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Wow! After only a couple of hours of sleep over the course of the last 36 plus, I'm feeling a little tired. However, yet another spectacular trip is in the books and I hope to be sharing all about it over the next few days.

In brief, the trip was good but not quite what we were hoping for. The Salmonflies were having a hard time getting going this year with lots of bugs in the bushes but only limited numbers of egg layers on the water getting the fish interested. The Gunnison still fished on a variety of midges, scuds, sow bugs, and big stonefly nymph patterns. Hoppers, caddis, and PMDs also accounted for some fish. The Green River was somewhat of a disappointment because they are having some serious issues with the Bureau of Reclamation constantly messing with the flows, substantially affecting the fishing quality (similar problem on the Gunnison). Still, we caught some very nice fish and overall had a good time. As you can see in the previous post, the Taylor produced as always and we also found a few surprises on some new stretches of water around the state of Colorado, some of which I'll mention later and some I might just keep to myself.

One first that occurred for me on this trip was seeing my backing for the first time ever after hooking a trout. I've come very close before but this was the first time I've actually felt the end of the fly line running over my finger and out the end of the rod. Normally I'll chase fish fast enough that this doesn't happen but I finally met my match and got severely outwitted...

In another few weeks, I'm heading west again, this time to Yellowstone National Park for what should be spectacular fishing in mid to late July. On the to-do list will be some secret spots for big browns and also probably the spectacular terrestrial fishing in the northeast part of the park. The Salmonflies might even still be around so maybe I'll hit that hatch perfectly yet. Up until then, I'll be doing some fishing here in Tennessee including on the area tailwaters and might also do a pack trip in the Smokies. This will of course be in between all my tying for Yellowstone...

I'll definitely be busy the next few weeks but you won't find me doing any complaining about it...

Good Start

We are off to a good start here in Colorado with some very nice fish caught already. Today we're headed over to check out the Gunnison and hopefully the salmonflies...more to come as it happens!

Photo courtesy of Bill Hitz at Gotta Go Fly Fishing

Heading Out

Finally! Today is the big day, and I'll be leaving in another couple of hours. Right now it looks like the Salmonflies are getting started in the Black Canyon so our timing is just about perfect. Other rivers and streams we are planning on fishing should be starting to fish well soon as runoff slows. Check back often for updates as I'm hoping to get a few pictures up every few days if possible!

A Diverse Sample

Here is a sample of some of the flies I've been tying lately. Salmonflies will hopefully be important by the time we get to Colorado so I've tied plenty of those, both dries and nymphs. I've also tied some mysis shrimp patterns, midges, Copper Johns, various scuds, and the list could go on. As always, I'm sure my buddy and I will end up tying at the picnic table each day, but I have a good head start. If you want any pattern recipes just let me know.

Tim Hawkins - Cletus Take the Reel

This is absolutely hilarious...

Tying Like Crazy

The next two days are going to involve a lot of fly tying. I have not really started preparing for my trip to Colorado as far as flies go so I need to catch up. Tonight I started on two dozen Copper Johns and did a test run of an epoxy mysis shrimp. I've already tied a few Charlie's Mysis and big salmonfly nymphs. Right now I want to tie up a dozen or so epoxy mysis patterns, two dozen Copper Johns, one-two dozen salmonfly adult patterns, and several more salmonfly nymphs. I also need to tie some hoppers and cicadas for the Green River. Thankfully my midge box is currently full so while I'll probably tie a few, I won't have to be stressing about that. Last but not least, I still have to crank out a few flies for targeting pike and maybe a few streamers for trout as well. Yep, I'm gonna be busy for a couple of days...

If I manage somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-8 dozen flies I'll be fairly happy...and of course there's always the picnic table tying sessions that are as much a part of these trips as catching fish is... In the next day or two I plan on posting some pictures of the flies I've been tying and maybe even give a couple of recipes. For those that are curious about the midges that do well out there, check back to my story about "Tiny Flies" including the micro-tubing midge.

New Poll

What type of fishing do you want to see and hear about from my upcoming trip to Colorado? This is the topic of the new poll. We'll be spending some time on lakes as well chasing pike but I'm curious if you prefer reports on rivers like the Taylor, Gunnison, Frying Pan, and Green or would you prefer to see reports from high country small streams that consistently produce lots of small to average trout? Hopefully I'll be able to do an occasional update while on the road...actually I would say it is fairly likely. No, you probably won't be getting every last exciting detail but a few pictures will be better than waiting until we get back...

Our Photography and Coming Soon

I often get people asking whether or not they can use my photography. Generally I am fine with it as long as they give me credit for my work. I'm pleased to say that my photography will be appearing over at the Perfect Fly Store from James Marsh. More of my pictures will be appearing over there in the upcoming months so check it out sometime! Anyone that is interested in using my photography is welcome to contact me by email and we can discuss what I expect...

In other news, please expect a new poll to be up shortly. I want to know what types of things you are most interested in seeing in my reports from out west. Also, I have had several requests to see what I am tying for the upcoming trip to Colorado. I'll try to get some flies photographed and a post about it up in the next couple of days.

Finally, I want to thank the guys over at Calvary Outfitters for a great time Thursday night! I was able to share about fishing midges and some of the tactics that I use. They were very friendly and made me feel right at home. We also spent a little bit of time tying some Zebra Midges and I showed some other patterns that I like to tie. Anyone that is in the Murfreesboro area should definitely check them out!

I'm leaving for Colorado a week from tomorrow so hopefully I'll accomplish all of this before it is time to go. I still have a lot of tying to do and it will be taking most of my time over the next few days. With a little luck I'll fish once or twice before then though...check back soon to see what I have actually accomplished!

Small Stream Water

Our recent poll was about your favorite water type on small streams. Most people consider streams as having runs, riffles, and pools, but when I think small streams I think pocket water and plunge pools. In a small stream, most pools are almost pocket water themselves so you could say that it is the predominant water type. The vast majority of you interestingly prefer fishing pocket water over those larger pools. This is my favorite water type as well although the best fish will often come from the pools. Moving fast up a small stream picking the pockets is great fun with a light fly rod and a few dries.

As we move into the summer months, this will be the most efficient way to fish in the Smokies. If you are lazy, tie on a pair of nymphs instead. The only problem with fishing dries is that when the fishing is really good the fish will destroy the floatability of the dry fly long before they will chew a nymph to shreds. A well tied nymph will generally hold together much longer.

Still, if you are willing to tie on a new fly every 10-15 fish, stick to a dry fly and have a great time on the water. I'm hoping to try a small stream or two while I am in Colorado. They really are a blast to fish and while the big draw out west is all the big fish, sometimes its nice to go back to where I started this sport...on the small streams with plenty of pocket water!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Finally, after several weeks of heavy generation, it looks like the Caney Fork will finally be wadeable soon. Unfortunately the crowds of people fishing and boating will be very heavy since we are now well into the summer floating season. The river will still fish decently well although it may be frustrating to those wanting solitude.

Anyone wanting a more secluded fishing spot should think about a trip to the mountains. The streams in the Smokies are all fishing well from everything I've been hearing. Summer terrestrial season is now upon us and inchworm imitations and ants should both produce well. Bugs are still hatching including the little yellow stoneflies in the evenings.

I still haven't been fishing much for awhile but hope to get out once or twice before my trip to Colorado. I'm thinking about a quick trip over to the pond nearby for bass and bluegill and I might also go spend a few hours battling the crowds on the Caney to see what the river looks like now. I expect it to look different in places because of the high flows, and I'm excited to see what new holding water is available to the fish.