Question:

Has anyone fished the San Juan river in mid October? How was it ? Was the weather good? Where did you stay and would you recommend it? Thanks in advance for any  information.

Response:

I’ve been there a couple of times in October. I like to stay at Abe’s. The weather is unpredictable in October. One time it was in the 70’s and beautiful. The other time it rained two days and snowed the other two. Neither should keep you from fishing.

Response:

Hey Tree Skier (great handle, just make sure you baseball cap is on backwards so you don’t hit any branches). October is one of the best months to fish the san juan.  There are a couple of other threads discussing our upcoming trip there in december. Hate to sound like a broken record, but go to http://www.ifly4trout.com and read everything.  it has basically everything you need to know. bruce h Before you buy.

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Question:

A friend sent me ‘ The Top 15 Unforeseen Side-Effects of the Y2K Bug’ which I found rather amusing and I have included them herein, for your perusal. Thise got me to thinking along fishing lines, what will fishing be like in the future?  I’ve only read one short story (sci-fi) about fly fishing, a little ditty called "Ring Trout."  What do you think we can expect? ‘Laser Lines’ that parboil the fish automatically or make for a ‘laser’ guided cast?  Genetically engineered or fish that are otherwise raised to be harder to catch? (Remember my ‘trout swatter idea?) Fish tags with tracking devices to really catch ‘the big one?’ I need some help here fellows, it’s starting to keep me awake…….john              [  The Top 5 List   www.topfive.com  ]              [   Copyright 1999 by Chris White    ] 15 Computer glitch at People Magazine makes Dom DeLuise the     "Sexiest Man Alive!" 14 No power failures, no mass hysteria, but from January 1st on,     everyone’s toast is just a little bit burnt. 13 "Suddenly Susan" suddenly funny. 12 Their computers thwarted, the public library will finally get     their 12-year-overdue copy of "Our Bodies, Our Selves" back     and I… er, my friend won’t have to pay a penny in late fees! 11 Several thousand Internet start-ups simultaneously and     inexplicably turn a profit. 10 World falls under the iron fist of Amish overlords. 9 All "2000 Flushes" toilet bowl sanitizers simultaneously     detonate, causing a "Blue Butt" epidemic in trailer parks     across the US. 8 While speaking at a fund-raiser, Al Gore malfunctions and     shuts down in mid-sentence. 7 Overnight, CompUSA becomes "Crazy Larry’s Liquidation Center." 6 Strom Thurmond starts to receive free birthday ice-cream cones     at Baskin-Robbins. 5 "Student Loan?  No, I’m pretty sure I paid that in full     last month." 4 With all the rioting and looting, your reclusive neighbor     Chuck can finally roam the streets relatively unnoticed in     his halter top and buttless chaps. 3 "First-rate Hunter-gatherer" now a key resume bullet. 2 President Clinton’s January issue of "Hustler" is accidentally     sent to ex-president William McKinley. and Topfive.com’s Number 1 Unforeseen Side-Effect of the Y2K Bug… 1 McDonald’s faces a rash of lawsuits when out-of-work COBOL     programmers begin dumping hot coffee into their laps to     make ends meet.              [  The Top 5 List   www.topfive.com  ]              [   Copyright 1999 by Chris White    ]

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A friend sent me ‘ The Top 15 Unforeseen Side-Effects of the Y2K Bug’ which I found rather amusing and I have included them herein, for your perusal. Thise got me to thinking along fishing lines, what will fishing be like in the future?  I’ve only read one short story (sci-fi) about fly fishing, a little ditty called "Ring Trout."  What do you think we can expect? ‘Laser Lines’ that parboil the fish automatically or make for a ‘laser’ guided cast?  Genetically engineered or fish that are otherwise raised to be harder to catch? (Remember my ‘trout swatter idea?) Fish tags with tracking devices to really catch ‘the big one?’ I need some help here fellows, it’s starting to keep me awake…….john

"Hey Joe, you got anything ?".  "Sure have, just managed to hack into Fish and Games tracking satellite net, three salmon are due in within the next two days".  "Gee, thats great, havent seen a salmon for years, you think we have a chance at them".  "Sure do, just upgraded my $rvis magnetic fish implant tracking device, if one of those mothers gets within ten miles of us we

Question:

I am going to have 3 or 4 days in No. Ark/So. Mo to kill in mid June.   Can anyone recomend a guide service?  Hope to find some big browns! Thanks, KNACK Whitehouse, TX

Response:

Check with Dale Fulton at Blue Ribbon Flies in Mountain Home, Ark. Also, check out Andy McMinn’s Arkansas fly fishing page at: http://kanweb.com/fly/ It’s full of information. Good Luck! Steve Rosenblum

Response:

I am going to have 3 or 4 days in No. Ark/So. Mo to kill in mid June.

Sandra,         Used to guide in Ark.   Here’s a list of guides and phone numbers that will give you the best available in that area. SHOPS:           Blue Ribbon Flies – Dale Fulton – (501)or(870) 425-0447         P.J.’s Resort (501) 499-7500         Wapsi Fly (a wholesaler) – ask for T.L. – (501) 425-9500 GUIDES:         John Gulley 501-499-7517         Bob Snyder      499-4287         Dwayne Hada     452-3559 (The Woodsman – Ft. Smith)         Sandra, the best way to be assured of catching large browns is to night fish, since they are primarily nocturnal feeders. Be sure to have plenty of Gink for your large dries and Xink for the huge nymphs required for those record browns.          John Gulley is a pro at night fishing and can definitely put you on some big fish if the time  is right when you go up there.  Be sure to ask about water conditions and generating schedules for that time of year when you call.  I’ve know and fished with John since the mid 70’s but have been out of contact with him for about ten years.  John, a seasoned guide, is rather drole and deliberate in his manner.         Dwayne Hada, also a personal friend of mine, guides all over that area.  I don’t know about Dwayne’s experience with brown trout per-se’. However, Dwayne, a former high school art teacher, is very personable and well mannered. Have Fun – Wendell Hise Snake River – Hell’s Canyon Gink keeps it up – Xink puts it down!

Response:

Question:

        I’m brand new to fly fishing.  I haven’t been fishing at all in over 10 years.  I don’t know why; I used to go a lot when I was younger.  I always had fun.  Anyway, I want to get back into fishing, fly fishing. My father gave me an 8.5 foot Eagle Claw "Champion" Mod. M3ALA (line size 9).  The reel thats on it is kind of a cheap-o.  I’m not sure what size or type line is on it.           What is a good size and type of line for me to start out with?  What is a good type/brand of reel to use?  What is a tippet?  How critical is leader length and weight?  I’ve been out in the back yard playing with it, casting.  How far should I be able to cast?           Any other tip and hints I should know?  I don’t want to go out my first time and look like a total fool.  I’m not saying I’m not, I just don’t want it to show <g. Thanks

Response:

   What is a good size and type of line for me to start out with?  What is a good type/brand of reel to use?  What is a tippet?  How critical is leader length and weight?  I’ve been out in the back yard playing with it, casting.  How far should I be able to cast?  

Hi Bill, I really recommend you check in with your local fly shop or fly fishing club for some expert help, especially with casting.  Just one lesson with a qualified instructor can save you years of frustration trying to learn by your self. You can find your local fly shop in the phone directory and a local club by calling the Federation of Fly Fisher’s at 800-618-0808. Now to answer some of your questions.  Size & Type of Line: The line you need should be balanced to your fly rod – you indicated your rod is a nine weight.  That is the weight you need for that rod, however that weight is a little heavy unless you are fishing in salt water or going after salmon or steelhead Tippet: A tippet is the fine monofilament that is attached to the end of the leader.  You tie the fly on this material. Leader:  In some fishing conditions leader length is the difference between catching fish and not catching fish. As an "all around" leader for fishing free stone streams I purchase a 7 1/2 foot 4x leader and then tie on another 1 1/2 feet of tippet material to bring me to a nine foot leader.  But that is only a starting point.  There are some situations where my leader will on be 4 feet in length and others where it will be close to 20 feet. How far to cast:  That is a tough question.  I feel it’s a good idea to be able to comfortably cast 30 – 50 feet.  That doesn’t mean you have to cast that far to fish, only that you have the skill.  You’ll be less tired at the end of the day if you do not have to continually "push the envelope" of your skills — on the other hand pushing your skill is how you improve. I hope I have not totally confused you.  Good luck. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

        I’m brand new to fly fishing.  

Bill,         The best advice I could give a new flyfisher is to get attached to a local fly shop and ask as manay questions as you can …. and remember all the answers.  Take the time to get some casting instruction.  It’ll be the best half hour you can spend.  Also, try to get a copy of "The Curtis Creek Manifesto", it’s a cartoon-type magazine/book that explains all the facets of fly fishing in simple terms that we all can understand.  Just remember, that if you keep fish, only keep what you need and that a fish killed is on that will never be caught again.  Some of us like to "Love ‘em and ‘Leave ‘em!"

Response:

   I’m brand new to fly fishing.  I haven’t been fishing at all in over 10 years.  I don’t know why; I used to go a lot when I was younger.  I always had fun.  Anyway, I want to get back into fishing, fly fishing. My father gave me an 8.5 foot Eagle Claw "Champion" Mod. M3ALA (line size 9).  The reel thats on it is kind of a cheap-o.  I’m not sure what size or type line is on it.      What is a good size and type of line for me to start out with?  What is a good type/brand of reel to use?  What is a tippet?  How critical is leader length and weight?  I’ve been out in the back yard playing with it, casting.  How far should I be able to cast?      Any other tip and hints I should know?  I don’t want to go out my first time and look like a total fool.  I’m not saying I’m not, I just don’t want it to show <g. Thanks

What are you fishing for?  A 9-wt. line is quite heavy — to heavy for bass/bluegills/trout, more appropriate for light salt water.  You must use a line that fits your rod though.  Too light and you have to get a _lot_ of line out to cast properly (not recommended for a beginner) and a heavy line will overload your rod.  I would recommend a moderately priced weight-forward line (Cortland 333 or something in that price range) and a moderately priced, simple reel (Pflueger Medalist is the old standard).  Too cheap and you get junk.  For now, you present reel may be okay, but get a new line.  If possible, cast a test line on your rod; it’s possible that a 9-wt. isn’t best. A leader delivers your fly to the fish.  The length depends on the water and the fish, but it’s best to use the shortest one you can get away with.  Again, what kind of fish are you afetr in what conditions? The tippet is the very last part of the leader, and often replaced with a new section.  It must match your fly so that it behaves naturally, and sometime you just have to experiment to get a good match. Casting distance depends again on the fish and conditions.  Distance is nowhere near as important as control; it’s totally irrelevant to the fish!  You want to put the fly in the right position with the shortest practical cast, so you can 1) control the fly and 2) hook the fish. Hope this gets you started.  There should be a tackle shop near you which could advise you about what’s best for your area. Jim Benenson Los Alamos, NM "To save your rivers, save your mountains" Emperor Yu of China, circa 1600 BC

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Question:

Sorry about the previous post – I am trying to get used to posting through Netscape and I am making a lot of mistakes. My question is this :         1. When I cast, my flyline and leader go out fine, but my tippet            often lands in jumbled mess. What might I be doing wrong? I                am using a 6wt rod, DT6F line, a 9ft 5X leader, and 5X tippet              (about 18 inches). I normally use size 14 or 16 nymphs and dry            flies. Thanks in advance for any help!

Response:

        1. When I cast, my flyline and leader go out fine, but my tippet            often lands in jumbled mess. What might I be doing wrong? I                am using a 6wt rod, DT6F line, a 9ft 5X leader, and 5X tippet              (about 18 inches). I normally use size 14 or 16 nymphs and dry  

Check that leader is straight before you cast, i.e. pull it through your fingers (or a small piece of rubber) until straight. Leader design should be 40% (of length) stiff butt, 20% floppy tippet, remainder stepping down (say 0.016" to 0.008").  If in doubt, buy famous-brand knotted leaders, e.g. Orvis.  If you knot your own, you can customize fully. Excessive forward push on the casting stroke can cause fly to bounce back on loose loops of tippet (deliberately in some fishing situations.) — |  Donald Phillipson, 4180 Boundary Road, Carlsbad Springs,  | |        Ontario, Canada, K0A 1K0, tel. 613 822 0734         |

Response:

Sorry about the previous post – I am trying to get used to posting through Netscape and I am making a lot of mistakes. My question is this :        1. When I cast, my flyline and leader go out fine, but my tippet           often lands in jumbled mess. What might I be doing wrong? I               am using a 6wt rod, DT6F line, a 9ft 5X leader, and 5X tippet             (about 18 inches). I normally use size 14 or 16 nymphs and dry           flies. Thanks in advance for any help!

Two thoughts Jeff:         1) Try using a heavier leader, some of the tapered variety are good.             This will provide stiffness, which aids the turn over of your             tippet. You can then add your tippet to the end of the leader.             It might be a good idea to use a 5′ leader at first, they are             easier to control, when you have mastered that then progress             to the 9′ leaded.         2) With seeing you cast its difficult to offer advice but a common             fault with  many casting techniques is that the angler casts at             the water rather than at eye level. If when you cast you aim at             the water then the fly line, leader and tippet are not given             sufficent time to turn over, resulting in your line landing in a             heap on the water. If you cast aiming at the horizon or eye level             this will give time for the turn over to be completed and your             tackle to land in a straight line. I hope they might prove to be of some help for you.         Tight lines                         Chris

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Question:

    I’ll be flying through Bozeman or Helena in mid-june and was looking to spend a day or two fly fishing in the area. Does anyone know about getting around in these areas. Are there rivers accessible by public transport or other means? Are there guides in the area who ferry? Also, I was wondering about river conditions there at that time.      thanks in advance, John koon  

Response:

Guides can ferry..but public transportation probably won’t get you to many streams…however, here in Missoula you can have great fishing right downtown…alas, our rivers are very high and will probably be that way for sometime to come..

Response:

   I’ll be flying through Bozeman or Helena in mid-june and was looking to spend a day or two fly fishing in the area. Does anyone know about getting around in these areas. Are there rivers accessible by public transport or other means? Are there guides in the area who ferry? Also, I was wondering about river conditions there at that time.     thanks in advance, John koon  

Hi John I live in Bozeman and public transportation is little and far between. I also guide and often pick my clients up at their motel. I suggest you contact Dave Corcoran at the River’s Edge (or one of his people) 406-586-5373. They can book you with a guide as well as arrange a room accross the street from the store. You would be next door to a couple of restaurants as well. Just walk accross the street, meet your guide, get any supplies you need, ride with the guide to and from the river and at day’s end you can be returned to the store or your motel. When flying into Bozeman it’s about an 8 mile trip from the airport to the motel.   You can call a taxi or have the River’s Edge schedule one to be waiting for you. If you want to fish by your self, there is basically no way without a car. Regarding the rivers:  We are experiencing a very wet, cold spring. Many of our waters will be high and muddy but a guide should be able to get you to fairly good water.  However a bad storm can really mess up the water conditions for a day or so. If you don’t mind the rod fee, you might see if they can get you on one of the spring creeks.  They are not affected as much by rain as the rivers. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

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Question:

Yesterday, my buddy and I went out to a stretch of the Winnipeg River, east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. We head to our best spring pike spot. An expansive weed flat in a shallow, north bay. We chuck some spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Lots of followers! HUGE followers! No bites except for a couple 12-inchers. Try some sluggos – nothing. Try some Rapala-type minnows – nothing.  ’Well, I guess they aren’t hungry’ my buddy says…..We’re packing up, and I spot an old spoon in the bottom of my tackle box. Now, I always thought spoons were kinda…, what…., old fashioned? Low-tech? What the heck, it’s worth a try. I toss it….BANG – 5 pounder. Nice. Try again. BANG – 8 pounder. NICE. My buddy loads up a weedless spoon – BANG – 6 pounder. We drifted across the flat for 2 hours, caught over 20 fish. One was my new personal best, 13 pounds, 37inches long…. caught on a ‘five of diamonds’ spoon. Now, compared to some of the fly-in spots, these aren’t big fish. But considering that these were caught 5 minutes from a public boat launch, we couldn’t have been happier. Lesson learned – pike like spoons. Thanks,guys,,,,just had to share my good fortune. Brian ps – all the fish were caught on Fusion – I love Fusion. SOLID hooksets, especially when your barbs are pinched.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yesterday, my buddy and I went out to a stretch of the Winnipeg River, east of Winnipeg, Manitoba. We head to our best spring pike spot. An expansive weed flat in a shallow, north bay. We chuck some spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Lots of followers! HUGE followers! No bites except for a couple 12-inchers. Try some sluggos – nothing. Try some Rapala-type minnows – nothing.  ’Well, I guess they aren’t hungry’ my buddy says…..We’re packing up, and I spot an old spoon in the bottom of my tackle box. Now, I always thought spoons were kinda…, what…., old fashioned? Low-tech? What the heck, it’s worth a try. I toss it….BANG – 5 pounder. Nice. Try again. BANG – 8 pounder. NICE. My buddy loads up a weedless spoon – BANG – 6 pounder. We drifted across the flat for 2 hours, caught over 20 fish. One was my new personal best, 13 pounds, 37inches long…. caught on a ‘five of diamonds’ spoon. Now, compared to some of the fly-in spots, these aren’t big fish. But considering that these were caught 5 minutes from a public boat launch, we couldn’t have been happier. Lesson learned – pike like spoons. Thanks,guys,,,,just had to share my good fortune. Brian ps – all the fish were caught on Fusion – I love Fusion. SOLID hooksets, especially when your barbs are pinched.

I live in Oregon, U.S.A. and fish at Flin-Flon, Manitoba every year and find that my best baits for northerns are spoons and #5 Mepps spinners. We catch numerous pike in the 20-25 pound class with them.  Not every cast, however.  It is still work. I have also found that fishing the Mepps vertically can be productive at times.  Just open the bail and let it drop 50-75 feet to the bottom.  Then give it a "reef" and start cranking.  You might be surprised.  On my first 4 "drops" I landed 3 lake trout.  Sometimes they hit.  Sometimes they don’t!  

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Question:

Interesting to hear Dave talk about green flies.  Several of us did well hooking carp in the Carson River, NV last year while fishing bead-head green crystal buggers, size 12, upstream like a nymph.  Also caught lots of trout.  May be just a coincidence. Regards, Dick Hubbard

Response:

I live near a lake full of large carp up to 40 lbs. When I was younger, I use to catch them with a spinning rod and a nightcrawler. These large trash fish fight extremely well and I think would be a great way to past the time during those hot summer months with a fly rod. Any suggestions on what type of flies one might want to use. I see them in the shallows as well as at the surface and appear to be extremely spooky. Any suggestions for flies and techniques would be greatly appreciated. — Mark Neumann

Response:

I live near a lake full of large carp   Any suggestions for flies and techniques would be greatly appreciated. –I  have just come back from the second disatorous trip trying to

catch what look to be 10-12 pounders in shallow water in Tx. Based on my success thus far, I think perhaps something in a .22LR, with perhaps a bit of gold rib might be the best way to go. Seriously if any one has had success i’d like to hear about it.                                                    Jay – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Gentlemen: In a local pond, I have caught carp up to eight pound with an olive wooly bugger.  It really helps to stay hidden from the fish and also to use the lightest line size you can get away with-I went from using a 9wt. to a 6wt. and that helped a lot.   Also, it’s better to fish when the water is murky.  In spite of what some people seem to think, carp have excellent eyesight.  Also, try to wade as little as possible. good luck, G-Man

Response:

I live near a lake full of large carp   Any suggestions for flies and techniques would be greatly appreciated. –I  have just come back from the second disatorous trip trying to catch what look to be 10-12 pounders in shallow water in Tx. Based on my success thus far, I think perhaps something in a .22LR, with perhaps a bit of gold rib might be the best way to go. Seriously if any one has had success i’d like to hear about it.                                                    Jay

Wait until the carp are spawning in very shallow water.  Take any fly, it doesn’t matter which one, and tie it to a large rock — 20 lb will do nicely.  Throw the rock on the carp.  Collect the carp and your fly.   Repeat.

Response:

I really like algae fly patterns!  Parahcute hoppers work, too.  They look like popcorn!  

Response:

I live near a lake full of large carp up to 40 lbs. When I was younger, I use to catch them with a spinning rod and a nightcrawler. These large trash fish fight extremely well and I think would be a great way to past the time during those hot summer months with a fly rod. Any suggestions on what type of flies one might want to use. I see them in the shallows as well as at the surface and appear to be extremely spooky. Any suggestions for flies and techniques would be greatly appreciated. — Mark Neumann

Hi Mark, Hoppers and Wooly Buggers work well on the Yellowstone River. I would suspect they would work in your area as well, especially the Buggers. Tight Lines Al Beatty BT’s Fly Fishing Products Bozeman, MT (96 catalog)

Response:

McCullough) writes:

: : :I live near a lake full of large carp   Any suggestions for flies and techniques would be greatly :appreciated. : :–I  have just come back from the second disatorous trip trying to :catch what look to be 10-12 pounders in shallow water in Tx. Based n my success thus far, I think perhaps something in a .22LR, with :perhaps a bit of gold rib might be the best way to go. Seriously :if any one has had success i’d like to hear about it. :                                                   Jay : Jay, they are a very difficult fish to fool as you have discovered for yourself.  I caught a 4 pounder during lunch hour on a local park pond just a few days ago.  I was using a black Marabou Worm but have used rust brown, white and yellow in the past with fair success.  A dead drift near bottom dead in front of them seems to work best.  

Response:

McCullough) writes: : : :I live near a lake full of large carp   Any suggestions for flies and

techniques would be greatly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -:appreciated. : :–I  have just come back from the second disatorous trip trying to :catch what look to be 10-12 pounders in shallow water in Tx. Based n my success thus far, I think perhaps something in a .22LR, with :perhaps a bit of gold rib might be the best way to go. Seriously :if any one has had success i’d like to hear about it. :                                                   Jay : Jay, they are a very difficult fish to fool as you have discovered for yourself.  I caught a 4 pounder during lunch hour on a local park pond just a few days ago.  I was using a black Marabou Worm but have used rust brown, white and yellow in the past with fair success.  A dead drift near bottom dead in front of them seems to work best.  

Carp are suckers for the following patterns: 1. Borgers Fleeing Crayfish – particularly olive         tie them in different sizes till you hit on one they like.         Lots of crayfish patterns work well. So do W.Buggers. 2. Small nymphs – anything like a Hare’s Ear or an all-purpose black 3. Green rockworms work well at times. 4. They will even rise to dry flies!!! That’s a hoot. Just match the     hatch. 5. If there is a fruit tree, particularly a mulberry, hanging out over   the water then whip up a bunch of flies to imitate the fruit –  The well known mulberry hatch on the Potomac River is a classic  example.                 HRS III 6. If all else fails, chum them up with bread and tie up a roughly trimmed wonderbread special with bleached deer hair.

Response:

I live near a lake full of large carp up to 40 lbs. When I was younger, I use to catch them with a spinning rod and a nightcrawler. These large trash fish fight extremely well and I think would be a great way to past the time during those hot summer months with a fly rod.

Trash Fish?  Scale, skin, and soak them overnight in salt water and lemon juice and then fry them out – can’t tell them from bass. ..course, ’round these here parts, we like to wait till they start rolling up next to the bank and then fish with bow and arrow, pitchfork, or extended net…come to think of it, I need to start sharpening that pitchfork – only a couple more weeks til carp season! – saw one Sunday in about a foot of water under the canoe that had to be all of three feet long – it was huge! Network and Medical Information Systems Manager Richland Memorial Hospital The University of South Carolina School of Medicine Department of Family and Preventive Medicine WWW.PREVMED.SC.EDU/FP/CMOORE.HTM Writer, Poet, and Couch Tater by trade, Systems Integrator by financial need; educated by college, loved by friends, misunderstood by peers, and Southern, by God. My Opinions are probably my own…

Response:

I live near a lake full of large carp   Any suggestions for flies and

techniques would be greatly appreciated. Hi–I have been catching carp for years in TexAs with what I call a Grass

Fly-just some greenrubber on a strong hook. I pick up grass clippings from the local yard men and dump[ them in the water where carp have been seen. They slurp everything down with their hose like noses and that includes your fly. Thiis trick never misses the Amur carp is a vegetarian and likkes grass better than cheese! I have caught as many as 8-10  carp averaging 20 lbs-no fish story! Use a 6 weight and you can have a ball! Good Luck                                              The Ancient Angler

Response:

Not sure I’m that proud of it but I’ve caught many carp with an Olive Wooly Bugger. The same I use for Trout. Use a sinking line and just draw it across in front of it when he arrives. I got a 40 pounder last year lik that. You can see a picture of it gracing my free fishing Log. http://www.articfire.com/arcfire/index.htm. Follow the links. They dont fight hard but this one fought long. Very long. Bob Sheedy

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Mark. We treat our carp with a bit more respect in the UK so pitchforks, bows and arrows and foul hooking fish are out. I’ve taken carp to 10Lbs on maribou tailed lures of all colours and sizes plus a few on various nymph patterns. Pre baiting a swim with grass cuttings is a method the Germans use. They tie on grass to the hook or bits of green raffene to fool the fish. Best of all is the pellet fly. This is a trimmed deer hair pattern intended to imitate a trout pellet. Get your carp stocks used to picking up free offerings of trout pellets, then cast your artificial into the fray.                          Tight lines. Dave T. writes I live near a lake full of large carp up to 40 lbs. When I was younger, I use to catch them with a spinning rod and a nightcrawler. These large trash fish fight extremely well and I think would be a great way to past the time during those hot summer months with a fly rod. Any suggestions on what type of flies one might want to use. I see them in the shallows as well as at the surface and appear to be extremely spooky. Any suggestions for flies and techniques would be greatly appreciated.

– dave tait

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Question:

Has anyone been able to find fishable water within 2 hours of Denver? I tried several streams in RMNP last weekend but they are all running high and fast. Cheeseman is at about 2000 CFS. The Big Thompson is currently running at about 300CFS below Lake Estes and although I haven’t seen the river at this volume it sounds fishable (?). Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated!

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Has anyone been able to find fishable water within 2 hours of Denver? I tried several streams in RMNP last weekend but they are all running high and fast. Cheeseman is at about 2000 CFS. The Big Thompson is currently running at about 300CFS below Lake Estes and although I haven’t seen the river at this volume it sounds fishable (?). Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated!

Hiya Justin! I have been experiencing the same problems with blown out streams in Colorado until very recently. Upon realizing that any stream attempt was going to be a disaster, I begrudgingly decided to try my hand at some small lakes. Traditionally, I am the worlds WORST lake fisherman with a fly. I usually cannot catch ANYTHING, but I figured that this option was better than drowning in a swollen river. On a whim, I decided to try fishing the lake at the bottom of St. Mary’s Glacier on Saturday. The fishing was SO much fun that I took Monday off from work to do it again. That lake literally boils with rising brookies. Most of the fish are small (5-8 inches), but they aren’t very picky and it is one of the most beautiful spots around. Fishing there was a great confidence booster for me and while the fish weren’t big, they did end the frustration I have been having with my recent river trips. If you haven’t been there before, just take I-70 slightly past Idaho Springs to Fall River Road (Exit 238). Take fall river road up for quite a ways (You will go over spots of unpaved road) and eventually there is a small parking area on the right and wide rubble trail on the left. Hike up the trail on the left about 3/4 mile. Tie on just about anything and have fun. I caught a bunch on a #18 Blue Wing Olive, but I even took a few on a #12 Adams. Be prepared for funky weather. I got snowed on on Saturday and rained on on Moday. Tight Lines, Chad McArthur

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Has anyone been able to find fishable water within 2 hours of Denver? I tried several streams in RMNP last weekend but they are all running high and fast. Cheeseman is at about 2000 CFS. The Big Thompson is currently running at about 300CFS below Lake Estes and although I haven’t seen the river at this volume it sounds fishable (?). Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated!

Decided to combat near terminal cabin fever and trucked up to S. but sure no crowds.  Caught three in three hours, including the nicest brown on that stretch in two years -18-19".  Wasn’t a lot of fun, tho, with insane tangles trying to cast three 3/0 split shots over top of willows behind.  Can’t wade out more than 3-4′, but fish are to be found close in if you can find some fairly slow water.  Took them all on big bright red worm.  Think Dick at Flies and Lies in Decker called it a "traditional ol’ English-tied worm".  You gotta be near spiritual about this sport to find these conditions a kick!!

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The rivers have been less then ideal.  For myself, I have turned to one of my second favorite activities.  Fly fishing for Bluegill.  Here in the Grand Junction area we have a couple of places that are producing ‘gills to 9 inches plus.  On a four wt. they are a blast.  My E-Mail is I don’t mind company, I just value good fish too much to want to see the meat hunters showing up.

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I’ll be coming out that way in August to visit my brother at CU.  I’ve been to S. Platte and Buffalo (man that place was really crowded), and Cloudland Canyon last spring but am really looking for something a little less crowded (and less touristy).  Need help in Atlanta, Jeff

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Jeff, Since you will be in Boulder you could try the Cache La Poudre. It’s west of Ft. Collins. It has some prime water sites. Other places include the Frying Pan river near Basalt, CO and the Colorado river near

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Question:

I’m so new to this I have no info to trade, I live in Castle Rock, and I still think Deckers is great? Anyway- like you I am interested in knowing some of the spots other people prefer so please keep this posting going, Of all the Fly Fishers I know, few are into computers, and of those who do both only a few will be able to go on the same day as me, so I’m not worried about crowds forming. Mike Peters —- Fishing, Camping, MWC, Home office, Colorado, Micrographics, Computers, Electronics, TV/VCR/Audio repair.

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I’m interested in fly fishing in Colorado in some of the more out of the way streams and mountain lakes. Places that require a 5 to 10 mile hike .These places are safe from the mob because they are too hard to get to. Anybody out there have any secret places near Vail they want to talk

about About a month ago -1st of Feb – I went fly fishing out of Avon (Beaver Creek) on the Lower and Upper Eagle River, in and out of Vail.  There’s a new shop, Fly Fishing Outfitters, in Avon.  Owner is Bill Perry and guide is Pat Moore.  Beautiful scenery, but not the hike you describe.  Pat Moore is very helpful as a guide, if that’s what you’re looking for.  Have fun! Pat Ottinger

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: I’m interested in fly fishing in Colorado in some of the more out of the : way streams and mountain lakes. Places that require a 5 to 10 mile hike : .These places are safe from the mob because they are too hard to get to. : Anybody out there have any secret places near Vail they want to talk : about I’d show you, but then I’d have to kill you. ;{) Tim Walker

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I’m interested in fly fishing in Colorado in some of the more out of the way streams and mountain lakes. Places that require a 5 to 10 mile hike .These places are safe from the mob because they are too hard to get to. Anybody out there have any secret places near Vail they want to talk about —like how is Grizzly Creek.

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