UNION SPECIES; TROUT (BROWN, RAINBOW), WALLEYE, SMALLMOUTH BASS, CHANNEL CATFISH, SOME CARP •
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THIS STRETCH IS HIGHLY DICTATED BY FLOWS RELEASED FROM THE RESERVOIR. FOR MUCH OF THE FALL / WINTER MONTHS, FLOWS ARE VERY LOW, AND CAN IMPACT FISHING NEGATIVELY WALLEYE FISHING CAN BE EXCELLENT IN THE STATE PARK WHEN FLOWS AND CONDITIONS DICTATE. RELEASES IN THE 100-300CFS RANGE SEEM TO BE MOST PRODUCTIVE. BELOW C470 TO BOWLES AVE IS THE MOST POPULAR TROUT STRETCH ON THE URBAN RIVER AND BENEFITS FROM OCCASIONAL STOCKING MOST OF THE STREAM IMPROVEMENTS OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THIS STRETCH HATCHES ON THE URBAN RIVER ARE QUITE IMPRESSIVE, SPRING AND FALL BAETIS, EARLY SUMMER CADDIS, AND LATE FALL TRICO EMERGENCES RIVAL SOME OF THE BEST ON THE GOLD MEDAL STRETCHES TO THE SOUTH.
ACCESS POINTS; • • • •
CHATFIELD STATE PARK (DOG PARK PONDS) STATE PARKS FEES DO APPLY. SOUTH PLATTE PARK PONDS (BLACKROCK LAKE PARKING LOT) CARSON NATURE CENTER, DIRECTLY BEHIND ASPEN GROVE SHOPPING CENTER, SANTA FE & MINERAL. REYNOLDS LANDING PARK, BEHIND THE NEW BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY, SANTA FE & BREWERY LANE
UNION TO ALAMEDA SPECIES; CARP, TROUT (BROWN, RAINBOW), WALLEYE, SMALLMOUTH BASS, CHANNEL CATFISH • •
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THE SOUTHERN METRO IS PRIME SMALLMOUTH WATER, AND CAN BE VERY GOOD FOR CARP TROUT ARE STILL PRESENT IN THE SYSTEM, BUT SUBJECT TO SEASONAL TEMPERATURE VARIANCE. DURING THE COLDER MONTHS, TROUT DO PUSH DOWN INTO THE LOWER STRETCHES, AND MOST FISH CAUGHT ARE QUITE LARGE (16-22”) UNION TO OXFORD IS HOME TO SOME OF THE LARGER CARP AND SMALLMOUTH IN THE METRO, WITH GOOD NUMBERS OF 20+ POUND CARP, AND 4+ POUND SMALLMOUTH PRESENT THIS STRETCH SEES QUITE A BIT OF PRESSURE, AND THESE FISH ARE NOTORIOUSLY SPOOKIER THAN IN OTHER AREAS SOME VERY LARGE BROWN TROUT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT NEAR THE CONFLUENCE WITH BEAR CREEK, AND THERE ARE GOOD NUMBERS OF BROWNS PRESENT IN BEAR CREEK FROM THE CONFLUENCE UP TO THE BEAR CREEK LAKE TAILWATER THE MARY CARTER GREENWAY BIKE TRAIL PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE ENTIRETY OF THE DRAINAGE FROM C470 NORTH THROUGH THE METRO AREA, AND VARIOUS URBAN PARKS ALLOW PARKING TO ACCESS THE TRAIL OVERLAND PARK IS ANOTHER POPULAR ACCESS POINT ALONG THIS STRETCH. RECENT STREAM IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PARK HAVE CREATED PRIME SMALLMOUTH AND TROUT HABITAT, AND THE FLATS BELOW PROVIDE EXCELLENT CARP FEEDING ZONES
ACCESS POINTS; • • • •
Centennial Park (Santa Fe & Union) River Run Park (Santa Fe & Oxford) Grant Frontier Park (Santa Fe & Iliff) Overland Park (Santa Fe & Florida)
ALAMEDA TO I-70, DENVER PROPER SPECIES; CARP, TROUT (BROWN, RAINBOW), WALLEYE, SMALLMOUTH & LARGEMOUTH BASS, CHANNEL CATFISH • • •
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CENTRAL DENVER IS CARP COUNTRY! TROUT ARE STILL PRESENT IN THE COOLER MONTHS, AND TO SOME DEGREE, YEAR ROUND IN CERTAIN STRETCHES FISH MOVE THROUGHOUT AS FLOWS CHANGE, AND “HOLES” ARE LESS DEFINED. USUALLY, A SHALLOW FLAT WITH SOME SORT OF DEEP WATER RETREAT NEARBY IS THE IDEAL PLACE TO FIND FEEDING FISH NUMEROUS STORM RUNOFF CULVERTS PUSH WATER INTO THE RIVER IN THIS STRETCH, AND CAN SOMETIMES AFFECT CLARITY THE RIVER CAN BE VERY “TRASHY” FROM HERE NORTH, AND WHILE THERE IS A LOT OF REFUSE IN AND NEAR THE RIVER, WATER QUALITY IS SURPRISINGLY GOOD BREAKING DOWN THE RIVER INTO WALKABLE SECTIONS, AND UTILIZING HIGH STRUCTURE (BRIDGES, HIGH BANKS, ETC. ) TO SPOT GROUPS OF ACTIVE FISH IS THE BEST APPROACH, SIGHT FISHING IS KEY IN THE CARP GAME, BLIND CASTING WILL VERY RARELY YIELD RESULTS
ACCESS POINTS;
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FROG HOLLOW PARK (8TH AVE & I-25). CONFLUENCE PARK (REI FLAGSHIP STORE, WATER ST BELOW THE SPEER FLY OVER). CITY OF CUERNAVACA PARK (I-25 & 20TH ST). GLOBEVILLE LANDING PARK (WASHINGTON ST & ARKINS CT.)
I-70 TO I-76 SPECIES; CARP, MINIMAL TROUT (RAINBOW), WALLEYE, SMALLMOUTH & LARGEMOUTH BASS, CHANNEL CATFISH • •
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THIS IS THE INDUSTRIAL HEART OF THE CITY. ACCESS THROUGH WATER FRONT PARKS IS LIMITED, AND MOST OF THE LANDSCAPE IS GRITTY AND URBAN MANY DENVER ANGLERS AFFECTIONATELY REFER TO THIS STRETCH AS “THE STINK”, AS THE ODORS FROM THE SUNCOR REFINERY, THE METRO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, AND THE MANY GROW HOUSES AND INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS AMALGAMATE TO FORM A VERY DISTINCT ODOR THE CARP POPULATION IN THIS STRETCH IS HIGHLY MIGRATORY, AS FLOWS FLUCTUATE SO GREATLY. WATER IS PULLED AT FRANKLIN ST TO PUSH INTO THE BURLINGTON DITCH, DESTINED FOR BARR LAKE AT SOME POINTS, VERY LITTLE WATER IS LEFT IN THE MAIN RIVER CHANNEL, AND IT CAN BECOME QUITE GREEN AND BIT STAGNANT. CARP, AS HARDY AS THEY ARE, HAVE NO PROBLEM HOLDING OVER IN THE LOW WATER, BUT ANGLING CAN BE DIFFICULT. WATER REENTERS THE SYSTEM FROM THE OUTFLOW OF THE METRO WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT JUST ABOVE THE SAND CREEK CONFLUENCE. THIS WARM WATER OUTFLOW CAN BE A GREAT PLACE TO TARGET SMALLMOUTH IN THE FOAM FROM THE RELEASES
ACCESS POINTS; • •
Northside Park (53rd Ave & Franklin St) Sand Creek Regional Greenway Trail (Bicycle/Pedestrian Access)
FISH SPECIES - CARP • • • • • •
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PRESENT THROUGHT SYSTEM • ACTIVE IN WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE AVERAGE WEIGHT 8LBS, SPECIMENS UP TO 30LBS PRESENT VORACIOUS OMNIVORE • NATURALLY REPRODUCING IN THE SOUTH PLATTE AND TRIBUTARIES • CAN SPAWN MULTIPLE TIMES A YEAR VERY CHALLENGING TO FOOL ON A FLY – EXCEPTIONALLY HARDY – CAN TOLORATE LOW OXYGEN – WELL DEVELOPED HEARING – WEBERIAN ORGAN – SENSITIVE LATEREL LINE & BARBELS – HIGHLY DEVELOPED OLFACTORY SYSTEM – COLOR VISION SIGHT FISHING IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND BY FAR THE MOST FUN WAY TO PURSUE INDICATOR NYMPHING USUALLY RESULTS IN FOUL HOOKED FISH! TARGETING HAPPY, ACTIVELY FEEDING FISH IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS EATS ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO FEEL – YOU HAVE TO SEE THEM! – EASIEST WAY TO TELL? WATCH THE MOUTH DROP OVER THE FLY! – FISH WILL IMMEDIATELY KNOW IT IS NOT REAL AND PULL BACK – SET AS SOON AS THE MOUTH IS COMPLETELY OVER THE FLY HOOKSET ARE DETERMINED BY YOUR LOCATION IN RELATION TO THE FISH – CLOSE SHOTS ARE USUALLY BEST SERVED BY “TROUT” SET – ALWAYS STRIP SET AT DISTANCE • IF YOU MISS THE EAT, THERE IS ALWAYS POTENTIAL FOR ANOTHER WITH THE STRIP SET
LINE MAINTENANCE IS CRUCIAL – MAKE SURE ALL LINE IS SNAG FREE AND READY TO CLEAR THE GUIDES DON’T BABY THE FIGHT – IF USING HEAVY FLUORO (8-12LB) A FAIR HOOKED FISH WILL RARELY BREAK OFF – MAKE SURE YOUR FLIES ARE TIED ON QUALITY HOOKS! – PRACTICE YOUR KNOTS – USE LOW ROD ANGLES TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE FIGHT – ONCE THEY START GULPING ON THE SURFACE, THEY ARE USALLY READY TO BE LANDED NECESSARY EQUIPMENT; • 6 OR 7WT FLY ROD • LARGE ARBOR FLY REEL WITH QUALITY DRAG SYSTEM • FLOATING FLY LINE IN MUTED COLOR • 7-9FT 12-16LB FLUOROCARBON LEADER FLY SELECTIONS; • PRESENTATION AND WEIGHT ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN PATTERN • IF THE FISH IS ACTIVELY FEEDING, YOU PRESENT THE FLY RIGHT, AND IT LOOKS LIKE A FOOD SOURCE THEY HAVE EATEN BEFORE, THEY WILL LIKELY EAT IT • WEIGHT IS CRITICAL IN FLY SELECTION FAVORITE FLIES; • BARRYS CARP FLY • NEAR NUFF CRAYFISH • STALCUPS CRAZY DAD • AVALON PERMIT FLY
THE DRAG AND DROP • • • • • •
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SUBTLE FLEEING ACTION •
MATCH PREY’S MOVEMENTS
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LEAVE IT IN THE ZONE!
• SLOWER THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT
• SUBTLE TWITCHES, NOT LONG STRIPS
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PREY NEVER SWIMS TOWARD A PREDATOR! IF THE FISH DOES NOT MOVE TO THE FLY, PICK IT UP AN PUT IT RIGHT BACK IN THE ZONE
IMAGINE A 8” DINNER PLATE IN FRONT OF THE FISH’S MOUTH THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE? GETTING THE FLY INTO THE ZONE WITHOUT SPOOKING THE FISH! USE HIGH VANTAGE POINTS AVOID LOUD COLORED CLOTHING! STALK AND DROP – THE CLOSER YOU CAN GET TO THE FISH, THE BETTER YOU CAN PRESENT DRAG AND DROP CASTING • CAST 2-3 FT PAST THE FISH – IDEALLY IN THE BLIND SPOT • LIFT FLY UP INTO THE SURFACE FILM • USE ROD TIP TO DRAG FLY DIRECTLY ABOVE FEEDING ZONE • GENTLY DROP FLY INTO FEEDING ZONE
FISH SPECIES - TROUT •
PRESENT FROM TAILWATER SECTION TO BURLINGTON DIVERSION
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ACTIVE IN COOLER TEMPERATURES, PARTICULARLY LOWER IN DRAINAGE AVERAGE 14” -18” WITH 20” + SPECIMENS PRESENT RESPOND TO TRADITIONAL INSECT HATCHES, BUT IN MOST CASES HAVE ADAPATED TO LARGER FOOD SOURCES NO DOCUMENTED NATURAL REPRODUCTION STOCKED AS CATCHABLES IN TAILWATER SECTION BROOD STOCKED IN METRO DENVER IN THE SPRING OF 2017 & 2018 – VERY FEW INDIVIDUALS LEFT FROM THIS STOCKING, BUT THEY DO POP UP BROWN TROUT ENTER THE SYSTEM FROM BEAR CREEK INDICATOR NYMPHING IS EFFECTIVE, BUT SIGHTFISHING & STREAMER FISHING ARE ALMOST EQUALLY SO, AND WAY MORE FUN! FISH TEND TO TRANSLATE TO TRADITIONAL TROUT STRUCTURE – POOLS BELOW RIFFLES – TROUGHS ON BENDS – FOAM LINES, THE FOAM IS THEIR HOME! MOST INDIVIDUALS ARE VERY HEALTHY IN BOTH STATURE AND STAMINA SUMMERTIME WATER TEMPS CAN BE VERY HIGH, USE HIGH CAUTION WHEN TARGETING IN THE SUMMER TIME WHILE WATER QUALITY IS REMARKABLY GOOD, THERE ARE STILL HIGH LEVELS OF ARSENIC, AND HARVEST IS NOT ADVISED!
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NECESSARY EQUIPMENT; • 5 OR 6WT FLY ROD • LARGE ARBOR FLY REEL WITH QUALITY DRAG SYSTEM • FLOATING FLY LINE IN MUTED COLOR • 7-9FT 4X LEADER – 10-12LB FLUORO FOR STREAMERS FLY SELECTIONS; • FISH TEND TO PREFER LARGER MEALS; CRAYFISH, ARTICULATED STREAMERS (WHITE & RUST), LARGE STONEFLY IMITATIONS, WORMS AND EGGS • WHEN LARGE HATCHES ARE PRESENT, FISH WILL RESPOND AND DRY FLY FISHING CAN BE VERY GOOD (BAETIS, CADDIS, TRICOS AND MIDGES) FAVORITE FLIES; SUBSURFACE; NEAR NUFF CRAYFISH, DEAD DRIFT CRAYFISH, TUNGSTEN THIN MINT, WHITE STREAMERS! CLOUSER MINNOWS, PATS RUBBER LEGS, SAN JUAN WORM (TRY PURPLE), CRANEFLY LARVAE DRIES; ELK HAIR CADDIS, GRILLO’S FAT CADDIS, PARACHUTE ADAMS, MAY DAY BAETIS, FILM CRITIC BAETIS, MAYERS TAILS UP TRICO (ANY LOW PROFILE TRICO SPINNER) RS2’S IN THE FILM
FISH SPECIES – SMALLMOUTH BASS • • • •
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PRESENT THROUGHOUT SYSTEM, BUT HIGHEST DENSITY IN SOUTHERN STRETCH MOST ACTIVE IN WARMER TEMPERATURES AVERAGE 10-14” BUT FISH UP TO 4LB PRESENT NATURALLY REPRODUCING, WITH POPULATION GROWING ANNUALLY – THIS SPECIES HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE STAR OF THE FISHERY AS HABITAT AND FLOWS IMPROVE! ENTERED THE SYSTEM FROM CHATFIELD AND BEAR CREEK RESERVOIR INDICATOR NYMPHING IS EFFECTIVE, BUT SIGHTFISHING & STREAMER FISHING ARE MORE SO, AND WAY MORE FUN! LIKE ALL BASS, FISH TRANSLATE TO STRUCTURE – RIPRAP AND MAN MADE STRUCTURE IDEAL HOLDING WATER – PREFER DEEPER WATER IN COLDER TEMPS – OUTFLOWS AND TRIBUTARY JUNCTIONS ARE PRIME HABITAT MOST INDIVIDUALS ARE VERY HEALTHY IN BOTH STATURE AND STAMINA
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT; • 5 OR 6WT FLY ROD • LARGE ARBOR FLY REEL WITH QUALITY DRAG SYSTEM • FLOATING FLY LINE IN MUTED COLOR • 5-7.5 FT 10-12LB FLUORO LEADER FLY SELECTIONS; • FISH TEND TO PREFER CRAYFISH, SMALL BAITFISH IMITATIONS AND LARGE STONEFLY/HELGRAMITE NYMPHS FAVORITE FLIES; NEAR NUFF CRAYFISH, DEAD DRIFT CRAYFISH, BARRYS CARP FLY, STALCUPS CRAZY DAD, TUNGSTEN THIN MINT, CLOUSER MINNOWS, BROWN & WHITE WOOLY BUGGERS, PATS RUBBER LEGS, HOT HEAD STONEFLY
FISH SPECIES – WALLEYE • •
PRESENT THROUGHOUT SYSTEM, HIGHEST DENSITY IN SOUTHERN STRETCH ACTIVE IN MOST TEMPERATURES BUT PREFER LOW LIGHT –
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AVERAGE 10-12” BUT FISH UP TO 8LBS HAVE BEEN CAUGHT ENTERED THE SYSTEM FROM CHATFIELD, BEAR CREEK RESERVOIR & NUMEROUS CONNECTED PONDS STREAMER FISHING IS MOST PRODUCTIVE –
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NIGHT FISHING CAN BE VERY GOOD IN CHATFIELD STATE PARK
SINK TIPS CAN INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY IN DEEP HOLES BELOW CHATFIELD DAM
PREFER VERY DEEP RUNS AND HOLES MOST FISH IN THE UPPER REACHES HAVE ESCAPED FROM THE RESERVOIR AND ARE SAFE TO CONSUME –
ALL FISH KEPT IN THE STATE PARK MUST BE 18” OR GREATER WITH ONLY ONE OVER 21”; 3 FISH LIMIT, FISH FOUND LOWER IN THE DRAINAGE LIKELY HAVE HIGH METALS LEVELS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSUMED
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT; • • • •
5,6 OR 7WT FLY ROD LARGE ARBOR FLY REEL WITH QUALITY DRAG SYSTEM FLOATING FLY LINE, QUICK SINK TIP FOR DEEP HOLES 5-7.5 FT 10-12LB FLUORO LEADER
FLY SELECTIONS; • FISH PREFER BAITFISH & CRAYFISH FAVORITE FLIES; CLOUSER MINNOW (CHARTREUSE, WHITE, GRAY) WHITE OR CHARTREUSE WOOLLY BUGGER, EP BAITFISH (SHAD, CHARTREUSE) NEAR NUFF CRAYFISH, DEAD DRIFT CRAYFISH, BARRY’S CARP FLY
FISH SPECIES – LARGEMOUTH BASS & CHANNEL CATFISH LARGEMOUTH BASS • • • • • •
CHANNEL CATFISH
MOST COMMONLY FOUND IN THE NORTHER STRETCHES OF THE RIVER ENTERED SYSTEM FROM VARIOUS CONNECTED LAKES AND PONDS MOST SPECIMENS ARE QUITE SMALL, BUT QUALITY FISH ARE FOUND ON OCCASION LAKE ALL BASS, ARE VERY STRUCTURE ORIENTED AND PREFER MUCH SLOWER WATER HIGHLY OPPORTUNISTIC AND WILL RESPOND TO MOST ACTIVE PRESENTATIONS ALL WALLEYE AND SMALLMOUTH PATTERNS AND TACKLE MENTIONED WILL TRANSLATE IN ADDITION TO FINESSE STLYE BASS PATTERNS (MCKITTRICKS JAW BREAKER, SENKO STLYE CHENNILE WORMS, ETC) • • •
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FOUND THROUGHOUT THE DRAINAGE, BUT IN LOW DENSITY ENTERED SYSTEM FROM CHATFIELD RES AND VARIOUS CONNECTED LAKES AND PONDS AVERAGE FISH SIZE IS QUITE LARGE • A FISHERY SURVEY OF THE LITTLETON AREA FOUND CATFISH UP TO 31” • FOR A BRIEF PERIOD, THE STANDING STATE RECORD CAME FROM THE CHATFIELD TAILRACE ARE MOST ACTIVE IN WARMER TEMPERATURES PREFER DEEPER POOLS AND SLOWER WATER HIGHLY OMNIVOROUS, BUT BAITFISH ARE A FAVORITE ALL WALLEYE AND SMALLMOUTH PATTERNS WILL TRANSLATE, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES OF CATFISH FAIR CAUGHT WHILE INDICATOR NYMPHING
A NOTE ON SAFETY • •
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WHILE A VERY URBAN SETTING, PARTICULARLY THROUGH DOWNTOWN AND TO THE NORTH, THE RIVER IS GENERALY SAFE PARALELLED BY CYCLING AND PEDESTRIAN TRAILS THROUGHOUT ALMOST THE ENTIRETY OF THE URBAN RIVER, THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS SOMEONE ELSE AROUND – USE CAUTION WHEN ON AND ARROUND PEDESTIRAN/CYCLING TRAIL TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OTHER RIVER USERS – WATCH YOUR BACK CAST! WHILE THERE IS A NOTICABLE HOMELESS POPULATION THAT FREQUENTS THE RIVER DRAINAGE, IF YOU USE COMMON SENSE AND COURTESY IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY FOR THERE TO BE ANY ISSUES – HYPODERMIC NEEDLES ARE A REALITY ON THE URBAN RIVER, WATCH WHERE YOU STEP AND BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS! YEARS OF HUMAN MANIPULATION AND WASTE DISPOSAL HAVE MADE AN IMPACT ON THE RIVER, WATCH OUT WHILE WALKING AND WADING. – SCRAP METAL, GLASS AND OTHER SHARP OBJECTS ARE ABUNDANT, USE COMMON SENSE PAY ATTENTION TO POSTED SIGNS – AVOID HAZARDOUS RIVER CROSSINGS – THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES OF HIGH BACTERIA LEVELS AND POLLUTANTS ENTERING THE SYSTEM FROM STORM RUNOFF AND INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS, – IF YOU SEE OR SMELL UNUSUAL CHEMICALS, OR SEE DEAD FISH, CONTACT THE DENVER EPA OFFICE IMMEDIATELY; (303) 312-6312 MAN MADE STRUCTURE AND RIP CAN BE UNSTABLE AND SLIPPERY, USE CAUTION! COMMON SENSE IS ALWAYS YOUR BEST COURSE OF ACTION!!
THANK YOU!
ONE ON ONE INSTRUCTION? BOOK A GUIDED DENVER SOUTH PLATTE TRIP! 303-733-1434 / SHOP@TROUTSFLYFISHING.COM QUESTIONS ON GEAR, FLIES, TACTICS? 303-733-1434 / RICK@TROUTSFLYFISHING.COM RECCOMENDED READING: FLY FISHING GUIDE TO THE SOUTH PLATTE RIVER; PAT DORSEY (2018 EDITION) CARP ON THE FLY; A FLYFISHING GUIDE; BARRY REYNOLDS & BRAD BEFUS FREEDOM FOR THE RIVER QUEEN; JOHN H DAVENPORT
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF TROUTS FLY FISHING!!!