Summer bug forecast

My morning commute begins close to the South Platte and as I sit at the traffic light several mayflies landed on my windshield. And they were a pretty good size. Ahh, the things that make the commute enjoyable.

I’m not an entomologist but I think this is gonna be a buggy summer. I’m on the banks of the South Platte just north of downtown and there is a storm of caddis moving around. Not unusual but I think that this more gradual spring is going to allow for larger bugs. The theory is the more gradual increase in temps is allowing more maturity time.
I’ve also noticed a good quantity of hoppers in my yard. Small ones appeared weeks ago and the ones yesterday were bigger. This is surprising but it may also be that I’m putting more time into the lawn and gardens this spring and noticing this for the first time.

I need to make it to Bear Creek for some hopper dropper fishing. Maybe I can get out for a couple this Sunday- there’s also a great BBQ joint on the way home.

Report from Steamboat

The tailwater in 2009

We almost didn’t go, the reports of flooding in town made me hesitate, but we still went. As far as the fishing, I couldn’t tell ya how it was, I never made it to the river. The trip was planned weeks before my wife broke her thumb- a random accident involving a dog that is always under foot. I have since been able to double my chores around the house and really take on the Mr. Mom role.

Back to Steamboat. I was ready to hit the water for at least a few hours but broken digits can make you cranky and an energetic toddler takes two if not three hands to manage. Fishing- not gonna happen. Totally bummed.

As for the good part of the trip, we had a great Easter egg hunt at Steamboat Lake State Park. It was a pancake breakfast followed by the hunt held by some local group as a school fundraiser. The kiddo had a blast and didn’t stop talking about the Easter bunny.

New additions to the blogroll

These are three site I visit almost daily. I don’t get to fish as much as I would like so I read as much as I can. These guys are  local to me and fish some of the same water so all of their input is absorbed and used. Midge Man has some of the most in depth descriptions of the history of flies that I have found. I would consider myself a new school angler but I love to know my history.

These are all worth a look.

Colorado Fly Fishing Reports

The Hopper Juan

Poudre Canyon Chronicles by Midge Man

Gear Storage

I recently became the proud owner of a great storage solution- a DeBourgh Manufacturing locker. It’s made in Colorado from all American steel. The construction is unbelievably solid- every non-moving part is welded and it’s made from 18 gauge steel with a powder coated finish. This will last a lifetime. It was a sample so it has a mix of latch styles, doors and metal options but the thing is bomber. The tall side is fully vented with hooks to hang my waders and to dry my boots and the other compartments hold my packs, jackets and other gear.

DeBourgh recently launched their Basecamp Series targeted specifically to outdoor sportsmen. They aren’t cheap but either is the gear your gonna put in them, so it’s worth the investment.

Flies for Stagecoach

The family and I will be heading to Steamboat in a couple of weeks and I’ll get some time on the Stagecoach tailwater. I’ve fished there twice before and both times have taught me a thing or two. I don’t usually go after large trout; it’s not cause it ain’t fun, it’s usually cause of the circus that surrounds the situation. I’ve heard stories of crazy crowds (no surprise) but I guess I’ve been lucky and haven’t been overwhelmed. The previous times were in early April just after the gate opened, this is a little later that I would prefer but I’ll take it.

Last time I landed my fair share and missed many more. I blame the lost ones on too small of a net so no excuses this year cause a new larger net is ready to go. The flies of choice last year were  mercury black beauties and what I call an mercury black beauty emerger. Same as the BB but with emerging wings made from white antron.

The first time there after getting skunked, an old timer in the parking lot shared that a Serendipity was his winner.  Throughout the following season, I refined my technique of tying and fishing with the BB emerger and it has since become one of my go-to patterns. So that’s what I used the last time at the ‘coach and it did not disappoint. I didn’t really think about it then but my BB emerger is very similar to a Serendipity but with a more realistic slim profile. I have a ton of Serendipities in several colors and sizes if anybody wants them.

So last night I spent some time to stock up the BBs a a few other nymph patterns. I’m also gonna tie up some Clown Shoe Caddis to resemble small stones or to use as an indicator.

 

mercury black beauties

Hot Spot Midges