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Post by hankinsfly on Sept 29, 2018 17:04:26 GMT -6
Returned late last night from Colorado. Had a great time. My wife and I took a vacation and based out of Fairplay and traveled to many of the big sights around- Garden of the Gods, Independence Pass and Maroon Bells, caught great views of the Collegiate Peaks and drive some awesome backroads around the area. I only had a couple of half-days to fish. I spent a partial day on the Dream Stream. Turns out, I got schooled by this water. Who was I to think I could crack this stream in a morning? Anyway, caught lots of tiny fingerling browns. I had to leave about the time big clouds of tricos started appearing and I saw the first rings forming on top from feeding trout. I also mistakenly left the waders at the lodging this morning so I wet-waded. I did not spot any big fish, though I’m sure they were there. I did see a guy catch a couple of Kokanee at the bridge near the parking lot for Charlie Meyer State Wildlife area. I threw a streamer here for a minute later that evening after I picked up my wife from her horseback riding. I had a few nice fish chase here in this pool but not commit. I also tossed a fly around one of the upper forks of the Platte and caught another few fingerling browns. I had lots of fish slapping at a hopper here and in the Dream Stream, but never eating. Both of my days of fishing were blue-bird days, not a cloud in the sky. Mornings were about 29 degrees and low 70’s for a high. We toured Maroon Bells the next day. Beautiful place that everyone must see. I packed a rod here and caught and released one strong 10” rainbow here on a Parachute Adams and missed two others. What a great place to cast a fly. The next day I had about a half day to fish again, so I decided to check out the Arkansas. Jeff provided some good places to check out. I found my own spot on the Arkansas- the Railroad Bridge area. Started off throwing my one and only streamer early. Had some great action, with two 12-14” briwns chasing but not eating. Then, a nice 16”ish brown ate. I set the hook and my knot broke, and I lost my only streamer. Never leave home with just one streamer. I felt bad for leaving a fly in a fish’s mouth. Switched over to nymphing the fast pocket water and picked up a couple more 8-10” browns. Very little action in this pocket water with a few lingering caddis flies about and a few midges. I eventually called it quits and attempted to seek out a spot recommended by Jeff. Unfortunately, the road was closed for the season for construction and I could not access the stretch of stream I was told about. With little time remaining, I de-wandered and took a quick drive up to Cottonwood lake. More beautiful country. Amazing how much the temps change when you go up a little in elevation. I found another free hour later in the trip while my wife had another horseback riding lesson and tossed a fly in Fairplay Beach. Lots of fish here! Had a lot of strikes and caught another small brown. So, I am learning how to fish and stay married. My wife observed and told me I could take a fishing trip to Colorado or somewhere with the guys so I could get some real fishing time in. Lots of lessons learned on this trip, such as if you’re in new country and don’t have much time, hire a guide!! Anyway, all in all it was a great trip and I got to toss a fly here and there. The aspens were cracking, there was a bit of snow one night on the peaks. Had some great food in Buena Vista at a place called Simple Eatery. I had a great real elk burger and Holly had some killer steak stroganoff. It was awesome getting to the high country and cold mornings. Saw tons of wildlife- many pronghorns, some big bull elk and cows, mule deer, buffalo, magpies and hawks, and one young bull moose in the Platte River in Alma. Pics to follow.
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Post by hankinsfly on Sept 29, 2018 17:09:39 GMT -6
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Post by turfdawg on Sept 29, 2018 18:15:27 GMT -6
Sounds like a great trip. Some of those streams, in my opinion, are so beautiful just fishing is fine and catching a bonus. Thank you for the report and photos
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Post by mirvc17 on Sept 29, 2018 19:31:36 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like some great scenery and some nice fishing. I've only been to the Dream twice and both times it was tough. That lake looks amazing.
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Post by huntnfish2much on Sept 29, 2018 19:51:44 GMT -6
Thanks for the report. It’s been too many years since I’ve been to Colorado to do some fly fishing. I’m thinking that the railroad bridge access on the Arkansas is exactly the same place I fished several years ago. I had my kayak on that trip, and launched it at Spinney Mtn Reservoir. Folks there were mostly fishing from float tubes, and I saw several bruiser rainbows caught. The wind was blowing pretty hard, and I was paddling into the wind and drifting back, casting whenever I got the chance. At one point, purely by accident, a huge rainbow picked up my fly as I was drifting. At first, I thought I was hung in the coontail moss.
The following day, I drove to Cottonwood Lake, launched the kayak, and proceeded to catch fish after fish after fish. It was awesome! I saw mountain goats up on the cliffs as I was driving in & out of there.
Thanks again for bringing back those memories! Great report!
JR
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Post by hankinsfly on Sept 29, 2018 20:50:16 GMT -6
Turfdawg- I agree, it was a treat just being there. It’s a great way to play in the mountains. Huntnfish2much- that’s cool to hear about Cottonwood. Would like to fish there sometime. Crazy gorgeous lake. What were you catching there? Bows? MIRVc17- Maroon Lake was awesome. They had it roped off for revegetation, or I would’ve tossed a fly in it. Two places I really want to fish are up the creek that feeds Maroon Lake, the Platte where it feeds into Fairplay Beach, and then the Arkansas at Pueblo. Supposed to be great fishing there.
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Post by golferjeff on Sept 30, 2018 20:36:53 GMT -6
Go to Pueblo in either January or Early April. All the forks of the cottonwood above Buena vista are loaded with 6-12" trout. Sometimes larger in the drop pools and heads of runs. Sorry the pass road was closed. I knew it was closed above the trail, but it should've been open up past Rainbow Lake. I wish I could get up there.
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Post by huntnfish2much on Oct 1, 2018 11:26:57 GMT -6
Huntnfish2much- that’s cool to hear about Cottonwood. Would like to fish there sometime. Crazy gorgeous lake. What were you catching there? Bows? Yes, I was catching rainbows. Just as Jeff said, they were small-ish, but they were eager and feisty. I was fishing with one of the split cane rods that I made, and it was put through its paces that day, not to mention the huge rainbow out of Spinney Mountain Reservoir. I need to either get back to planing Tonkin or sell my stuff so someone else can enjoy making split cane rods. JR
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Post by turfdawg on Oct 1, 2018 15:04:14 GMT -6
Huntnfish2much- that’s cool to hear about Cottonwood. Would like to fish there sometime. Crazy gorgeous lake. What were you catching there? Bows? Yes, I was catching rainbows. Just as Jeff said, they were small-ish, but they were eager and feisty. I was fishing with one of the split cane rods that I made, and it was put through its paces that day, not to mention the huge rainbow out of Spinney Mountain Reservoir. I need to either get back to planing Tonkin or sell my stuff so someone else can enjoy making split cane rods. JR Are you Split Cane Rod from east Tx?
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Post by hankinsfly on Oct 1, 2018 15:19:58 GMT -6
I appreciate the info, Jeff. Just didn’t have enough time to really get into he fishing and figure out the bite. Again- more reason to hire a guide when on limited time. Huntnfish2much- learning to build bamboo rods is on my list of thing to do. I wish I could take you up on your items for sale, just right now is not ideal.
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Post by huntnfish2much on Oct 1, 2018 15:26:24 GMT -6
Yes, I was catching rainbows. Just as Jeff said, they were small-ish, but they were eager and feisty. I was fishing with one of the split cane rods that I made, and it was put through its paces that day, not to mention the huge rainbow out of Spinney Mountain Reservoir. I need to either get back to planing Tonkin or sell my stuff so someone else can enjoy making split cane rods. JR Are you Split Cane Rod from east Tx? Yepper! I have an account over on TX Hunting Forum, and I had been off this forum for so long, my account was MIA. Maybe they changed servers or something... Anyway, I just went with the new Moniker on both forums. I’m still split cane rod on the Texas Fishing Forum. JR
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Post by huntnfish2much on Oct 1, 2018 15:42:03 GMT -6
Huntnfish2much- learning to build bamboo rods is on my list of thing to do. I wish I could take you up on your items for sale, just right now is not ideal. I hear you. Life gets in the way of living sometimes. We are looking at downsizing, and I hate to pack up everything and move again. Plus, I have carpal tunnel or arthritis, and planing bamboo doesn’t do my wrist any good. In fact, after a good day of casting the fly rod, sometimes it feels like my wrist has been pounded with a hammer. I have a few of the split cane rods left, but I sold most of them. I still build the occasional graphite rod. I’m really surprised how people, at one time, just couldn’t get enough of the Tonkin rods. Now, it’s fiberglass. I read about the newest, latest-and-greatest graphite Rods, and I just don’t see how they could get any better, honestly. That’s why TFO has made such a big hit... great rods, great price, and great warranty. What more could you ask for? I still love Tonkin cane rods. JR
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Post by hankinsfly on Oct 1, 2018 15:46:13 GMT -6
I do too. There’s something about knowing the name of the builder, and knowing they hand-hand planed each strip and made a rod out of it. I also like the way bambo casts and the way a fish feels on it. I like my super fast action graphites just fine, but there is just something authentic about a bamboo rod made by a master.
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Post by turfdawg on Oct 1, 2018 16:00:08 GMT -6
I do too. There’s something about knowing the name of the builder, and knowing they hand-hand planed each strip and made a rod out of it. I also like the way bambo casts and the way a fish feels on it. I like my super fast action graphites just fine, but there is just something authentic about a bamboo rod made by a master. JR ties some nice Deena flies too. I've caught several fish on the ones him and Phil from Marshall has given me.
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Post by hankinsfly on Oct 1, 2018 16:43:55 GMT -6
What is a Deena fly?
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Post by huntnfish2much on Oct 1, 2018 16:57:40 GMT -6
I promise that I didn’t mean to hijack this thread.
TD, I’ll have to team up with you sometime on the water. Between swinging soft hackles & fishing deenas, I hardly ever fish anything else. The Deena I learned about when fishing the Little Red in Arkansas. I haven’t caught as many or nearly as large a Brown Trout as Phil, but I have caught my fair share of hook-jawed Brownies there.
I guess this post brings this thread back in line of ‘non-local waters. LOL. Still a far cry from Central Colorado!!
Between now and February, the brown trout migrate up the Little Red to their natal spots to spawn. There are some HUGE brown trout in that river, and between sow bugs, soft hackles, and Deenas, you’d better have on a new leader and double-checked your knots.
It’s certainly worth a trip for three or four days to see what you’ve been missing. The rainbows are pretty respectable, too!
JR
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Post by huntnfish2much on Oct 1, 2018 17:03:29 GMT -6
Honestly, it looks a lot like a collared woolly bugger, but it’s tied with mohair yarn..... the kind they make fuzzy sweaters out of. I tie them in black, olive, and burnt orange with mallard flank for the collar. Maybe you could say it’s a cross between a woolly bugger and a soft hackles. Without giving away any more secrets, I keep a pretty good stock of them. Honestly, Phil ties them much better than I do..... JR
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Post by jonbo on Oct 1, 2018 17:57:33 GMT -6
C'mon man, give up the "Deena" secret.
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Post by jonbo on Oct 1, 2018 19:04:06 GMT -6
Well, I looked it up. Now I guess I need to find me some mallard flank feathers dyed in olive. Great. That and some mohair yarn. I'm always a sucker for a new way to tie up a leech.
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Post by huntnfish2much on Oct 1, 2018 19:23:21 GMT -6
Well, I looked it up. Now I guess I need to find me some mallard flank feathers dyed in olive. Great. That and some mohair yarn. I'm always a sucker for a new way to tie up a leech. There's no secret to tying them. I like to add weight, too. You can find mohair at any good knitting shop. Mix up the colors, too. Black marabou tail, olive mohair, natural mallard... or any combination thereof... Back-comb the mohair as you wrap it forward. You can also mix colors of mohair to give the body a more 'buggy' look. A cone head isn't out of place, either. It just depends on your fishing preference. Whatever you do, don't forget the flashabou! JR
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Post by jonbo on Oct 1, 2018 20:58:50 GMT -6
Thanks, JR. Got plenty of different duck flank feathers in natural that I collected from local duck hunter pals. I think I might order some in olive next time I order stuff.
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Post by flyfishermann1955 on Oct 6, 2018 18:34:21 GMT -6
Stephen,
Any time you fish new water, especially by yourself, and don't get skunked, consider it successful. Sounds like you and Holly had a great early fall vacation. You both enjoyed an activity you like and you spent time together enjoying the mountains, fall color, and fresh air. Great way to make memories and strengthen your relationship! Those aspens are always impressive. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Tight Lines- Ken
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