Frigid Fingers

After a day like today it's hard to believe that I really got back into fly fishing five years back wading chest-deep in frigid waters until the glowing white ice shelves were the only reason you knew you weren't casting onto shore.  I don't remember the cold, only the flashes of white and pink underbellies twisting away from the sting of a minuscule midge and my adrenaline racing hoping the hair's width tippet would withstand the beasts rapidly shaking head; sitting down recalling today feels like deja vu... except I remember the cold.

But, this isn't about these old bones getting older or being chilled, it's about fish n' things.  Seaman Reservoir continues to release water keeping the immediate tailwater and a good amount of the Cache La Poudre river fishable.  The cold days have definitely increased the span of ice, but there are still great stretches and holes resisting their icy tombs.

A few patterns notably produced fish around the Gateway Park stretch.  Firstly, Craven's Poison Tung inspired beadless brassie in "Tiger" black and copper size 20.

If you haven't had a chance to read through Craven's Charlie's Fly Box, take some of these blustery, guide-frozen days to do so.  The evolution of a pattern like the poison tung is awesome and well described in the book.  The fly above is a far way from the purpose built "weight with a point" pattern originally designed, but effective none the less.

The second star of the day was the Purple Prince. 

I'm not sure who deserves credit for this pattern, but I like to think of it as an homage to the Morris Day battling, Appalonia chasing, artist formerly known as....Prince himself in all of his purple-clad glory. This tungsten beaded pattern has something mysterious going for it, much like its namesake; it's a great searching pattern for pressured fish that's just different enough the fish can't seem to resist a nibble.

Enough talk, time to get back on the vise and try to replicate a few more of these little guys.  Enjoy the water while it lasts!!

The Spring Box Series: An Army of Frogs

I tend to spend many an hour throughout the winter looking out the window dreaming about spring fishing as the snow falls like cotton-balls and the thermometer confirms the probability of frozen guides if I dare venture to the ice free stretches near town.  This is when every other guy/gal with a vise scatters materials across their make-shift and purposefully built workstation to refill bug-boxes and lose themselves in the memories of the fish those patterns once produced; gladly I count myself with that dedicated, day-dreaming bunch.

Yesterday, as we accumulated a few inches here in Fort Collins, I used my time at the vise to put down the first row of poppers in my box for spring bassin'.  Horsetooth smallies better watch out!!

Playing around with leg styles

This one reminds me of the Blue Angels that flew around the AFA in the Springs

I used Perfect Popper bodies from Wapsi on Mustad size 4-6 CK52S's

All designs are Sharpie with a coat of head cement to keep 'um looking fresh

Can't wait for these little puppies to get smashed along the shores and in the weeds around our local still-waters.  Next session will involve some spun deer hair poppers and a fistful of Clousers.  What do you keep in your Bass box?

Little Water on the Big Laramie

This last weekend I was excited to go explore some new Wyoming water (at least to me) on the Big Laramie River. I had family staying in Jelm who had access to some private stretches of the river, so despite the dismal reports of low flows (22 cfs) and high water temps, I threw my gear in the car and headed out 287 with the hope of a broken gauge or a storm the night before that could have misrepresented or changed the flow since my last check online.

The reports were no joke, and there was no miraculous downpour to bump up flows when I arrived.  Between the slim water, high water temps and the poorly marked private property lines, which got me scolded and banished from decent holes a couple of times, the day of fishing was frustrating and I walked away with a big goose egg, totally skunked.  

On the brighter side, the beauty of Wyoming surprises me every time I get out on the states rivers.  A bald eagle escorted me down highway 230, and a black weasel or ferret walked the river's bank as I made the long treks between fishable holes.  I'll be back once the flows pick up as this is a beautiful river with many miles to explore, and not to mention the story of a recently caught 23 inch brown told to me by the employees of the Woods Landing Bar and Cafe.

One of the deeper runs

The bridge that the 23 inch brown was caught under

 

The Mend Manifesto

The mend. That tricky flick of the wrist and controlled movement of the rod to align the fly in the water column and reduce drag that without management will paint the fly a hoax.

Both as the fly and the mender we are constantly struggling to stay true and flow with the stream as naturally as the water over and around the structures of the river bed. Being ignorant to the line and its affect on us as we drift though life is impossible as the shifts and choices that distort our path define us and our fate.  We strive for fluidity and to ride the path of least resistance, but are unable to contest the pull imparted on us.

As the mender, ever aware of the effects our movements, or lack thereof, have on the things we are connected to, we strive to minimize the pull that our connection to the fly creates. Through a deeper understanding of this connection, and the effects of our tinkering, we can present the fly more naturally and hopefully induce more strikes from the finned objects of our desire. Without this understanding the river and life can be a frustrating place.

We have a responsibility to do what we can to right the course and mitigate the drag we impart on the things around us. Without empathy and perspective we will continue to pull others, and be pulled ourselves, unnaturally through life escaping the happiness and beauty that a simple flick or roll can get us closer to.

Explore the connection, decrease the drag, stay gold, provide true value and allow others and the world around us to live naturally without suffering the impacts of our ignorance. The alternative is easier, but fruitless.