Gazette Article - How To Properly Handle Trout!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

This Is What's Important

Anybody who follows this silly project of mine knows that for me being a family man is more important than anything anyone can do. You all already know about this last tragic shooting. Needless to say that even though life must go on, it still doesn't feel right getting back into the chest pounding weener swinging mode of fly fishing industry survival. Instead today I want to share with anybody who cares to listen, a song that says what most of us are feeling. God bless the victims and families.


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Fishing Report For December 11 - Written

If there is one place on the planet right now that anglers should make a trip to it is Cheesman Canyon!  Flow as of this morning Dec. 11th is sitting at 170 c.f.s. which for this time of year is amazing. Combine excellent flows with a lot less fishing pressure, and we are talking 20 fish days for the experienced folks. Watch for ice on the trails after this last snow storm, but other than that even the hike should be fantastic because of the cooler weather.

Flow for the Dream Stream is not to shabby either and is sitting at 112 c.f.s.  Elevenmile Canyon is sitting where it usually does in December with a flow rate of 56 c.f.s. Flies to come armed with for the entire South Platte River Drainage are midges and more midges. The Bubbleback Midge or the Mojo Midge in black and olive, Mercury Black Beauties, and Rojo Midges in red. If you're fishing a two fly set up use any of the following patterns as your lead fly: BWO Barr's Emergers, Olive or Dun RS-2's, Cheesman Emergers, Apricot Eggs, Buckskin Caddis Larvae in the smaller sizes, and San Juan Worms. If you see fish consistently coming up goto a size 26 Parachute Adams.

Make sure you're fishing with 6x fluorocarbon leaders and tippet, and if you're fishing Elevenmile Canyon come down a couple sizes with your split shot. In Elevenmile and the Dream Stream fish will be hanging in the deeper runs; a good depth to set your indicator is anywhere from 4-6 feet above your first fly on a two fly rig.

The Pueblo tailwater is a zoo.  Unless you enjoy combat fishing at it's finest stay away...  If you must go there the flow rate is a whopping 36 cubic feet per second, so fish will be stacked like cordwood in the deeper pools, and the odds of somebody beating you to those spots are great. The same flies and techniques as the South Platte work here.  Tight lines and happy holidays everyone!


Monday, December 10, 2012

The Pearl San Juan Worm






For the last week I have been working on my first ever worm box, and one of the synthetic materials I have been using in place of Standard Ultra Chenille to tie my San Juan Worms is a Hareline product called Pearl Core Braid. As it's name suggest it has a core that comes in a variety fish catching colors, and is surrounded by a clear pearl braided flash. Trust me when I tell you that the photos aren't doing the material justice, and that this worm pattern will shred lips!

In fact, I would be stunned if they didn't catch fish in the Pueblo tailwater during the coldest days of winter.  These would also do great on the South Platte tailwaters after a bump in flows or during runoff.  The "sex band" on the worm is a thread base covered in Clear Cure Goo and then coated with Sally Hansen's. Other than that it's tied just like a typical San Juan. I will say that there is a trick to melting and forming the ends of the Pearl Core Braid, and that it has to be done or the fly falls apart. If I get any interest in seeing how this is done I will gladly do a video to show off the technique.


The Pearl San Juan Worm

Hook: Your favorite Scud hook. I like the TMC 2488 in a size 14
Thread: Yes please...  Use a color that looks good for the band.
Worm material: Pearl Core Braid
Band: Thread covered in awesome Clear Cure Goo (CCG) and coated with Sally Hansen's


As fast as it took for you to read this recipe is about how fast an experienced tyer can spin one up. It's cake! Give 'em a try!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Check Out This New Gadget For Keeping Your Wire On It's Spool



Has your wire ever done what mine is doing in the above photo? Wire jumping off the spool and turning into a knotted up mess is one of my biggest peeves.  Of course, the fact that every one of my wire spools looks similar to this photo is my own fault. The spools do have a built in holder that I neglect to use from either being a space cadet, or to lazy to put the wire away. The solution? The Wire Spool Dispenser.










Creation inspired by necessity... or wait? Ok so more like creation inspired by a good old American need to do things the easy way. It fits the spools perfectly, and has a hole in the side so you can keep them organized by color without having to actually read the label. Again lazy but convenient. They are for sale at Anglers Covey for $2.75. Keep your tying station a little cleaner and give these a try!







Friday, December 7, 2012

Fish Porn Of The Day Dec. 7

We were going through pictures taken over the last couple of weeks fishing and found this one we wanted to share with you!  It's not the typical vibrant photo we are usually after but it definitely has charm.


Sunday, December 2, 2012

Schedule Your Guided Fly Fishing Trip With Jon Kleis Today!








The Dream Stream is a lot more technical in December, but the crowd's are a no show and there are still plenty of big fish! Let me show you my techniques for catching quality trout all year on the South Platte learned through 15 years of experience. If interested shoot me an email at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com or follow the link and fill in Jon Kleis as your guide under requests.

Your December Fishing Report Is Up!

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