Late Fall On Pueblo's Arkansas River Tailwater

When it is 72 degrees and fish are rising to Blue Winged Olive Mayflies on Pueblo's Arkansas River it is difficult to believe December is just several days away. The best fishing this time of year seems to be around 11:30am to about 2:00pm when the B.W.O's are hatching. We have been using size 22-24 parachute BWO dry flies.

Jim and I had a nice day on the river enjoying hooking up to some nice fish both on nymphing rigs and dry flies. The flows are low right now under 70 CFS.  Water seems to be clearing.

Today, I was actually "too warm" as I had a few too many layers on. Tying on flies with "warm fingers" was pleasant. The only problem is that there are many folks who also find the fishing pleasant and so crowds can be heavy.

When There are Bugs Or Snow You Go!

I kind of live by by this motto when it comes to fly fishing and skiing. When the hatch is on, you just go. If you don't, if you hesitate, a dozen reasons not to go, will come crashing down on you. You might not make it out the door.

Responsibility is one thing, but indecisive wavering is something else. The South Platte can have some great hatches; BWO's, caddis, Tricos and then in the fall, BWOs' again, but the snow can also fall. Sometimes the snow just dumps.

Over the last few days a  cold snap hit and there was snow.  Time to go!  I found a mountain trail, where the snow was  blowing  and I glided on freshly fallen powder. Few things are as special as skiing on brand new deep powder. It is similar to catching a heavy BWO or trico hatch. You just have a sense of having found a secret treasure and the timing is perfect.

If you hesitate an hour you might miss the hatch. If you don't throw the skis in the car and just start driving you might not make it over the pass. Remember the Greek story of trying to get the ship past the crushing blue stones? When there is an opening; time to go!  When there is snow, you just go! When there are bugs, time to go. 

I will now be looking for one of those big midge or late BWO hatches on the Arkansas River tail-water.  Ready to go.

No Place Like a Home River: Returning to the South Platte

The phrase, "There is no place like home,"  seems to speak of a deep truth to me as a fly fisher. When I go away and travel, even to a world class river such as the Bighorn in Montana, I miss my home river, the South Platte. Of course, the Bighorn is a fabulous river,  however, as I fished it, I was strangely being pulled back to the Platte. There really is no place like home.Sometimes it takes a trip away to appreciate what we have here at home.

What an amazing varied river we have in our back yards. From the meanders of the Dream Stream in South Park to the boulder filled canyons of 11 mile and Cheesman Canyon. We are still finding fabulous dry fly fishing to BWO's in all sections.What is so strange is that even though the South platte is so much smaller than rivers like the Bighorn, the Platte produces amazing fish! Where can one fish a river of a volume similar to the Platte and have a chance of hooking a 25-30 inch fish?  Where can we fish where we can  consistently catch trout 14-16 inches? When I think of its value I wish we could find ways to better protect it and secure its quality in the decades to come.The South Platte is a jewel! Let's treat it well.

Finallly, cold weather is on its way. Perhaps the cold will give the river some needed rest.