Fly Fishing Vacations Resources

Find your perfect fly fishing vacation
Exotic Destinations, Alaska, New Zealand
 and USA Resources

You can catch fish ranging from carp, bass, catfish, panfish, to trout, bonita, sailfish, or shark to mention a few with flies and a fly rod.  So turning fishing vacations into fly fishing vacations is easy. 

There is just nothing like catching a big fish on a fly rod.  If you are going to be fly fishing for large fish, you will probably need a rod strong enough to throw an 8, 9 or even a 10 weight forward line. Check with the fishing lodge where you will be staying, they will probably rent equipment suitable to local stream and fly fishing conditions. 

What makes a great fly fishing vacation.

• Big hungry fish for starters
• A knowledgeable fly fishing guide to assist you in your fishing
• If you keep one for dinner, a great Chef to prepare you a gourmet meal
• Comfortable lodging
• Outstanding Scenery
• Best of all, are some fishing buddies to share the trip with.

Whether your dream fly fishing  vacation is in Alaska, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Brazil, Chile or the back country of Patagonia, you will  find information and resources here to help you.

International Fly Fishing Vacations

Patagonia – OutfittersPatagonia offers unique fly fishing adventures in the wilds of Patagonia, the southern most region of Argentina. Trips include nine different lodging options, 12 different rivers and lakes and five floating options. For the non-angler, they will arrange kayaking, rafting, trekking, bird watching, horse back riding and similar activities. Rates for all inclusive trips are quite reasonable. (Exclusive of airfare and gratuities) See the Itineraries and Rates link for information.  Or use the contact link to contact Martin Freedman

New Zealand Vacations including Fly Fishing

Mexico Fly Fishing Vacation

I met Capt. Miguel Encalada at the International Sportsman’s Expo in Denver, CO 1/26/08.  Capt. Miguel is the Head Guide and Owner of Campeche Fly Fishing Tarpon Bay at Campeche, Mexico.  My impressions of him are a friendly, thoroughly enjoyable person who likes people and fly fishing.  Capt. Miguel explained Campeche has not yet been turned into a tourist hangout even though there is some development going on. So you can enjoy a laid back visit. 

Campeche is located in the western area of the Yucatan Peninsula. To get there it takes a short fly from Houston, Miami, Atlanta or Mexico City to Merida, Yucatan, where you will be received at the Merida’s International Airport by your host Capt. Miguel.   Website www.campecheflyfishingtarponbay.com.mx  or Rates

NEW ==>  www.mongofly.com
Fly fishing in Mongolia for Taimen, Lenok, Pike, Grayling and other species.  Central Mongolia offers excellent dry fly fishing on huge freestone rivers.  Lenok average in size to 20 inches. Taimen average 28 to 36 inches with some 45 inches or more.  Just imagine hooking and playing a fighting fish over 45 inches out of a river.

USA Fly Fishing Vacations

Alaska Fly Fishing Vacations

Georgia Fishing – St Simons Island and Jekyll Island Fly Fishing Guides
Georgia Fishing and Flyfishing Charters – Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Brunswick Ga. Coastal Georgia Fishing Guides including Fly Fishing Trips for Trout. Captain Scott Owens 1-877-605-3474 or info@captainscottowens.com.

branson missouri grand oaks hotel
Welcome to Branson Missouri & Luxury Affordably Priced. Indoor Pool, Outdoor Pool, Hot Tubs, Jacuzzi Suites, Free Breakfast, Elevators, Indoor Corridors and Free Wireless DSL

Hawaii vacation and hawaii holiday rentals
Planning a trip to Hawaii? Then this site is your last stop! Check out holiday rentals and cottages there.

Oregon Fishing Trips and Vacation Information.  A well organized and informative site about fishing vacations on the Rogue, Umpqua, Klamath, Chetco, Coquille rivers for king and chinook salmon and steelhead.  Information on ocean fishing.  This site offers a one stop resource for vacation activities for Oregon winery tours, wilderness hiking, horseback riding, whale watching, bird watching, golf courses and more.  Find listings for lodges / resorts, camping, bed and breakfasts and other vacation services. (Site description by Editor Fly Fishing Colorado)

California Fishing Guide, River Pirate ==>Experience heart pounding sport fishing action. Catch more Kings. California fishing guide with thirty years experience gives all out fishing effort.  added 2/7/06

Hawaii Fishing Charter – Experience heart pounding big game sport fishing. Sportfish Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii – North Shore – with Captain Rusty Spencer, for blue marlin, wahoo, mahimahi and yellowfin tuna with friendly experienced crew aboard well equipped 31-foot Bertram. added 2/7/06

Fishing Trip Specialist
Plan your next fishing trip using the equipment, ideas, techniques, tips and tricks found here at fishing trip specialist.

Fly Fishing Trips
Fly fishing resources and articles with all the information that you need to plan your next fly fishing trip.

SellMyTimeShareNow|Timeshare Sales in Colorado
Timeshare resale and rental specialists! Browse our huge
inventory of Colorado resales and rentals. A quick and safe way to buy,
sell, or rent Colorado timeshares!

Looking for a great Colorado Vacation or 2nd Vacation Residence.
Whether your activity is Hiking, Backpacking, FlyFishing, Boating,
Golf, Snowboarding or Skiing, Colorado offers it all.

Apartments in Rome
Rome apartments, Rentals in Rome, Apartments in Rome Italy for your holiday and business travels. Short term rentals with online booking. Number 1 in customer care.
 

Alaska Fly Fishing Vacations
New Zealand Fly Fishing Vacations

New Zealand Fly Fishing Vacations

New Zealand Fly Fishing Vacations,
A New Zealand capsule history.
Learn about skiing, driving tours, fishing and other activities in this island country.

History of New Zealand

Physically consisting of a North and South Island, New Zealand is estimated to have been born around 26,000,000 B.C. when the Southern Alps rose above the ocean as the result of volcanic activity.  The North Island still has 4 volcanoes rising above the land.  The South Island has warm thermal activity yet today.

Originally discovered and settled by Maori people over a thousand years ago.  In 1641 a Dutch explorer discovered the west coast of the South Island.  1769-70: Captain James Cook circumnavigates and charts both islands, taking possession of "New Zealand" for Britain.  From that point forward, the history of New Zealand is guided and influenced by Great Britain.  Today the culture exhibits diverse both Maori and European influences.

What to do in New Zealand?

There are many activities to enjoy in this island country from skiing on both islands beginning in June to Oct, themed highway driving tours, wine and food tours, a variety of walking and hiking tours in the mountains to boating, to a variety of fishing — fly fishing, trolling, float tubing, spinning and heli fishing and more.  I liked the themed highways driving tours as an interesting activity.  New Zealand also offers 14 National Parks of extreme beauty for your enjoyment.  (Beaches, snow capped mountains, valleys, lush rain forests, arts and culture, wine and food tours)

The official New Zealand site is the best place to start.  This video presentation shows some of the fantastic scenery on both islands. 100% Pure TV Commercial

Specific Fishing Activities

Fly Fishing — Dick Marquand owner and professional New Zealand Fishing Guide operates Trout Fishing Services.  Located on the South Island in Cromwell, Central Otago, Dick offers specialty fishing tours from fly fishing for trout on the south island with nymph or dry fly, to trolling, spinning, float tubing or heli fishing.  Dick will arrange a fly fishing tour to suit your needs. Booking Schedule

Fly Fishing Vacations Home Page
Alaska Fly Fishing Vacations
 

Alaska Fly Fishing Vacations

Troutadventures

Troutadventures.com website offers a complete resource for Alaska Rainbow and Salmon fishing.  Guides, fishing lodges and flies for Alaska Fly Fishing Vacations.  

Troutadventures.com will inform you about when to come, where to go, the fish species, the type of equipment to bring and they offer suggestion about flies for Alaska Fly Fishing vacations. 

But this is the most impressive part of the site to me.  I have looked at a lot of fly fishing sites in the last year and never seen such monster trout and salmon as these.  These photos are a must see. Pictures   Also this king salmon from the stories page

Alaska Fishing Lodge – Excellent Alaska fly fishing for King and Silver Salmon. The remote fishing streams of the Bristol Bay region produce the best Alaska fly fishing opportunities

Alaska Fly Fishing Lodge – Alaska fishing lodge vacations. Remote Katmai National Forest fly-out. At the confluence of 6 rivers, Alaska fishing does not get any better. Over 5 million salmon pass right by our lodge yearly.

Alaska Fishing Lodge – Finest Alaska fishing. Our top Kenai River guides specialize in fishing for trophy Alaska salmon, wild Rainbow Trout and also Alaska fly out fishing. We offer the Alaska fishing trip of a lifetime.

Captain Jack’s Alaska  Alaska’s premier full-service sport-fish processing. We take great pride in making sure the fish you receive are the fish you caught. Relive your Alaska fishing trip by simply opening your freezer.

Alaska Fishing Charter, ProFish-n-Sea – Exhilarating Alaska fishing charters for trophy salmon, halibut and giant lingcod. Master Guide Steve Zernia gives all out effort. Experience heart-pounding sportfishing action.

Skagway Alaska fishing charters for trophy salmon and lingcod. Master Guide Greg Jones gives all out effort. Experience heart-pounding sportfishing action.

Kenai River Fishing Guides – Fish with top rated Kenai River fishing guide Mark Glassmaker. 15 Years Kenai River Alaska fishing guide veteran

Fly Fishing Vacations Home Page
Alaska Fly Fishing Vacations
New Zealand Fly Fishing Vacations

Colorado is perfect for a fly fishing vacation with over 2,000 lakes plus 6,000 stream miles. Recently I ran across a ranch where you can fly fish for 18 different species of trout.

Trout included are:

1. Brown Trout
2. Rainbow Trout
3. Cutthroat
4. Cutbow
5. Cameloop Rainbow
6. Donaldson Trout
7. Donaldson Rainbow
8. Eastern Brook Trout
9. German Brown Trout
10. Greenback Cutthroat (Colorado State Fish)
11. Tasmanian Rainbow
12. Tasmanian Cutbow
13. Tiger Brown Trout
14. Snakeriver Trout
15. Steelhead Trout
16. Wild Brook Trout
17. Montana Brook Trout
18. Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

The fish are contained in small ponds and lakes. Fly fishing is only allowed from the shore and is all catch and release. No wading or boats. Some of these trout are large enough to snap 3X leaders so don’t fool yourself into thinking they are lightweights.

Other activities at the ranch include hunting and snowmobiling in the winter. The scenery is spectacular and just watching is ok too. The BAR ZX ranch can be reached from Delta or from Glenwood Colorado. Driving Directions

Accomodations – The Ranch has a 12 guest lodge with basic amenities. view pictures of the Bar ZX Ranch Lodge

As with most good things, there is a cost to stay at the Ranch. Hunting Fees  Fishing Fees A Colorado Fishing License is required. Rates are on the fishing fees page. Fishing season is roughly 6/1 through 9/30. 

Dean and Family are the type of down home folks you would expect to find on a ranch. If you want to really get away and relax the BAR ZX is one place for quiet plus good fishing.  (See slideshow in the right sidebar. Shows tiger trout, large rainbow, ponds are handicapped accessable. And Don a High Plains Drifters member with an 18 inch brook trout. Don is the one in the cowboy hat.)

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
The Stores at Fly Fishing Colorado
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
Alaska Trout Fishing Information

Friday 5/29 was an interesting day on Bear Creek. The flow had come down to around 65 CFS from 80+ due to rains in the area earlier in the week. Water color of light coffee and I could not see bottom at 2 feet depth.

Air temp was in high 70s and sky clear much of the day. No hatch activity in the morning. Light caddis hatchs in the afternoon around 2 pm. I started at bar pool in O’Fallon park. There was work going on and the pool yielded no strikes on my czech nymph rig. I had a Vladi woven brown nymph on bottom and a 16 beadhead, goldribbed, flashback hares ear on dropper. The hares ear is one of my favorite flies about anywhere in Colorado. It can represent a caddis, a mayfly or a stonefly depending on color and how it is tied.

Fish it rolling along the bottom and let the current bring it to the surface, then swing gently in to the bank for a stone fly. Same process but hold the fly on the surface and twitch the rod tip gently for motion before pick up. This will often cause an impluse strike. Same drift and to let current bring to surface. Hold momentarily then a lob cast upstream. The abrupt pickup can imitate a caddis taking off and cause a strike.

In any case O’Fallon only yielded 4 dinks during the morning. So I moved upstream to fish the Episcopal Church property on east edge of Evergreen. With the water up, there are some interesting holes and runs on this stretch. I had changed out my Vladi nymph for a green caddis with a black head. The hole by the bridge which leads to the tunnel gave up a dozen fish in the 4 to 10 inch class. Then I wrapped my flies around two branches with an errant cast.

During my fishing here, I had started adding a slight rod tremble during the drift and rise. For me this is starting to come naturally. The result was a bit more action to the flies and more fish. After losing my flies, I rerigged with a pink body and a gray throax czech nymph on bottom and another 16 GBGRFB hares ear on top. So far the hares ear was producing about 3 to 1 for the czech nymph.

Downstream, I fished some fast runs catching a few small bows and browns before losing my bottom nymph in the rocks. Another $2.50 down the stream. I rerigged with a #14 ugly commercial gold ribbed purple flashback hares ear with white goose biot tails and weight above and below the dropper. The purple flashback is a really weird fly. But it started producing fish the rest of the day. I have never had it work well anyplace but Bear Creek.

Then I moved back to the pool by the bridge where I lost my flies. After a few casts, I looked across at the bush to spot the place I had lost my flies. Sure enough with my new Smith Optics sunglasses, I spotted the gold bead on the 16 GB hares ear among the leaves. So I put my gear in the car and went to retrieve my flies.

Moving around a couple of bends into Evergreen, I fished some holes that have always produced for me. Wading out to water over my knees, I started dropping casts into a near seam. The weighted nymph rig sank quickly to the bottom. Some six casts later, I was fast to a good fish. One of the head shaking kind. After a nice fight, a fat 15 inch brown emerged on the surface. I was able to hold him for 3 quick pictures before removing the hook. I revived him using my upstream leg as a water break which was pretty cool.

Over the course of the next hour and a half, I hooked and released 5 more fish between 10 and 13 inches. All fat and healthy.  Then I drove down to Little Park in Idledale to finish my day. Caught a few more small fish before heading home. Tired, sweaty and happy. A great day on stream with some 20+ fish and some ideas for a new fly to try out.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
The Stores at Fly Fishing Colorado
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
Alaska Trout Fishing Information

The 2009 "Montana Fly Fishing" season is here!

Fishing and water conditions are looking great for the entire season!

Five Rivers Lodge is located in southwest Montana’s Beaverhead and Big Hole watersheds. Precipitation in our local mountains is fantastic with the snowpack sitting above 120%. This means we’ll have floatable, super-charged rivers all season. In the past, lower water conditions and warmer temperatures sometimes have diminished insect hatches. This year we expect the ample water supply will yield tremendous hatches which should produce exceptional fishing.

Spring fishing this year has been off the charts and we feel it’s going to do nothing but get better. The Mothers’ Day Caddis hatch was crazy as the cooler temps have the Big Hole River at the perfect level and clarity. And next. . .the 747s of the bug world, Salmon Flies. We’re already catching fish on large Stone Flies, so the bottom must have a ton of them for the trout to munch on. Then, it’s on to July, August, September, and into October with some of the best Hopper fishing in the world, along with May Flies, Caddis, Spruce Moths, and Tricos.

The Beaverhead River, as always, is going to be excellent. With the reservoir filling with snowmelt, the flow rates will be consistent and the Yellow Sally, Pale Morning Duns, Caddis, Crane Flies, Blue Wing Olives, and Terrestials will flourish. This in turn, will produce some of the best fishing in North America. According to Montana state fish biologists, recent shocking shows the most trout in the 3 to 4 year old range since they have been keeping records. This means an abundance of 18" fish.

With the great water conditions, the Ruby, Jefferson, and Madison Rivers also should build on last year’s great fishing and fish better than they have in many years.

Photo ops of fish could be at an all time high. We hope you can take advantage of this outstanding season and our booking special to come spend some time with us at Five Rivers Lodge.

Please download the PDF file for the
Five Rivers Lodge booking specials.

We are offering a one of a kind opportunity
to pick up some cool gear for FREE

If the Five Rivers Lodge asks where you saw this special, tell them on fly-fishing-colorado blog.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
The Stores at Fly Fishing Colorado
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
Alaska Trout Fishing Information

Where to Fly Fish Colorado
for Big Colorado Rainbow Trout

Colorado Rainbow Trout can be found in most cold water streams in the state.  But finding places where Colorado, Rainbows grow to very respectable 28 to 30 plus inches and eight or more pounds is not as easy. Since I stream fish, this page will be devoted primarily to streams.

Private Water

Just an hour or so west of metro Denver are four ranches situated on the North Fork of the South Platte River.  The Meadows Ranch, North Fork Ranch, the Boxwood Gulch/Long Meadow Ranch. These four ranches encompass close to 4 stream miles of the North Fork of the South Platte.  The North Fork headwaters on Kenosha Pass and is augmented by water through the Roberts Portal Tunnel from the Dillon Reservoir.  This stream is also a prime fishery for rainbow, brown, cutthroat, cutbows and brook trout.  The ranches are reached via highway 285 west of Denver Metro Area.

The first ranch west of Denver is the Meadows Ranch. This is a working ranch owned by the North Fork Ranch. In 2006, I had one trip there with Tad Howard owner of coloradotrouthunters.com. Fly Fishing Colorado recommends Tad and Colorado Trout Hunters as a superior guide service. Tad was a great teacher and an old dog of 37 years fly fishing experience learned many new techniques. My largest fish was about 24 inches but I did see one or two larger than that.

On 4/30/05, I was on my first guided trip to the North Fork Ranch. The Biggest Fish of the Day was my 28  — 29 inch — 8 pound Colorado rainbow trout.  This fish hit an orange San Juan worm.

Guide Gregg Cunningham netted the fish and helped me learn to hold a fish this big.

 See our Fly Fishing Photos pg2 for more information about our trip to the North Fork Ranch only one hour west of the Denver Metro area.

There are also first class accommodations at the Ranch and the food is excellent.
North Fork Ranch and Fishing Lodge Rates or download a Ranch PDF. The Ranch also features airport pickup.  Call and ask about arrangements.  To maintain the pristine environment of the stream, only guided fishing trips are allowed.  The ranch features the services of guide Kevin Gregory.  Fly Fishing Guide Services.

Trouttrips.com was the guided service I used for my trip to the North Fork Ranch. Unfortunately Greg Cunningham shown above no longer guides.
 

Boxwood Gulch / Long Meadow

Boxwood Gulch is the ranch name with Long Meadow being a named section above the Gulch section.  This area offers over 2 miles of private water.  All trips must be booked through a Boxwood approved guide.  Bluequillangler out of Evergreen is another experienced guide service.  Pat Dorsey is one of their main guides with many years of guiding and fly tying experience. Tad at Colorado Trout Hunters is another of the approved guide services.

Elk Trout Lodge

Elk Trout Lodge covers private stretches of the Colorado River, the Blue River and the Troublesome Creek Drainage.  The Blue River is a tail water fishery coming from the Dillon Reservoir.  Elk Trout Lodge is reached by taking I-70 west from Denver to the Silverthorne Exit.  Then take State Highway 9 north toward Kremmling, CO until you reach the lodge.

Below Lake Dillon, The Blue becomes a classic Tail water fishery holding Browns to 8 pounds and Rainbows to 15 pounds. In the public stretches between the old bridge below the dam and the main I-70 bridge, I have seen some Colorado Rainbows in the 26 inch plus size and Brown Trout too.  Stonefly nymphs are best to use early in the season for big fish.  Close to the dam a Mysis shrimp dropper in smaller sizes can produce big fish too.

Public Waters

• Blue River between the Dillon Reservoir Dam and Green Mountain Reservoir has many public access fishing areas mixed with private waters.  Above the Green Mountain Inlet several miles is BLM access to a portion of the Blue.  This area may not be fished as heavily as some of the public access spots.  Also some public access below the Reservoir is available. The access road is 4 Wheel only. Do not take a car in there. Stay on the BLM land or you may get a ticket from the Kremmling Sheriff. Check with the BLM Office in Kremmling, CO.

• North Fork of South Platte offers many public access miles along Highway 285 clear into Bailey, CO.  There is always the chance of finding a large rainbow in a public access area.

• Pine Valley Ranch in Jefferson County offers access to the North Fork of the South Platte for some 2 river miles.  In this area you may hook up with a 20 plus inch Colorado Rainbow Trout.  Not as big as some other areas but still fun.

• Chessman Canyon below the Cheesman Reservoir still offers the opportunity to find large rainbows and browns.  Small flies are the order of the day.  Access is by trail into the Canyon.  The trail head parking is about 2 miles west of Deckers, Colorado.

• South Platte River downstream from Deckers, CO to the Scraggy View Picnic Grounds offers the opportunity to find both large rainbows and browns.  Several years before the Hayman Fire, I watched a 30 plus inch rainbow in the Scraggy View Pool behind the picnic area.

• South Platte River between Waterton to the Chatfield Reservoir just southwest of Denver can produce some large rainbows in the spring.  The bows come up from the reservoir to spawn.  The months of April and May would be your best bet.

• Dream Stream the South Platte between Eleven Mile and Spinney Mountain Reservoirs.  In March, April and May there are some large rainbows coming up out of Eleven Mile reservoir.  (There were many photos in Alpine Angler Aurora with catches of Rainbows in the 26 inch plus category.)  This area is Gold Medal water and is catch and release only.

• Colorado River from Hot Sulpher Springs down stream to the Kremmling offers the opportunity for large fish.  Starting with Hot Sulpher Springs, there are six public access area to just west of Parshall, CO .  During runoff be very careful, the Colorado is a large river and can run heavy during the runoff season.

• Frying Pan River  catch and release sections below Rudi Reservoir can produce Colorado Rainbows up to ten pounds.  In the first mile or so below the dam, the trout grow fat on the Mysis shrimp coming out the Reservoir.  This is again Gold Medal Water

• Seven Historic South Park Ranches allow private water fly fishing at reasonable fees.  Some of the ranches offer lodging and fishing packages. Check out the Santa Maria Ranch which offers 1.3 miles of South Platte River Access.  The other ranches offer miles of Tarryall River access and other streams.  Some really beautiful water.  Season opens next March.

• Colorado Fishing Hotspots from the Colorado DOW has a more complete list of fishing hotspots. Use the area links at the top of the page for the various areas. Various areas include gold medal waters.

While these are not the only places to find big Colorado Rainbow Trout, there is certainly enough here to keep you busy.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall Estes , Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com/fishing articles Index
copyright 2005 by Marshall Estes and Fly Fishing Colorado

Saying Goodbye to a Fly Fishing Friend is Tough!

8/26/05

For the past eleven years Bill Louthan, owner of Alpine Angler, operated his fly shop at the corner of Chambers and Iliff next to the Aurora Newsland in Aurora, CO.  Before moving to the current location, Alpine Angler was located on the corner of Quincy and Parker Road for five years.

Bill’s shop was always a joy to visit.  Because Bill would gladly share a story, a joke, product knowledge or trout tactics with a customer.  Bill was generous to a fault.  He would fix a fly line attached improperly to the backing or reverse a reel from right to left hand retrieve for a customer.  Often this equipment was not even purchased from Bill but from a discounter big box store.  We, the regular customers, urged him to charge for this kind of service. 

But Bill maintained that he could attract new customers through quality customer service. I have been in a lot of fly shops in 36 years of fly fishing and I will say that Bill’s customer service was without equal.

Unfortunately, not even Bill’s magnetic personality and great customer service was enough to save his shop. 

When I stopped by the shop this Friday, to see my friend Bill, the shop was eerily quiet.  There was only one other person in the shop besides myself.  And he was one of Bill’s long time friends and fishing buddies. 

The shop was almost bare of inventory.  On sale signs were posted on hooks, fly tying supplies, leaders, the book inventory and most every thing else.  Two lonely rods occupied the rod rack and these were custom builts waiting to be picked up. 

The shop condition was a far cry from its busiest. Then you might find ten to fifteen customers at any time in the shop.  All of them purchasing equipment, fly tying supplies and talking fly fishing.

From October to mid April, Bill would open his shop up on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to about 8 p.m. for the guys to gather and tie flies.  At eight, Bill would supply pizza to close out the sessions. 

At the end of August, these sessions will be no more.

Yes, at the end of August, Bill will turn out the lights and close the doors to Alpine Angler for the last time. 

Did Bill want to close the shop?  No, he wanted to retire and pass on the business to his son Billy. 

But Alpine Angler along with eight other small independent fly shops from Castle Rock through the Aurora area have fallen victim to the big box discounters who started moving into Aurora within the last two years.

We , your regular customers, will miss you Bill.  We will miss the stories, jokes and the good times during the fly tying sessions.

I will miss you as a personal friend and mentor.  I wish you much success with your next business.  A business where the discounters will not be able to compete very well.  A business where knowledge and equipment use will not be free.

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,

Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
copyright 2005 by Marshall Estes and Fly Fishing Colorado

Update 6/8/09

Last month Sportman’s Warehouse in Aurora went out of business and the store was closed. Sometimes what goes around comes around.

The High Plains Drifters Federation of Fly Fishers annual Kid’s Day event will be coming up on Jun 20th. Kid’s Day is for kids age 6 or 7 to 14 to learn about fly fishing. We still have room for about 10 more kids. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to the event, the enrollment fee is $15 which includes lunch, who to contact and other information is available from the Kids Day 2009 link below. (Pat Dorsey local expert guide, fly fisherman, and author will be teaching the kids about fly fishing. FFF certified  fly casting instructors will be teaching the students casting)

 Jun 20th Kids Day – HPD members and local experts help kids learn about fly fishing. Events include fish identification, bug / entomology/ fly tying demonstrations / casting basics / practice casting with fly rods / fishing for trout, bluegill, bass or other pan fish / and the best part Lunch.  The event is held at the Kassler Environmental Education Center with fishing at nearby Lake Lehow. The 2008 Kids Day was a great success. Let’s make Kids Day 2009 even better. Down load the poster for Kids Day 2009  (PDF format- requires the Adobe PDF reader) and start circulating it to your friends with kids that don’t yet fly fish.
 

Tight Lines and Good Fishing,
Marshall, Editor
www.fly-fishing-colorado.com
Everything you need for fly fishing
The Stores at Fly Fishing Colorado
www.110flyfishingtips.com
www.troutadventures.com
Alaska Trout Fishing Information

Teaching your Son or Daughter to Fish Can Bring Memories for Life

I have been fishing all my life. My earliest memories are of farm ponds, barges and reservoirs at night with lanterns hanging off the gunwales to draw the shad and those who follow.

The common denominator of all these experiences was my father. Bullfrogs jug-o-rumming, mosquitoes buzzing,  watching the surface of the lake boil with schooling white bass on a brilliant, blazing summer afternoon. He was with me in all of them.

My son turned six not too long ago. He has been fishing as many years as he has not. The long rod is still in the offing, he makes it clear that he wants no part of that as yet.

But the love of the water is there. Our first real angling experience was three years ago. The Fort Worth Fly Fishers were hosting an event and had stocked several thousand copper nose sunfish in the rocky shallows of the Trinity River.

We showed up with the Scooby Doo rod, a casting bubble and a box of PT nymphs and proceeded to catch those little guys until we both grew tired of it.

Ever since then it’s been non-stop. Days at grandpa’s place in Oklahoma, dragging channel cats out of the pond, fierce bluegills attacking streamers pulled behind bubbles. (A casting bubble is a wonderful thing for a child learning to fish, at least that has been my experience). 

The best experience of though was hooking into a large channel cat on a streamer, fighting it long and hard while he watched. Finally he asked if he could fight it a while and I acquiesced, just knowing that it would break off or intimidate him. I learned a thing or two about fighting fish when he promptly turned 180° to the water, put the rod over his shoulder and marched inland, dragging that cat ashore.

I have fond memories, of our fishing experiences together, wading the flats in Galveston to the city ponds. Allow me to humbly share  my thoughts on what gave me success in developing a budding angler.

Patience – I never went with the intention of fishing myself; or soon gave that up when I saw how the day was unfolding. Additionally, its important to grant them the right do things in all the wrong ways. Minimal fussing about how to rig a fly or cast a line.  Sugar draws more flies than vinegar, plug in all the homilies here. We took it slow and had the end goal of fun in mind. 

Put them on fish. Scenery is OK but a spot with lots of eager fish is sooo much more important. The bluegill is your friend. Find where the fish are and head that way.

Be willing to quit and pursue other activities. Netting tadpoles, exploring, its all good.

In closing I can summate by saying that my end goal is always a trip to be remembered fondly. I heartily recommend laying it all out in your mind beforehand and being willing to veer from the course totally when the need arises.

We are dwindling in numbers each year us anglers. We need to grow more stewards of the wild. Making enthusiastic anglers and outdoorsmen of our sons and daughters is the best path to ensure the future of wildlife.

Tight Lines

Robin Rhyne
copyright 2005

visit Robin’s website
www.robinscustomleadersandflies.com

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