Fly Fishing Colorado

7/25

Blue River running at 249 CFS below Dillon Reservoir today and dropping.  Water clarity behind the factory shops in Silverthorne excellent.  Could see bottom in most parts of the river to 3 feet deep from 15 feet away. 

Many rainbows in center run behind the Factory Shops.  Were hitting on an olive-gray flashback RS2 or a flashback midge pattern fished mostly on the surface or just under as an emerger.  I watched two fly fishermen catch at least 10 fish in about 15 minutes.  Most fish in the 19 inch range.

Bill with a nice 18 or 19 inch rainbow on behind Factory Outlet Stores Silverthorne CO

Right after I snapped this pic, Bill’s rainbow ran sharply to Bill’s left.  In a classic rod up and down manuver, Bill followed the fish and stopped the run. This classic fly fishing tactic to stop a running fish was a joy to watch.

Fishing around the footbridge slow at 11:00 am when I got started.  A friend said it had been good earlier.  Talked to a dry fly fisherman, Phil, who was doing well on a black foam caddis pattern along the west bank area.  Fish in the 12 inch range. Later in the afternoon, under the footbridge, Phil caught a fish so large that it would not fit in his net.  One of the fishermen, Bill, in the run behind the shops estimated it at over 20 inches.

I was not able to get any fish behind the shops so I went down to the Silverthorne Police - Library parking lot. Then walked north (downstream) until I found some rocks and fast water pools.  This is my kind of water.  I understand pocket water fishing.

Using a #14 tan beadhead, goldribbed, flashback hares ear, I hooked up with a nice fat 12 - 15 inch rainbow on my 4 drift thru the third pool I tried.  Could not hold him though.  Did not have any more strikes in this area so moved just a bit farther down stream to next set of pools. Here on the 6th or 7th drift, I hooked up with a nice 18 inch bow.  On the third jump, it rolled off the hook. But a beautiful fish with a brilliant stripe along the lateral line.

Studying the water downstream, I thought where would a smart fish go to rest after being hooked.  Ah, the perfect resting pool, a large enough rock for providing cover, with a main stream seam alongside to divert food into the pool.  Drifting my rig through the main seam into the quiet water at the tail of the pool.  No strikes.  Again and no strikes.  Third drift, I did a Leisenring lift at the end of the drift.  Bingo, here was my 18 incher again.  Lost him again.

After several more drifts, he hit again and I was slow setting the hook.  I am going to get you, I mumbled under my breath.  Four or five more drifts and nothing.  Then on the sixth drift, the line stopped and headed for the end of the pool.  This time I knew the fish was mine.  Setting the hook, I got him on the reel and let him sit there.  Then started reeling in.  The fish was tired and came up to me easily this time right until I got the net out.  Revival time.  Try to run for cover under the bushes at streamside.  Run and try to wrap my leader around a branch was next.  As my fish ran into this cover a fish almost as big broke out of cover and streaked upstream between my feet.

With the rod in my left hand, net under my left arm and leader in my right, I balanced on the slippery Blue River rocks to get my fish out of cover.  Finally I had him where I could get him into the net.

Removing the hook, I grasped the fish in my left hand and tried to take some pics with my right.  My camera, a Pentax Optio W30, beeps when it is in focus so I took 3 quick pics. 

18 inch rainbow from blue river 7/25/08

Then I revived the fish for five minutes before it seemed to be breathing ok.  For another 5 minutes, it nestled its nose against my wading shoe and rested.  Then I eased out of the stream to get my camera again.  The fish was still resting in the quiet water along the bank.  I snapped several more pics and reached down to see if I could help the fish more. But it moved several feet out into areated current and held there regaining strength.

My 18 inch rainbow resting in current after revival and release

Lunch time — back in the parking lot, I talked with a father and son that had used lures today on a deep fast run north of the police station. The son had hooked a monster trout that he fought for over 5 minutes before getting it close enough to try and net.  The father estimated the fish at 5 to 10 pounds.  When the net came out, the fish of course came alive and threw the hook.  Then disappeared into the run.

After lunch I tried behind the Factory Shops again with no luck.  Upstream, I hooked another nice bow estimated at 15 to 18 inches out of a fast water pocket pool.  I saw it as it went over a waterfall and headed under a rock.  Lost the rig trying to get the fish out.

Time to go home but a great day.  The weather was beautiful, the river excellent and fishing good.  The Blue River was down to 169 CFS this morning and fishing should be great.

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

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites