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?