Scene's from the Ditch # 479

Corrals from the past at the boat launch. Some of my favorite area, in the " banana belt".

After spending the past 13 years fishing this great river we finally took the time to visit the remains

of the Old Ohio-Colorado Smelting and Refining Mill and Stack. Not much remains of the mill other than the 365' smoke stack , pretty neat to read about it, and 264 rail cars of bricks that went into the structure. Definitely a landmark that stands out as you drive into the valley.

Everyone once in a while you need to pull over and watch some crazy folks run a rapid in which no 

Occupants are wearing life jackets and all are slamming beers. While a fan of having a cool beverage or gin and tonic, this rapid it just plan foolish to run with now safety devices. 

Sunday Surprise

Mary and I are often asked if we every get tired of fishing or bored of being on the ditch almost ever weekend of the spring, summer and fall. The answer is quite simple, NO. When we are treated to morning sights like this every time we are on the water, how can you get tired and bored.

Very pleased with this photo, as it is one of first with my newest toy. Ms. Floatfisher treated me to 

a new lighter weight camera , the Fuji XT-1. OF course we had to accessorize with a couple of extra lenses to make the new ensemble complete.

Get out and enjoy, spring fishing on your local ditch is red hot right now.

A Little Something Different

Doing a little surf casting to start the morning. Tide in, fish riding the waves in,

following the bait. It was pretty neat watching this gentleman wrangle his morning catch

as he patrolled the beach. 

Scott Radian

We have added another new rod to the arsenal of new fly rods for 2015. I have heard great things about these rod, so it will be nice to have this ready to go for the spring, summer and fall season. Another big stout stick to throw light streams, big nymph rigs , or just fishing the bigger western river, we so enjoy.

Scott Radian 906

The Photographer - Photograhed

I guess this the reaction you get when the one that is usually behind the lens gets his photo taken.

Or maybe because I was having to actually row the boat. 

Back to Fight Again

Captured this weekend while out on the ditch, this picturesque release sends back another beautiful brown to caught yet another time by other angler. Hopefully released again.

Keep EM Wet Folks….

Scenes from the Ditch # 478

Another great weekend on the ditch, weather was amazing and each week see the fish moving and spreading though out the river. This week really marked the transition of the fish moving from the deeper holding water to shallower water. Was nice to see and fish the 2- 4' water columns, in the highly oxygenated water. From nine o'clock on, the fish were in feed mode, and it did not let up.

Midge, baetis, stone, caddis larva are all on the diet of these fiesty fish. At about 10:30 or so, it was time to throw dries. Game on…  

Just a little sampling of the patterns that were working this weekend, always a staple and a producer.

Craven's Two Bit Hooker- Black and Red

Photo Courtesy of Umpqua Feather Merchants

Sproat's Baetis Pattern is also a great early and late season favorite, olive is 

my favorite in sz. 18.

Just because it is my all time favorite fly, I use it for my attractor, Swisher's Parachute

PMX- Olive and Orange - also railed a half dozen fish over the weekend. Always a plus for March.

Photo Courtesy of Orvis

The old standby - Parachute Adams - enough said.

Psychedelic Fence Line

Floating and fishing around the west affords me some fantastic canvas's to photo from time to time.

I call this photo Psychedelic Fence Line as the wheel of colors that where visible during this evening shot was absolutely crazy. Black, orange, pinks blue, purple , reds, treys and whites, wow. Don't forget the maroon of the fence and green of the pines.

A little acid and this would keep you busy for hours.

Fish More.... Fish Often....

Firebead

Firebead Sow

Hook: TMC 2499, Sz: 14-16       Bead: Fire Orange Tungsten

Thread: UTC 70 Grey                  Body: Wapsi Sow Bug Dark
Rib: Silver B/R Wire               Hackle: Grey Saft Hackle

Tools of the Trade

Tools of the Trade, for me , a great day on the river includes these two following items pictured.

One- raft and all the goodies, two - pelican case containing all my camera gear. Anymore, capturing the scenes of the day or the special moment can surpass any fish caught. The peace, quite and solitude the river offers is un-matched. 

Let that shutter fly…

Midge Pattern by Eric Pettine

Had the opportunity to visit a tying seminar hosted by Eric Pettine a few weeks ago, and watch him tie this great little midge pattern. I thoroughly enjoy watching Mr. Pettine tie the variety of patterns in his vast quiver of flies, from soft hackles, to streamers to his steelhead selection. 

If you get the opportunity, get on down and check one of this tying seminars out, I know the winter season is quickly coming to an end at many of the area fly shops, but there is next season.

Just a quick side note, I  changed it up a little to include the grey foam , but thought you would enjoy this pattern. 

Midge

Hook: TMC 100 BL, Sz: 18

Thread: Veevus 10/0 Grey

Tailing Shuck: Grey Z-Lon

Body: Pearl Flashabou

Hackle: Whiting Grizzly Saddle Hackle

Foam Back: 1mm Grey Foam

Hi Vis Wing: Orange Float-Vis

Missouri Streamer Daze

It's tough , how do you choose just one go to streamer? The fishing is just starting to heat up, 

and soon streamers will be the big, long bug of choice. The takes are un-daunghting, powerful, 

arm stretching and sometimes rod breaking. Thats why we do what we do. Get your boxes ready, wax the skiff and get the big sticks ready.

It's Time…….

Glass in the Riffle

GLASS IN THE RIFFLE

Wanting to throw some streamers this weekend, it was the perfect opportunity to breakout the new 
Blue Halo 7wt. fiberglass streamer rod. Purchased earlier this year to add to my arsenal of now growing
fiberglass rods, this was a gem. It loaded nicely, while throwing the standard distances on our local streams. Love the clear blue tones the rod puts off in the sunlight and photographs very well too.
Although no fish were caught on it initial outing, it will show up in future Floatfisher posts,
rest assured. 

Scenes from the Ditch # 477

Scenes from the ditch is back. I thought I would resurrect it from last year as most people like living and fishing through others. I love to share scenes from the river depicting some of the highlights from the weekend. 

 Hard to pass up the fantastic weather Colorado offered up this past weekend, snow capped peaks, bright blue skies and pristine water. Mornings were crisp, but warmed up to short sleeve weather quickly. Fish were quick to oblige , by eating often and lots.

A few fly changes were needed, but each paid of earnestly. 

Very picturesque shot of  my good buddy "Fishspotters" boat at the put-in , not often we get beat to the 

put-in, but it was a pleasure to share the river with my good buddy. 

I'm a Lookin'

I'm a lookin' for the small stream , over by the Leonard Homestead Cabin that is full of those cutthroats. You remember how to get there?

" The Bench" by Jake Patton

Saturday's mornings pre-launch video short. Enjoying a little oatmeal with the coffee and bailey's, then we put the rod on the windshield and head to put-in, Time to throw a few streamers, hopefully there will be a few chasers.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful weekend.

Photo of the Day -"Parachute on Blu"

" Parachute on Blu" by KuchynkaPHOTO

Commissioned Piece

Besides a great weekend of fishing, I had the opportunity to pick up my new addition to the Floatfisher art collection. A fun little  piece to adorn my computer and photo room that consumes so much of my time. Commissioned by Lindsay Sutton Art in Salida, CO . Painted reverse on the old window frame , matching our Floatfisher logo of 2012.

Check out Lindsay's new store location just getting ready to open in Salida

Ray Charles Sow Bug by TightLines Productions

          

Next in the series of videos from Tightlines Productions, another very simple but effective pattern

on many of the tailwater patterns of west, especially the Bighorn and Missouri. You can simply change up the color combinations.

Seatrout Flies

Green Seatrout Fly

Hook: Mustad : Sz: 

Eyes: Nickel Barbell Eyes

Thread: Lagartun X-Strong White

Tail: White, Blue and Chartreuse Bucktail

Flash: 2-Strands of Pearl UV Krystal Flash

Collar: Senyo Fusion Dubbing- Lizard

Orange Seatrout Fly

Hook: Mustad : Sz: 

Cone: Black Tungsten

Lead: .020 Lead

Thread: Lagartun X-Strong White

Tail: White and Orange Bucktail

Flash: 2-Strands of Pearl UV Krystal Flash

Collar: Senyo Fusion Dubbing- Flame

Back In the Saddle

What a fantastic weekend to get back in the rowers seat and get on the river. The "first" trout trip of the year, and the latest in the year it has been to get on the river for Floatfisher. With work, weather and other family obligations taking precedence , it is just the way it worked out. 

None the less, the opening trip did lived up to the expectations, as I would have expected. As always, I am always excited for every trip and just mentioning fishing gets the blood pumping. Not only catching a couple of trouts, but snapping a couple of photo's to boot. That would make more of my day.

It did not come without the excitement of forgetting a couple to most important items that you need to make the trip a success, but as I always say, that's why they have fly shops, we need more stuff we already have.

Bluebirds days, warmed the waters and got the bugs and fish moving mid morning.

I have posted this fly numerous times over the years, but once again the Kingery's Black Ice,

was the proven winner. Hung below a Barr's Tungstone, this was a pretty deadly combo along the edges and mid riffles. 

Keep Em Wet- The theme of the year

Ms. Floatfisher was back in the saddle and putting me on fish run after run. I am a lucky chicken.

Oh, so nice to have the Hyside back on the water again. Let the season begin.

Mule's

As another long fishing season nears, one of my favorite refreshing beverages is the old Moscoe Mule.

Refreshing, revitalizing and man they pack a punch as 5-9. Can only be made with the famous copper mugs, as the taste is one of a kind. Great in the boat late in the day, remember to take the fix in's , and you will be the talk of the river. 

Moscoe Mule Beverage

          

Recipe:

Ingredients:

Copper Mug

Ice

1/2 Lime Squeezed

2 Oz. Tito's Vodka

Cock-N-Bull Ginger Beer

Preparation:

Squeeze 1/2 lime in bottom of copper mug, drop lime in bottom. Add ice, pour in 2 oz. of 

Tito's Vodka and fill with rest of mug with Cock-N-Bull Ginger Beer. Squeeze wedge of lime on top.

Drink several to taste.

A/P Salt Water Fly

A / P Salt Water Fly

Hook: TMC 811, Sz: 2 - 8

Thread: Lagartun X-Strong White

Eyes: Red /Black Dumbell

Tail: Senyo Silver Minnow Body

Body: 1.5" Enrico Pluglisi Foxy Brush Silver

Colored Pens: 

Orange -Top

Olive - Sides

Red: Gills

Down Stream Take

"Down Stream Take" by KuchynkaPHOTO

WHY, I Ask, WHY

I think I have an addiction issue to nice toys, and should not hang around others who have the

same obsessive compulsive disorder that I do. It seems each time I am around them, I get a new idea

that I "need" or should have another complementary item to go with my other camera gear.

This time looking at a somewhat lighter, more compact camera to have with me all the time to capture events when out and about. Although I love the large Nikon and all the multitude of lenses, it get very heavy to lug around at times. this is pretty light and easy , and I would only have a couple of lenses to compliment the camera, for most of my shooting.

We will see what the next couple of weeks brings. Stay tuned…..

Hickman's Fish Taco

Hickman's Fish Taco

Shank: Fish Skull 35mm, Octopus #2

Stinger Wire: Maxima or Fireline

Thread: UTC 140 Red

Butt: Red Ultra Chenille

Body: Red Ultra Chenille

Palmer Hackle: Red Chinese Saddle

Collar: Ice wing Red , Holographic Red Flash , Natural Guinea

Czeched Out Hares Ear Nymph by Dakota Angler

If you not checked out Dakota Anglers and Outfitters site, you are missing. Hans has a nice series of tying videos. He has a lot of nice patterns for the South Dakota area, as well as the Bighorn and other great Montana fisheries. I did not count the number of videos, but it numbers well over 5o.

Came across the Czeched Out Hares Ear and though, here is another great simple pattern that I need to have in my box. I just love flies that have those simple little hot spots of color on them.

Short little watch, check it out, as well as some of the others.

www.fishsd.com

Fishmas Nymph

Fishmas Nymph

Hook: Partridge Czech , Sz: 10-14

Bead: Turnsten- Purple Prismatic

Thread: UTC 70 White

Body: Senyo Fusion Dubbing- Fishmas Blend

Rib: B/R Wine Wire

Collar: Senyo Fusion Dubbing- Muppet Blend

(pick dubbing out on bottom and trim)

Good Eats, Libations and Artwork

Steelhead Bar and Grille

Besides fishing in the Spokane area, a great place to stop in for a great local 

IPA or dry shaken Martini or an nice Merlot, give the The Steelhead Bar and Grille

a shot. Downtown by the river, a great little stop to take the edge off, the Steelhead features 

some great local artists by the month, something I think is pretty damn cool.

Evening Sunset

Blue Midge by Eric Pettine

Blue Midge by Eric Pettine

Hook: TMC 101, Sz:16-20

Bead: Glass Diamond

Tail: Grey Flouro Fibre

Thread: UTC 70- Peacock Blue

Flash Tuft: Lagartun's Diamond Braid

Thorax: Blue UV Ice Dubbing