Fly Fishing Colorado Newsletter
Volume 5 • Issue 5 • June 2012
Welcome to The Flyfisher Guide Service Newsletter. We seek to be your fly fishing information hub with all items related to the sport. Whether you are looking for river conditions, gear reports, top flies, conservation news or travel information, this is your one stop for all things fly fishing.
From the other side of the riverbank...
This month marks my one year of learning to fly fish and becoming a true fly-angler. Over the past year I have learned many important skills to fly fishing from nymphing to reading the water, to tying flies and most importantly recognizing the value to a day spent on the water. Over the last month I was able to experience a different side to fly fishing that I had not before — the friendships in fly fishing.
From an outsider's perspective, fly fishing can seem to be an individual sport. One where each angler sets off on their own only to group back at the end of the day to swap stories and chat about the triumphs and tribulations throughout the excursion. Until recently, I had thought of my fly fishing career as an individual task to complete. However, a couple of weeks ago, while camping with Brady and some friends, I was able to experience a group fishing adventure and found it was a wonderful day to spend the day on the water. Each of us found our station along the lake and began fishing. Instead of regrouping at the end of the day we would take the time to share throughout the day what flies were and were not working, where we were spotting the fish and consistently sharing techniques and insights.
And then is dawned on me, fly fishing is much more than an individual sport. Being on the water is about making new friendships and memories that seemingly last forever. The more time I spend on the stream, it seems the more people I meet. Working with a fly fishing company has introduced me to anglers from all walks of life and experience levels. On a day to day basis, I talk with new anglers, intermediate fisherman trying to brush up their skills and expert fly fisherman who have traveled the world, pursuing a wide variety of fish species and places. It seems that everyone has something unique to offer the sport.
Fly fishing is truly a testament that everyone has something positive to offer and to be mindful and always strive to learn from new people. The bond that we share as fly fisherman is a special one as we can all relate to each other innate need to spend time in the great outdoors with family and friends. The quieting of the mind that the river offers is a universal experience and I for one am lucky to be immersed in a sport that builds lifelong relationships.
On the water this past year has been an eye opener. I have realized that fly fishing is truly dynamic from the insects, to the water, to the casting and the friendships. It has been quite a journey towards the other side of the river bank and I am anxiously awaiting another summer on the water.
From the other side of the river bank...
Brynne
Guide Corner
Keep it Simple.
"Many of us would probably be better fishermen if we did not spend so much time watching and waiting for the world to become perfect"
— Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It and Other Stories
As fly fisherman we have an innate tendency to over complicate things. From the flies we choose to the way we assemble our nymph rigs, we have an overarching theme within our sport of making fishing more difficult than it really is. From fluorocarbon to monofilament, dry flies to streamers, there are endless combinations of ways to catch fish. Sometimes it is difficult to quiet your mind and let the river, the fish and the insects help you solve the puzzle that is right in front of you.
Fishing is a constant sport of adaptation and adjustment. While you might not have the exact right imitation of the trout are eating, chances are that in your box you have something close enough to fool a few trout.
I recently had such an experience on the water. It was early morning and the water was cold and the fish were feeding sparingly, if at all. A blanket midge hatch came off and I could see some of the fish sipping midges in the streams eddies and pools. Unfortunately, I left my midge box in the truck. So I was forced to adapt or go home without a bent rod. I was able to find a small Parachute Adams that was about the right size and the right color. I used my nippers to clip the wings and tail and sure enough I was able to fool a few nice fish. Would it have worked as well as a true emerging midge pattern? Probably not, however fishing is not perfect and sometimes you just have to be thankful for what the river gave you on the particular day.
I am fortunate enough to fish hundreds of days each year and I still cannot wait for my next opportunity to wet a line. See you on the water.
Tight Lines,
Tyler Bowman
The Flyfisher Group
Read more articles from Tyler's blog.
Climate Change and Western Streams
As trout fisherman we pay close attention to the water temperature of our local streams. Water temperature is critically important to trout feeding activity as well as the abundance of insect hatches. Water temperatures are also important to how trout survive in the stream, if the temperature is too warm the water can be lethal to trout. If the temperature gets too high it is very important to not play trout to exhaustion as to limit mortality rates.
Fortunately a new USGS analysis of streams in the western United States has found that despite a general increase in air temperatures, western streams are most likely not warming at the same rate. In fact scientists detected cooler than normal, maximum, mean and minimum temperatures.
Results of the research were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon State University. Cold and clean water is very important to future populations of salmon, trout and steelhead. It is important to note that the relationship between stream and air temperature still has a lot of research needed to be truly analyzed. But as of now we can confidently say that despite a general increase in air temperature, our streams and rivers are still flowing at temperatures conducive to harboring sustainable fish populations.
Meet Your FFGS Guides
Ethan Emery
A Colorado native and expert fly angler, Ethan became a guide on the famous Green River, where he spent the summer months during his college years becoming an excellent oarsmen and fly designer. After graduating, Ethan worked as a high school science teacher then transitioned into the non-profit realm where he and his wife Tina, worked with at risk youth in Denver. In 2004 he returned to the classroom where he went on to become a department chair, mentor teacher, and recipient of the Mile High Teacher award and Jared Polis Teacher Recognition Award. Also in 2004, Ethan returned to guiding and joined the ranks of The Flyfisher Guide Service. Since then he has become a senior Pro-Staff Guide member and has developed and launched Angling University, Colorado's premier fly fishing school.
As Director of Outreach and Education for The Flyfisher Group, Ethan will oversee our efforts to increase the awareness of fly fishing education and conservation in both the angling and non-angling community. Ethan's passion for angling is evident as he enjoys teaching the art of fly fishing to all ages and experience levels. Whether it is tying flies or casting fly rods Ethan likes nothing more than helping people grow and learn in a sport he truly admires. We believe that community outreach and education is very important to the future of our sport and we are very privileged to have Ethan as a member of our team.
Book a trip with Ethan today by calling 303.861.0240!
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!
