Epic Video of a Salmonfly Hatch!

Great Spring Time Baetis Emerger On the South Platte

Anybody who has shopped at Anglers Covey has at some point been recommended a Cheesman Emerger. I know we have featured it on CFFM before, but now is a great time to include these in your arsenal. It's an insanely effective and easy pattern to tie. Check out the video!

Deckers Fishing Report 3-27-13

We had another one of our family fishing days and decided on a change of scenery. Deckers was our destination and it's running at a crystal clear 60.2 cubic feet/second (click here to get updated flow rates).  Just like 11 Mile Canyon, all of the fish are stacked in the "deeper" runs. We fished above town along Y-Camp rd. and managed to get in the first bend run. There was a solid baetis and midge hatch that came off around noon which lasted a couple of hours. We netted 6-7 fish, and long distance released (ldr) at least that many. Fly patterns that fooled fish were Barr's Emergers BWO size 22, Stalcup's Baetis in a size 20, and Cheesman Emergers size 24.

Bring 6x tippet and small split shot! Most of the fish we landed we were sight fishing to, and not relying on the strike indicator. The takes were so subtle that if you rely on your indicator your'e not catching fish. I say bring small shot because even though the fish were stacked in the deeper runs they weren't on the bottom. They were about a foot off the bottom with their noses up. Just watch their behavior and make your adjustments accordingly. Also, they were pretty shot shy so you will double your chances by downsizing your weight.

Short Clip Of A Stonefly Nymph

Working the kinks out but will be including some pretty up close and sweet footage of fish food in action!

Antero Reservoir To Be Closed!

According to an article from summitcountyvoice.com Denver Water will be draining and closing Antero Reservoir this year. Antero has historically been a reservoir that is subject to high evaporation because it's so shallow, and with another drought year looming they aren't taking any chances. Slot limits will be opening to 8 fish per angler per day, and then the rest of the fish will be relocated.

The water will then be stored down river in 11 Mile and Cheesman Reservoirs. Seemingly forsaking Spinney which is rumored to be closed this year to any boat with an electric or gas powered motor. Spinney is already somewhere near 10 feet lower than it normally is, and the snow pack for the South Platte is sitting near 70 percent. Lets all pray for a wet spring. For the fish and our sake!

Here is the link to the full story.

Dream Stream and 11 Mile Canyon Fishing Report 3-15-13

11 Mile Canyon is running at 65 c.f.s. and the Dream Stream is sitting around 50. The Dream has a great dark green color to it because of ice melt, and the Canyon is crystal clear. Much of the lower portion of 11 Mile that was covered in ice is now open, but as we all know a week long cold front could change that. The two tunnels area fished fantastic! Crowds were an issue the further upstream you went from Springer Gulch, but compared to the Dream Stream there was plenty of open water.

The Dream Stream is showing signs of life, but desperately needs more water to really get the fish going. With flows sitting at 50 c.f.s. and with the extreme over crowding, what few lake fish have moved in won't be staying long. If you're adamant about going there focus your attention on the deeper runs with baetis nymphs and emergers, and midge larvae and pupae. Barr's Emergers, RS-2's, JuJu Baetis, Copper Johns, Small Black Beauties and Top Secret Midges will all work. These same patterns were what was on the menu in the Canyon as well.

5x and 6x fluorocarbon come highly recommended! Try and get as close as you can to the bottom without dragging on the bottom to minimize foul hook-ups. Note: newcomers to catch and release fishing or fly-fishing in general, no matter where you fish this spring be mindful of the fact that if you hook and land a rainbow or cutthroat it is important to wet your hands before handling the fish, and if you want to get a photo be sure not to squeeze it, and keep it out of the water for a short a time as possible. 

When releasing the fish do not rock it back and forth. Instead, find a slightly calmer spot where there is still plenty of oxygen in the form of moving water and release the fish. Trust me you do more harm than good if you spend a bunch of time handling and rocking the fish trying to revive it. If it shows signs of bellying up then find a spot with decent current and hold it facing up river until it takes off under it's own power. Remember to pinch your barbs on any hook larger than a size 20 to make things easier on spawners. We have an amazing resource in those two stretches of river so let's do our best to take care of it. Tight lines everyone!     

Recent Macro shots of a Stonefly Nymph

For more photos like these Like us on Facebook and subscribe to our site! For rates and availability for a guided adventure on the South Platte or Arkansas rivers send me an email to jonkleisflyfishing@yahoo.com