Quality Spring Fishing

Going fishing this weekend was really fun.  Got quite a few rainbows and browns at the lower down section of the Poudre.  The group of fish showed a distance size distribution, small ones just born and the last years stockers or year old fish.  This size was distinction was quite fun to see on such a fun spot as the picnic rock.

 The amazing part is that last year the river was still frozen around this time.  Any fishing last spring was done in town and was much less successful.  It reminds me that the low snow pack will result in a mild runoff this year.  A mild runoff is a two edged sword.  On one side there is more quality fishing right away in summer, but the other side is that is seems that less food will be available for the fish.  This less food means that next years fishing will be just slightly less than it was this year.

A couple of weeks of poudre river fishing

Well the exerperienced hands at fly fishing all said that fall was the best time to go fishing on the poudre.  The water is low and I was truly surprized at the amount of surface activity going on.  Throwing double dry rigs caught fish consistantly for several weekend trips.

One particularly good hole produced an afternoon of fun.  Was casting from a tall rock in the middle of the pool that I dunked my waders to get to.  With only a little water having made it in I was determined to get the sippers on the other side.  In one hour I caught 5 fish ranging from tiny to quite nice ones.  The funny part about this spot was I kept hearing load music echoing off the rock wall.  After a fellow fisher waited not so patiently below me for half an hour I packed it in.  As I was leaving up the canyon I found Mishawaka amphitheater around the next bend.  the source of the load music and probably why the fish were not as hard hit in that hole.

There was a nice mix of browns and rainbows from the last couple of weeks.  But man those browns sure are pretty.  Looking forward to floating the reef soon.

Sunday Afternoon on the Poudre

Somehow fishing has been getting put off till Sunday afternoon each weekend frequently.  But as always facing a Monday of work without engaging in some relaxing effort to get some fish always sends me loading up to hit some water.  This Sunday was awesome on the upper poudre.  Caught some nice brown trout on green copper johns above the poudre chapel.  Still haven't seen to much rising to the surface, but they were coming on strong with the nymphs.  Oddly they were ignoring the normal colors of tan and brown nymphs that usually work.

Weekend fishing Trip Update

On Saturday I went to Douglas Reservoir which is close enough to Wellington to be a frequent one for.  was skunked on catching any fish, but I was able to see several large fish that got quite close to me.  Trying streamers was fun, but the fish didn't seem to do the last bit and hit them only follow them all the way in.

The Poudre is clear and fishing nice today.  I went a very short way up to by the ouzel campground and was taking in a lot of rainbows.  I also snagged some nice brown trout.

This fish was my first nice catch of the day.  In only 5 hours I caught 10 fish, with a lot being small rainbows, but when they keep bitting you can't help but be happy and focused on being on the river.  There was a lot of other people around today and Quite a few regular fisherman.

On my last spot at the double dip in a nice long riffle/run area I caught the best fish of the day.

Looking very nice!!

This weekend of short trips was just what I needed to relax and spend some time on fun.

First day of Fly fishing School!!

Just finished my first of two days with fly fishing school with St. Pete's fly shop in the fort.  Kyle did a very good job of taking us through the basics of fly fishing.  Best part was learning a new knot that ties so much quicker than what I was using.  Also there was just enough information on mayflies, caddis, stoneflys, and midges so that I didn't totally zone out.  Just what the beginer ordered.  After some talking we spent about an hour flinging lines at library park.  This was supper helpful to have a example person who looked good throwing line around to model after.

I am supper stoked to go tomorrow for our day on the poudre with some practical instructions.