Lonely Fish Seek Attentive Anglers

I continue to be impressed with the fishing reports coming out of Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Earlier this week we conducted a “Never-Ever” trip for a husband and wife, neither of whom had used a fly rod before. Each landed three fish on the half day trip and had action on several more. The folks around here who have a better idea of what they are doing are chalking up even better results, particularly through the middle of the day when the sun is on the water. We are definitely hearing some reports of 20-fish afternoons.

Up at the Salida end of the canyon, stonefly nymphs and black midges seem to be the most productive. Lower down, the stoneflies are still the best lead nymph, but tan and red midges are generating good results. Not many folks are fishing yet so the intrepid angler can usually find miles of water for herself. Expect blue wing olive mayflies to begin hatching in the canyon about a month from now.

If you can’t wait that long for dry fly activity, we strongly suggest a trip to the Pueblo tailwater. BWOs have been hatching most days there for months and the fish definitely have an eye to the surface. Call our Pueblo shop at 719-543-3900 for information or directions. 

Rainbow on the Pueblo Tailwater

 

 In addition to the Fly-Fishing 101 class described in the entry below, we are continuing to offer our traditional Fly-Fishing Schools. This combines a morning of classroom instruction with a casting clinic and then half-day guided wade trip (2:1 guest to guide ratio). We have one scheduled in Pueblo on 3/7 and classes in Salida on 3/21, 4/4, and 4/18. Call us at 719-539-4223 for Salida classes and 719-543-3900 for instruction in Pueblo.

We’ve also had a number of inquiries this winter regarding our rowing instruction program. We are not offering our 5-Day class this spring but do offer customized individual instruction on a daily basis, just like our guided fishing trips. We typically begin conducting these classes 3/1 and continue to do so through about 4/20, when we take a break for the caddis hatch. Give us a call or email to info@arkanglers.com if you would like more information.

Finally, if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to start planning your spring trip(s) on the Arkansas. Float trips begin around the first of March and our private water wade trips are already on the water. We want to accommodate everyone, but the sooner reservations are made, the better job we can do of it. See you on the water soon!

Greg Felt

Learn to Fly-Fish, for free!

If you’ve ever tried to teach a friend or family member how to fly-fish, you’ve probably had the realization that it’s not as simple as it sounds. Not that it can’t be done! But it takes focus and a game plan. And it really doesn’t work if you think you are going to fish at the same time.

 

But what if you could get them started in fly-fishing with a great teacher who already has the game plan, and you could fish while they learned, and it was all basically free? It’s called Fly-Fishing 101 – the new instructional program at ArkAnglers. It doesn’t replace our time-tested Fly-Fishing Schools, but it is a great start for someone who wants to get a real feel for the sport without a big investment. See the announcement below, round up those poor souls you know who’ve yet to set the hook, and sign them up for Fly-Fishing 101!

 

 

Fly-Fishing 101

 

Learn to Fly-Fish for Free!!

 

There is no substitute for focused initial instruction when making a start in fly-fishing. Trying to go it alone, coupled with the perceived cost of equipment, often keep potential fly-fishermen from entering the sport.

 

ArkAnglers has a solution for both of these problems! Our new program, Fly-Fishing 101, combines 8 hours of classroom and on-river instruction with a $100 gift certificate – good for retail purchases at our shops in Salida, Buena Vista and Pueblo.

 

The course fee is $100/person. For that you will receive the $100 ArkAnglers retail gift certificate, the instruction, use of all equipment, flies, and terminal tackle. Participants will need a fishing license, lunch, and outdoor clothing appropriate for the season.

 

Topics of instruction will include: selection and rigging of equipment, aquatic insects and their imitations, trout behavior, “reading” the river, casting, fly presentation, and line management.

 

Salida Course Dates: 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 5/16, 6/6, 6/20, 7/11, 7/25, 8/8, 8/22, 9/12, 9/26.

8-10 Person Class Size Required

 

Reservations: 719-539-4223 or email to info@arkanglers.com.

 

Spring Rising

Unseasonably warm weather has motivated the fish, bugs, and anglers to begin the annual dance a bit early this year. As my colleague, Bill Edrington, down in Canon City has noted, this past January provided the best winter fishing conditions he can remember. Thus far February seems to be sending us more of the same. And though winter weather will surely come and go in the three months ahead, the fishing on the Arkansas is clearly underway. As of today, we are enjoying a high of about 60 degrees. There is no wind at mid-day and not a cloud in the sky. The river is running about 400 cfs at Wellsville, and fluctuating in temperature from the low 30s to low 40s in each 24 hour cycle. Clarity is good. The only hatches we experience at this stage of the season are midges. And we have had some pods of rising fish on still, warm afternoons. The nymphing has been much more consistent. Most folks are running a stonefly nymph as a lead fly and following that with a black or olive midge pupa. Red is also typically a good color at this time of year. The fish are still congregated in the deeper holes but are moving down toward the tailouts (maybe two thirds of the way down, in 2-4 feet of water) in the afternoons. Sun on the water is a good thing, warming both the water column and the bottom itself. With the weather so fine and anglers testing the water, our phones are starting to ring with inquiries regarding spring trips. We are open right now for wade trips and will begin floating in early March. For those looking to float or to wade fish our private water during the caddis hatch, we encourage you to start planning your trip soon and contact us to make reservations. Some dates are already filling in! For those with a keen interest in the future of the Arkansas River, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is seeking input from interested parties on the management of the state park. The input will be processed through the A.H.R.A’s citizen task force. One of the two angling reps on the task force is our own Rod Patch, who is seeking input on issues that impact angling on the Arkansas river. If you have an issue that you would like to see discussed please respond to info@arkanglers.com , and we will see to it that your voice is heard. We look forward to seeing everyone again this spring! Greg Felt