Yeti Hopper

We are always a little late to the show, but none the less, we got a seat at the show.

Our Gin and tonics will be extra chilled on the dry fly slicks this summer. 

Floatfisher added another technical piece of gear for the Hyside Raft and Adipose Skiff for the 2015 fishing season. After reading the many reviews, and speaking with the folks that now own them, it was time to put in the boat. A little on the pricey side, but well worth the cost. Like all our toys, you get what you pay for, whether it is bicycles, cameras, skis or fly rods. Quality costs.

Check out the short video from Yeti on these nice, durable  soft coolers.

Gotcha

Gotcha

Hook: TMC 811S, Sz: 4

Thread: UTC 70 Pink

Eyes: Bead Chain

Tail:

Body: Pink Flashabou, covered with Clear Cure Goo

Wing: Grey Ostrich

Caddis Larva

Caddis Larva

Hook: TMC 200R, Sz: 14-16

Thread: Black UTC 70

Body: Quick Decent Dubbing- Brown

Legs: Black Krystal Flash

Thorax: Caddis Green UV Ice Dubbing 1/2

Black UV Ice Dubbing 1/2

Jake Ruthven's - Ghetto Booty Ant

Ghetto Booty Ant

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16

Thread: UTC 70 Black

Bead: Black Glass Beads

Legs: Small Yellow/ Black/ Red Centipede Legs

Hackle: Whiting Saddle Hackle

Photo of the Day - Up Close and Personnel

Happy Monday, Love our horned friends.

# 5 - Surface Film

If you have not attended this relatively new event, you are definitely missing out.. A veteran of 5
years now, this event showcases some of Denver's as well as the country's top photographers work, raising money for many great project that support trout and watersheds. Get off your asses and support a great cause. Quite talking about supporting causes and walk the walk. 
There are a lot of folk out there that beat the tar out of the streams, rivers and lakes and give nothing back, making excuses why! Not sure why, give back! Now is the time.

 The Greenbacks of Trout Unlimited are excited to announce the 5th annual Surface Film event showcasing top fly-fishing photography from across the country at the Anthology Fine Art gallery on Friday February 27th, 2015. prints will be available for purchase to benefit the Greenbacks work to conserve Colorado’s coldwater fisheries and recruit the next generation of Trout Unlimited Members.

DRINKS | LIVE MUSIC | FINE ART FISHING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR SALE

This is open to the public until we reach capacity.

Date

February 27th, 2015 | 7:00 pm

Location

Anthology Fine Art

635 Santa Fe Drive Denver CO

Soft Hackle Stone

As we get ready for late winter and early spring fishing, stones fly nymphs, of all shapes, sizes and colors come into play. This would be one of them. Relatively easy to tie, materials are readily at hand, other than this particular style of dubbing, but substitute. 

Come on, have some flair, create your own. That is what fly tying is all about. 

Soft Hackle Stone

Hook: TMC 200R, Sz: 4-8

Thread: UTC 070 Tan / Black

Lead: .020 - Tie on both side of hook

Tail: Brown Goose Biot

Body: Senyo's Fusion Dubbing - Tabacco

Rib: Small Yellow D- Rib

Wing Case: Golden Stone 

Thorax: Senyo's Fusion Dubbing - Tabacco

Soft Hackle: Brown Chinese Hackle or Schlappen

Sunday Funnies- "what a fish would say"

This was too funny to pass up and not post, it will make you laugh every time you hold 

up your fish and smile. WTF…. 

313

We contemplate symbols and numbers, they all have meanings, this one does too.
313 means change to Floatfisher, not sure what quite yet , but ready for a new challenge. 
For the time being, tick tock…….

Chubacka

When You Clean House

My momma always said when I did my chores I would get a prize and rewarded.

Besides our winter project organizing every flybox, we also thinned out all our old fly rods and fly reels and sold them off. We made room for new, bigger and better. 

Cleaning some of the old reels that we alway passes over in favor of our newer, and current favorite reels, we decided to add yet another Hatch to our collection. Will be giving this a test this weekend hopefully.

The Finnatic is at again, # 8, and counting. Just a couple more, and our sets will be complete.

Just Add Vise- Grape Slushy - Headhunters

A little speed tying video from the video archive of the JAV(Just Add Vice) Series from John Arnold and Mark Raisler of Headhunters. Nothing fancy , only effective.
Grape Slushy

Hook: TMC 2487, Sz: 16

Bead: Purple Glass Bead

Thread: UTC 70 Purple

Body: UV Brown Ice Dubbing

Rib: B/R Red Wire

HOLY GRAIL

Pats', the "pickle", Jimmy Legs, the "Turd", what ever you choose to call it, it simply slays fish. I call it the Holy Grail. With all the crazy, wild ass 32 step patterns out there, this one is still the "go to" pattern in most tried and true fly fisherman's box and guide box. They are easy to tie, you can buy the materials  for next to nothing, and you don't cry when you loose one or your rig.

This time of year, all the way through early summer, it works. Simply drop your favorite dropper off the bend, either a midge, two bit hooker, or a smaller stone. A little later, small caddis pattern or attractor nymph. You should do well. 

Pat's Rubber Leg

Hook: TMC 5262, Sz: 4-8

Thread: 6/0 Camel or Black

Lead: .025

Tail: Super Floss to Match Body

Legs: Super Floss to Match Body

Antennae: Super Floss to Match Body

Body: Chenille - Brown, Black, Orange/ Brown, Rust Olive, Coffee/ Black

Hats

Hat On

A distinguishing trait amongst all fly fisherman. It seems no matter where you travel, every fisherman must identify themselves by wearing some type of fishing hat or clothing. It got me thinking of all the crazy hats sitting on the hooks and shelves of the house and what the mean or have meant over the time.

Some symbolize a trips taken, some symbolize your dedication to a brand or product line, some support a charity or cause, some are just plain cool. Many gain character over the time with sweat stains, flies. They become your good luck charm on trips. Some are driving caps on trips, some are "dress" hats for evening dinners on the river. What ever the reason, they are your hats and they are your favorites.

Looking up the definition of character, I thought it fit perfect, why we pick and choose the headwear we do.

Character

/ˈkærktə

Noun

1. The combination of traits and qualities distinguishing the individual nature of a person or thing
2. One such distinguishing quality

Stonefly Inn- Very Lucky fishing hat

SCOF - Good Luck Cap

Duffy Waldorf Edition- Cutthroat Anglers

Charlies Flybox 10th Anniversary

Pimpin' It- so soft and comfy.

Lucky 406/ PBR Cap

Rocky Mountain Bonefish Tournament

Clarksfork River Watershed Entomology Fundraiser

Old School Simms

Yellowstone Angler

Open For Season

Oh, it feels good, although winter will still have something in store for us, we official opened up 

our tiny little Fish Camp for the 2015 Season yesterday. Initial supplies are purchased, camp cleaned, early season water hauled in, we are set. OH the most import things, boat, Ready, flies, tied , sorted and organized, new gear purchased to start the season. Few new pieces of camera gear. Bring on the fish and the rivers. 

Starting yesterday, we will see if we can best last years record by visiting 8 new river drainages, and catching new species of fish. In addition, we will see if we can best our 79 days of fishing from last year. Although many, many  folks far surpass this mark, I find it a pretty good benchmark to average for 5 years running. 

Second choice next week: Colorado River or Arkansas?

Feels like jeopardy!!! Stay tuned to find out. 

Changing of the Gravel Guard

After 12 years I am taking a walk on the wild side by leaving Simms and moving my wading boots choice to Patagonia. After looking around and searching, trying on several different styles and brand

I really liked the cut and styling of the Patagonia Lightweight "Sticky" Wading Boots.

Here is the press release from Patagonia:

Boats and trucks can only take you so far; you have to make it the rest of the way to fish on your 
own two feet. When the trail gets long, your Ultralight Wading Boots keep a spring in your step all the
way there and back. The lightweight , quick-drying synthetic leather upper is flexible yet tough enough
to handle years of hard use. Extremely durable Veregy mesh with bionic yarns drains the footbed while keeping the sand and silt out, making the Ultralight an ideal fishing boot. The internal support and reinforced  toe box protect feet from deep-water pressure and rocky river bottoms. Long wearing Rock Grip sticky rubber soles hold fin straps, accept studs, and can be re-soled for extended life.


Hopefully they live up to the billing of that some many have given them. Look forward to giving them a try .

All in need to do now to get some spikes drilled into them next. I really have gotten spoiled using them

as of late. Sure is nice getting a few pieces of gear.

Keep 'Em Wet

Keep ‘Em Wet Campaign 

This winter, Native Fish Society and many others are jointing forces to embrace the   “Keep ‘Em Wet” campaign to increase angler awareness about the negative effects of air exposure to wild fish.

Now don’t get us wrong, we’ve all taken fish out of the water to snap a photo, Native Fish Society staff members included.  But the more we learn about these issues and take care of the fish we love the more healthy wild fish there will be to catch. Right!

Even when anglers are taking precautionary measures, like crushing the barb, prolonged air exposure can make it difficult for fish to recover and there are delayed negative effects that may not be apparent even if the fish seems fine when it swims away.

Studies have shown that the longer a fish is exposed to air after exhausting exercise the higher their mortality rates are (Ferguson and Tufts, 1992; Gale et al, 2011).  Even 30 seconds of air exposure reduces a trout’s ability to recover and can provide a significant additional stress even when catch and release fishing (Ferguson and Tufts, 1992).

So, let’s get creative with the way we photograph our wild fish by keeping them wet and in the water.  Challenge yourself , friends and customers the rest of this year by keeping your fish wet and in the water. Protect the waters and fish that have been good to us.

This is going to be another tough year of water for us. Please do your part.......

"The Tale of Trigger"

Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this is a great story of the revered guitar of famed Willie Nelson. Trigger has most distinct sounds for gut string guitar and scratched in autographs from many of the greatest musicians in the world, make this an iconic gem.

A little long but worth the watch. 

Last Light

Just as the sun sets on the ocean horizon line, the sky turned fire orange, then in the blink of an

eye the lights turn off. Our great picture show is complete.

Last Light…

Bench Friends

SALT 2- The End, for now......

Pick a color any color, fish were eating any most any pattern, as long as we found the birds and baitfish. What hoot, will be back to chase more of these as will a fish for the Mako's out in the blue water. Did a little scouting on these large, toothy creatures, and all the folks we spoke too could not say enough and how exciting those fish are. We will be back!!

 Ms. Floatfisher was all smiles cruising the bay, casting from the stern, landing new and different fish.

I think I have created a monster that now has an appetite for saltwater fishing. I tried to keep her away  , it could only last for so long.

Laughing all the way, carefree , just fish to be caught.

Sooner or longer, all good things come to an end.

CDC and Elk by Tightlines Productions

A longtime classic from Tightlines Productions, the CDC and Elk, is a must have pattern in every

fly box. This pattern has taken many a fish for Ms. Floatfisher and I. A nice easy tie but effective tie.

Twist a few up today.

Back Channel Mischief

All this crazy warm weather give you the hankering to get the boat out and wish scenes of the summer where here. Scouting out back channels in the early morning looking for rising fish is our favorite thing. Nothing better than a brown fish face poking up and eaten' away.

Anchored up , and making some nice off shoulder casts to hopefully entice them to eat and not, pile cast and drive them away! Oh back channel mischief.

Great daydreaming on a Sunday morning.

Saturday Downtime

Can't believe the terrible weather we are having in Denver, wait,  Denver, we have a few day reprieve  , I think we picked the right place to be fishing this week. Enjoying the early morning coffee with a stroll on the beach. Should be another great day.

SALT, Short and Sandals

Well Ms. Floatfisher and I kicked off the 2015 season with a great day today in the San  Diego Bay.

Does not get any better with short and sandals and shooting heads. As you can see the morning started out with a beautiful sunrise.

 The bay offers a pluthera of great small to medium sized fish, nothing overwhelming, but absolutely

great way to spend the morning casting clouser styler flies. All fishing was done with 6 and 7wt. rods,  matching it with either a 250 or 350 grain shoot head.

 We caught croaker, spotted bass, bay bass, mackerel, just a few more to add to our list of fish caught on the flyrod.

 Fished next to the 32nd Street bridge and the Navy Seal training base, was cool to see the these 

badasses out doing there training as the drill sergeants were hollering ! Was also pretty cool to see the shipyards and all the aircraft carriers, warships and other boats in for work. Fishing right by them.

 Holy Mackerel!

What can I say, another great day for Mr. and Ms. Floatfisher. 

Olive Sparkle Minnow -

Olive Sparkle Minnow

Hook: Dia Riki 710, Sz. 2

Thread: UTC 140 Olive

Bead: 4.7 MM Silver Tungsten

Lead: .025

Tail: Olive Marabou

Body: EP Olive Minnow Wrap -1.5"

Collar: UV Ice Dubbing - Olive

Fish Skull Sparkle Minnow

Fish Skull Sparkle Minnow

Hook: Gamakatsu B10S, Sz: 2-4

Thread: UTC 140 Orange

Tail: Burnt Orange Marabou

Body: Senyo Chromatic Brush Flame Orange 1.5"

Head: Fish Skull - Baitfish Heads - Coppertone

Eye: Red/ Black

Mickey Finn

I was corrected that this was a Mickey Finn, so I made 4th quarter correction today, thanks to Flogging the Water for educating me.  Also appreciate a little extra education when it comes to fly tying.

Mickey Finn

Hook: Mustad S74S, Sz. 2-4

Thread: UTC 70 White

Body: Pearl Mylar Flat

Rib: Lagartun Small Silver Wire

Wing: Yellow Bucktail / Orange Bucktail / Yellow Bucktail

Head: UTC 140 Black - Clear Cure Goo Hydro

Electrified Leech Pattern

Electrified Leech

Hook: Dia Riki 710, Sz: 2-6

Thread: UTC 140 Black

Bead: 4.7 MM Silver Tungsten

Lead: .025

Tail: Black Marabou

Body: EP Foxy Brush - Black/ Blue 3" Wide

Collar: Senyo Fusion Dubbing - Midnight