Fishing Report - FRA Blog

Fishing the Chubby again but the fish would bump it and slap at it but not take it.  However, the trailing nymph was another matter.  It was set up about 36 inches behind the Chubby.  I had tied up a few of these a few weeks ago because I thought they might prove worthwhile.

Hook: Dai Riki 060 (1X strong/1X long)
Thread: Laguarten 95 tan or brown
Body:  Uni Floss single strand in amber over wrapped with  copper UTC wire (no coating of any kind)
Bead: Montana Fly Black Nickel (tungsten would have been a better choice .... I had to use some small split shot to get it down deep enough in the current)
Hackle: Dark brown hen - 3 or 4 turns

A few days ago I got an email from a customer complaining about a guided trip he arranged in Estes Park through an outfitter I will not name.  It brought to mind an article I wrote 5 or 6 years ago about making arrangements for such trips.  I though it might be worth publishing it again.

I recently became involved in a discussion concerning fishing guides and outfitters. Most of the conversation focused on what differentiates a great trip from one that needs to be permanently erased from memory.

At the very top of the list of favorable results was that the trip met or exceeded expectations. This means that information conveyed to the client was both accurate and complete. Moreover, the outfitter was able to deliver on the promised agenda. Everyone had horror stories about trips that turned sour due to a failure to communicate and/or accommodate expectations.

In many cases, the failure was a joint problem. The client failed to ask the right questions and/or had an unrealistic image of the trip. I've actually encountered clients that have never been fly fishing yet ask "how many fish over 20-inches will we catch today?" On the other hand, the outfitter may over promise or fail to explain what the client can reasonably expect.

Expectations problems occur with all fishermen irrespective of experience. On a trip to Chile 12 years ago I was told we would do some streamer fishing. I didn't bother to ask how much and brought only one mid-weight rod and a single intermediate sink tip line. 100% of the fishing was with heavy steamers using high density sinking lines. Even worse was the fact that the outfitter and his guides did not have spare gear to accommodate clients. I had a good time but it could and should have been a lot better for the $3,800 expenditure.

You need to identify:
--the kind of fishing experience desired - be very specific about the hours you want to be fishing.

--your level of skill and experience - you need to be brutally honest
--the equipment you can or will provide.

--desirable guide services - instruction, flies, etc.
--what the outfitter includes and does not include in the cost.

The second key ingredient of a good trip is matching the right guide to the right client(s). A year ago a good friend had a guide who added virtually nothing to the experience other than rowing the boat - a $385 a day chauffeur. The client had forgotten more about fishing than his guide had learned in his limited experience. In another case, the client was paired with a guide in Belize who spoke no English. The client had never fished for Bonefish and did not know about slip striking. He hooked and lost 30 bonefish before one of the other members of his party explained the technique. The assistance provided by the local guide during this frustrating period was to say in broken English: "trout fisherman."

You need to know:
--who will be your guide and his or her qualifications. I think it's appropriate to ask for a resume or summary of experience from the outfitter. This should include any certifications that are relevant.
--why this particular individual is being assigned as your guide and, if this person is not available, who will fill in.
--when and if the guide will be contacting you prior to the trip. I think this is a must. Be sure to ask what skill level the guide prefers and how the trip will be conducted.
--how the guide is expected to conduct himself - does he fish, is he expected to prepare meals, etc.
--the extent of the guide's specific experience on the water you will be fishing. Find out how often he/she fishes this location.
--what, if any, equipment is to be provided by the guide and what you should expect in the way of quality.

The final component of a good experience is to be a good client. All of my companions had a few stories about how one or more individuals made a trip miserable for other fishermen and the guide.

A good client:
--treats the guide with courtesy and respect. Every guide I've met wants his clients to enjoy themselves and they try their best to make this happen.
--recognize that not every day on the water will be perfect - weather is not controlled by the guide.
--be totally honest with the guide concerning your skill - it will be self evident in a matter of minutes.
--don't try to tell the guide where and how he should be fishing.
--don't forget a gratuity. Contrary to popular belief the guide is not making a boatload of cash. After expenses and outfitter fees the guide might make more money as a clerk. Guides do this kind of work because they love it.

--be on time and, if possible, have your fishing license and paperwork completed prior to the trip.

Just Released.....get a copy at any local fly shop for $12.95

Talking about Thingamabody flies (see posting a few days ago) here are pictures taken yesterday morning on the North St Vrain.......one trout on the Thingamabody (size 12) and the second on the dropper, a chartreuse Copper John (size 16)
 

The Thingamabody™ is incredibly buoyant and waterproof. It is easy to tie traditional patterns with unbelievable color versatility and yummy looking color translucence.

• No floatant required
• Exceptional durability
• Water-proof
• Amazing versatility: Use with traditional tying methods, attach legs, wings, hackle, etc.
• Available in several different colors and sizes.

In the spring of this year we did a special clinic on how to tie tie and use these new products from WestWater.  A couple of points are worth repeating. 
1.  Consider using mono thread to secure the body to the shank of the hook
2.  Use 2X heavy hooks like the TMC 3671 (the above tie is a small body on a TMC 3761)
3.  Coat the under body with a small amount of Loon Knot Sense or Clear Cure Goo.
4.  Tie in the legs with UTC 70 and at the tie in point - front and back.
5.  Tie in an indicator of some type - above is McFlyfoam in florescent flame
6.  Consider wrapping the shank with midge diamond braid for extra flash prior to tying on the body.

These flies work wonders on Boulder Creek, Big T, Saint Vrain, and so on.  Best of all they can support heavy dropper flies.

Earlier this week I arrived in Basalt for four days of fishing.  I found the water levels on the upper Fork to be far less than half of of the norm (flows should be over 125 cfs in the early part of July).  The fishing was pretty good on drys - CDC Comparaduns, Baetis, Ants, Elk Hair Caddis, Red Quills and Royal Wulffs.  The key was spotting fish and getting a good drift.  If I got a refusal or if the fly was ignored I would change immediately to something different or smaller.

Nymphing the fast an deeper runs with heavily weighted Stoneflies flies like the Cat Poop Stones and 20 Incher in larger sizes complemented with smaller nymphs like red Copper Johns and Prince Nymphs. were producing.



The fishing was fun but tough and I knocked off around noon due to the heat.  I ran into a lot of fishermen who were not having a solid day - two or three fish.

Here is part of an article that appeared in today's Aspen Times.....

"The severe drought gripping most of Colorado continues to drop water levels in local rivers and raise water temperatures, potentially endangering the health of fish and returning the Roaring Fork to a trickle in Aspen, as happened in 2002.

  The river on Thursday was running through town at 23 cubic feet per second (cfs), below the state’s recommended instream flow of 32 cfs, and well off the 115 cfs average, according to a Roaring Fork Conservancy report.

  Besides the drought, the level is so low because holders of some rights are allowed to take water and drop the river below the recommended instream level, which was implemented in the 1970s by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

"The Roaring Fork near Aspen on Thursday hit 68 degrees, the state standard for a healthy ecosystem, O’Keefe said. Anything above that affects dissolved oxygen in the stream to the point that fish get stressed; insects are also affected. If the temperature rises to 72 degrees, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Division can shut down stretches of rivers to fishing.

The Roaring Fork Conservancy has been discussing the issue with the valley’s fly-fishing shops, O’Keefe said. Many of the businesses, aware of the temperatures, are limiting trips for guests to mornings and wrapping up the excursions by early afternoon."

Read the entire article

If what I saw is indicative of things to come, August is going to be a back breaker!

Heavy rains in the Vail Valley have completely blown-out the Colorado River.