F.O.F.- Greg Garcia- Living Legend

Friend of Floatfisher

Next to Hank Patterson, the next living legend that I know is the Famous Greg Garcia. Famous Umpqua Feather Merchants contract fly tier, up and coming float fishing expert and all-around Colorado good guy. While running errands today I had the great fortune of running into him at Anglers All, a fine shop in Littleton, CO, that he manages. 

Greg always full of tall tales filled me in on his recent adventure down the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, sparing no detail, including the first ever use of the "Groover".  Pretty boy Greg even took a bath in the river, didn't even have mousse for his hair!  Greg just might be ready for the 10 day Alaskan float trip next!!

 Garcia's Mother Day Caddis-  (Photo courtesy of Umpqua Feather Merchants)

 The Grande Rojo Midge- (Courtesy of Unpqua Feather Merchants)

Garcia's Mini Hot - (Photo Courtesy of Umpqua Feather Merchants)

If you have never fished these tremendous fly patterns you are missing out,  They are tremendous producers on the Arkansas River and other Colorado Rivers and rivers of the west.  In addition, if you have never had an opportunity to watch Greg tie at a fly tying symposium, you are missing out. His flies are a work of art. He ties with precision and fine detail.

Fish On Legend, Fish On........

As mentioned, you can find him at Anglers All in Denver, CO

Saltwater Saturday- "The Star-Down"

"Silly Season" by Ken Haag and Floatfisher

Silly Season from Ken Haag on Vimeo.

Post runoff means silly fish and wild action. Fish are pinned to banks just waiting to ambush any unsuspecting streamer, nymph and dry that happens to get in their territory. The action can be fast

and furious from the front of the raft. Hold on and enjoy.

Big Foam

Trixie the Hooker, always a good choice this time of year when the fish are looking up in fast water.

Fish her in front and behind large rocks, fish love to ambush her. Fish her along the deep slow seams, fish will ambush from below. Fish along the slow deep banks, it is a broken record, fish will continue to ambush her.

Super Moon at the Cemetery

This weekends "super moon" afforded an eerie but beautiful site at the local cemetery .

Nothing like getting some late night shots at 11 pm at the cemetery.

Spots of the Brown Trout

Spots from a Brown Trout

"Hindsight" by Austin Trayser

Hindsight from Austin Trayser on Vimeo.

Check out this very short video by Austin Trayser called "Hindsight". I thought it was very well shot

with nice content and great music. Just a little something short to enjoy this morning.

Weekend on Film

Early bird got the worm this weekend. As summer temperatures warm it will be important to get an early start to take advantage of cool waters and fish lying in the shallows waiting for those nice big and small dries to float overhead.

 Mess- O- Grape Slushes - although not a difficult pattern to tie, it is a very difficult pattern to find in a fly shop. Most of the stock in west is hoarded by two Colorado fly fisherman. It's nice to be one of those guys, the other is my good buddy.

 Another fine release of our finned friend.

Sunset with Fire

Although Colorado is not totally burning, there are several significant  fires burning in southern Colorado, that areproviding some amazing sunrises and sunsets. The smoke in the sky will offer some amazing greys, reds, oranges and other assorted colors. 

 Just too beautiful, the sun not the fire and fire danger. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the affected folks in Colorado Springs, Southford, Creede and Walsenburg. 

Not Far Away

 Every year or so we make a pilgrimage to Montana on our quest to fish all the rivers in the area.

This year we will add a few more to our list. 

We will fish with our friends from Stonefly again this year, can't wait to meet up with Joe Willauer of

EvoAnglers. If you do not follow his blog, you should it rocks.

We will also float a few rivers with Seth and the team at Four Rivers. Still have a little work to get out 

of the way and loose ends to tie up, but then we are ready.

Birthday Float

Crazy times on the ditch as the fishing is really picking up and fishing well. The water has really dropped over the past week and leveled off making for some very clean, clear water. The fish have

responded very nice nicely. This is always the time of year when foam flies of all sizes come out and get used extensively. I did not let the fish down.

 However, in typical Floatfisher style, we put on the ditch at o'dark thirty to find the fish and rocks in dark shadows, would there be chasers. Indeed. Many , Many willing fish chased and ate the Dirty Hippy.

 Invited Ken up for a float and great day on the river to help celebrate his 40th birthday. He had a grin on his face all day long. 

 Another release on the Grape Slush.

Large orange or Red Foam PMX with a trailing Grape Slush was the meal ticket.  

Earth, Wind and Fire

With all the smoke in the air, you get some nice shots at sunrise and sunset. Kind of a grey out, but it made for a nice backdrop for the pine.

Summertime.................................................

Always great to spend the day with my bride rowing the boat while I get to fish,

hell, I even like to row, sometimes. Although, I'm not as good as Mary.

 Warm summer days bring out big bugs and draw up the small and big fish. You can fish one or two dries, or you can fish a dropper. I think I get the most enjoyment out of one single dry. It keeps it fun, easy and challenging to pick the right one.

OH Baby-Check It Out

If you watch graphs,  and float rivers, this will give your a little tinge of "wood". The fishing is just coming into the couple weeks of silly season. You know the weeks of throwing big ass crazy stuff to  fish that have been pinned to the side eating mud for several weeks. There looking up, hungry and well will eat about anything and all day long.

 Lets see, we will start with some foam, pick a color, a, add some yarn and hackle, throw in some sili legs just to drive them nuts. Well you got the perfect concoction to catch fish and lots of  them.

See you out on the ditch!

Photo of the Day- "Paint Over"

Just how many times can you advertise on one brick wall. This classic wall illustrates a time past in our history when advertising and branding was simply done on the side of your brick wall. In all there are seven different advertisement represented in this one shot.

Photo of the Day- "Spokane Falls"

On our recent trip to Spokane, had the opportunity to check out the spectacular falls in downtown Spokane. At high flows, this is a pretty neat section of river for a downtown corridor.

'Boo by Scumliner Media

'boo from scumliner media on Vimeo.

Watch this sic video by john Arnold aka Scumliner Media, as he spends a day with Sweetgrass Rods  in Twin Bridges, Montana. Besides spending the day visiting and watch these fine rods being made.  John, Mark, Dave Delisi and Luca Troiani spent time fishing these fine crafted rods on some beautiful waters on the Ruby River Habitat. Some great tunes too. 

Truly another gem put out by Scumliner Media, take a look. 

Photo of the Day- "Just a Little Sun Pokin' Out"

Another beautiful day on the river, and another treat in the sky. So blessed to spend another day on the ditch.

FibArk Fun

FibArk is the countries oldest and largest whitewater festivial. It alway draws the some of the worlds most talented kayakers,paddlers and rafters in the country.

Made it down to watch the C1 finals at FibArk Saturday morning, although not the most

thrilling event to watch, all the participants are very strong and talented. The skill it takes

to make it through the gates, most only using a stroke or two is amazing.

 Local Salidian took third place in the event

Winner crossing the finish line a full 10 seconds ahead of the nearest competitor, crazy fast.

River Characters

Sometimes you meet interesting characters on the river. I happened to run across 

this gentleman recently when we were in Spokane cruising the river scene. 

He was part of the crew picking up and keeping the downtown area clean.  A very admirable job

by a fine group of people. Town was spotless.

the stone sessions vol.ii -" EXPECTATIONS" by outside bend productions

the stone sessions vol. II: expectations from Outside Bend Productions on Vimeo.

Keeping with the theme, just because, well big stoneflies are kickass. I liked "the stone sessions 1" , so I figured I should watch and post sessions #2 as it was equally as good. So enjoy your Baileys and coffee this morning and check out Outside Bend Productions newest video.

Photo of the Day- "Night Light"

"Night Light"

Dry Fly Fishing Salmonflies- by Simms

Keeping with the theme of Stoneflies, it would not be cool not to show a video produced by Simms and RA Beattie if it was out there. RA just simply makes and produces top quality goods. The short storyline and tight shots are amazing. Sit back and enjoy this morning.

Stonefly Invasion by Henrys Fork Anglers

Salmonfly Invasion from Henrys Fork Anglers on Vimeo.

This video short by the fine folks at Henry Fork Angler is sure to get your blood pumping
this morning as you watch the exciting salmonfly action busting loose. This is what happens
when guides have days off.  Enjoy your cup of joe this morning.

Photo of the Day- " Chunkin' Big Stuff"

KK's on the Colorado River

When you are over fishing and floating the Colorado River from Pumphouse to Statebridge, you should plan your lunch stop at Rancho Del Rio and KK's World Famous BBQ. A mainstay in the area for many years.

Stop in and have KK whip you up a few rib, maybe one of those double stack burgers with kabalsa and  jalapeno's, or maybe just a giant dawg. All will fill your gut and help you set you on your way to catching fish the rest of the afternoon. Oh yeah, don't forget to bring your cooler of beer to the stand,
your allowed to pop a cold one of your own. 

KK at the grill whipping up some of her favorite grub.

The Final Resting Place

On the way to the river, you pass great visual sights, Sunday was no different. The sun rising over the final resting spot of so many famous and great Howard residents. God bless.

TTTTTTTTwisted.....

Like the photographer, things seem to get a little twisted from time to time.

I just love barbed wire, think it cool, shots well. Its just cool.

Chasing Salmonflies on the Rio

Once again we gave chase to the elusive salmon fly hatch on the Rio Grande River. Although not seasoned veterans on this river, we try and give it a valiant effort every year or so. This year was no different, but the turnout was the same. 

Crossed the river at the first sighting and it was stunning, clear bank to bank, flows 900 at the top , 1450 at the bottom, heart was going pitter patter.  We had our good friends in tow, so it would be a good day regardless of the bugs and fish. 

 As you can see the weather did not disappoint, nor did the fishing.  There were no big bugs to be seen, but the fish were definitely eating stones under the surface, action is not far behind. Later in the day the fish were up eating on the top.

 Newby Karen on the sticks, did a good job. rowed most of the day, even put her husband on fish.

Another lucky man.

 Special shot rigging the boat up at the launch.

Little Redband

Small Redband Rainbow, par marks are aways very beautiful.

Salmon Fly in B/W

"Salmon Fly in B/W"