Fall Colors
Fall is here in Colorado and with that comes the splendid
colors of Aspens throughout the State.
Along with the Aspen’s color change fall also brings the vibrant colors
of Large Browns in our rivers.
The first couple cold fronts moving through Colorado bring
the Aspen’s leaves a change in color. These first cold snaps also spring Brown
trout into action, moving up rivers looking for spawning grounds and food to
fatten up for the winter months to come.
In the weeks and months leading up to their spawn, Brown
trout will fatten up on the many insects in the river system as well as larger
prey such as Trout, Sculpins, Crayfish and Mice.
These Browns can range in size from fourteen inches up to
fish in the thirty-inch range. The larger Browns tend to hide in deep holes and
undercut banks and are rarely seen leading up to the spawn. Many of these large fish also tend to feed
nocturnally, so expecting a “Lunker” mid day can be quite and expectation.
Even some of Colorado’s smaller streams can hold large Brown
Trout, especially if there is a reservoir or lake that can grow “Lunker” Brown
Trout. You may be surprised at the size
of water that will hold a double digit Brown!
Showing up to the river early in the day or fishing late in
the evening will produce the best results for these “Lunkers”. I usually like to fish streamers to the
undercut banks and deep holes, making sure you don’t get too close before your
first casts hit the suspecting areas and be ready for a good strike.
A mouse patterns can also be a fun technique for these “Big
Guys”. I can’t tell you it is the most effective, as short or maiming strikes
are a common occurrence. It takes strong nerves to keep your self from setting
the hook on the first attack and a second strike is rare. Hookups and strikes can be few and far
between, but when was the last time you fished a Mouse Pattern???
Another good fall technique for hunting large Browns is what
I call a “Triple Trouble” technique. I
like to say this is either trouble for you or for the fish. The three fly set up can be quite deadly for
catching fish but also can cause many a knot untangling session. If you set it up right it will make all the
difference!
I usually fish a larger attractor dry (Hopper, Para Adams,
Stimulator or etc.) then drop about three feet of tippet to a good-sized bead
head (Crystal Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph or etc.) lastly add a short dropper
of about a foot to a smaller nymph. (JuJu Baetis, Tungsten Zebra Midge, Egg
Pattern or etc.)
This is a great technique for fishing shallow fall
waters. Not only are snags less likely
then a traditional nymphing rig you will also have a lighter presentation to
keep you from spooking the “Hog in the Hole”.
Fish this setup straight up through riffles, across to the
cut-banks and you can also do some swinging if you like. Don’t be surprised if you catch fish on each
of the flies through out the day!
The next couple of months offer some superb fishing in what
I believe is Colorado’s best season.
Come up and look for some of these “Lunkers”! I would love to see you stop in the shop for some flies and
information.
