Tag Archives: wild trout

Colorado

Full Cycle of the Yampa

Over the last two weeks, it has snowed almost every other day out here.  This has made for great skiing conditions.  I have skied at least 4 days with over a foot of fresh powder during those two weeks.  With all this skiing, I have not fished too much.  However, I finally got back into the tailwater section of the Yampa today.  The forecast was calling for low 40’s and sunny, so I decided to make the 2 mile trek to the tailwater.

Frenchie Nymph in the Jaw
Frenchie Nymph in the Jaw

I got to the river around 10:30 and nymphed up stream through several pools landing 5 and hooking into another 4.  I was using a size 20 frenchie nymph that I had picked up in Paris last Thanksgiving.  It has great detail but is covered entirely in epoxy so it sinks like a stone.  This fly accounted for all of the fish I picked up nymphing.

Another bow to the net
Nice bow to the net

As the temperature increased, a few noses started to poke through the surface, but nothing too consistent.  I needed to adjust for the changing feeding behavior.  I continued to cast my nymphs upstream; however, once the flies reached my position, I stopped tracking the flies with my rod.  My flies continued downstream from position, but this subtle change allowed my nymphs to rise through the water column like an emerger.  It was immediate and continued success until the adult baetis were fully on the water.

First brown of the year
First brown of the year

Once the surface activity was in full swing, it was size 18 traditional comparaduns in olive and black that continued to produce fish.  For the really picky ones, size 20 cdc comparaduns did the trick.

Same frenchie nymph
Same frenchie nymph

Once 3 o’clock came around, the adult comparaduns were not catching as consistently.  To account for another feeding behaviour change, I tied on a size 20 cdc rusty spinner and continued to hook up more fish.  This fly has a low profile against the water surface.  It was tough to track it throughout its entire drift.  To compensate, I would gently set the hook any time a fish rose in the general vicinity of my fly.

IMG_0940
This guy was the first of the dry fly bonanza, had him on a size 18 olive comparadun

It was an amazing day.  I got to fish the entire life cycle of the baetis mayflies that were hatching today.  Landed over 20, hooked into another 10, and over 15 were on dry flies.  Mostly rainbows, with about 3 nice browns, and one brookie.  The sizes ranged from 12″ to 19″.

Great colors, another one on a comparadun
This guy tailwalked through two different pools after I hooked him on a size 20 cdc rusty spinner
IMG_0942
Sick colors

 

Nice Bow
Another bow on the frenchie nymph
Wild Trout Streams

Headwaters

Exploration

I sit here compiling this blog entry, hoping, that these passing thunderstorms finally break the humidity and usher in pleasant early fall weather. The topic for today’s installment is exploring the pristine headwaters of northwest New Jersey.  Due to a bit of foresight and a failed government dam project, a large area of Warren and Sussex counties consist of protected state and federal parks. These forested areas protect much of the cold-water fisheries of the area.

Key to fishing a small mountain stream like this is determining where the Trout are holding.

As early as Monday, most of the streams were flowing at under 20 CFS. As result of the thunderstorms we have experienced, the area is again fishable. Infusions of the fresh, cool water have certainly livened up the Trout.

Setting Out

I drove around in my FJ conducting ever-important reconnaissance on the varying water conditions in the region. As we have previously discussed in an earlier New Jersey wild trout streams blog, not all sections of water will produce Trout. I have found it is useful to review maps and aerial photos to determine likely Trout holding areas ahead of time.

Abandoned Remote Fishing Cabin

Holding Areas

In a mountainous environment, Trout will hold in a small number of places. Key indicators of trout suitability are depth, coolness, and availability of cover. These areas can be summed up as follows:

  • Head and Tail of Long Pools
  • Large Rocks
  • Deep Undercut Banks
  • Bridge Abutments
This Bridge Abutment Held Fish Along Both Sides

The conditions of headwater streams will vary depending on season and water levels. Experimentation generally works well as there is no set method that will work to catch fish.

Success

When approaching a new target, I prefer to throw general attractor patterns. In the late summer and early fall, an indicator fly should be set up with a dropper. The options for indicators in a Brook Trout stream include; Tootsie Roll Ants or Royal Coachman trailed by a Midge, Hare’s Ear Nymph, or a Purple Prince.

The Mighty Creek Chub

I took my initial cast and had a hit, then several more. The fish hitting were way to small to set the hook into. Migrating into some bigger water, I was able to land one of the little Creek Chubs. Continuing down the tail of a large, Hemlock shaded pool, I had a beautifully colored Brook Trout dancing on the end of my line.

This Brook Trout Inhaled a Royal Coachman

More MKFF Coming Soon

As we move into the fall, MKFF will be providing up to date blogs on all the activity from fall stocking season. Keep checking back for more!

In addition:

August Adventures at Spring Creek Guest Ranch and the Green River

The Orvis Game Fair and Country Sporting Weekend

Utah Trout, Wild Trout Streams

Prospecting Big Trout – Small Streams

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This is the Part Two installment of MKFF’s Utah Fourth of July adventure; Part Three, Lapping the C, will be available later on in the week, including all of the pictures.

This blog entry is informational in nature; stream locations and identities are disguised to protect the innocent.

Matt and Sam Prospect a Long Run

During the long hot summer, mountain streams remain cool, clear, and filled with beautiful Trout.

First Trout in Utah 2012

Reading the Water

As opposed to large streams and rivers, Trout residing in small mountain streams have less food sources available to them. Fortunately, this makes them especially inclined to eat a Hopper-Dropper combo.  The Trout we were chasing after like to hold in several key locations:

  • Head or Tail of Pools
  • Deep Undercut Banks
  • Long Runs
  • Behind Large Rock Obstructions

What to Throw

There are several combinations that seem to work well on small streams. Small general nymph patterns similar to the Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, and the Gunslinger work very well. I prefer to prospect with a Foam Ant or Hopper, with one of the aforementioned flies as a dropper.

Matt Gets His Skunk Out

Another nice option; is a Woolly Bugger or a small streamer. I used a Coffee and Black Bugger, which I spun up heavily weighted with lead. My small streamer of choice is always the Black Nosed Dace and/or the Mickey Finn.

Now That Is The Fish We Are Here To Catch

Success

A bad day Fly Fishing is better than a good day at work.  Simply being out in the back country is enough to disengage and enjoy the scenery. Throw in a few 18 inch Trout, and Matt, Sam, and I had a great time.

18 Inch German Brown on Hopper Dropper, caught on Pheasant Tail

Read More:

Part 1: This Is Our First Rodeo

Part 3: Lapping the C

Interested in booking a Utah small stream fishing adventure. Check out Beehive Fishing Company for a guided Fly Fishing Adventure on one of many Utah small streams.