Away From the Ditch

There is not much that will tear, sway, pull me away from the ditch while the fishing

is still good knowing we have just a few precious weekends left.  

But..... It is not often my beloved Green Bay Packers come to the Mile High City.

On top of that, to see them blemish the mark of the home town team will only put a cherry on

the top of the fantastic weekend.

Montana Fly Fishing - Fall 2015

Check out the Fall 2015 issue of Montana Fly Fishing. If you have not seen this 
nice little publication prior, I think you will thoroughly enjoy it. Alway's packed full of nice
short articles, artists profiles, fly tying and other related stories.

Click on the Magazine Cover to view.

On the Ditch- Fall Edition

Fall is so special, we all know things are about to change, the fish know 

things are about to change, the last feed is on, Blue Wings are on the menu, Midges fluttering

everywhere, brown trout chasing each other, doing their thing.

FALL

Always special to be treated to a guided day on the river, so nice to enjoy a day away from
the sticks, where Mary and I both get to fish. Our competitive sides come out, not counting, but secretly wanted to out fish each other. 

Mary and Kelly looking for rising fish. Mary was spot on in the front of the boat, not a lot of fish,
but all that were smacked the line were caught.

Newbies

Mary and I had the opportunity to spend the day with couple of "newbies" that have been introduced to the sport we dearly love. Getting the opportunity to introduce Arden and Scott to the joys of floating and fly fishing Colorado rivers. Fresh out of flyfishing 101 classes a few weeks ago the two would put there newly learned skills to task.

 The weather and fall scenery were nothing short of spectacular for this excursion. The Colorado River, below around State Bridge would be the spot, two rookies would lose the river virginity.

Scott shows his first official "fly rod caught fish, we have him hooked.

 Streamers, nymphs and dries would all be in our arsenal through-out the day. We ended the day catching fish on the para-wulff, Purple Haze, Bugmiester . Just the icing on the cake.

 Bluebird skies, willing fish and terrific guides made for a memorable day on the river. Just a few more weekends of quality fishing left. Get out there and enjoy. 

River Randoms # 11

 

 Catch of the Day and Fly

 Foggy morning streamer bite

 Back channel lunch stop

 River graffiti 

 A man and his pipe

Fall in Washington

Autumn Splendor by Tightlines Productions

 Tim Flagler shows us how to tie a fall time favorite. The Autumn Splendor has the right

color combinations to intrigue the fall brown trout bite. It is my feeling that the round rubber

legs really make the fly. Not much time left in the year, get these tied up and got out and fish.

Fall Bonanza

Fall in western Colorado is full blown. Spending this weekend on the two different sections of the Colorado River was a treat. The hues of deep gold, red, yellows offset by the blue and grey skies was magnificent.

We did not have our two handed rods on the this trip, but by the size of the rainbows the river was giving up , on would have thought we were swinging for some steel again. Mary had a half dozen of these large fish to the net.

Sunrise at the put-in Saturday morning, this would be the good luck charm to two hours of magical steamer fishing, shadows on the water had the browns chasing the Dirty Hippy and Baby Gonga on every other cast. 

Floatfisher posing after a success morning release

"New" Yeti Lowball Ramblers

Received a couple of the "new" Yeti Lowball as a gift today, so we had to put it to the

test. A little scotch with some ice cubes. As hyped, it work magnificent. Keeping

it chilled so well a second pour was soon on it way.

Some fun facts of the Rambler Lowball 

- 18/ 8 Stainless steel, just like its big brother (20oz.)

- Double Wall Vacuum Insulated

- No Sweat Design- No coasters needed

- Oh Yah- the lids fit it, no spills if your like me.

Wil be a perfect stocking stuffer, if one can wait or you need a matching set.

Ambush by kuchynkaPHOTO

" Ambush "

Knotty Work

Just about that time of year that we start surfing the web, checking out various fish porn,
checkout new and old fly tying patterns and the other oddities of the web. One thing that we can
never be out of practice of is our knot tying skills and abilities as anglers. This can be the difference between very successful day, or incredibly frustrating and painfully heart-breaking day as we loose the fish of a lifetime.

Just a few of the knots that are everyday, thanks to Tim Flagler and TightLines Productions for a great series of instructional videos.

 

Decca Schlaff - Amazing Art for the Fly Fishing Enthusiast

Becca Schlaff graduated with a BFA in Art Education from Michigan State University with a specialization in Painting.  Becca began showing professionally in May 2010 and has gained praise as an emerging artist.  Her style of painting brings the awe of the natural world to fishing enthusiasts and art collectors alike.  Many admirers of her work often remark how it provides both the sense of seeing the fish itself and also the experience of being out on the water.  

Becca grew up in Pinckney, MI surrounded by rivers, lakes, and fields…endless playgrounds for her imagination which still hold true today no matter where she is on the map.  She has exhibited in juried art shows across Michigan and Florida, and her work is held in private collections in the United States, Canada, England, and Sweden.  She has been featured in MidCurrent, American Angler, and Fly Rod & Reel magazine and published in “International Contemporary Artists” Vol VII, 2013.

 "Arctic Char " Oil on Canvas

Becca Schlaff

 "Chrome Abstract " Oil on Canvas

Becca Schlaff

" Redfish Tail" Oil on Canvas

Becca Schlaff

Transmission Hole

When we come down the long stretch of the lower river, we would notice 

fish rising in the scum line of Transmission Hole, not many fish, just a couple eating an odd caddis

or red quill caught in current. Just enough to catch our eye, anchor up and watch.

What a beautiful vista.

School Pictures by kuchynkaPHOTO

" School Pictures "

The Ultimate Tomato and Mayo Sandwich by Jose' Andres'

Being a huge fan of Tasting Table and other great cooking channels, this simple and great

veggie sandwich was too fantastic to pass up. Of course the presentation in all these videos

always looks too easy, but this wonderful sandwich looks all to delicious.

RF & C

October is starting out with a bang, as we were trying to figure out were to take the boat and float, that we had not in while. Although our initial choice, and start to the trip was not a new or different piece of water, by the end of the weekend, we would end up fishing several stretches we have not in several years.

After several calls back and forth with our great shuttle driver, we settled on fishing and floating the lower Colorado River, Silt to Rifle. A fantastic stretch of river, however it can be very temperamental, 

and some would say there are not as many fish, the lower in the river one travels. However, as with many, fewer usually translates in to larger. In addition, you usually leave behind many other fisherman.

Bluebird skys welcomed us, as the weekend forecast was a bit unsettled in several weather forecasts.

Our mind set on throwing streamers as fall brings fiesty browns, and there are some real nice bows down in this section too. 

Check out all the nests, the lower river is a haven for blue herons. In addition, there are several sets of bald eagles that inhabit the river section. Always seem  to be present to watch us fish.

Our trip did not disappoint, other than the fact that the bright sun filled skies put the fish off biting the streamers. They were hungry for our other nymph friends. Both the browns and bows would be fond of the pats rubber legs and soft hackle caddis. Each riffle seemed to yank the indicator down, much to our delight.

Something was going to eat the streamer damn-it!

The second half our our journey would take us to the Roaring Fork river for leisure float and a few fish. I am not sure, but think it has be 5-6 years since we have rowed this river. It is always beautiful, but there seems to be more and more homes along the river, along with all the NO TRESAPSSING, NO ANCORING sign everywhere. While I respect the landowners right to there property, sure detracts from the river, when everyone has to have their gaudy signs posted everywhere. 

How many little little XX's can you count in this picture, pretty ain't it.......

Thanks Colorado for another great weekend on the water.

Dead Head

Fred Telleen, from North 40 Flyshop in Great Fall ties up another great simple but

effective streamer. Extremely easy on the material list and not time consuming but every easy

to add a little of your own flair to spice it up. Pour a cup of java, pop a frosty beer open and

enjoy Fred's twist.

"Dead Head Streamer"

Thread: UTC Tan 210

Hook Umpqua U506 , Sz: 4

Eyes: Spirit River - Real Eyes -3/16th

Body: Zip Strip Twisted Rabbit- Tan

Tail: Zip Strip Twisted Rabbit- Tan

Head: Cream Rabbit- Spun in split thread or dubbing loop.
Flash: Red and Copper Flashabou

Master Bait Fish

"Master Bait Fish"