Posted by Steve Parrott on Mon, Jul 02, 2012 @ 11:17 PM
Most anglers overlook or drive right by the numerous lakes we have here in Colorado headed to a popular river or an off the grid stream in the high country. What these anglers are passing up is the opportunity to catch a bunch of fish with tons of room to do so.
I had the opportunity to fish a full day on July 1st and I could not decide what to do?? Hit the river with just about everyone else or head to Spinney Reservoir with my good friend, Kevin Hunt. I love lakes as they can be challenging and rewarding at the same time but can also be a real pain in the rear too. With the hot and dry weather conditions we are having in Colorado, my guess was the lakes would be slow and we might manage a couple of fish with little or no size to them where I could go to the river, fight the crowds and work on a new Euro leader I have been tinkering with as well as test a few new jig patterns.
I decided to hit the lake and to my surprise, 10 minutes after launching the drift boat, Kevin was already tied into an 18" Rainbow that jumped at least 10 times. Kevin landed that fish, and placed another cast out and within 30 seconds, hooked and broke off what would have been the biggest fish of the day. We speculated it to be in the 24" range but as with all fish that get away, it only grew in size as the day went on.
I began the day fishing RIO's new Hover line that sinks just below the surface and had a team of Chironomids on a 20' leader, slowly crawling them below the surface. I had one take and then switched up to the RIO Aqualux Intermidiate line and picked up two fish about 4 feet down. All the while, Kevin continued to stroke fish after fish with a right angle nymph rig with a large midge on the bottom and a soft hackle calibaetis above.
After casting and figure of eighting may #$$ off, I decided to switch over to the right angle rig and proceeded to stroke fish. This type of fishing may not be for all anglers as you make a cast and then sit there and wait for the indicator to basically "flush" like a toilet. I actually found it relaxing and a welcome deviation from my normal, intense approach to Euro Nymphing with extremely long leaders!!!!!
Below is some footage we shot right before the winds came and the fishing shut down.
Fishing lakes may not be for all but if you are looking for a different approach to catching fish and love to enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of beautiful South Park, Colorado, get out the drift boat, float tube or fishing kayak and head to Spinney Mountain Reservoir!!! You will not be dissapointed.
Posted by Steve Parrott on Fri, Jun 29, 2012 @ 10:54 PM
If you’re a devotee of the casting nuances of the slow action fly rod, a student of its historic ties to our sport, or just like the thrill of moving in close to actively feeding fish, consider Sage's new CIRCA rod, a reward for your years of dedication.
BE WARNED: the CIRCA does not mimic the type of slow action that has so far defined the category – overly soft, willowy and flat. Instead, thanks to Sage's Konnetic technology’s ability to compact and align more carbon fibers into a smaller diameter blank, Sage was able to design a radically narrow taper throughout the length of the rod, resulting in consistently slow, yet responsive action from butt to tip. Sage's new CIRCA rod is a technologically advanced slow-action fly rod that honors your slower, more deliberate casting style, yet is every bit a Sage.
“My goal for this rod was to apply the performance advantages of modern materials on a very sleek, slender shaft that would load down in the hand for a fishing tempo like glass, or bamboo while providing the crucial need for accuracy.” Notes Sage Chief Fly Rod Designer, Jerry Siem. “The CIRCA is a rod that, once it’s in your hands, enables you to improve as an angler by identifying where, why and how you can put a fly on the water. The CIRCA is definitely going to bring new life into the sport of trout fishing.”
Here is a video featuring Jerry which elaborates the CIRCA story. Beautifully shot in Central Washington, sit back and enjoy the new CIRCA video.
Sage CIRCA - Fly Fishing with Advanced, Slow-Action Performance. from Sol Duc Buck on Vimeo.
The CIRCA rod collection will be available through Sage specialty dealers in August and September in the following models: 279-4, 379-4, 389-4, 479-4, 489-4, and 589-4.
Features of the NEW Sage Circa Fly Rod:
• Low-Profile Ferrules. The inherent strength of Konnetic technology allows us to reduce the weight of our all-graphite ferrule connections by nearly 70%. Improved aerodynamics plus lighter weight contribute to lighter blanks.
• Green Tea Color. The CIRCA’s elegant and inviting green finish is accented by Olive primary thread wraps with Slate colored trim wraps.
• Vera wood insert with black aluminum reel seat and winding check pattern create a perfect combination.
• Custom Cork Handle. Snub-nose, half-Wells grip. The cork is custom formed to match the exact taper of the CIRCA rod, providing a snug fit that helps communicate casting feedback for utmost accuracy.
• Round Tip Eye. This Sage-designed tip-top never pinches or binds the line, allowing the caster to make mends and cast in any direction with full control.
• Slim Profile Rod Tube. Only 1 5/8” in Desert Gold color, plus a unique rod bag: like a chameleon, its gold silk-screened colors flash between gold and green in the light.
Retail price for the CIRCA will range from $745 to $775 depending on model. Sounds expensinve for a slower action rod but wait until you cast one!!!!!! They are amazing
Posted by Pat Dorsey on Sun, Jun 24, 2012 @ 10:22 PM
If there is one fly to have in your arsenal when fishing in Colorado during the months of June and July, the Barr's Emerger Flashback PMD is it!!!!
June and July are the hot and heavy PMD months and when the fish get selective, it is time to get down and dirty with them and this fly does just that. Perfect choice for tailwaters, freestones and even some of our smaller feeder streams and creeks.
The size 16 is perfect until the hatch begins to peter our and then switch it up to a size 18 and keep the good times rolling.
Designed by John Barr who is one of the most innovative fly tyers in the country with pattern like the Copper John, Graphic Caddis, Meat Whistle, Slump Buster, Pure Midge Larva, Tungstone, Vis-A-Dun, Tungteaser and many more. For more info on John Barr's flies, check out his book, "Barr Flies" with step-by-step tying instructions for each!
Barr's Emerger Flashback PMD Tying Recipie:
Hook: TMC 2487 - 16-18
Thread: 8/0 Uni - Light Cahill
Tail: Brown Hackle Fibers
Abdomen: Superfine - Olive Brown Dubbing
Flashback: Medium Opal Mirage Flash
About the Barr's Emerger Series from John Barr (courtesy of High Country Angler)
The Barr’s Emerger is a pattern representing the emerging stage of a mayfly nymph. During a mayfly hatch the mature nymphs swim from the bottom to the surface of a river, and the nymphal exoskeleton (shuck) starts splitting open from the front, and the adult mayfly dun starts wriggling free. At this point the insect is very vulnerable to predation by the trout. Some fish in a run may feed exclusively on the partially emerged stage. An emerger is an essential pattern to carry when you encounter a mayfly hatch. The original version was created in 1975 after fishing a PMD hatch on Nelson’s Spring Creek in beautiful Paradise Valley outside of Livingston, Montana.
There were fish rising everywhere, but none were taking the duns. They were taking little yellow specks. At the time I had never heard of emergers, and only carried dun imitations. I finally tied on a nymph and caught a male rainbow with a big mouth that I could easily look down inside of. On the tongue rakers at the base of the tongue were dozens of partially emerged PMD, just a small part of their body protruding from the shuck. In my motel room that night, the Barr’s Emerger was created, and the basic pattern has not changed to this day. The first patterns were on a dry fly hook and fished in the film. I then added a wet version to be fished as a subsurface pattern. In subsequent years I added a bead and flashback version. I tied it in a PMD and a Baetis version. I call any blue winged olive a Baetis, even though technically it may be a different genus; Baetis is easier to say than BWO. Baetis and PMDs are the two mayfly hatches I most frequently encounter. You can change the emerging portion of the fly to imitate many other emerging mayflies. I don’t fish the pattern just during hatches, either.
If a mayfly has been hatching, the emerger is a familiar food source, and will be readily accepted by the trout. I will fish the Baetis version year round as a nymph and the PMD version in the summer. Even though there are no Baetis hatches in the winter, it can be a very effective winter pattern in our tailwaters. You can drop either the wet or floating version off the bend of a dun imitation during a hatch, use it as one of the flies in a nymph fishing set up, or use it as your dropper when fishing the hopper-copper-dropper combo. One of the fly’s best attributes, be- sides catching fish, is that trout don’t get conditioned to it. It just keeps fooling them year after year. On more than one occasion I have caught the same trout more than once during the same hatch.
Posted by Pat Dorsey on Wed, May 02, 2012 @ 11:48 AM
Steve Parrott's new Czech Nymphing Master Class : On-Stream Tactics for Success DVD, available now is receiving rave reviews for it's simplicity as well as clear and concise explanations of how to effectively fish the Czech, French and Spanish Nymphing Methods in real-world fishing situations.
Here are the reviews:
"This is Steve’s second DVD on the subject of European fishing methods and without a doubt it covers all aspects of these highly effective techniques. I have been fishing and teaching these methods for many years and was pleasantly surprised on how much new information I took away from this video. The Czech, Spanish, and French methods all have their place on the stream and the differences are thoroughly explained and demonstrated. Steve explains all the subtleties involved when it comes to the presentation of the two fly rig in relation to different current speeds and holding lies. Several fish are caught in some unlikely places which only reinforce the message that these techniques allow the angler to be successful in areas they might have overlooked in the past. Whether you have never fished these methods or you are a seasoned angler, Czech Nymphing Masterclass is a must have for your video library." - Steve Korbay - Fly Tying Specialties
"I received this DVD last week and just finished watching it. Steve did a great job with it! The explanations are clear, and the demonstrations of techniques really gave me a feel for these methods. I'm looking forward to trying it out on-stream this year." - B. Ellis
"Congratulations Steve, what an amazing teaching tool to help clear up stream approach confusion using European techniques. Your DVD was very well thought out but, not too wordy, overwhelming a person’s senses trying to incorporate these techniques. I really liked the simplistic approach to each streamside situation. You covered each situation to a finite level. It was easy to apply the DVD instruction right to the stream side. Wow, this has really helped my European Techniques become more efficient. Thank you for building such a great learning tool. This DVD would be perfect for the beginner first starting out or the seasoned angler looking to fine tune their skills. Whether you are using European techniques or general fly fishing, this DVD will help you to read, approach and cover water very efficiently. Congratulations Again!"- R. Kless
Forget the expensive guide services. Forget the complicated books. If you want to learn how to nymph productively and catch fish in any type of water, go fishing with Steve. Hands down, the best one-on-one you could ask for. Steve is a great teacher. If you're a beginner, learn these techniques now and you will catch fish. If you're more seasoned, learn these techniques and you will catch more fish! - C. Holoday
Posted by Steve Parrott on Sun, Apr 15, 2012 @ 10:35 PM
Have you wanted to learn how to fly fish or at least give it a try to see if you would like it but did not want to commit a ton of money just to find out that it was boring or way too complicated? The Blue Quill Angler FREE Saturday Introduction to Fly Fishing Class is your answer.
Since the Blue Quill opened its doors in 1988 as a specialty fly fishing shop, we built into the mission statement to introduce as many people as possible to this incredible sport absolutely FREE. There are no hidden fees or strings attached to this deal. All you have to do is show up on Saturday morning at the shop and things will get started shortly thereafter.
Over the last 24 years, we have had several thousand people participate in the FREE class as a complete introduction to the sport or as a refresher to get ready for the upcoming fishing season. The FREE class covers the basics necessary to confidently send you to the river, some heading out right after class and landing their first trout on a fly rod.
The FREE class covers the following:
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How to rig your rod, including leader, tippet, and knots.
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How to select the right fly for each season
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The basics of fly casting
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How to hook, play, and release a trout.
When class is over, you can rent a rod and reel, a pair of waders and boot if you do not own all the gear, get legal with a Colorado One Day Fishing License for $9.00 and head over to Clear Creek or down to Bear Creek and apply those newly learned skills in a real world situation.
About the instructor:
Gary Okizaki, Blue Quill Angler Guide and Master Instructor has taught this class almost every Saturday morning for the past 10 years. He is an exceptional teacher and can have you casting a fly in less than an hour. His ability so take so many complicated topics and simplify them into a language that is super easy to understand is the key to your success.
Some of our long standing customer and even a couple of our guides attended this FREE class to get their feet wet. WARNING: Do not come unless you want to get hooked into this amazing sport!!!!!
Rods for the casting portion of the class are provided by Sage, but if you own a fly rod, it is best to learn on your own equipment as this is what you will be fishing with when you go to the river.
The class starts at 10:00 am and usually gets over by 1:00 pm. Registration is not required and there is no limit to number of participants. Grab a friend or significant other and get started fly fishing today!!!
For more information on the Blue Quill Angler FREE Introduction to Fly Fishing Class, do not hesitate to give us a call at 800-435-5353 or shoot us an email to flyfish@bluequillangler.com
Posted by Steve Parrott on Mon, Apr 09, 2012 @ 10:12 PM
Finally, we have in stock Steve Parrott's long awaited second DVD in his educational European Nymphing series, Czech Nymphing Master Class : On-Stream Tactics for Success.
Learn to Fish the European Methods like a Pro!
Czech Nymphing Master Class : On-Stream Tactics for Success gives you an on-stream river clinic on how to effectively use the Czech, French and Spanish Nymphing Methods. Steve Parrott shows you how to read constantly changing river conditions and how to match the water with the method. In this on-stream class, Steve shares the tricks of the trade that will help even the most seasoned anglers find new opportunities in overlooked water.
Czech Nymphing Master Class : On-Stream Tactics for Success covers:
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Reading and managing the water – how the currents are flowing and how to adjust fishing technique to take full advantage of conditions.
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Drift/Leading strategies – how to adjust rod tip path and speed to ensure most effective drift
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Casting strategies – Changing rod planes and casting angles to get your flies into those impossible places
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Selecting flies – how to choose the right fly based on method and water conditions.
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Putting it all together – how to position your body to cover a run and how to set up your fly box for efficiency.
This Master Class is the perfect companion to “Czech Nymphing 101 & Related European Methods” to build your on-water skills and truly hone your European Nymphing Techniques.
Posted by Steve Parrott on Sun, Apr 08, 2012 @ 10:31 PM
Spring in Colorado is one of the best times to fish as certain rivers are thawing out and others are increasing just enough in temperatures to get the aquatic life moving which gets the fish into a more active feeding mode.
One of the most overlooked fisheries in Colorado during the Spring months are our abundant lakes. Most are completely ice free by the first of April and the fish are hungry. Typically, most anglers are heading to the rivers after a long winter and do not give lakes a second thought which is great as the crowds are low and the fishing can be outstanding!!!.
Blue Quill Angler fly fishing guide, Joe Shafer knows all too well the benefits of hitting the lakes right after ice off which have really paid off with some incredible fishing as of late. Joe fished opening day at Spinney Reservoir in South Park on Monday, April 3. Air temperatures were in the 40's with water temps hovering around 37. You might say that this is still winter fishing but the slightest changes of water temps in the lake really get the fish into feeding mode.
According to Joe, “It didn't matter how cold it was, the fishing was simply unreal! The average fish was between 18-20 inches with a bunch of fish that where 20-24 and a few that didn't make it to the net that where bigger. Joe landed rainbows, cuttbows, a 23 inch brown, and a 19 inch pike that hit a size 18 midge. Tell me he was not hungry!!!
Joe's best producing patterns were small eggs, #10 and 12 Woolley Buggers, #14 and 16 Copper Johns, #14 and 16 Scuds, #14 San Juan Worms in brown and pink, Dark Chironomid patterns and Halfback Nymphs.
Joe targeted the south and east side of the resservoir which get the most warming degrees of the day fishing the flies static under an indictor with a slight twitch every now and then to give them some movement. Trout in lakes this time of year in Colorado are cruising but not readily willing to chase very far so a static nymph rig is the best choice. Most of the fish Joe hooked and landed were about 20 feet from shore, cruising the transitional zone where the shallow, warmer water meets up with the cooler, deeper water.
Since the ski season was pretty much a bust here in Colorado, anglers looking for a little solitude and great fishing shoud take a second look at the lakes. In Joe’s opinion, “fly fishermen are missing out if they don't try fishing a reservoir in the spring”. It’s not to late as many of the reservoirs are just opening up. If you would like more information on fishing lakes in Colorado or would like to book a trip with Joe, give us a call at 800-435-5353.
Posted by Steve Parrott on Wed, Mar 21, 2012 @ 04:50 PM
The Tungsten Flashback Black Beauty is a great addition to your spring fly selection. For the next several weeks, anglers can expect to see dense midge hatches in most watersheds. Observant anglers will notice two different sizes of midges hovering above the water’s surface. The larger variety, “the spring midge” is a size 18 and routinely mistaken for a blue-winged olive because of its size. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that it is in fact big midge!
You’ll also encounter lots of smaller midges that range in size from a 20-26. In a variety of sizes, the Tungsten Flashback Black Beauty is an excellent midge imitation for trout keying heavily on drifting pupa in transitional zones such as mid channel shelves and gar bars.
The Tungsten Flashback Black Beauty may be dead drifted with a conventional two or three fly tandem nymphing rig or fished as a “dropper” off a dry fly. The latter approach is deadly in skinny water where trout are suspended just below the water’s surface feeding voraciously on pupae and you do not want to risk spooking them with a conventional nymphing rig.
Photo Caption: John Higgs caught this beautiful 25 inch rainbow on the South Platte River with a Tungsten Flashback Black Beauty.
Posted by Steve Parrott on Fri, Mar 16, 2012 @ 03:15 PM
Sage makes some of the best fly rods in the World but they also revamped their apparel line-up for 2012 which is some of the most impressive products we have seen to date. Functional and stylish pieces that will make your day on or off the water more enjoyable.
Here is the line-up at a glance:
Even a hard day on the water can not spoil the body hugging comfort of our Quest Softshell Jacket. A three-season breathable jacket ideal for layering, the nylon/spandex fabric blend offers four-way stretch for added comfort. Its light weight makes it wear like a shirt, yet its double weave with DWR finish and adjustable cuff with low-profile closure offers stout wind and weather protection. You will get them tomorrow.
Features:
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Fabric: 90% nylon, 10% spandex
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High performance double weave with DWR finish
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Four-way stretch fabric for full movement and comfort
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High water and wind resistance
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Laser cut and welded zippers
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Tool port at chest
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Adjustable cuff with low-profile closure
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Adjustable waist at hem
Pre-shaped sleeves for comfort
Fly fishing will never be confused with an aerobics class, and against the cool morning chill mere casting or rowing may not be enough to keep your core warm. Like a warm vest built right in, our Quest Softshell Insulated Hoody features Primaloft® 120 gram insulation to keep your torso warm, without adding any bulk at your shoulders or arms to impede casting. An ideal mid-layer any time of year, the nylon/spandex double weave outer layer offers excellent wind resistance, plus our DWR finish to repel moisture. Your core never had it so good.
Features:
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Fabric: 90% nylon, 10% spandex
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Double weave with DWR finish for high water and wind resistance
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Four-way stretch fabric for full movement and comfort
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Primaloft 120gm insulation in main body
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Laser cut and welded zippers
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Tool port at chest
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Adjustable cuff with low-profile closure
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Adjustable waist at hem
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Pre-shaped sleeves for comfort
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Fully adjustable hood
Fishing travel demands that your on-the-water gear should serve you just as well off the water. Unlike many tissue-weight convertible pants, our UPF 30+, quick-dry 100% nylon Seychelles pants have some substance to them, ideal for under waders or dressed up for social hour. The knees are pre-shaped for extended comfort sitting in a boat, plus a gusseted crotch gives you greater range of leg movement. Quickly zip off the pant legs for wet wading or hiking. So throw another box of flies in your duffel - there is no need to take another pair of pants along.
Features:
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Fabric: 100% nylon
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Wicking
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Quick-dry
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UPF 30+
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Anti-odor finish
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Built-in belt with laser cut and welded technology
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YKK zippers
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Pocket clip to keep keys secure
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Hidden pliers pocket in cargo pocket
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Pre-shaped leg with articulated knee
As you are poling around the flats with the sun scalding your back and the glare bouncing off the water, ''exposed'' feels like an understatement. With our naturally venting Keys Crew, protection and comfort are synonymous. Anti-odor with a UPF of 30+ and the fast wicking properties of 100% polyester, the pre-shaped sleeves snuggly fit your arms to reduce wind resistance and casting fatigue. The cuffs extend over the top of your hand for increased sun protection. Take that, sun!!
Features:
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100% polyester
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Wicking
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Quick-dry
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UPF 30+
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Anti-odor finish
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Heat transfer labels (scratch-free)
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On seam thumb hole for added sun protection
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Raised collar adds extra sun protection for back of neck
The only thing better than a great day of fishing is looking good doing it. Your cast has style, so why shouldnt your shirt? Our Opala Guideshirt is 100% nylon so it wicks and breathes extremely well, with no need for outdated venting. With a soft, cottony look and feel, you can go straight from the boat to the lodge without missing a beat. Who knows, this could even become your favorite ''around town'' shirt. You are going home, right?
Features:
Wool and fishing have a storied history, and we’ve begun a new chapter. Our Kanektok Wool Pro Half-Zip features Polartec ® Power Dry® fabric, combining wools durable insulating qualities with polyester to create a mid-layer garment you will not want to take off. As comfortable as it is attractive, you will be hoping for cooler days on the water just for the excuse to wear it. Machine washable for easy care, its soft nap feels great next to the skin on days a base layer isn’t needed. We said you would be looking for every excuse possible!Features:
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Fabric: Polartec ® Power Dry ®
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36.6% polyester
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33.4% recycled polyester
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30% wool
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Fast wicking and quick drying performance
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Articulated sleeves for active comfort
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Perfect layering piece with next to skin comfort and high warmth-to-weight ratio
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Machine washable
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YKK zippers
Sage created a stellar line-up that will keep you going strong no matter the weather. Check them out today!!!
Posted by Steve Parrott on Thu, Mar 08, 2012 @ 11:11 PM
Most anglers hang up the waders and rods for skis in the Winter months but for the die hards that are willing to brave the snow, wind and frigid temperatures, the reward is usually better than the sacrifice.
One of our senior guides, Joe Shafer spent Monday and Tuesday of this week on the "Dream Stream" section of the South Platte River in Colorado. The weather was fair with warming temperatures but brutal wind which has been exceptionally bad this year with gusts up to 70mph.
Joe started fishing at the lower bridge and then above the bridge to the first rock garden. The river fished pretty well but not a ton of spawing fish in these sections as of yet but they will move in there soon.
Joe landed a few nice 20+ inch fish with a good numbers of stocked fish in the 10-16 inch range. Patterns that worked well were eggs, 18 to 20 Copper John's, 20-22 Blue Wing Olive Nymphs and 20-22 midges.
Back on Tuesday to battle the wind again and fished the lower section from the inlet into Elevenmile Reservoir upstream. Lots of Cutthroat's in the lower section ready and willing to eat. There were a few big rainbows moving around feeding like crazy and the same flies worked as the first day.
The Inlet to Elevenmile Reservoir is open a couple hundred yards from shore and the water temps where cold, ranging from 35-38 degrees. There were lots of other brave souls on the river and when we could get away from the crowds we saw a lot more fish moving around and willing to eat.
Winter fishing is for the bravest at heart, especially on the "Dream Stream" section of the South Platte River, but the rewards for toughing it out are usually pretty great!!