Frosty The Flyfishing Guide

Hey everyone Frosty The Flyfishing Guide and the Kleis family wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Give Frosty one good cast right there!

Chillen

Epic over the shoulder view

A good guide always needs his polarized fish spotters

Merry Christmas all you trout bums!

Small Stream Fish Spotter 12-16-2011

This one is pretty easy.  I just like the photo so I figured Id put it on for fish spotter.  Also I made some cosmetic changes to my blog to include more videos and larger photos, and cleaned it up a little.  Hope you guys like it!

Click to enlarge

The Fish Is Mine Short Video

The Fish is Mine from Henry Bennett on Vimeo.

Kokanee Salmon Populations

I was having a conversation the other day with friend and fellow guide John Gordon about the dwindling Kokanee Salmon run that comes out of 11mile reservoir.  The last 3 years have been dismal at best and it seems to be getting progressively worse.  The most salmon I had seen this fall in the Dreamstream was a pod of 15-20 fish that were staged right above the gauging station bridge.  The following week I searched the entire river from Spinney dam down to 11mile reservoir expecting a large late run of Kokanee and spotted a total of 3 fish.  The days when the river turned red making it almost impossible to cross without stepping on a salmon seem to be a thing of the past.  The questions we should be asking are why and what can be done, if anything, to bring back those epic runs?




I told John G. that I had talked to several different game wardens about 4 years ago and they told me that the fish in the reservoir are suffering from gill lice.  Not knowing much about gill lice I did some research and they are nasty little critters.  The lice are typically found when water conditions are poor, and they damage a fishery by making homes in the gills of the various fish species making it harder for them to breath and absorb oxygen.  But all indications hint that the gill lice hold on 11 Mile reservoir is over and has been for the past couple of years.

When the question was posed on the Anglers Covey forum (why are the runs weak?) it was also brought to my attention by owner David Leinweber that the current stocking program for Kokanee is not ideal for good Kokanee runs.  The current program has the state stocking larger Kokanee into the reservoir to try and keep the population of hungry Northern Pike from destroying salmon numbers right out of the gate.  The problem with that is when it is time for salmon to spawn they tend to migrate to where they were planted.




If they were planted in 11 mile reservoir then do the math...  The program is great for the guys trolling around in boats on the lake but what about the rest of us anglers that like to sight fish and catch kokanee in the river?  John sent me an email the following day of an article he found that provides very promising news that there is still hope to recover what we have lost.  The most intriguing part of the article is the fact that this year was a record year for harvesting Kokanee eggs for breeding in Colorado.  And that they plant almost as many fingerling salmon in the East River by Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery as they do in Blue Mesa Reservoir.  Blue Mesa is where the mature salmon live and migrate from as they work their way up the Gunnison and East river back to the hatchery where they were born.  Blue Mesa is also home to the current state record Mackinaw which is another major predator of the Kokanee.




The reason we still see the occasional kokanee in the Dreamstream in the fall is because even though they were stocked in the reservoir they also have instincts telling them to migrate up river to spawn.  This has me wondering why they don't do the same thing for the South Platte that they do for the East.  And that is stock as many salmon in the river as they do in 11 mile res. and stock them as fingerlings.  That way the year class of kokanee that were stocked in the lake would theoretically follow the salmon that were stocked in the river up to spawn and we can all bend our rods on these insanely strong fish without having to drive 3 hours once again.  If they can do it for Blue Mesa inspite of the large predatory Lake Trout then they can do it for 11 Mile with its Northern Pike.




There is one more thing that has always bothered me I feel needs to be changed that I want to share and then I will get off my soap box.  The current limit for harvesting salmon in 11 Mile Reservoir is 10!  That number is way too high.  Not that most anglers trolling around in their boats are pulling in those kind of numbers, but if the limit was 2 on a day when some guy managed to land 7 then that many more salmon will live and have a chance to spawn.  I'm sorry guys I know salmon tastes amazing but 10 fish is an extreme overkill. 




The current salmon limit also opens the door for unethical fishing practices because when a salmon is only in it's 2nd or 3rd year of life and has not fully matured it looks remarkably like a trout.  It is way too easy for someone to keep more than the legal limit of trout by claiming they thought they were catching Kokanee salmon. If you're asking me if people deliberately do that kind of thing I would respond with, "I have seen worse".  At the risk of making some greedy state politician or brass from the Division of Wildlife angry, I would urge any sportsman or woman that pay the high cost for a fishing license every season to demand more for our fisheries. 




If enough people wrote the Division Of Wildlife   http://wildlife.state.co.us/Pages/Home.aspx and pushed for some kind of effort to be made on fixing problems such as this, and maybe even provide some kind of intelligent solutions we would all benifit.  Click here to read the article John G. showed me about this years record harvest of eggs.  For more information on all things flyfishing including ways to improve our states fisheries please subscribe to www.coloradoflyfisher.blogspot.com.



Tight lines and screaming reels!

2011 Christmas Flyfishing Buyers Guide

Another fishing season has come and gone and it is time for all us last minute shoppers to buy that special angler in our life something they will actually like (not including grandma's sweater) for Christmas.  This is not my personal wish list but if you want to make a non tax deductable gift donation to Jon Kleis's troutbum fund you can leave any item on this list at my drop box at Anglers Covey Fly Shop on the corner of highway 24 and 21st Street...  I tried to cover all the bases and include gift ideas that will earn the gift giver respect and admiration.

If there is one fly rod on the planet that most dedicated anglers could possibly want from Santa it is Sage's new model that is literally named the "One".  Sage's One is an incredibly light and fast action rod sporting their new technology called Konnetic.  This new tech makes the rod one of the most accurate I have ever casted.  The 9 foot 4 weight One has the perfect balance of power and finesse and would be a great all around rod for fishing in Colorado. 

Package that new One fly rod with the new Orvis Access mid arbor reel.  In 2011 Orvis replaced the old Battenkill mid arbor with the Access.  It is essentially the same reel only they bored a few more holes in it to make it noticeably lighter, and added a few more washers to the drag system to increase strength.  The drag system itself is completely sealed which helps keep out debris and protect it from the elements.

Next on the list is the Simms Windstopper fleece jacket.  If you haven't noticed yet the Colorado Rockies get cold.  One of the most important things you can remember when dealing with the ever changing elements in our great state is to dress in layers, and this jacket would serve as an excellent outer shell for those of you brave enough to face the legendary winds in Park county for the pursuit of trout.  Ladies if you're reading this I bet your man would much rather have this Simms jacket than that little number you picked out at Macy's.

Sticking with the Simms theme, the next item on my Santa's wish list is the new Boa wading boot.  Simms and a few other companies have taken ski boot technology and put it into wading boots which makes them insanely easy to get in and out of.  I like the Simms version best because I am a huge fan of the Vibram sole that they put on their boots.  It gives you a sturdy platform to walk on and the tread has many biting edges to help keep you from taking a cold swim in the Arkansas river.  With the option to add cleats this is a great and affordable Christmas gift.

For the fly tyer in your life HMH vises are some of the best you can buy anywhere.  They are simple and efficient, and made with quality in mind.  You can get them with either a pedestal base or c-clamp for attaching to a table.  The majority of the vice is composed of stainless steel, and has one point for angle adjustment.  The midge jaws sold seperately are the best I have seen available for any vise in the market. 

Next on the fly tyers list is the entire line of Oasis fly tying benches.  If you are like me and despite all your efforts you have issues keeping your tying station clean and organized then highly consider these.  Save yourself a lot of hair and hassle by keeping every tool you can imagine along with everything else in its place and right in front of you with these gorgeous benches.

A good stocking stuffer for the holidays is a solution to epoxy called Clear Cure Goo.  It doesn't actually cure and harden until it gets hit with a U.V. light.  Sunlight or the U.V. light sold in the kit or sold seperately will work.  My biggest complaint about using epoxy aside from the short window for using it after you have mixed it is the smell of the compound.  Clear Cure Goo smells like tree sap which I think smells great.  I've been tying with it for almost a full season and I can assure you it is a viable substitute for epoxy and the kit would make a great gift.

Last but not least for stocking stuffers we have Scientific Anglers System X fly boxes.  They are double sided and completely sealed when shut making them waterproof.  They come with pre-slit foam and are a great all around fly box for the money.  They have clear shells so you can see your flies making it easier to see which side you need to open to grab your Caddis or Stonefly imitation.  Some System X boxes also come with little compartments that are great for holding things such as strike indicators.  Ask most anglers and they will tell you that you can never have enough fly boxes.  Take it to another level this Christmas and fill that new box with flies and watch that special someone light up like a tree at the Broadmoor.



I hope this helps at least one person that is lost and looking for a great gift idea for the holidays.  Please remember that the best way to support our economy is to keep it local, and even though many big chain stores would like the entire month of December to be cyber Monday we have the country's largest pure fly shop right here in Colorado Springs in Anglers Covey so please show your support.


If you have a flyfisher that you are convinced has everything you can always give the gift of a guided flyfishing trip or class.  For trip availability and rates if interested shoot me an email at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com.  Tight Lines and Happy Holidays!

Winter Midge Fly Tying Class Dec. 7th

Hey everyone I just wanted to post a reminder for those interested that I will be teaching a winter pattern fly tying class at Anglers Covey Fly Shop on December 7th starting at 6 p.m.  Learn the art of tying extremely small flies to fool extremely selective winter tailwater trout.  It's a 2 hour class and the cost is only $25.  The class is geared towards tyers with a little bit more experience tying, and bringing your own vice and tools is recommended though not required.  We will be tying two of my creations that have been tried and true trout slayers for me over the years, Kleis's Redzone Midge and Mojo Midge.  We will explore various techniques for tying with goose biots, and learn how to tie the Snowshoe Midge down to a size 24.  Call Anglers Covey at 719-471-2984 or send me an email to jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com to sign up!

Redzone Midge size 26

Redzone Midges on a dime size 26

Olive Mojo Midge size 24

Snowshoe Midge size 22

Biot Midge size 22

Toxic Chemical Spill In Sand Creek And The South Platte Through Denver

I just learned that there was a toxic refinery spill in the Denver area that has effected Sand Creek and the South Platte as it runs through Denver.  I guess the oily substance (comprised of benzene and toluene) was found last week and clean up efforts have been made.  The report I just read said that it hasn't had an immediate negative impact on anything but the posting I had just seen on facebook that got my attention had a photo of a dead carp.  The refinery known as Suncor produces jet fuel, and other oil based fuels and officials are concerned that there might be an underground pipe that is leaking fairly large amounts of petroleum into the South Platte.


Aside from being an important drinking water supply this stretch of the river has gained huge popularity as an urban fishery producing large carp and other warmwater species, and even large brown trout in certain areas.  It would be a massive loss to all of us if we lost this stretch of river and demands our attention.  EPA officials have given the company 60 days to clean up or else so lets hope they respond quick and no significant damage is done.  Click Here for the full story I found on google.

Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado

The subject of someone's personal favorite flies to have for a specific area or time of year always sparks coversation. There are a hundred different fly patterns to imitate one insect, or even one stage of an insect's life cycle. This can make things confusing for anyone just getting into the sport.

I've compiled a list of my top ten must have flies for Colorado that I both guide and fish with a ton of confidence.  This list is not color or size specific, but the photo's of the patterns shown are what I prefer when using these flies. We'll start with number ten and work our way up the list, examining why I prefer each pattern, and what times of the year they are most effective.

Number ten is the perfect example of why people shouldn't sleep on the classics. There's only one other dry fly pattern that I've landed more fish with, and that pattern graces number one on the list. The Elk Hair Caddis in sizes 14-18 is a must have dry fly for Colorado.  Anywhere there are caddis hatching in the spring and fall, it's a safe bet that you can catch fish with some flavor of the Elk Hair.

#10 Elk Hair Caddis

The best times of year to use this pattern are from the beginning of April through the end of June, and again starting around August through October. Size 18 in the color tan is what I prefer to use to imitate most adult caddis. It might surprise some anglers that caddis aren't limited to small streams and rivers, and that they live in lakes and reservoirs as well.  In fact, the Elk Hair is a go to fly pattern for many stillwater fly-fishers. Try one in a larger size when you see fish on the surface at your favorite lake.


The hollow elk hair used for the wing, and the hackle feather the fly is wrapped with, give it great air trapping qualities. The Elk Hair Caddis rides high on the water's surface and floats well without a lot of special treatments such as gink, or other silicone based floatants. It's hard to beat true originals so be sure to save an entire side of your dry fly box dedicated to the Elk Hair Caddis, and you'll be well on your way to consistently catching fish on top.

#9 The Parachute Hopper

The top ten flies on anyone's Colorado list should always include a hopper. Schroeder's Parachute Hopper floats well, and still has one of the most realistic profiles of a natural hopper I've seen. It does start to get soggy and sink a little after catching a few fish, but that problem is easily solved with some floatant.  Also, the wing on this hopper gets beat up pretty easy, which depending on who you talk to, is a good or bad thing. These are small prices to pay for a near perfect representation of a grasshopper.

The best time of year to fish hoppers is in late summer starting around the end of July, and lasting through the end of Sept. When real hoppers hit the water they sit low in the surface film because they are heavy and clumsy, which is why I prefer the parachute style.   Just like the Elk Hair Caddis, this is a great small stream fly. Throw delicate presentations out the window when fishing with hoppers. Deliberately cast this fly so that it hits the water hard, and makes a lot of noise. Fish tight up against the bank and close to cover.

Many anglers have replaced strike indicators when nymph fishing with hopper patterns by attaching a length of tippet to the bend of the hook of the hopper, and at the other end of the tippet, attaching a weighted nymph. This set up is called the hopper/dropper rig, and is extremely effective because you're covering more than one base with your flies (dry flies, and subsurface nymphs).

#8 The Copper John

The Copper John is the number one selling fly in America! It was created by Colorado tyer John Barr. Made with wire, and a brass or tungsten bead, this pattern is designed to get down to the fish quick.  The Copper John is what many might call a "generic" pattern. Being generic isn't a bad thing. All that means in the flyfishing and tying world is that you can imitate many different bugs with this one fly.

In fact, what I love most about the Copper John is that, depending on what color and size you tie it in, you could imitate a mayfly nymph, a stonefly nymph, a caddis larvae, or even a Caddis pupae (emerging caddis). Red Copper John's sizes 18-20 are one of my favorite attractor patterns in the spring and fall when trout spawn and are being aggressive. This nymph pattern can be fished in every form of water for every fish species that we have in our beautiful state, and is a great fly to hang under a hopper. If you have a good portion of your fly box dedicated to Copper Johns you're well on your way to consistently catching fish below the surface.

#7 The Pheasant Tail Nymph

The Pheasant Tail Nymph is another generic, and iconic pattern (noticing a trend?).  It was created by Frank Sawyer in the 1950's, and slays fish on a regular basis. This nymph imitates anything from small Midge larvae to Yellow Sallie Stonefly nymphs, and has spawned quite a few variations on a theme. It fishes great with different styles of beads; including the glass bead shown in the photograph. This version is called the Mercury Pheasant Tail, and is a modification made by Pat Dorsey designed to give it more flash, and also imitate a trapped air bubble similar to what you would see on an emerging insect.



This Pheasant Tail (P.T.) is another one that you can tie or purchase with a heavy tungsten bead, and fish beneath a hopper or Elk Hair Caddis as part of the "hopper/dropper" system. A size 18 Pheasant Tail is a near perfect representation of the Pale Morning Dun Mayfly nymph, which can be found in many of Colorado's rivers and small streams from July to the end of August. Carry them in a size 16-18 to imitate PMDs. My main reason for putting this fly above the Copper John on the list is simply because I've landed more fish with it. This entire list is biased, and based off of my personal experience!

#6 The Sculpzilla

My streamer of choice is the Sculpzilla. The sculpin is a small fish that has 11 different families, and can be found in many of our bodies of water. The sculpins that I've seen in Colorado, and the one's most imitated by fly tiers, are olive in color.  They have big heads similar to a catfish -without the whiskers- and large dorsal and pectoral fins. Though they're a forage fish for trout and many other sport fish found in Colorado, it's a rare occurrence to see a sculpin. I don't know if it's because they mostly stick to the bottom of lakes and rivers, or if they only exist in small numbers.



The fact that Sculpins can be found in Colorado is not why I love this pattern. The massive bead head gives this streamer enough weight to get down through the water column quickly without needing a sink tip line, or additional weight added to your leader. What makes it even more affective is the stinger hook in the back. Many streamers only have one hook, and 99 percent of the time that hook is located way up front on the fly. More often than not, when a fish strikes a streamer it is attacking the fly from behind, which means that you get a lot of short strikes. A short strike is when a fish is chasing your streamer, and hits the fly on the tail, often just short of making contact with the hook.



Tyers got smart and started tying articulated patterns with hooks in the tail. The realistic shape, weight, and the stinger hook, all culminate into what's by far my favorite streamer on the market. Olive (as pictured) is my favorite color to use, and has been a lip ripper for me since I started using them a few years ago.

#5 The Barr's Emerger

The Barr's emerger is another great John Barr pattern that I have a ton of confidence in. A mayfly spends most of it's life under water as a nymph. It's only when the temps and conditions are just right that these insects emerge off the bottom, and break free from their nymphal shuck. This process is similar to when a snake sheds it's skin. Under that nymph exoskeleton is the adult dun mayfly.



The emergence is when these insects are most vulnerable. This is because they're using trapped air bubbles to carry them off the bottom and up through the water column. Being pushed by the current, and completely exposed, this is when they are an easy meal for a hungry trout. There are 3 major mayfly hatches that John Barr ties his emergers for, and all three are important for Colorado. The Pale Morning Dun Emerger (as pictured), the Blue Wing Olive Emerger, and the Trico Emerger are all available in appropriate sizes. The Barr's Emerger is number 5 on my list, because during spring and fall, the Blue Winged Olive variation of this fly has fooled many of my largest trout.

#4 The Glow Bug Egg

It would be impossible to find a better attractor pattern that catches all species of trout and salmon than the Glow Bug Egg. The apricot/orange color with the flame red dot on the top is still the closest I've seen to imitating a brown trout egg. Tied with a little extra flash, the glow bug will immediately grab every trout's attention within a ten foot radius. From March through June and again from late August through October are my favorite times to fish eggs.



It's important to watch how the fish react to the egg during those moments of clarity when you can see it under the surface. Sometimes egg patterns can actually put fish down, even if you think the conditions, and time of year are right to use them. If you fish an egg in faster water that you know is holding fish, and you don't get a strike within the first ten drifts, switch flies because you could be attracting the wrong kind of attention.

#3 Mercury Black Beauty

Number three on my list of killer trout flies for Colorado is the Mercury Black Beauty. It was created by Colorado tyer Pat Dorsey, and again, it has the omnipresent glass bead that Pat likes to put on many of his fly patterns. The Black Beauty isn't very impressive looking, but it's an extremely effective midge pattern, and is important to Colorado and many rivers throughout the country because there are so many different varieties of midges. Midges hatch year around, and because these insects are always available, there's never a bad time to fish a Black Beauty as a dropper.   In fact, if you fished it as a dropper behind a red Copper John for an entire season, I would bet all ten cents in my wallet that you would have an extremely productive year of fishing.

Photo of an adult Chironomid Midge

The Black Beauty is a great winter tailwater pattern. If you can't tell be looking at it, the Black Beauty doesn't weigh very much, so it would be best to trail it behind a heavier nymph, or put a little weight in front of it to help get down to fish when they are hugging the bottom. Sizes 20-26 are typically what I use which means that 5x and 6x leaders and tippet are a must just to be able to fit your line through the eye of most hooks. Starting from July through early October the Black Beauty also does a great job of imitating a spent trico.

#2 The RS-2

The RS-2 was created by Colorado tyer Rim Chung, and is another oldie but goodie that has spawned many variations on a theme. The name RS-2 stands for Rim Semblance number two. It is my understanding that he created it to imitate any kind of emerging insect, but it best imitates a blue winged olive mayfly emerger.



The above photo is of a variation of the RS-2 called a Sparkle Wing, named appropriately for the flashy material used for the wing, and is a redesign by another great Colorado tyer Charlie Craven. Of course, Pat Dorsey put his mark on this pattern by throwing a clear glass bead on it for good measure. The Mercury RS-2 is the perfect pattern to fish in faster pocket water during spring and late fall because of the extra flash given off by the bead. The Charlie Craven Sparkle Wing RS-2 is my favorite to fish in the surface film. I guide and fish with light dun colored RS-2's in sizes 22-24 during spring, and olive or black in the same sizes during fall.

#1 The Parachute Adams

It didn't seem right not to have the most productive and iconic dry fly on the list.  Out of all the dry flies I've fished, the Parachute Adams has landed more for me than all others. Beginning tyers, tying this pattern in smaller sizes will push you to become better. And the Adams will ultimately be one of your first goto flies when trout have their noses up.


The Parachute Adam's is consistent with the theme of generic patterns that never seem to stop catching fish; lasting through the ages. It's a very visible pattern with a parachute post made of white calf body hair. It floats great, and sits low in the film. Tied in larger sizes (sizes 14-18) this fly is fantastic for imitating adult Caddis, or Callibaetis in lakes and reservoirs. A size 22-26 Parachute Adams can be taken as an adult b.w.o. or a midge in rivers and small streams. During the colder months on any of the tailwaters we have here in Colorado, a size 26 Adams will consistently fool selective trout. If your target fish are being extra picky, an old guide trick that has worked wonders for me, is to clip off the tail. The clipped tail gives it a smaller profile that's closer to a midge, and it might surprise you how much of a difference little things like that can make.



Noticably missing from my list are the San Juan Worm, Prince Nymph, Pat's Rubber Leg, Stimilator, Wooly Bugger, and many other fly patterns that have become house hold names in the sport of flyfishing. Again, the flies on this list are just one experienced flyfishers take on what to carry in your box, forsaking all others, to give you the best chance to catch fish here in beautiful Colorado. All of the flies I just named that are not on my list are great flies, but I either haven't fished with them enough for lack of confidence, or caught enough fish with them to beat out what I chose.

Noticeably missing from my list are my own patterns. Even though I have an unlimited supply of confidence in my personal creations -many of which have landed more fish for me than the patterns on my top ten- it didn't feel right to put a bunch of patterns on the list that I haven't shared or submitted, and therefor, would be tough to find at a fly shop. At least for now...



So there you have it. Out of all the fly patterns you could throw to a rising fish, this new school fisherman and tyer with a taste for the old school, is telling you to tie on a Parachute Adams before anything else. If you carry a small box full of Parachute Adams in varying sizes you're well on your way to being that guy who everyone stops to ask what he's using. Thanks to everyone who has shown support for Colorado Fly Fishing Magazine!  If you enjoy our site please subscribe to www.coloradoflyfisher.blogspot.com and like us on facebook!

For rates and availability for guided trips contact me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

Tight lines!

Happy Thanksgiving From The Kleis Family

Hope everybody has an awesome happy turkey day from the Kleis family!

Fish Spotter Small Stream Brookie

This weeks fish spotter is a little tougher than previous ones.  This is a small stream very close to home that is loaded with brook trout.  Can you spot this very spookie and well camouflaged fish?  Remember you can click on the photo to enlarge it.

Old School Video Of People Fishing The Seven Falls In 1925

Check out this insanely cool video from 1925 of Cave Of The Winds and people fishing below Seven Falls.  The fishing part starts after Cave Of The Winds but the entire video is pretty classic.  Enjoy!

Winter Patterns Fly Tying Class

Hey all I will be teaching a two hour tying class Dec. 7th at Anglers Covey fly shop where you will learn how to tie three of my favorite winter tailwater patterns. The class starts at 6 pm and the cost is only $25.  We will cover the different ways to use goose biot, explore some other alternatives to using hackle to keep our adult midge imitations floating, and go over colors and their significance to the midges life cycle.  If interested send me an email to jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com to RSVP or call Anglers Covey at 719-471-2984

Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado # 1

#1 The Parachute Adams

 

It didn't seem right not to have what could be flyfishing's most productive and timeless dry fly as number one on my list, or anybody's list for that matter.  Out of all the dry flies I have fished with over the last 16 years the Parachute Adams has landed more fish for me on the surface than all others.  Beginning tyers this is the pattern that will push you to become better tyers and will ultimately be one of your biggest go-to flies when trout are on top.  This pattern is way too obvious as a number one contender for top fly in Colorado.  So much so that I had to lie to a fellow tyer the other day to keep him from guessing my top choice... 



The Parachute Adam's is consistent with my theme of generic patterns that never seem to stop catching fish and last through the ages.  It's a fairly visible pattern with a parachute post made of white calf body hair sitting on top.  It floats great and sits nice and low in the film. Tied in larger sizes (sizes 14-18) this fly is great for imitating adult Caddis or Callibaetis in lakes and reservoirs.  A size 22-26 Parachute Adams can be taken as an adult B.W.O. or a midge in rivers and small streams.  During the colder months on any of the tailwaters we have here in Colorado a size 26 Adams will consistently fool selective trout, and if they are being extra picky an old guide trick I learned last year that has worked wonders for me is to clip the tail off.  The clipped tail gives it a smaller profile that is closer to a midge or a cluster of midges and it will surprise many of you how much of a difference little things like that can make.


 
Noticably missing from my list are the San Juan Worm, Prince Nymph, Pat's Rubber Leg, Stimilator, Wooly Bugger, and many other fly patterns that have become house hold names in the sport of flyfishing.  Again the flies on my list are just one experienced flyfishers take on what I would carry in my box forsaking all others to give me the best chance to catch fish in Colorado.  All of the flies I just named that are not on my list are great flies, but I either haven't fished with them enough for lack of confidence in the fly, or caught enough fish with the San Juan's and Prince Nymphs to beat out what I chose.   Also noticeably missing from my list are my own patterns.  Even though I have an unlimited supply of confidence in my personal creations many of which have landed more fish for me than the patterns on my top ten.  It didn't feel right to put a bunch of patterns I haven't submitted and therefor would be impossible to buy at a fly shop short of Anglers Covey on the list. 



So there you have it.  Out of all the fly patterns you could fish to a rising fish just about any time of year in Colorado this new school fisherman and tyer with a taste for the old school is telling you to tie on a Parachute Adams before anything else.  If you carry a small fly box full of Parachute Adams in all sizes you are well on your way to being that guy who everyone stops to ask what he's using.  Thanks to everyone who has been super patient with me and followed this!  Seriously I really appreciate the support and positive feedback I get from writing blogs and sharing knowledge.  If you enjoy my site please subscribe to www.coloradoflyfisher.blogspot.com because there is plenty more to come.



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For rates and to check on my availability for guided trips contact me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

Thanks and tight lines!
    

Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado # 2

#2 The RS-2

The RS-2 was created by Colorado tyer Rim Chung and is another oldie but goodie that has spawned many variations on a theme.  The name RS-2 stands for Rim Semblance number two.  It is my understanding that he created it to imitate any kind of emerging insect but it best imitates a Blue Winged Olive mayfly emerger.   



The above photo is of a variation of the RS-2 called a Sparkle Wing named appropriately for the flashy material used for the wing, and was redesigned by another great Colorado tyer Charlie Craven.   Of course Pat Dorsey threw a clear glass bead on this one as well.  The Mercury RS-2 is a great pattern to fish in faster pocket water during spring and late fall because of the extra flash given off by the bead.  The Charlie Craven Sparkle Wing RS-2 is my favorite to fish in the film as the pattern was meant to be used.  I guide and fish with light dun colored RS-2's in sizes 22-24 during spring, and olive in the same sizes in the late fall. 



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Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado # 3

#3 Mercury Black Beauty

Number three on my list of killer trout flies for Colorado is the Mercury Black Beauty.  It was created by Colorado tyer Pat Dorsey, and again it has the omni present glass bead the Pat likes to put on many of his patterns.  The Black Beauty isn't very impressive looking but is an extremely effective midge pattern and is important to Colorado and many rivers throughout the country because there are so many different varieties of midges.  Midges can be found hatching all year in Colorado.  Because these insects are always available to fish it would be a great idea to use one of these as a dropper year round.  In fact if you fished the Black Beauty as a dropper behind a Copper John all year I would bet all ten cents in my wallet that you would have an extremely productive fishing season.

Photo of an adult Chironomid Midge

The Black Beauty is a great winter tailwater pattern because midges are often the only food source for trout during the coldest months.  If you can't tell be looking at it the Black Beauty doesn't weigh a whole lot so it would be best to trail it behind a heavier nymph or put a little weight in front of it to help get down to fish when they are hugging the bottom.  Sizes 20-26 are typically what I use which means that 5x and 6x leaders and tippet are neccesary.  The late fall is when I pull this pattern out of my box on guided trips because there are two major hatches of small black bugs that the Black Beauty could imitate, the Trico mayfly and of course the midge.



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For rates and to check on my availability for guided trips contact me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

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Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado # 4

#4 The Glow Bug Egg

The Glow Bug Egg is my number four because in the spring and fall it would be impossible to find a better attractor pattern that catches all species of trout and salmon.  The apricot orange color with the flame red dot on the top is still one of the closest I have seen to the real thing.  Tied with a little extra flash when this fly hits the water you immediately grab every trouts attention within a fifteen foot radius on a bright day and in clear water.



It's important to watch how the fish are reacting to the egg during those moments of clarity when you can see it.  Sometimes egg patterns can actually put down fish even if you think the conditions and time of year are right to use them.  If you fish an egg in faster water that you know is holding fish and you don't get a strike within the first ten drifts then you need to switch flies because you could be attracting the wrong kind of attention and spooking fish.  On the days when trout are eating eggs the fishing can be absolutely epic.  To me the perfect day of fall fishing is nymphing with an egg and something smaller like a Barr's Emerger trailing it and having a 30 fish day where half the fish were taken with the egg.




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For rates and to check on my availability for guided trips contact me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

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Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado # 5

#5 The Barr's Emerger

The Barr's emerger is another great John Barr pattern that I have a ton of confidence in.  A mayfly spends most of it's life under water as a nymph.  It's only when the temps and conditions are just right when these insects emerge off the bottom and break free from its nymphal shuck similar to when a snake sheds its skin only it has gone through an incredible transformation.  Under that shuck is an adult mayfly. 



During the emergence is when these insects are the most vulnerable because they are using trapped air bubbles to carry them off the bottom and up through the water column.  Being pushed by currents and completely exposed this is when they are an easy meal for fish.  There are 3 major mayfly hatches that John Barr ties his Emergers for and all three are important for Colorado.  The Pale Morning Dun Emerger (as pictured), the Blue Wing Olive Emerger, and the Trico Emerger are all significant insects to cover, especially in tailwater fisheries like the Arkansas river below Pueblo Reservoir and 11mile canyon.  The Barr's Emerger is number 5 on my list because in the spring and fall the Blue Winged Olive variation of this fly has hammered many big fish for me. 




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For rates and to check on my availability for guided trips contact me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

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Controlled Burns 11-5-11

They are still doing controlled burns near Elevenmile Res.  It would probably be a good idea to avoid calling 911 until after investigating if you are concerned that the smoke you're seeing isn't part of a controlled environment.

Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado # 6

#6 The Sculpzilla

My streamer of choice is the Sculpzilla.  The Sculpin is a small fish that has 11 different families and can be found in many of our bodies of water.  The Sculpins that I've seen in Colorado and the one's most imitated by fly tyers are dark olive in color, have big heads similar to a catfish without the whiskers, and large dorsal and pectoral fins. Though they are a forage fish for trout and larger predatory fish like bass and pike it is a rare occurrence to see one of these baitfish.  I don't know if it's because Sculpins mostly stick to the bottom of lakes and rivers or if they only exist in small numbers.




The fact that Sculpins can be found in Colorado is not why I love this pattern.  The massive bead with eyes at the front give this streamer enough weight to get down through the water column without having to add any additional weight to your rig.  What makes this pattern even more affective is the stinger hook in the back. 




Many streamers tied with a lot of fur and marabou only have one hook and 99 percent of the time that hook is located way up front on the fly.   More often than not when a fish strikes a streamer it is attacking the fly from behind which means that you get a lot of short strikes.  A short strike is when a fish is chasing your streamer and hits the fly on the tail often just short of making contact with the hook.




Fortunately for the rest of us tyers got smart and started tying articulated patterns with hooks in the tail.  The realistic shape, weight, and of course the stinger hook have culminated into what is by far my favorite streamer on the market.  It could be tied in any color you can imagine, and we sell them at Anglers Covey in two different sizes in olive and black.  Olive (as pictured) is my favorite color to fish and has been a fish slayer for me since I started fishing them last year.




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For rates and to check on my availability for guided trips contact me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

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Biography

My name is Jon Kleis and I'm a Colorado Springs native and an Orvis endorsed fly-fishing guide in beautiful Colorado. My blog is aimed at progression in all aspects of the sport of flyfishing. Including fishing, tying, photography, cinematography, and writing. It is also my goal to provide the best up to date information on fishing in my home state including maps, river conditions, and what patterns to use. To schedule a guided trip or check my availability email me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com 

The current rates to schedule me for a trip through Anglers Covey are:

HALF DAY	FULL DAY
(4 Hours on Water)	(6 Hours on Water, includes Lunch)
One Angler: $250	One Angler: $350
Two Anglers: $290	Two Anglers: $350
Three Anglers: $345	Three Anglers: $420

All gear is provided including: waders, rods, flies, bottled water...

Professional photographs are taken each trip by me and are currently included for free!

Kleis's Top Ten Flies For Colorado # 7

#7 The Pheasant Tail  Nymph

The Pheasant Tail Nymph is another generic and yet iconic pattern (noticing a trend?) created by Frank Sawyer in the 1950's that slays fish on a regular basis.  This nymph imitates anything from small Midge larvae to Yellow Sallie Stonefly nymphs and has spawned quite a few variations on a theme.  It fishes great with several different styles of bead including the glass bead in the photograph.  The clear glass bead head Pheasant Tail is called the Mercury Pheasant Tail and was a modification made by Pat Dorsey designed to give this pattern more flash and also imitate a trapped air bubble similar to what you would see on an emerging insect. 



You can also tie or purchase these with a heavy tungsten bead and fish this pattern beneath a hopper or Elk Hair Caddis as part of a "hopper/dropper" system.  The Pheasant Tail is a great representation of the Pale Morning Dun Mayfly nymph which is found in many of Colorado's rivers and small streams.  If you are using this fly to match the P.M.D. hatch use sizes 18-20.  Here is another look at a video I shot in 11mile canyon of a P.M.D. nymph to show you truly how close the Pheasant Tail comes to imitating this important food source for trout.  My main reason for putting this fly above the Copper John on my list is simply because I have landed more fish with it.

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For rates and to check on my availability for guided trips contact me at jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com

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