Thank You All - 1000th Post

 Thanks to the faithful daily readers of Floatfisher, for egging my on to make my 1000th post this past

weekend. I appreciate the strong following from the US, Canada, Spain, Germany, Latvia, France, Indonesia  China and many others. It is very humbling to know that you all will check in from time to time to see what is happening in Colorado. 

I will continue to work on improving the photography of the site, new and improved fly patterns and hopefully floating some new waters of the West and beyond.

Thank you all.

Twin Sisters Shrouded

This weekend treated us to stunning weather and great photographic opportunities. A fresh layer of snow on the Twin Sisters, as they are shrouded in the morning clouds. Just a great backdrop for launching the boat for a morning float.

Caddis Batch #32

As many people start to get all amped up for the annual caddis migration on the Arkansas River, I start to feature a few of my favorite patterns that have worked well over the years. Each week the river starts to evolve just a little bit more, as the water temperatures are warming. 

Currently they are moving water down from several of the impoundments from above to Pueblo Reservoir, thus elevating the flow to 630 CFS. This should stay around for 1-2 more weeks and then they will drop the flows for the brown trout fry. Flows should them remain somewhere around 485-425 CFS through mid-May. These are great flows and will allow the water to warm up nicely.

Caddis Batch #32

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16

Thread: Tan 8/0

Bead: Black Tungsten

Tail: Pheasant Tail Fibers

Body: Caddis Green Halo Tinsel

Thorax: Black Peacock UV Ice Dubbing

Hackle: Olive Indian Soft Hackle

Collar: Orange UV Ice Dubbing

This About Sum's it Up

Everyone know's Ms. Floatfishers is the brains behind the whole operation. 

This is our motto behind ever trip, directions and putting everything together.

Crazy Baztard

Crazy Baztard

Hook: Partridge 

Thread: Tan UTC 70

Bead: Black Tungten

Tail: Pheasant Tail Fibers

Back: Pheasant Tail Fibers

Body: 3 Strands- Rainbow Krystal Flash

Rib: BR Copper Wire

Thorax: Peacock

Wing Case: Pearl Mylar

Legs: Rainbow Krystal Flash/ Pheasant Tail Fibers

Photo of the Day- "Electric Company"

Sunrise on the Wyoming Horizon

Traveling through Wyoming gives you moments to of clarity like this one. Morning sunrises are beautiful on all drives as they are long in Wyoming. 

Spotted in the NW

Floatfisher's ugly mug was spotted up in the Pacific Northwest, always nice to have to use a real net to land some fish. If you haven't , you need to get up and fish some of the rivers of the OP, stunningly beautiful and there are a few fish. Get out and fish new water.

Butt Scudley Variant- Fly Pattern

Butt Scudley Variant

Hook: Partridge Barbless Hook

Thread: Tan 6/0 Uni

Bead: Black Tungsten

Abdomen: Tan UV Ice Dubbing

Rib: B/R Silver Wire

Thorax: Orange UV Ice Dubbing

Front Wing: Peacock/Black Ice Dubbing (in front of bead)

Soft Hackle: Olive Indian Hen 

Drunkin' Dress Up

Sometime's it is never a good idea to go by the thrift store when you have had a few cocktails.

You begin to think certain color patterns look good on you. Looking forward to

the fun summer months ahead. 
Oh, don't forget about the hat.

p-thing MIDGE

p-thing MIDGE

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 16

Bead: Gold Tungsten 

Thread: Veevus White 10/0

Body: Purple Haze Flashabou

Collar: Pearl Uv Ice Dubbing

Photo of the Day- " Go Time"

Weather is warming up, rivers are rapidly opening up, time to put the fly tying gear away, you should have your boxes full, time to hit the river. It is " Go Time".

Small Batch

Attended the Colorado Trout Unlimited Gala last night, one the nice fundraisers they had last night

was a tasting and limited purchase of the Colorado Bourbon now being produced in Salida, CO by 

Boathouse Distillery. Jerry, the owner, was there to highlight his distillery and new product. They were

selling 6 bottles with all proceeds going to Trout Unlimited, with the caveat, that all purchasers received a raffle ticket for a chance at a Winston Fly Rod. Behold, we could not pass up those odds and purchased two fine bottles. Bam, we now are the proud owners of a New Winston Flyrod, compliments of Boathouse Distillery. Thanks

About Boathouse Distillery

Boathouse Distillery handcrafts ultra-premium Bourbon and other spirits in small batches. Established in Salida, Colorado, with a ready supply of pure Rocky Mountain water and locally grown ingredients, Boathouse Distillery serves Colorado’s Front Range, Western Slope and resort communities with artisan spirits. A tasting room at the distillery is also in the works.

Colorado Bourbon, Boathouse Distillery’s signature whiskey, is a distinctly American spirit enjoyed by men and women around the West for its rich, mellow flavor. We source our Bourbon from craft southern-state distillers after it has aged four years in new charred oak barrels, imparting notes of vanilla, caramel and fruit to create a unique spirit.  The final step is to rectify, or finish, the connoisseur-grade Bourbon. We also produce our Colorado Moonshine, a smooth white whiskey with more character than other clear spirits. Additional products include a line of flavored vodkas infused with all-natural fruits (i.e., no chemical flavorings).

Boathouse Distillery works with ranch organizations, land conservation groups and sportsmen’s associations — Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, North American Wild Turkey Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Pheasants Forever, etc. — to offer limited-edition bottling that support these organizations’ conservation efforts.

With its strong agricultural heritage, our central Colorado location provides access to a palate of premium ingredients — pristine water, corn, barley, wheat and fruits — from which to create spirits with distinct characteristics. Have a taste and we’re certain you’ll agree that our Colorado Bourbon, Moonshine and vodkas offer a fresh interpretation of these time-honored libations.

"Fire In the Sky"- Photo from the High Country

Sights from the River

Morning coffee on the river.

R U Ready for the Rio Grande, Roaring Fork and Gunnison in July

Got Drakes?

Yellow Sally Fly Pattern

Yellow Sally Parachute

Hook: TMC 2312, Sz: 12-14

Thread: Yellow 8/0 Uni

Tag: Fl. Red 8/0

Flash Wing: Pearl Mirage Flash

Body: Blue Ribbon Fly Yellow Sally Zelon Dubbing

Post: Partial Stand- McFlylon- White

Hackle: Whitting Brown Saddle

Reel Rocky

Photo of the Day- " Reel Rocky" 

MAS TAIL

Photo of the Day - MAS TAIL by brian kuchynka

How to Spend your Weekend Fishing

Having been sick for almost a week with the pesky deep chest cough, weezing and other 

unmentionables that I will not share, I thought I was on the mend and needed my fishing

fix! Well I was right and wrong, I did need my floating and fishing fix, but the wind and 

cold,  would have other plans for me once on the river.

However, let me fast forward to at least some good parts. For the fishing that was

done, I got to fish on of my favorite setups .

Olive Two Bit Hooker

 Not that my good buddy Charlie Craven needs to sell anymore of his 

trout producing bugs, but damn, they work. I fish these two critters in tandem,

which I call the "Whore House" set up. This on the drop-offs, this little 

set-up is deadly. Fishing some deeper holes, slap a stonefly above it to drive these down.

Just saying' , if you want to catch fish.

Red Two Bit Hooker

Now back to the first have of the story, after a short 2 1/2 float, I only had one lung 

left to hack up, chest tightening and severe chills. Can you say trip to the emergency room.

Got to meet Salida's finest at Heart of the Rockies, Regional Hospital. After two hours, flu test, pneumonia , x-rays , breathing treatment and a few meds., we where on our way.

Hope you all had a better weekend than I. 

MERCERS- Missing Link by Thomas Goodwin

Mercer's Missing Link from Thomas Goodwin on Vimeo.

As we get closer to spring and the famed caddis season, the Missing Link can be a pivotal player. This high floating, highly  visible fly is great fished in tandem with another favorite dry. Fishable all year long this fly is a must for your box.

Three Wire Mess

Three Wire Mess

Hook: TMC 2312: Sz: 6-12

Thread: Tan Uni 6/0

Bead: Copper Tungsten

Lead: .015 Lead

Tail: Tan Goose Biot

Abdomen: B/R Black/Red/ Hot Yellow Wire

Side Wing: Tan Goose Biot

Thorax: Golden Brown UV Ice Dubbing

Hackle: Black Hen Hackle

Hickmans- Skiddish Smolt by Big R Flyshop

Fred Telleen and the fine folks at Big R in Great Falls have put this great little video short out on tying
the Hickmans- Skiddish Smolt pattern. As you will see, a very easy tie, you have or should have all the materials on hand to tie. A great streamer part tern. As Fred mentions, change the ostrich color up for several different patterns.

"River Watch"- Photo of the Day

Forgotten Winter Chore

Sometimes things get tossed to the side and forgotten, well, at least one winter chore did. The annual

cleaning sorting and de-cluttering of the boat box. This is our "Vest" for the boat. Several years

ago, when we had our first custom frame for our first raft built , we had this nifty little dry box built.

Not for the faint of heart, cause it was expensive, but handy. The unit locks into the frame, with a special plate built for boat, in the event that the boat is flipped, all is not lost. It will survive.

It is amazing the items this great box holds, in such a compact area. With 4 main compartments, each specifically designed for tools of the trade. Let me walk you throat it.

Large Area in Back:

Holds 11 fly boxes , mainly nymphs and drys

Front Compartments:

1- leaders / fishing licenses

1- tippet materials and indicators

1- Floatants, Bio- soaps, misc. items.

As you can see, you can carry everything you need, in a need and compact area, attaches to the boat in a matter of seconds and can be locked on.

NOW WE ARE READY.

Random

In typical fashion, the thermometer is to peg out at 70 degree's today and I have a miserable, nagging  cough and cold, picked up from co-workers. This would have been a great weekend to be out on any of the local Colorado ditches, they are all opening up and starting to fish well.

 With each passing week, the fish become more active an are starting move from there winter holding waters. In addition, the bug activity is picking up at the days get slightly warmer and longer. Oh, so nice to be closer to spring and summer.

Thought I would throw in a few random photo's from last weeks outing, 

Carl Penningtons- " Razor Foam Stimi"

As the winter months warm, it is time to start thinking of filling you box with those high float floating,

fish catching attractors. Carl always twists up a nice bug, this is no exception. Enjoy the frosty winter morning with a little Baileys and coffee, with a new pattern. 

" Ready for Spring" Photo of the Day

Although I want more snowpack for the high elevation, I am ready to see a little green grass and blue skies filling the camera lens. 

Rainbow Skin

The brilliant slab-side of the weekend rainbow. Shure enough do like the colors of the pre-spawn rainbows, they are pretty. The blue's , reds, pinks, greens and blacks. Serious palette of colors.

rEdDrUm fLy pAtTeRn

a simple little twist that produced many fish this past weekend. Sometimes just mixing up flies a throwing something a little different will get them eating again as thing slow down. change colors and ribbings, well the bead too, bLaCk dRuM. fish the dRuM series.

rEdDrUm fLy

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 16

Bead: Silver Tungsten

Thread: Red 10/0

Tail: 3 Fibers of Pheasant Tail

Body: Red 10/0 Thread

Rib: X-small Silver Wire

Wing Case: Pearl Mylar Tinsel

Thorax: Tan UV Ice Dubbing

11 Years and Counting

Although we kicked out 2014 fishing season off a few weeks ago in Washington chasing steelhead. 

This weekend was the official kickoff for Ms. Floatfisher and I. Time to put the yacht back on the ditch

and catch some of the local favorites. This marks our 11th year floating the ditches of Colorado. A wonderful transition from the still waters and small stream of the White Mountains of Arizona.

If this weekend is any indication, it is going to be one fantastic year of fishing. The fish survived he winter in nice fashion, look like the put the feedbag on too. I was very pleased as we managed to land some of the largest fish in we have seen in our 11 years on the ditch. Signs of very healthy and thriving fishery.

With the foul, miserable weather predicted for the  on the front range, we could not pass up the chance to make the first cast of the year with streamers, although the water is still a little cold, the fish did not disappoint, they chased down and hammered a couple of my favorites.  Just icing on the cake, after the first fish of the season where steelhead, bull trout, sea run cutthroats and whitefish. Then come home and add browns, rainbows and cuttbows to the mix. BAM!!

After the streamers slowed down, thought I would try and newly modified stone pattern I had worked

on this winter. Winner, winner chicken dinner, this dude is a keeper. Will be tying more of these up this week. Also tried a couple other patterns that held their won weight, will share more this coming week 

on them. A couple of the old traditional patterns worked as well, TBH and Zebra.

 One of the many rainbows that was enticed by the stonefly. Thanks to Ms. Floatfisher for braving the wind, snow, rain and great fishing to be my fantastic guide for the weekend. 

Zebra Midge

Black Beaded Zebra Midge

Hook: TMC 2488, Sz. 16-18

Thread: Black 10/0 Veevus

Bead: Black Glass Bead

Body: Black 10/0 Veevus

Rib: Small Copper Wire