Spring is in the Air

Spring seems to be in the air here in Colorado.  The next couple of days we will see temperatures in the sixties in the Front Range and forties up in the mountains.  This kind of weather gives me the itch to get out and enjoy some fishing, trail riding or jut about anything outside to soak up the sun.

A thaw like this happens every year and while I know winter will rear its head once again.  It is sure nice to know the days are getting longer and spring is just around the corner.

So far this winter has been quite spectacular here in the high country.  We have seen many feet of snowfall since the first of the year and our snow pack is up over 100% of average.  This not only means many good things for Colorado and our trout streams, but the West in general.  

An abundance of water is something we have been lacking here in Colorado the past few years. This has put a tremendous strain on our trout streams, forests and economies to name a few.  With the promise of plenty of water in our streams, brings the promise of healthy ecosystems and local economies. This coming summer is looking to be one of the best in years and I am looking forward to all the beauty and joys it will bring.

With late season snowfall last spring and unusual amounts of rain last summer, our reservoirs have been quite full. This has made for great flows out of our tailwaters this winter and that has meant good fishing. 

The Blue locally has been fishing quite good, as well as the Colorado below Williams Fork Reservoir.  Soon many sections of rivers will be breaking free of ice and the late winter, early spring fishing will have plenty of opportunities.  This is always a great time to get on the water and look for unsuspecting trout that readily eat a fly.

Soon we will also be seeing some of the first Blue Wing Olive hatches on the Arkansas and Colorado Rivers.  Then shortly after that comes the Caddis hatch. With the abundance of water in the streams, look for this Mother’s Day caddis hatch to be one of the best in years.

This is an exciting time of year, with change right around the corner.  So many exciting and fun things are to come.  Are you going to join us this summer?   We sure would love to show you a great experience on the river and help you experience the splendor of the spring and summer to come.

To help get you on the water for a fly-fishing experience of a lifetime, we have dropped our prices roughly 10%.  We really want to earn your business and show you a great time. Check our rates out here-

As an added bonus we are offering another 10% off our new 2014 rates, if you book your summer trip by the end of March.  Use code NEW2014

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Spring fever..... New discounted 2014 guide rates!http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Fly-Fishing-and-Skiing-News.html?soid=1102045959367&aid=ao5n4xrYy08

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Great deals for Valentine's Day. Save 25% off guided fishing trips from Blue River Anglers or 20% off tunes from Tunes on the Fly. Go to www.blueriveranglers.com and www.tunesonthefly.com or give me a call at 970-668-2583.

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Happy New Year and Happy Fishing

First of all I want to wish everyone a happy New Year.  I am looking forward to some great things in the year to come.

The New Year always is a great time to clear the slate and build on what you have and think about the year to come. 

That can mean fishing in the next few weeks and months.  Right about this time of year I get an itch to get out on water with some warmer temperatures.  Maybe it’s that the solstice has come and the days are actually getting longer. Or it is just time to get out of the cabin.

This winter has offered some great fishing of the Blue River below Dillon Reservoir.  The flows have been up since September and this has offered lots of Mysis shrimp to the fish.  The fish have been very active on Mysis patterns and other midge and nymph patterns.  Many large fish have been caught and released in the past few months.  The time is now to get out on the Blue River!

There has also been some great fishing on the upper stretches of the Blue between Dillon Reservoir and Breckenridge.  There was a decent run of Kokanee in the river and some nice Browns as well.  This section fishes great in the winter.  If you haven’t checked it out, I would recommend it.

I usually like to escape Summit County this time of year for some warmer temperatures.

One of my favorite escapes is the Arkansas River in the Salida area.  Not only is the fishing great all winter, but also you can expect warmer temperatures and little fishing pressure.  This is always a welcome feeling on the hands while wielding a fly rod or tying a bug on.

Another favorite is the South Platte River in the Deckers area.  I love to hike up into Cheeseman canyon and spot lunkers from the trail.  The fish can be wary but if you take your time and hike a ways up into the canyon the fishing can be great.  The fish are large, you may run into a midge hatch and the scenery is breathtaking.

There are plenty of other options to get out of the cabin and feel some warm sunshine on your back and break the fly rod out of it’s case.  Look to the Roaring Fork Valley and the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork Rivers.  Or maybe you need to get out farther to the San Juan River in New Mexico. Don’t worry in just a few weeks there will be plenty more options, as the longer days warm temperatures and break more rivers from the ice and grip of winter.

If you want to get out for a day on the river please get in touch.  We are offering 15% off all winter fly fishing trips.

Also until the end of January I am going to offer 20% off all guided trips booked for the summer, from 5-1-14 to 10-31-14.  I am opening my schedule up for the summer, so if you would like a day with me.  Book me and take the discount!

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Winter Really!?

Yes, can you believe it is already skiing season!? I know I am having a little trouble thinking about it, but believe it or not it is true. 

People have been talking about Arapahoe Basin opening this weekend.  While that is a little hard to believe, you never know.  We have been having quite a bit of moisture this fall and it looks like it may run into the winter.

So that means it’s time to get the ski tuning shop in full swing.  Tunes on the Fly will be ready to tune skis and snowboards next week.  Make sure you get your rides ready to glide fast and carve hard.  Bring your gear in for 25% OFF tunes through the end of October.

Even though I am talking skiing, the fishing is really at it’s best right now. It always bums me out when no one is really taking advantage of the great conditions of fall. Right now the Colorado and Arkansas are fishing great with Blue Wing Olive hatches happening daily.  Don’t expect to fish dries every day, but on the cloudy and calm days; it’s on.  Every other day offers some great nymph fishing with small Blue Wing Olive nymph patterns.  The mornings tend to be a little slow but watch out as soon as the water temperatures warm up.  The fish are feeding actively and we are talking lots of hook ups.

We are offering 15% OFF trips through the end of October for one last fishing fix. Wade fishing trips and float trips; I’ll get you out for a good day.  

Whether you need a few more days on the water or you are ready to get out on the hill and need your gear ready to go.  Blue River Anglers and Tunes on the Fly have you covered.

Rising Fall

It’s hard to believe summer is winding down.  It seems like yesterday that the snow pack was just finishing it’s melt off. Fall is right around the corner and with fall comes cool evenings, blue sky days, vibrant autumn colors and best of all; some of the best fishing of the year.

I always look forward to this time of year.  I can actually get out of the shop and do some guiding and fishing for myself.  The busiest time of year has come and gone and the daily chores slacken. Now I can get out on the river, and let me tell you, this is my favorite times of year to be on the water. 

Daytime temperatures can still get in the eighties and evenings are cool and crisp.  This cool down kick starts some good fall hatches. Grasshoppers, Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, Blue Wing Olives and Red Quills spring into action before the cold of winter hits the river.  There seems to be sense of desperation in the fall air as a last wave of hatches hits the river and a feeding frenzy by the trout follows.

For the next two months this trend dominates Colorado fly fishing, with the Colorado, S. Platte and Arkansas sticking out as a few of my favorites. Some rivers can fish better than others in the fall season. Mostly due to water levels that are too low and fish have retreated to deeper water.  I recommend fishing larger rivers or concentrating on the deeper holes in smaller streams, and make sure to use a stealthy approach. 

Floating the Colorado River would be one of my first choices.  The temperatures are perfect and the fishing maybe better with the Colorado’s abundant aquatic insect life and healthy Brown Trout population.

This is also the time of year the Brown Trout start thinking about spawning and it’s not uncommon to see twenty plus inch Browns in the headwaters of the Colorado, South Platte and Arkansas Rivers. These Browns are very wary and do not come easy to a fly.  Walk the river with a stealthy approach and look for fish in the tail-outs, riffles and always fish the deep holes.  Be ready to hang on and make sure you keep them out of the under cut banks.

I would love to help you experience the great fishing of fall and maybe catch that lunker Brown. 

For the month of September Blue River Anglers will be offering 15% OFF all trips in September and October.  So get me, or one of my guides out of the office, by booking a float or wade trip this fall.