Colorado Fly Fishing Vacations 1

Upper Tarryall Creek offers outstanding small stream fly fishing near Colorado Springs. Located only 45 minutes from Colorado Springs, this unique South Park property contains five miles of Upper Tarryall Creek, and one mile of Michigan Creek. This is ideal "hopper dropper" water with plenty of brown trout ready to devour your dry fly or nymph. The river meanders through sagebrush meadows on its way to Tarryall Reservoir located just downstream of the property. Mostly a brown trout fishery with a few rainbows present, fish average 8-10 inches with an occasional 14 incher being caught. Under the right conditions, 70-100 fish days can be achieved for anglers able to make long casts and successfully stalk these spooky brown trout. The rewards are exciting as browns will explode out from undercut banks to attack terrestrials fished on the surface. ¹  [Editor Note:  Don’t forget to try the Tarryall Creek below the Reservoir too.  There can be some outstanding nymph fishing for rainbows and the occasional brown.  Average size is 10 to 12 inches.  Occasional 14 incher.  See Also Tarryall River Below Tarryall Reservor Jun 2006

Harmel’s Ranch Resort trophy fishery is known as "Rainbow Heaven". Fed by high mountain lakes, (Taylor and Spring Creek Reservoirs), Harmel’s Gold Medal waters are at the confluence of Spring Creek, Beaver Creek, and the famous Taylor River. Just downstream from Harmel’s Ranch Resort the Taylor meets the East River to form the Gunnison River and Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest lake in Colorado. Let Harmel’s Colorado fly fishing guides teach you the ins and outs of trout fishing. 2  [Editor Note:  I have stayed at Harmel’s Ranch Resort some years ago.  Lovely clean cabins. Walking distance to river.  Good Fishing especially for rainbows.]

The area below the Dillon reservoir eventually flows into Silverthorne, home to the Silverthorne Outlet Stores. Here you can find some of the largest trout in the state, making this area of the Blue River one of the most popular destinations for a fly-fishing Colorado vacation. Silverthorne is also home to Cutthroat Anglers, a popular Colorado fly-fishing store situated in the lovely Silverthorne Pavilion, which is located along the banks of the Blue River. Cutthroat Anglers also offers expert guides for fly-fishing in Colorado. The fishing in this area of Silverthorne happens under the Pavilion Bridge, which is also a popular site for Colorado wedding receptions. If you plan to stay in this area, you can spend your evenings enjoying the theatrical productions at the Backstage Theatre or the free outdoor concerts at the Dillon Amphitheatre. ³

If you wish to take a fly fishing Colorado vacation near Aspen, you will probably be fishing along the Roaring Fork River. The Roaring Fork River begins in the snowfields and lakes of one of Colorado’s highest mountain ranges. Then, as it tumbles to the northwest, it joins the Colorado River on its way to the Pacific Ocean. This rapid descent makes it one of the steepest rivers in Colorado. When it reaches the river valley, it soaks up the fertility of the land and the sun. It thus becomes one of the state’s finest freestone rivers, which provide excellent Colorado fly-fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout. ⁴

In the upper reaches of the Roaring Fork River, you will find a lovely mountain stream filled with small brook trout in the headwater tributaries and a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout in the main stem. The stretch between McFarlane Creek downstream through Aspen to the Upper Woody Creek Bridge was the first designated wild-trout water in Colorado. ⁵   (Editor: The guides in the Taylor Creek Fly Shop in Basalt are knowable about the Roaring Fork and the Frying Pan rivers.  If you like fishing for "Hog" rainbows, try the toilet bowl below Rudi Reservoir.  Mysis Shrimp patterns will produce well. These are educated, spooky trout so stalk them as such.)

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5/13

Today was a Landon Mayer Day.  So who is Landon Mayer.  Just the guy who holds the current IGFA Colorado state record for brown trout on 4lb test, measuring 30 inches long and weighing 11lbs caught in Colorado’s Dream Stream.  Landon is also a Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructor. He is a speaker and does a great presentation of fly fishing techniques for large trout.

 He is author of fly fishing books and publisher of fly fishing DVDs.  "How To Catch The Biggest Trout Of Your Life".  "Landing the Trout of Your Life DVD." "Weapons of Bass Production DVD".

What is a Landon Mayer Day? Today it was a cold rainy one.  Sometimes it is cold and snowy or just cold during the winter.  Landon fishes on days when only the monster trout and he are out.  Personally I think he is a little "tetched".  But he does catch a lot of big trout that most of us only dream about.  If you want to catch big trout, you  have to go where and when they are.

Reminds me of Del Canty who floated around the Twin Lakes outside of Leadville, CO on an inner tube contraption that later became the belly boat.  Del told me of being out in a snowstorm one time and hooking a big lake trout that towed him around the lake for 2 hours.  Del said that he never did see the trout and that it was deep into the backing twice.  The last time it sounded and headed for the bottom, Del cut the line just before the line hit the spool arbor to keep from pulled under.  

If you are not catching the Trout of Your Life, why not?  Maybe you are not out in the snow or rain with Landon.  Landon’s home waters are Colorado’s Dream Stream between Spinney Mtn. Reservoir and 11 Mile Reservoir and other stretches of the South Platte River.  He can be reached at his website www.landonmayer.com

 Related Posts….

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5/11

Taking digital photos is supposed to be easy.  Most of the time it is.  But not this time.  All I wanted to do was add the date and time stamp to my photos.  The directions to my Pentax Option W30 seemed simple enough.  I read the directions 3 times just to be sure. 

When I arrived at my favorite creek, I read the directions again.  But as usual, the first button I pushed according to the directions brought up the wrong menu.  Oops!  Click the next button.  Wrong menu again.  Oops!  After running through all the menus, I finally got the date and time stamp but the camera was on manual focus and manual drive mode.  Arrgh! @#$.  Never learned how to program my old VCR either.  (Poor Directions on that too)

Deciding fishing was more important than perfect picture taking mode, I left the camera alone and went fishing.  I did get some nice river scenery shots.  The gallery in the sidebar is Bear Creek in Lair Of the Bear Park.  And yes, there are still some bears around the area.  As you can see Mr. Beaver has been building a dam.  This dam is some 100 to 150 feet long.  Effectively, the beaver dam has made a very nice tailwater fishery in the park.  Upstream the water is murky and gray colored.

The next day I read how to reset the menus.  This time the directions worked fine.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
www.110flyfishingtips.com

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5/5/08

A friend sent this to me a while back.  Just thought I would share it with you. It is worth reading again and again.
 
A young man learns what’s most important in life from the guy next door. It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.  

 Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.
"Jack, did you hear me?"  

 "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It’s been so long since I thought of him. I’m sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn’t forget you. Every time I saw him he’d ask how you were doing. He’d reminisce about the many days you spent over ‘his side of the fence’ as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life," she said.

"He’s the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important…Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral," Jack said.  

 As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

 The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

 Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture….Jack stopped suddenly.
 
"What’s wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

 "The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he’d ever tell me was ‘the thing I value most,’ Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.

Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. 

Jack’s hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It’s the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.  Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was…my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.

"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need  to spend some time with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

 "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

 
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you trust God to do what’s best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.  
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world. 11. Someone that you don’t even know exists loves you.  
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you’ll both be happy .  Be gentle with the bad stuff.  You will be remembered for your kindness. Compliments catch more friends and you will feel better too.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.  

The internet marketing people talk a lot about how life is just making money.  Life is about more than just making money.  Making and keeping friends is much better than gold. Friends can love you, support you when you need help, laugh with you, enjoy your succesess and triumphs, go fly fishing with you.  Never seen a Franklin bill ($100) do that.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
www.110flyfishingtips.com

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4/22

From the ladies of Colorado Women  Flyfishers who fished the Blue River behind the Calvin Kline stores and above and below the foot bridge.  (Editor Note: There is some nice water and some good fish in that area).

Air temperature ranged from mid 30’s to low 40’s with clouds and snow showers all morning.  Afternoon was sunnier.  Official water flow was 170 CFS but river was low enough to wade across in the area behind the shops.

Successful flies were #10 Crane Fly Larva, orange eggs and Mysis shrimp patterns. The ladies were successful on the 29th.  (Editor:  I was hoping for a few colorado fly fishing pictures to add to the post but don’t have any yet.)

My friend, Joan, said the ladies also fished by Deckers, Colorado the last week of March. They fished by the first parking lot and then the one up over the hill.  The fly of the day was the Crane Fly Larva there too.

Charlie’s Fly Box in Arvada, CO has a great photo tutorial on how to tie this pattern. Charlie is a fly tyer extraordinaire.  He also does his own photos. http://www.charliesflyboxinc.com/flybox/details.cfm?parentID=100

Charlie says the Crane Fly is a giant midge and follows the same larval and adult stages.  In the larval stage, the burrow into the river bottom and are often called large "rock worms".  The larva are from 1 to 3 inches which is a good meal for any respectable trout. In the adult stage, they are known as Daddy Long Legs. 

High water runoff and tailwater releases will wash these tasty morsels out of hiding into the trout’s food chain.  So get going and tie some up.  Then go for the big fish.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,

Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Fly Fishing Tackle for every need Freshwater and Saltwater.
www.110flyfishingtips.com 
Trout Fishing Tips and Secrets Beginner to Advanced

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