In light of the newly released short film “Phoenix”; Voyage Denver sat down with Katie Fiedler to pick her brain about her business, Anderson’s Fish Camp, and what it’s like starting a mobile fly fishing guide service in the Vail Valley of Colorado. Click here to read more!
Tag: Fly Fishing
“Phoenix” Full Length Film now available on You Tube!
What a journey to this day! Nixy has grown so much since last summer when we shot this film, but the story is ours forever. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you to the Braker Brothers for doing such a phenomenal job producing this film. Please leave comments and let me know what you think of our hard work!
Fly Fishing During “Water Closures”
There has been an explosion of “Voluntary Water Closures ” this year. What does that mean? Why is this happening? Can you and I fish? What should you do if you see anglers fishing? Will all of the fish die? Let’s discuss!
What is a voluntary water closure?
A volunatry water closure comes from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife ( CPW). It is a request for anglers to stop fishing a certain stretch of water.
What is the REASON for a water closure?
The reason CPW closes a section of water to fishing is to protect the resource ( The Fish!) . When the water temperatures rise, it starts to put stress on the fish by depleting the amount of oxygen available in the water. Catching a fish in hot water is a lot like me asking you to sprint around a track while holding your breath. It leads to high mortality rates and hurts the fishery.
Why does this seem to happen every year?
The bulk of our water comes from snowmelt and rain. Low snow accumulation from the winter and/or a hot spring means that our snowpack melted early, leaving us with lower/warmer water conditions. As we continue into the heat of the summer, the water warms up to a temperature not ideal for cold-water fish like trout. The only things left to cool the rivers is rain and/or colder weather patterns.
What are the magic temperatures?
The rule of thumb is to stop fishing when the water hits 68 degrees. This is debatable by a degree here or there, depending on who is talking. But knowing the WHY helps make informed decisions.
Can I still fish?
YES! The closure are there to help educate and advocate for the fishery. We suggest following the closure rules, but don’t be afraid to fish during open times. We still have plenty of open water. Elevation gains yield cooler temperatures. Use that information to your advantage. Take a thermometer with you and test the water before and during your outing to be sure! See this video below for tips on how to properly handle and release fish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZSXh2gCkUo
What should I do if I see people fishing?
Will anyone currently get arrested or get a ticket for fishing the voluntary closure? No. We can do our part by educating ourselves and to sharing information with one another. Reading up on this topic is a great start and a friendly conversation goes a long way!
Will all of the fish die?
Let’s hope not! We know fish change feeding patterns in hot water and eat less. Algae can bloom. Immune functions can become depressed. These rainy afternoons and cooler evening are certainly making an impact and let’s hope they stay consistent.
Current Information on River Closures :
https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/StatewideFishingConditions.aspx
Anchored Podcast Interview April Vokey with Katie Fiedler is LIVE!
I had the honor of sitting down with the renowned outdoors-woman, April Vokey. In this podcast, we talk about the film project “Phoenix”, parenthood as it relates to guiding, as well as an important discussion about impacts of gender in the fly fishing industry. I hope you enjoy the listen!
Join us for the F3T this Friday (3/25/22) at the Riverwalk Theater!
Join Cooper,Katie, and Phoenix Anderson, with Andrew Braker as they present their film “Phoenix” as part of the Fly Fishing Film Tour. The film tour is a series of 10 minute films made to inspire and entertain through the sport of fly fishing. The film tour will be playing at the Riverwalk Theater this Friday, March 25,2022 at 6:30pm. Visit flyfilmtour.com for advance tickets. Proceeds from the even go to support Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited. TU serves to protect our local cold water fisheries. We hope to see you there!
Aprés-Fish Adult Beverages We Love
The chill in the air and long days on the water have us craving our favorite after fishing cocktails. Here are two of my favorites. One’s in a can so you can throw and go; and the other requires a little bit of effort. Both go well in a folding chair.
If you like whiskey… think Manhattans, Whisky Sours, etc… you HAVE to try a New York Sour! This is a leveled-up take on a whisky sour that comes to life by adding a surprisingly perfect addition- a red wine float.
The players:
- 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- This is what makes the foam. If you choose to omit, just don’t worry about making the layers. *
- 1/2 ounce full-bodied red wine
- You want a wine made from thick-skinned grapes! Think Cabernet or Merlot. Stay away from Pinot Noir which can fall flat against the whiskey.
- Luxardo cherries
- If they aren’t Luxardo, you are missing out!
Steps:
• Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg into a shaker and shake HARD! A well-frothed sour is the key to the delicious layers.
•Pour into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
•Slowly pour red wine over the back of a spoon dipped just under the foam to get a beautiful layer.
•Garnish with Luxardo cherries.
ENJOY!
*Consuming raw egg can lead to food-borne illness.
The second beverage is the best hard cider I’ve tried and it’s by a Colorado company called STEM. I long for adult beverages that taste refreshing, are gluten-free, and don’t kill with the sugar content. This is one of few beverages with 0g. sugar that makes me feel like I am winning at adulthood. STEM makes a few variations if you like the sweet, and they have some other fun dry flavors and fusions as well ( Pear is another favorite) . We are not sponsored in any way by STEM. We just love the product!
Brown Trout Spawning Season- Fun Facts!
Fall is the time of year the brown trout spawn!
Fun facts are below!
How do you know if a trout is actively spawning?
Trout will spawn in shallow water with smaller rocks. They clear the moss of the rocks with their bodies in an exhausting effort to make a clean bed (or “redd” if you want to use technical terms. ) You can see these clean spots fairly easily on the Eagle River as we have a solid covering of moss on our rocks, so the clean spots will really stick out.
When do rainbow trout spawn?
The Rainbows spawn in the springtime!
Is it ok to fish right now?
Yes! Just be mindful and leave those spawning fish sitting on the redds alone! They are in a delicate process and using A LOT of energy. Definitely don’t step on their redds. You can absolutely fish in deeper runs and riffles. As with all fish, handle them with a quick and gentle touch!
How do trout spawn, exactly?
The female trout deposits eggs onto the redd and then leaves the male to fertilize the redd. This redd is then fiercely guarded by the male trout. It is not uncommon to see other fish fighting over a spot on the redd. Trout will eat each other’s eggs and can become quite aggressive for the easy meal. Other fish often sit downstream the redd waiting for easy eggs to wash down.
What other fish spawn in the fall?
Rocky Mountain Whitefish! You can catch some big ones this time of year, although it is a little less common as the whitefish feed off of the bottom. Whitefish are a native Colorado fish and they definitely put a bend on a fly rod!
Do trout move upstream when they spawn?
Yes! Most of the summer fish are spread out along the healthy parts of the river and “holed up” in their areas. They are trying to get fat and not spending many calories on swimming or moving. In contrast to summer behavior; in the fall, the browns and whitefish are definitely moving upstream with a spawning mission in mind. That’s why we see some bigger fish this time of year come up from the lower Eagle. And the shallow water makes it easier to hook into the bigger ones too.
Fall is a fantastic time to get out and enjoy the river! It’s quiet on the river, the fish are happy with the colder temperatures, mayflies and midges are all over the place, and there are certainly some big fish being caught right now. Let us show you the best pools and pockets, tie your flies, and keep the fun moving while you’re out fly fishing. Call Anderson’s Fish Camp at (970) 376-0002 to book a guided trip and make some fall memories! Andersonsfishcamp.com for more information.
How to patch leaky waders
It’s going to happen eventually; a small leak in even the nicest of waders. Here is a short video on how to find the holes in your waders and fix them!
10 considerations for protecting trout during a drought phase
Happy August! Colorado fishing season remains in full swing. You may start to hear chatter about water temperature in relation to fishing. Rightly so, almost every year, after a period of warm weather and little rain, concerns rise regarding the health of our magnificent fishery.
We break down fish health in terms of stress. Stress can come from the angler (wearing a fish out, improper care when handling, improper release, walking on trout redds) the environment ( hot water temps, diseases, lack of food), or other predators ( bigger aggressive fish, birds of prey, beavers, otters, etc.) . Stress is directly linked to mortality of fish. It is often a surprise to anglers that most fish that die, will do so after you release them into the water. Just because they were thrown back in, truly means nothing if a fish has endured too much stress.
Here are our top 10 considerations for protecting fish health while fly fishing:
- Use proper equipment to land fish efficiently and quickly. The act of hooking a fish causes stress for the fish. That surge of adrenaline, and then sometimes the calories and energy used when a fish swims around while on your line all are depleting resources. A proper weight rod and proper line with strong knots will help in efficiency.
- Don’t fish in water above 65 degrees! If water temps reach 65 degrees or higher, the oxygen levels drop in the water. This means the fish is already under a great amount of stress because it can’t breathe well. Fish in the morning when the river is at its’ coolest temp, and aim to be done by noon. We recommend a thermometer to check the water temps, as it’s concrete proof of whether or not you should fish.
- GET YOUR HANDS WET anytime you are handling a fish you don’t intend to kill. Most people don’t realize: the slime on a fish is part of its immune system! I’m not saying trout will get COVID-19, but they are vulnerable to disease and need a healthy immune system just like you and I!
- DON’T THROW THE FISH BACK! When you catch a fish, it can be disorienting for the fish. Always put the fish back in the water, head upstream, in a spot with a little bit of current to it. This will allow water to flush through the gills while the fish orients itself again. DO NOT LET THE FISH GO until it kicks out of your hands. When that fish kicks, it has been properly revived and released. Not before. If you see a fish dive bomb straight under a rock; this is not a good sign. Often, you can grab the fish and properly release it or if you can’t grab it, move your net or foot close to it to get it to swim.
- De-barb your hooks. I shouldn’t have to go into much detail about this one. A barb is for catching and not letting go. If you don’t intend to cook your kill, de-barbing is the proper thing to do.
- It is Colorado State law to fish with 3 hooks or less. Any more and you’re breaking the law, and it’s unsportsmanlike like. Most anglers don’t know this rule!
- Use a rubber net. The “old school” or “vintage” nets are death traps that peel the slime off of the fish. You may as well pet them with sandpaper. Also, any sun gloves, or thumbholes on sun shirts should be removed before touching a trout as these items peel the slime as well.
- If the fish is out of the water, it is not breathing. The fish just ran a marathon on the end of your rod. Consider that, and water temps, before asking the fish to hold its breath again so you can have a photo.
- The trout is not a Popsicle. Squeezing it won’t yield better results. It will probably make it squirm more. If you are going to take a quick picture, get the camera ready first. Then, cradle the fish gently; fingers under the belly and thumbs on top; and put it right back into the water. Also, “lipping” a trout, like you would a bass, will break its jaw, and there’s no reason to lip a trout.
- Know your “bag limits”. If you kill a fish, this goes towards your daily limit; even if you “let it go”.
Fly fishing is a great way to connect with nature. I hope this article empowers you to connect in a way that protects your incredible resource!
Anderson’s Fish Camp COVID-19 Protocols
The rivers are running, the fish are eating, the weather is beautiful, and we have been given the green light to provide guide services! Here are the current changes to our guiding routines.
Updated on 5/16/2020
- We are currently able to provide WADE trips only. Float trips do not meet current distancing protocols.
- We are currently able to guide Eagle County Residents only. This will be for as long as Eagle County is recommending travel stay within county limits.
- We will guide in Eagle County only
- Gear (waders, boots, chairs, rods, nets) will be sanitized prior to guest arrival.
- No one shall fish or show up to fish if they, or anyone in their household, are feeling any COVID symptoms. If you cancel your trip due to COVID symptoms, you will be refunded fully.
- We are currently assigning one guide to groups of 3 or less. Each group must be from the same household.
- We are currently recommending all parties wear a face covering when in close proximity to their guide. As the fishing allows, guides may step away and face covering may be lowered.
- Guides will stand 6 feet away as often as possible, and have PPE on in the event of a brief passing.
- Guides will sanitize the rod and net handles with disinfecting wipes after every transfer between client and guide.
- Guides will take photos from their personal phones and AirDrop or text them to their guests.
- Guests will be provided with a walking pole to assist in walking on slippery river areas to minimize contact with their guide. In addition, fishing places will be chosen with distancing in mind.
- Guests are encouraged to bring their own water and snacks from home.
- Guests are encouraged to pay for their trip via Venmo or over the phone with a credit card.
- Guests are encouraged to purchase their mandatory fishing license from CPWshop.com ( Colorado Parks and Wildlife) before their trip.
- A bottle of hand sanitizer will be available at all times on the bank of the river as well in the guides vest/pack.
- When you catch a fish, we won’t high-five you… but we will hoot and holler!
We know these are CRAZY times. Your safety has always been our top concern while we are on the water, and “saftey” has reached a new level these days. We will continue to do our best. If you have questions or would like to book a trip: call or text (970) 376-002. Stay safe!
What are flies?
There is a lot of lingo that fly fishers use that may sound like a foreign language. Fear not! Most of the time in fly fishing, there is a simple answer. Learn the basics here to answer the common question, ” What are flies?”!
Where do fish in Colorado go for the winter?
Contrary to popular thinking, trout (and whitefish, and suckerfish, and sculpin) in the Eagle River do not migrate. They are built to thrive in these freezing temps with a metabolism that slows down to preserve calories. The fish seek deep-water pools for protection from a full freeze and as a place to “hide” from birds of prey while they are in a slower metabolic state. The fish eat daily snacks of aquatic insects, which are largely in the dormant to slow-growth stages under the water’s surface. Insects can be found clinging to rocks and occasionally get swept off by the ebb and flow of the river water, which makes them the perfect easy snack as they float along. As the sunny days start to hit, there can also be some impressive midge (a type of tiny insect) hatches as well.
Winter Fly Fishing Arial View.
Winter fishing provides an experience that takes you off of the busy slopes, gives your legs a chance to rest while still being active, and most importantly connects the angler with one of the most serene winterscapes this valley offers. Fly fishing in the winter is an experience you won’t soon forget.
Moral of the story: catching fish in the wintertime can be both productive and fun! Sure, you may have to deal with some extra layers and some cold hands if you want to hold the fish you catch, but we know if you were afraid of the cold, you wouldn’t visit Colorado!
If you want to book a fishing adventure in the wintertime, please call Anderson’s Fish Camp at (970) 376-0002. They know the places where you can access the river’s best pools safely, what flies trout like to eat this time of year, and ways to deal with the cold temps so that you can have the BEST experience possible! Anderson’s Fish Camp offers competitive winter rates, please see andersonsfishcamp.com for details.
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- Releasing a healthy rainbow trout
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- New Years Day Fly Fishing!
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- Karen Clark with a success story for winter fly fishing!
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- Cooper with a super healthy wintertime fish.
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- Mike jones with a happy face!
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- Karen Clark’s Beautiful Brown
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- Arial Views!
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- Karen taking the time to appreciate the beauty with a couple pics!
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- Cooper Anderson, guide, releases a healthy fish.
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- Family Time!
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- Beautiful Pink Cheeks 🙂
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- Wintery Scene
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- Fishing Buddies
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- That’s a grip of fly rods!
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- Happy
Blue Wing Ding with Scientific Anglers and Winston- Green River, Utah
We spent a few great days out on the Green River in Utah with fellow pro-staffers from Scientific Anglers and Winston rod company. It was so refreshing to be around so many like-minded individuals. It took about 5 hours of driving to get to Dutch John from Vail.
We arrived at the fly shop in Dutch John which is attached to a gas station/restaurant. The only one for miles. After checking into our brand new cabin (you can rent through Trout Creek Flies),
we headed to “Little Hole” which was a take-out for section A. It was maybe a 5min drive. Not long at all. We wade-fished there and started to sink into the beauty that is the Green River. The color of this river matches its name, but photos don’t quite do it justice. Every inch of this river is crystal clear with deep pools of emerald green contrasted with the huge red rock cliffs on either side. Fish were keying into small black juju baetis flies.
Night one. Cooper tried to die at dinner. *WARNING GRAPHIC* He coughed a few times and as I am asking if he is ok I just saw him paralyzed in a frozen state with drool pouring out of his mouth and tears streaming from his eyes. I started wailing on his back…nothing. I got up and got behind him to get the Heimlich maneuver going. I heard about 20 chairs slide out and all guides were ready to report to duty. It’s funny what details your remember when shit goes down. The sound of those chairs makes me laugh to myself every time I think about it. I don’t remember much else really. I know I pumped on him once and then I heard someone say “he’s coughing,” so I stopped destroying him and proceeded to watch him hack and puke all over the table. I noticed Coop’s face drained of all color and I was still not sure what the heck just happened. It was a hot mess. THAT is what I call a first impression. 🙂 We went outside and walked around for a bit. I was there just as support in case he tried to die again. He finally puked in the parking lot and immediately after said,” That was it.” I’m sharing this story because it makes me laugh. Literally, “that was it” and we are on our way to the Wing Ding Olympics.
Cooper had “medical deferment” from participating and yet he still decided to participate in the whole deal; a shot of Yukon and all. #lifechoices #movingon That’s my husband. Love him.
About the Wing Ding Olympics. This was a brain child of a genius.
Station 1- Accuracy casting with a Winston into some hula hoops on the ground
Station 2- Sprint to the cooler across the parking lot and blow the duck call. “blow the fat side”
Station 3- Sprint to a setup and take a shot of Yukon and make a spark with the fire starting kit. Bonus points for starting a fire. (no one got bonus points)
Station 4- Try not to let the Yukon affect you as you sprint over to the blow-dart gun and blow up a balloon, tie the balloon to a leader, hang it on the barn, and pop it with the dart gun.
Station 5- Run over to the 2wt and you get three false casts to thread the line through the hanging target.
TIME
You didn’t have to win, you just didn’t want to be the loser. Or this….
As I come back to work and people say “oh you look cold” all I can think about is going again. Of course it was cold, and it was beautiful and it was awesome, and it was STILL one billion times better than working at my winter job or watching TV or doing chores or running a marathon. There was nowhere I would have rather been. Good company, fly fishing, manhattans for everyone. Thanks SA and Winston for an awesome few days. Until next time!
Fly Fishing in Tulum, Mexico
Cooper & I recently made the commitment to check a box on our bucket list and headed to Tulum, Mexico. I’ve never used my passport, and I was tired of reading all these blog posts about the incredible fishing all over the world. I was tired of seeing my Facebook explode with endless enthusiasm for wanderlust, and not really getting it. I figured Mexico would be an easy start. We booked our stay in Tulum. Tulum was an EASY 2-hour drive south of Cancun airport. I would describe Tulum as an up and coming yoga lovers destination. Think of vegan options, naked meditation on the beach, and massage with aromatherapy and ginger tea to boot. But let’s get back to fishing.
I’ll keep it real, it was raining 8 out of the 10 days we stayed in Mexico. (October is rainy season in the rainforest! Lesson learned).
It was a bit rough to say the least. I have never felt so gross. All of those authentic thatched roofs were straight leaky; so everywhere we went, the water followed. That has to count as some sort of mermaid spa treatment to be wet for 7 days in a row. My clothes smelled moldy and we ran out of dry towels in our hotel room. Anyways, the first day we tried to get out to fish, our guide Rhett, showed up in a downpour at 5 in the morning. He came into our musty hotel room and said, “there is no fucking way.” The surf was huge and not looking to settle anytime soon. He then told us a story of a Navy Seal he has taken out fishing in this kind of weather who, “loves this kind of shit.” I am tough, don’t get me wrong, but I am not even close to Navy Seal ready. Mission aborted. I love guides and their stories. *Book idea: Guide Stories from the U.S. and Beyond. Call a publisher!
We waited a couple days and in the meantime; we paddle boarded in private cenotes, swam in cenotes, learned about pesos, walked the beach for miles, saw sea turtles hatching on the beach ( Sea turtles hatch randomly throughout October), and stuffed our faces with more guacamole than what seemed humanly possible. Nonetheless, we were getting a little stir crazy. Both of us had researched the fishing reviews and were itching to get out there!
Cenotes are these incredible limestone sinkholes in the jungle. Many are filled with fresh water and some are filled with brackish water depending on their proximity to the ocean. Some are open air and some are caves. One of the cenotes we visited in an intermittent rainstorm, I saw a tarpon roll in. I asked Rhett about it, and he said with all the rain it wasn’t uncommon for ocean fish to find their way into the mangroves for some reprieve. Too bad “no fishing” signs hung all over the place. If they take the trouble to write it in English, I’ll abide. Plus, I don’t know enough Spanish to ask if I can peso my way in with a fly rod to do some catch and release. I think we paid 100 pesos to paddle this cenote, and the gentleman even carried my board to the water for me! Cooper had to carry his own. *life goal: learn more Spanish
Finally on day 8, the sun came out and Rhett was ready to take us fishing.YAAAAYYY!!! We went to the Sian Ka’an biosphere. We drove the infamous dirt road, and yes it was pretty rough. Although not quite as bad as imagined, I still wouldn’t want to take anything less than a truck or jeep over some of the bigger pot holes.
The surf was still a little testy, but wadeable. It kind of reminded me of high school when I would intentionally jump in moshpits just because I was in the mood to YOLO and see what would happen. You get pushed around, but it’s really not as aggressive as it looks from the outside.
Rhett talked about the resident crocodile that lived in the area right before he has us wade through the jungle and into the ocean. I caught a glimpse of what it might be like to be a client of mine coming to Colorado for the first time. I talk about bears freely and then immediately proceed to walk through thick service berry filled brush ( aka: bear food) on the way down to the flowing river and say “let’s get in!” The unknown keeps it exciting to say the least!
We fished a righteous spot where the cenote water flushes out of the jungle just like a mouth of a river meeting the ocean.
We walked on this untouched beach for hours.We followed the edge of the murky water and looked for tarpon and snook paying attention to the bait fish that we would see jumping and scattering. We fished an 8wt & 9wt rod. Our leaders were shorter per Rhett’s suggestion; we hand tied the leaders with about 4 ft. of 30lb to a 2ft section of 40lb bite tippet. ( Thanks Nate Dogg for letting us borrow your rod!)Then we waded into the mouth of the cenote flush and blind casted in the murky water.
Every once in awhile I would hear Rhett get super excited about something that I didn’t even come close to seeing. A permit, a jack, a big flash. I believed him every time, again, it’s really the same way in Colorado. I spot fish all the time that my clients don’t see. This is his spot. I loved fishing with someone who LIVES his passion guiding out on the water. Maybe half way into the trip, Cooper hooked up with a snook! AWESOME!Not 5 minues after he released his fish, I hooked into mine. Really, this was ALL we came for! And it finally happened. It was a happy moment to say the least. We both caught some decent fish, and the trip was not for nothing. I think I will remember this snook forever, because I had to work so hard for it. I had to battle the rain, Montezuma’s revenge, a dirty hotel room, and my sanity while waiting to get a rod in my had, and FINALLY I caught a break. Cooper hooked up a couple more times before we called it a day.
If you find yourself in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun, look up Akumal Fly Fishing. Rhett is exactly the kind of guide I would recommend to anyone. He is passionate, honest, friendly, animated, and prepared. Did you know you can buy bags of half-popped popcorn?!? Rhett has the hook-up on fishing and half popped-popcorn. But sorry ladies, he has a girlfriend too.
We wore wading socks and Keens. This was Cooper’s brilliant idea, and I am happy to say it worked well! It felt nice to take them off too.
Cooper & Rhett at the lunch spot on the beach.
Thoughts on living.
What do you do for a living? It’s such a loaded question. I have realized it is a tough question to answer if you don’t really love what you do. I think it’s honestly a moment when you realize that you are either proud of your direction or not so stoked on it. I have been there one too many times. As I go through life, I have realized that one job may be a stepping stone and another may be a lesson in what not to do. My biggest realization is that if you have a real passion for your job, you are willing to put up with a little more of the drama and a little less of the pay to get where you want to go. Oh, and you’re not afraid to say what you do.
I can tell when I really don’t like something because I start questioning for what amount of money would I stay and do whatever it is that I am not having an ounce of fun doing. I kind of equate it to those eating challenges on reality TV. How much gross food would you eat for a shot at one million dollars???!!! What is your tipping point? We all have one.
Discovering my tipping point is all part of the process for someone like me who hasn’t known what I wanted to be since I was little. I have always been kind of a free spirit that way, and I am guessing if you are reading this you have a free spirit too. It’s what drives us to explore, create, and discover. I never wanted to define myself in one way or another, it just didn’t feel right. For example, I love fashion design. So does that mean a life in the city worrying about which leather bag completes my high-heeled wardrobe? No way! I don’t relate to that. I recently was able to give input on product colors to a fishing company, and HELLO! that was so cool! The one thing I do know, I am happier when I don’t have to deny any one part of myself to be where I am.
Each part of what makes me happy is like a puzzle. How can we fit them all together? I am going to have faith that it will. It’s been fun using my graphic design skills to build this website, and my photography skills to capture and share the moments, and guiding has given me great material to work with. It took me a long time to realize, that just because I have passion A. doesn’t mean I can’t incorporate it into passion B. I used to think, “I love graphic design, but then I will have to give up fly fishing.” I am beginning to combine my passions, and it’s a real treat. Now I feel like I have options, places to move, things to do.
What’s the moral of the story? Just do what makes you happy, and listen to yourself when you are at your tipping point. That point is where I have learned the most. Oh, and when you are at your tipping point, don’t yell, “Go F* yourself.” That really never goes as well as you think it will.
Yampa River Report: 4/13/15
I was able to go fish the Yampa tailwater on Monday the 13th. It was a perfect CO. day with bluebird skies and warm temps. The flows on the Yampa just recently dropped from 100 cfs to 42 cfs, and this made for some outstanding fishing. I rigged up the night before with my typical Yampa rig: a #12 hopper to a #16 two bitt hooker, then to a #20 black RS2. I caught fish on all three flies but the RS2 was by far the most productive. I was lucky enough to get the grand slam: a rainbow, brown , and brook trout all in one day! With run-off coming early to Colorado this year, the tailwater’s will be busy. On this day the parking lot filled up and cars were parked on the road. Remember to give each other space, and that we are all trying to enjoy some quality time on the water.
If you want to book a trip to this amazing stretch of river call the Cooper at 970-376-0002
5 inexpensive gifts for fly fisherman
In honor of Cooper Anderson’s 33rd birthday, I thought I would make a gift list. If you are not an avid angler, it can be tricky to find the perfect gift! Here is a quick list of 5 gifts that will dazzle any angler, without breaking the bank.
1.) Deyoung tumbler. These mugs run $20 each and are a great way to add some fishing flair to any anglers home. Whether they fish salt or fresh water, there are options for both. Give two now and two next Christmas. They are fun to collect!
2.)Fly Fishing hats. These are an easy gift, and they will be loved. I can’t tell you how fast a lucky hat gets to be dirty and worn with sweat rings and the like. A new hat feels good! Your favorite angler will thank you for helping them make fly fishing look sooooo good. Simms has nailed it in the accessories department, I recommend checking them out first. They have great women’s options too! Hats are in the $20-$40 range depending on style.
3.)Fancy nippers. I use nippers every time I hit the water. Abel makes a great nipper that runs $60 for a solid color which are available in a rainbow of colors. The fancy nipper is definitely pricier than many other versions, but they don’t slip around with wet fingers and the larger size make them easier to grab and use.
4.) Trout stationary. I created this stationary because I could not find any that was fishy enough! The 5 pack runs $20 and the blank cards will give your fishy friends a way to stay in touch as they travel the globe in search of fins and gills.
5.) Trout of the World by James Prosek. This is a perfect coffee table/ reference book. There are more fish in here than I could imagine, and it is quite interesting to see the differences in trout around the world. It’s imformative, it’s art, it’s a super cool way to spend an a few hours, and it’s something your favorite angler will find themself looking at over and over again. This book is $25.
6 dream fish- Put these on your new year’s resolution list!
As the new year is fast approaching, it gives us time to reflect on the past year and plan out trips and goals for the new year. Here are 6 fish on my “caught on a fly” bucket list. What are on yours? Has anyone completed this list?
1.) Taimen Trout. 6 feet.. 200 lbs.. a trout?!? Before I saw a video release on these monster fish, I lived in the dark. Taimen live in northern Mongolia and are aggressive big trout. Enough said! I want one!
2.) Bonefish. I have been visiting the Keys for upwards of 10 years. Apparently these fish are not as prevalent as they once were “back in the day.” I only have ever caught one on a spin set-up. I am dying to wade in the flats and catch a glimpse of one of these zippy little creatures tailing as they feed in the turtle grass. I’ve been told I need to go to the Bahamas. I know the fight in these fish will be worth the extra jet fuel.
3.) Tarpon.. over 70lbs. Sooooooo.. I know. I am pretty greedy. I have technically landed a tarpon on a fly, and it took no shortage of blood, sweat, agony, tears, and will -power to get one of these silver kings to finally eat my fly. But I want another one.. a bigger one! The fight, they jump, they wrap you around stuff. Tarpon are the most exciting thing I have ever caught, and they will leave you wanting more too.
4.) Roosterfish. Many of my friends tell me stories of seeing the rooster fish tailing off of a pristine beach in Mexico. I can just feel the excitement of catching a 5 foot 100 lb. fish with a mowhawk. I mean, come on.
5.) Carp. The carp is a little new to me. Cooper (my husband) has landed a couple with his other guide buddies. I know they like the slow moving water toward Rifle or just outside of Denver. This is a cool looking bottom feeder, that I need to figure out. Also, this is a very doable goal- I mean they live in Colorado!
6.) Peacock Bass. This is one of the most colorful fish I have ever seen photos of. They are freshwater. To make this goal a little easier, I found out they were introduced and thrive in some of Florida’s freshwater fisheries. However, I would prefer to get out of dodge and catch one of these bass in the Amazon. How cool would that be?! Either way, it’s all about that bass.
