fishing report - BACKWATER ANGLER

Olives, Caddis and a few Rainbows in the Gunpowder

November 15, 2011

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 124 CFs is 54.5F and clear. Blue Winged Olives are still coming off mid-morning in the flat water. Leaders in the 10ft to 12 ft range ending in 6 or 7x have been necessary to trick the wild fish. With rain in the forecast better fishing days are ahead of us. More rain means more spillover-more flow and ultimately, less selective trout. Hard to believe that it is 64 degrees mid-November! Fly fishing after noon with tiny Caddis are still worth a shot. Those intent on swinging flies are finding no shortage of leaves out there. A safer bet …

Frying Pan River Stream Report

November 10, 2011

Thanks to Mike for the stream report, gear review and pics. Hey Theaux, It was great to talk with you today. I look forward to getting the three sets of the Simms HardBite star cleats for the Guide wading shoes…once again, you’ve pointed me in the right direction. They are awesome–both the shoes and the cleats. As to the Airflo Ridge Trout line with the loop, as I mentioned, when fishing on the Fryingpan below Reudi Reservoir (as I’m sure Jason knows, that’s a hog lot if there ever was one), after hooking and playing 5 or 6 22″+ fish, I noticed that the loop …

Fly Fishing for Northern Pike

November 8, 2011

Thanks to Tony for the stream report and photo…better hold onto that camera before that fish eats it! Great news – those St. Joe Deceivers you tied for my Canadian trip (2) years ago work really well. I caught both fish on my 6 weight with those flies. They have a really nice action and I would like to commission your shop for some more! In the words of my Ojibway Indian guide who saw everything happening in the water, “Holy Jesus, that is a monster”. New personal best on a fly rod that I built myself – 47″ 33 Pounds. Booyah! Tony

Stream Report From Colorado’s Yampa River

November 2, 2011

Thanks to Terry for the August stream report from Colorado’s Yampa River, Hi Theaux: I had a great week of fishing in Colorado Aug 8-12. For the last 10-12 years, I always try to catch a rainbow on my birthday in August, and it isn’t always easy to find reliable water out West to have great fishing. Over the last 6 years, I have found that the waters around Steamboat Springs are high, clear and trout-abundant around mid-August. This year, even more so, because of the extremely high snowpack this last winter. I fished for 5 straight days and averaged 20-24 good fish every day, …

Olives, Caddis and Wild Fish Looking Up from Log Jams

October 25, 2011

The Gunpowder is flowing at 141 CFs and is 60 F. Caddis have been all the rage in the catch and release section this week. With no shortage of bright, slippery leaves scattered along the trails, now is the time to change out the studs in your wading shoes. Zebra midges fished deep behind Copper Johns have been accounting for a number of fish released above Falls Rd. Bwo’s are still about most mornings between Masemore and Bunkerhill and are best imitated with snowshoe rabbit patterns. Thanks to Ellen for the stream report from October 10: Theaux –Went out this morning for a bit of …

Gunpowder River Leaf Dance, BWO’s and Streamers…

October 19, 2011

The Gunpowder River is clear, flowing at 164 Cfs, and is 61.5 F. With high winds in the forecast, a leaf dance is eminent along the river–bright leaves drop to the surface, coloring the Gunpowder in kaleidoscope fashion. All of those pretty leaves can make the dry fly fishing a bit challenging so be sure to bring a camera or sketchbook along to mollify any need to be “productive” out there. Grasshoppers can still found in the Bunkerhill meadow, so imitating the last of large terrestrials is still worth a shot. Small Blue Winged Olives are about in the mornings. We have some new bright …