Colorado Fly Fishing Trip Report January 2015

Well I hope the winter months are treating everyone very well and that everyone had a great holiday season.  I have done a couple of guided trips this month with some good productivity.  The flows on the Dream Stream are fairly low, hovering around 60 cfs.  Cold weather snaps will freeze over the lower stretch and on warmer days open it back up.  That being said, it is a totally different year than we saw last Spring.  A year ago we were getting lake run fish, this year, the low water levels have the fish holding out.  Target the warmer sunny days in the middle and upper stretches with midge patterns.  There are some very nice fish to be had but making sure to hit the water on the best weather days has been key right now.  Visit www.addictiveanglingcolorado.com to book your Colorado Fly Fishing Trip for the upcoming season.  We are looking forward to a great season as snow pack levels are looking great.  Below are a few pictures of fish we have been getting this winter. 

Thank You for a Great Season

As I prepare to head to New York next week, the guiding season is coming to a close.  I want to thank everyone that I had the privilege of fishing with this year.  You all have made memories that I will never forget.  This fall was a great one.  While low water levels made conditions less than ideal, we found some amazing fish.  Below are some pictures from this past fall.  Thank you all again for a great season on the water!

Fall is around the Corner

As I write this report, the flows on the Dream Stream are at a low 80cfs.  To be accurate, fishing is tough at the low flows.  While there are a few lake fish in the system, they are very few and very far between.  There is already heavy angling pressure, especially on weekends.  I'll be holding on to a few pictures for another couple weeks of some lucky days on the water.  That being said, be prepared to walk...A LOT in order to find any adult fish (not just the lake run browns).  We are still at least a week or two away from seeing any type of respectable numbers of lake fish in the system.   An increase in flow could really help the cause.  I have been fielding a lot of emails and phone calls recently about October bookings.  If you are interested in finding some of these big lake fish this fall please email me at tere5643@gmail.com or give me a call at 719-494-6480, as days will really start to fill in.  Below are all pictures of years past (not from this year!) and what we are looking forward to this fall. 

Looking Ahead to Fall

Over the past month or so, fishing on the South Platte River has been great.  We have gotten some absolute amazing fish and hatches of Tricos, PMDs, Caddis, and Sallies have been prevalent.  Flows coming into August are well above normal.  As we get into August, we will begin to see the slowing of hatches and morning will present the best opportunities to get into fish.  Looking ahead, it is time to start thinking about booking a trip to chase the large migratory Brown Trout and Kokanee salmon that come into the river for their annual spawning migration.  We target Brown Trout that will range anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds and Kokanee that will go anywhere from 16 to 26 inches and weigh up to 6 pounds.  If you have never caught a Kokanee Salmon, you have yet to feel some of the strongest fish in the Rockies.  To book one of these trips feel free to email me at tere5643@gmail.com or give me a call at 719-494-6480.  Trips should fill up fairly fast so the sooner you call the better chance I have to try and get you on some of these giants.  Keeping the spawning fish in mind, it is important to remember to steer clear of trout on spawning beds.  These beds will be tear dropped shaped clearings in shallow cobblestone riffles.  As ALL of the Browns on the South Platte are completely naturally reproducing, we want to make sure these fish are safe and can ensure the next generation will be just as strong as the current fish in our rivers.  So if you see someone fishing to fish on beds, kindly educate them to not fish to them and the importance of why we don't fish to them.  Below are some pictures from recent trips.

Independence Day Fly Fishing

Today is July 4th and the anniversary of our great nation's declaration to become a sovereign state.  It is important that today we take time to thank those that risk their lives every day to keep this country safe and free.  Fly fishing has been great on the South Platte River, here in Colorado.  Higher water has kept fish actively feeding and happy.  We are seeing hatches of Midges, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, PMDs, and even some Tricos today.  Many of the fish caught below were caught on Dry Flies, and although nymphing has been the most productive means of turning fish, these large trout are starting to look up more and more.  July is filling up fast and I am already getting calls for August and even October to chase giant migratory Brown Trout.  If you are interested in booking a trip to fine tune your fly fishing skills, a fly fishing lesson, or just want to learn more about fishing the South Platte, give me a call at 719-494-6480, or email me at tere5643@gmail.com.  Below are some fish from recent trips. 

Speaking Engagements and Early Summer Fly Fishing

Tonight, June 5, I will be giving a presentation with the Pikes Peak Fly Fishers Club on the Rebound of Deckers since the Hayman Fire. Come by this evening to say hello and have a good night.  Also, be sure to check out the July/August issue of American Angler to check out my latest piece. On the river front, fishing has been very good on the South Platte.  Water levels are rising and the fish are very happy.  Be prepared to fish with some other anglers as many of the other waterways around the state are raging with high water.  We anticipate this summer to be another great year of high water fishing on the Platte.  There have been great BWO and Midge hatches, and depending on where you are on the drainage, Caddis have made their presence known as well.  There is nothing more fun than hooking into a big trout and having to chase them downstream when they get in heavy water.  Give me a call at 719-494-6480 or email me at tere5643@gmail.com if you would like to learn more about fly fishing or about some of our great local waters here in Colorado.  Below are some pictures of some great fish we have been getting for anglers of all ages.

South Platte River and Late Spring Fly Fishing

April was a difficult month on the South Platte River.  Some days created memories of fish that will never be forgotten, and other days that were down right tough fishing.  As we move into May, look for flows to stay relatively low in both South Park and Elevenmile Canyon as Cheesman reservoir is very close to spilling over the dam.  However, snow levels to the west are very high and we anticipate a great runoff this year.  The South Platte in South Park has been fish anywhere from outstanding to to fair at best.  BWOs are starting to show and on cloudy days fish can be fooled with patterns resembling the mayfly. The spawn for a lack of a better term is all but over.  There are a few good fish roaming around but be prepared to work to find them.  Elevenmile Canyon has been fishing well with great BWO hatches in the afternoon.  Fish in the canyon are spawning so please be careful wading and avoid spawning beds.  The stillwaters in South Park are now completely open and unfortuneatly are fishing somewhat tough.  I am planning to venture to both 11 Mile and Spinney Reservoirs this week to really put some time in.  Trips this week have been going well and below are a few of the great fish that we have been picking up both in the canyon and in South Park.  I am getting more and more inquiries regarding trip dates for the summer so book a trip now to make sure I still have the dates available.  Just give me a call at 7194946480 or email me at tere5643@gmail.com.  Below are some pics of some great fish we have been picking up in the last week or two.