Thread: 2009 Rockies Fishing Reports

Did you work any #18-20 midge nymphs through the tailouts and seams of the holes? I find that section of the HF fishes like the SJ when the water gets low and cold. Many times I've seen the tiny stuff like WD-40's or a #20 flashback PT(no bead!) get a few big trout when the river seemed dead. Look for the big fish to be sitting on the bottom in the slow parts(tailouts and inside corners) of the holes. Tiny bugs don't provide much energy, so don't expect the fish to expend much energy feeding. They won't move much so hit'em right in the mouth with the fly. If midges are actively hatching, the fish may take on a slooow rising swing up to the surface, but mostly its all about getting dead drifts with your weight and indicator properly set up to allow you to detect subtle takes down deep. Hard to do from a boat; I do best when when I wade and can systematically fish every foot of the tailout. Fish lying in slow, clear water are quickly spooked off by a boat above them, I think.

Spent about 7 hours yesterday fishing the Big Thompson. Fish everywhere but only managed to land one. I threw everything I had at them, but whatever they where eating must have been way different then what I had to offer. There where two amazing hatches of Gnats that came off though.

I think the fish are really keyed on eggs right now along the front range.

I haven't seen any spawning browns, but the only action I've had the last two times out has been on my small orange thingamabober.

Originally Posted by Chowda

I think the fish are really keyed on eggs right now along the front range.

I haven't seen any spawning browns, but the only action I've had the last two times out has been on my small orange thingamabober.

Tried several different egg patterns but the dead algae kept covering them as soon as they hit bottom, and I couldn't get a good drift. The most action I got was when I threw on a yarn egg with some floatant, and then two pieces of split shot, to give the idea of.........I am so ashamed. Power bait. No bites but I had 6-10 fish follow it on several drifts, I think they where in disbelief that anyone would be so desperate as to try that set up.

The Berry-Been really spotty. Think the warm weather may be screwing with the usual decently consistent cutt fishing in the shallows lately. One day hot, next day turns totally off.

LP below Deer Creek- White glo-bugs, cheeze colored go-bugs, sows, worked well deep yesterday. Water was drawn way down, so resorted to a chernobyl and dropper. Caught half dozen respectable browns on the ant. Couple while it skated. They must be feeling frisky.

Lumpy, glad you caught fish yesterday. Fished the middle today and slow as slow can be. Threw the streamer box at them and only moved a few fish. Saw a ton of fish digging holes though, so the spawn is ON with this cold weather. Too bad I think this cold weather also shocked the hell out of the rest of the fish, cuz they did nothing but sit on their ass today...... wait, do fish have asses they can sit on?

Got out for maybe the last day of the season on the Big T. Fished for a couple hours and managed to land two nice brown. Both on eggs. I had 4-5 bows follow my eggs, but none where in an eating mood I guess. Lots of ice, and man did it get cold after the sun disappeared.

Fished the middle provo from jordanelle dam to 40 all day yesterday. A lot of nice browns stacked up on reds in skinny water. Threw about every variety of streamer I had to no avail. Got them with standard nymphs hares ear, small copper johns and wd40's. no indicator bright egg as a attractor/visual guide. Was fishing/ interviewing with a guy starting a new guide service. He had the new waterproof HD go pro mounted on a stick and we shot a bun ch of video. I'll try and post it up when he sends it to me. Nice camera for this application

Originally Posted by Donkey Punch

Spent about 7 hours yesterday fishing the Big Thompson. Fish everywhere but only managed to land one. I threw everything I had at them, but whatever they where eating must have been way different then what I had to offer. There where two amazing hatches of Gnats that came off though.

Had a similar experience on the Owyhee (SE Oregon, near ID border) last week. Fish everywhere, eating something! Two friends and I threw the box at them. I had one on the line with an Elk caddis, but snpped the tippet after about a minute (the proverbial one that got away). Buddy had a big one on a wolly buggar, but lost him after a short struggle as well. Saw some spawning a couple times near the shore and in some of the ripples. Water's low, gotta go back!

Skifishbum: Please tell me we arent going to see another guide service on the middle Seems like during the summer months, Jans, troutbum, etc are all posted up in the good water and they arent going to leave until their clients get tired of watching that bobber float by.

Originally Posted by Steepdeepnlong

Had a similar experience on the Owyhee (SE Oregon, near ID border) last week. Fish everywhere, eating something! Two friends and I threw the box at them. I had one on the line with an Elk caddis, but snpped the tippet after about a minute (the proverbial one that got away). Buddy had a big one on a wolly buggar, but lost him after a short struggle as well. Saw some spawning a couple times near the shore and in some of the ripples. Water's low, gotta go back!

The mystery hatch is usually midge pupae suspended below the surface film. If you see surface activity but no bugs on wing, the fish are probably looking at little worms floating to the surface using a tiny gas bubble inside the head of the nymph. When the nymph gets to the top, it has to push through its case and the surface film, so the little buggers ride the film much like a mayfly hatch, except that it is inverted, below the film, where you can't see it. The fish can get very keyed in on food on the underside of the film and generally ignore dries even when well presented. Try a foam back midge pupa or one of the parasol style midge patterns if you want to get at the surface feeders. Or, a nymph droppered 6-12 inches below a dry fly or micro indicator. I usually take the surface activity as a sign that the silent majority of fish in the hole are taking the same pupae on the bottom, which is where I go with an indicator/split shot rig.

Originally Posted by Professor

Skifishbum: Please tell me we arent going to see another guide service on the middle Seems like during the summer months, Jans, troutbum, etc are all posted up in the good water and they arent going to leave until their clients get tired of watching that bobber float by.

don't hate the messenger. I'm just a bum looking for work that doesn't involve applying roofing product or pounding nails. I'd perfer to guide out of a boat on the Green or swamp but this season was super slow for all the outfitters up there and that commute is an ass kicker. This guy is looking for the upscale clients and trying to do the gourmet lunch thing with a chef preparing it. I know what you mean though those provo guides love to homestead in the best holes instead of trying to get their clients to fish challenging water and become better fishermen. To many people see fishing as a numbers game. I hate getting skunked and quit counting after 1 myself and every trip I've gone on the fish that schooled me was the one I always remember not how many. It's odd I always thought I wanted to be a patroller and fishing guide then I realized doing these jobs changed fishing and skiing the two passions I have, well aside from sex and I'm not good looking enough to be a pron star.
Next spring we need to get a bunch of us togather and do a big multi day
float camp party thing on the Green.

I wasnt blaming you. As for guiding, I hear you. I dont know anyone that loves the hand holding which seems to be all there is on the Provo. As for numbers, I have used a guide twice. Both times I told him to put me on one big fish and I will be happy and if he wanted a good tip, 20 little fish wasnt going to do it. Both times only caught 3 or 4 fish, but all quality and well worth the money since I didnt know the water at all. Too bad more people dont think one good fish beats a day full of little fish

Edit: I am all for a fishing trip. My suggestion would be early season (like March) on the Green when it is too cold for the rubber hatch to start. Tough fishing, but well worth it when you count the small number of people on the water.

Originally Posted by skifishbum

Next spring we need to get a bunch of us togather and do a big multi day
float camp party thing on the Green.

I would second this comment. Would be fun to get together with a bunch of maggots, float, fish, and throw down. Count me in. I will bring a boat.

I would second this comment. Would be fun to get together with a bunch of maggots, float, fish, and throw down. Count me in. I will bring a boat.

Thirded, count me in for a boat too!

Damn... it would be an Armada.... oh wait, maybe just a Flotilla

There are a couple double campsites that we have done six or seven boat guided trips out of no problems and no rubber hatches on the b or c sections

Originally Posted by teleee

Thirded, count me in for a boat too!

Forth, can also bring a boat if needed.

I'll go and happy to trail a boat down if i get the Gold Hall Pass.

If Schwerty gets the Kitchen Pass, I will ride with you bro. You have the fly ass pimp boat! I don't mind bringing the beautiful big green Norma Jean. This sounds like a great trip in the making.

Where to we start with planning? Personally I think we start with a time of year. My vote is either early season or late season. Summertime fishing just doesnt float my boat. Summertime is golf and flip flops

Edit... those damn pesky question marks really seem to help when writing. So take note

I've mentioned this before. One person should be the point man/organizer. Likely someone in the area we choose. That person can get a rough feel of the timing from the group and simply set a date. Otherwise we will go back and forth for 12 pages rambling, (myself included),on and on about each persons perfect weekend etc...

Where are we going. Spring? Sounds like the Green. ?? Who's telling us where/when to show up?

I'd love to get down on this trip if you fellas are cool with having someone still learning the ropes, but slowly getting better. Plus I'm good at drinking.

Being a good drinker is much more important than angling skills.

Yep, count me in!