Tails N Heads

Tails N Heads

by 

kuchynkaPHOTO

Timing

So timing is everything when it comes to fly fishing , or at least it can be very important when scheduling some of your trips. Tide schedules for when salt water fishing. weather when flying float planes in and around Alaska, and just about anything else that can ruin a well deserved vacation.

After following the flow charts for the past 2-3 weeks and figuring out which river will drop first  to clear and floatable flows, we guessed and watched right. This past weekend we would hope to float and fish the Rio Grande River, and maybe stumble across giant stones and other critters.

 Arriving at 2300 CFS in South Fork, we were alerted that the giant stones were in the area,

but further up the canyon. However, the river corridor was also alive coming alive with caddis, grey drakes, yellow sallies,  and golden stones. It would be unlike any other float that we have witnessed in the past 15 years, because for 20 miles and 7 hours there were blizzard hatches all the down the river or all bugs mentioned.

 Catching and fishing is a blast, but you must stop along the way to have a beer and enjoy the scenery and have a few laughs.

 Many beautiful browns were released through out  the trip, that were absolutely plump and stuffed 

full off bugs.

As always , in the South Fork Valley you must be prepared for  a little afternoon shower,

but that did not stour us from throwing  a few streamers to eager fish.

Rivers coming down, time to get out and fish now.....

Post Runoff Conditions - Right Here

Our floatable waters are starting to drop into really nice shape. Although the clarity river-wide may not be perfect, the edges are clearing nicely and eager fish are ready to eat. Early reports are starting to surface, the usual bugs are hatching and some nice fish bing caught. 

Caution, waters are still high and can be dangerous, so take precautions. But get out there .

Colorado River below Kremmling

Rio Grande River at Del Norte

FibArk Whitewater Festival

Salida, CO becomes the focal point of the whitewater universe for the next 4 days as FibArk, as the countries largest whitewater festival gets ready to kickoff. Our small town swell with every type imaginable. There are small creek races, raft races, kayak races, kayak skills , down river race, river dog competition and many other competitions.

Not to mention the fantastic music in the park and all the great people watching to be had.

 Many of the contestants come in early to practice and get some time in on the waves and

the "play-hole".  This gentleman was relentless .

Sometimes things don't always go well.

Craig Bridge

Coming in for a landing with the Craig Bridge in sight.

Reese's Tactical Nymph

As the water starts to subside on some of the rivers in the next couple of weeks, this moderately easy but effective pattern should be in your arsenal. Great little general nymph to mimic so many different bugs by using different wire and hero. Give this pattern a try, twist up a few.

REESE'S TACTICAL NYMPH

Hook: Orvis Tactical Czech Nymph Hook, Sz: 12-16

Bead: Gold Tungsten

Thread: UTC 70- Brown

Tail: Amber Krystal Flas

Body Wire - Amber Ultra Wire

Body Herl: Tan Ostrich Herl 

Thorax: Peacock UV Ice Dubbing ( Dubbing Loop)

( can be tied in different color combinations to mimic general bugs on 

your river )

Looking for Tails

" Looking for Tails "

by 

kuchynkaPHOTO

X- Sally by owl creek flies

Neil Strickland of Owl Creek Flies shows us a very simple, but effective yellow sally pattern.

Thanks to the Flyshop of the Bighorns for putting out this nice little series of videos, as 

these patterns they tie and promote are fantastic. 

Dispelling the Rumor

I often get asked if you only float the river and fish from the raft or drift boat. I am hear to dispel the 

rumor that Floatfisher does have his secret creeks and rivers , you just never hear about them.

Got to find your own....

One Generation to the Next

Great friend, guide and cowboy, Larry Friedrich's passes down the art of wrangling from one generation to the next. Such a great sight to see. A marvel to see, because he does it daily on the rivers also.

Missouri River Photo Strip

With run-off kicking up in high gear in the rocky mountain west, it seemed like a

great time to load the Adipose and head off to some water we know would be stable 

and fishing well. Visiting our good friends at Headhunters is always on our yearly agenda, 

as food is solid as it comes at Issac's, lodging, out of this world at the Sutton Place and fishing,

pretty much on par as usual for the Missouri.

Flows would bump slightly to around 7,000 CFS, moving the fish and fisherman 

around just slightly. This would be some of the higher flows the river has seen in several

years with the lower snow pack and  reservoir levels. Still would not impede the fishing.

As usual, good long days were spent on the river, most on the lower river toward Cascade

as this is our favorite water, fewer boats, really nice fish and some opportunities with dries

along some nice grass banks. Trade off.... can be windier at times. After long days of fishing,

Joe's was always a welcome sight for a couple of cold ones.

With the water being slightly higher, most of the fishing was sub-surface.

dragging a Silvey Caddis Pupa, Two Bit or Green Machine behind a worm. 

I know I said worm, but thats what they wanted and that's what they got.

Surprisingly the river was very nice at these flows and boats were very 

spread out, however, when you concentrate on the lower river, crowding was not an

issue. Just netting and releasing , with a few photo's was our concern.

Throw in a couple of short evening floats to enjoy the blue skies and windless evenings,

and another great trip to Montana was enjoyed.

Craiglandia

We just finished up another great trip to Craiglania this past week. Six great days spent in the hub of fly fishing bliss. We continue to go back time after time as the Missouri River has so much to offer 

and such a variety of fishing, from nymph, dry fly , streamer and even two-handeders.

I must also give a huge shout out to Sara, Julie , Dewey and entire staff at Headhunters, as they treat  you like the one and only customer. 

 We had our normal great little cabin, the Sutton Place, located right in town

perfectly placed in walking distance to all three fly shops, Joe's bar and Isaac's 

Restaurant.

Recently remodeled this winter to include new hardwood floors,

modifications to living room/ kitchen walls , adding kitchen bar and stools

 and new chairs in the living room. 

A staple in most fishing accomidations- twin beds, but very comfortable. 

BBQ on the side patio for your home cooking excitement.

 Also plenty of parking in small drive-way for  truck and boat.