Fly Fishing Colorado Newsletter
Volume 5 • Issue 3 • April 2012
Welcome to the Flyfisher Guide Service Newsletter. As the top fly fishing guide service in Colorado, we seek to be your information hub with all items related to fly fishing. Whether you are looking for river conditions, informative articles from the industries top associates or a fun piece of literature, this monthly mailing will have it.
From the other side of the riverbank...
Over the past month I have come to the realization that I am ready to become a self-sufficient fly angler. Up to this point, I have always had either my husband or one of The Flyfisher Guide Service guides by my side to tie on my flies, direct me on where to cast and how to net my fish. While their assistance has been wonderful and they have taught me so much, I would like to be able to fish on my own.
So my goal this past weekend was to move closer to being able to fish confidently on my own. I concluded that I needed to know how to tie on my flies/rig my rod and net my own fish. When the time came to get my rod rigged, I simply asked Dave, one of our Colorado Trout Fisher guides, to show me how to tie on a fly. I watched him as he walked me through the steps and then handed it over to me to set up officially. I did it! I really did it all on my own and the reality is that it was not that difficult (as long as your hands are not shaking because of the cold)! I took my 3x tippet and looped it through the eye of the hook, spun it around my finger five times and pulled the tail back through. Before pulling it tight I moistened where the knot was forming to help create less friction and keeping the line strong. I stepped away and came to the conclusion that I can definitely set up my rig on my own and that was so empowering. I had set myself up with a double nymph rig with a San Juan worm size 16 and a zebra midge size 20. My walk to the water changed to a swagger because I felt that good about the step I had taken to becoming a self-sufficient fly angler.
Once we reached the water, the guides helped set me up and directed me where to cast, when to set and how to reel in. I caught two beautiful rainbow trout; one being the biggest fish I had ever caught. It was a wonderful moment. I did not want to keep any of the guides from fishing, so I told them to just stay close since I did not have a net and I would call them if I needed any assistance. I was left to test the knowledge I had acquired over the winter to see if could catch a fish on my own. I studied the water and thought about where the fish may be on a cold April day which is probably in a deep hole. I casted, adjusted my line when I had not casted far enough out and casted again. With great anticipation I watch my indicator like an Osprey watches the water for food, and within a few short moments I saw that orange indicator duck under the water. My reflexes took over and I set fast downstream and as a result hooked a fish! I hooked a fish and then landed a fish and netted him all on my own!
That rush, the realization that I actually know what I am doing and I can do this, came over me and all I could do was jump up and down. I giggled and smiled with my fish for a picture and then did it again. I caught three fish on my own that day. This day of fishing was exactly what I needed to give me the confidence to fish on my own and helped me to realize that I am capable of being a self-sufficient angler. All I needed to do was ask for a little help and then move forward. I think I can officially say that the other side of the riverbank is coming into view.
From the other side of the river bank...
Brynne
Guide Corner
It's the little things...
There is no doubt about it, fly fishing has been and always will be a true gear head sport. Fly rods, reels, flies, boxes, tools and waders; there seems to be the perfect piece of fishing gear for each specialized situation. And us fly fisherman are some of the worst gear hoarders you will find in the outdoor world. Fly fisherman take to the water like military men running into combat, we are proud to display our vests and packs, lanyards and of course we can never have too many gadgets and gizmos!
When I was in my teens I read a passage from Ed Engle in his infamous work, Fishing Small Flies where he alluded to the notion that the angler ought to strive to put as little as possible between himself and the trout. I always liked this train of thought because at the end of the day fly fishing is a simplistic sport and many times anglers and even so-called professional fishing guides tend to overthink things.
However, our simplistic sport is full of intricacies and sometimes it is the little things that will make the difference between catching a few fish and truly having an unforgettable day on the water. Sometimes the right fly is the little thing that makes a big difference. Many of us guides will tell you that trout are opportunistic and that your presentation is more important than your fly pattern. This may be true most of the time, but sometimes trout can be super selective and will not eat anything except an exact imitation of the insects hatching.
I have seen this happen many times, especially in instances of smaller insects like micro blue winged olives or microscopic midges where trout will refuse all but the most realistic of imitations. So my advice is to keep it simple but always strive to collect and tie more flies. Be sure and collect as many fly rods as you can and just about any piece of fishing gear for that matter as there is truly an ideal piece of equipment for any angling situation. Remember sometimes it is the little things that can make or break the day. So the next time you find yourself in a perplexing situation on the trout stream be sure and look thoroughly through your fly box, that magic fly might just be waiting for the right moment...
Tight Lines,
Tyler Bowman
To read more articles from Tyler click here for our blog.
Local Anglers Perspective...
We want to hear from you! Send us anything you want to say (within reason) regarding fly fishing.- Did you have an EPIC fishing experience you want to share?
- Feel you are a lyricist - send us your latest poem or cartoon!
- Have an amazing catch - show off and send us your picture!
Meet Your FFGS Guides
Randy Pruitt
Randy Pruitt is one of our Pro-Staff Guides but we might as well call him an All-Star Guide as each season he continually exceeds our expectations. Randy's excitement and enthusiasm for fly fishing is unparalleled and he is a true student of the sport, from fly tying to fly casting he is constantly learning new techniques and improving his skills. As a guide Randy will go out of his way to help his clients succeed and achieve their goals. He is very skilled at reading the water and matching the hatch and his eyes are like that of an eagle as he is continually one of our best fish spotters! Randy is a true streamer fishing junkie, he loves stripping big flies through the current and this probably explains why his clients keep coming back with pictures of trophy trout! In addition to his skills as a guide Randy is also one of our premier instructors through Angling University. Randy is very patient and able to help students with all aspects of fly fishing. Randy is also our in house river chef, any meal or desert prepared by him is something you most definitely don't want to miss!
Visit us online at The Flyfisher Guide Service to book your next guided trip, follow the fishing reports, or check out Angling University for information on upcoming classes!
