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Finding Trout.

Contributed by The Gorecreek Fly Fishermen (Vail, Co.)

You have just driven to a spot along the river, parked, strung up your fly rod and walked down to the river’s edge to only stand there and scratch your head pondering where to begin fishing. Some folks just begin fishing and hope to come across a trout or two, while others take a moment to observe their surroundings and create a “game plan” on how they will approach a stretch of river. When deciding how to approach a stretch of water, you will need to observe a few different variables or conditions. The conditions that I take into account when fishing, generally coincide with the different seasons of the year and include the waters temperature, flow, depth and clarity.

During the winter months when water temperatures are extremely cold, slow, low and clear; you can expect to find trout holding in the deeper runs, conserving energy so as to survive until spring. In these deep runs, trout typically “pod” up along the rivers bottom, well beneath the stronger currents found above. The fish will congregate in these areas to wait out the long winter months...Continue to Colorado.

months that do not offer much up in the form of food. Because of this lack of food; trout will go into a winter slumber, thus making them difficult to catch. When fishing these areas, you will want to concentrate all of your presentations accurately along the bottom. I generally fish a deep nymph rig consisting of two or three micro-sized blue winged olive or midge patterns, split shot and an indicator...continue reading

Since 1985- now 25 years, Mountain Angler has been providing world class fly fishing guide services to its angling guests. .We are located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies in the famous ski resort town of Breckenridge- just 80 minutes from downtown Denver. Within 45 minutes from our shop our guides can take you to a number of great and diverse fisheries. These rivers include the Blue, Colorado, Eagle, Arkansas, Middle Fork of the South Platte, South Fork of the South Platte and the Williams Fork. Additionally, there are numerous glacier lakes, Reservoirs such as Spinney Mountain Reservoir and Antero Reservoir, small streams and beaver ponds with endless miles of pristine waters. The Mountain Angler has also secured the exclusive rights to a number of private ranches in the area. We offer half and full day wade and walk trips as well as float trips with private put-ins on the Colorado River. To contact us we can be reached via e-mail – info@mountainangler.com or by telephone 800-453-4669.

311 s. Main Street – Main Street Mall- Breckenridge, Colorado

“ Putting people and Trout together since 1985”

Confluence Casting is located along the Upper Colorado River. The section of the Colorado we float sees very little river traffic, but features great fishing and spectacular views of red, pink and orarock cliffs all around. We use state-of-the art catarafts for maximum comfort and safety, and supply a deli lunch, beverage, a photo CD and all tackle. Check out our website at www.confluencecasting.com, call us at 970-524-1440, or email to jack@confluencecasting.com

Winter Park Flyfisher is a full service fly shop and guide service, located in Fraser, Colorado near Winter Park. We are in the middle of Colorado fly fishing with more fish-able water than any other county in the state. The most experienced and patient guides in the county guide for our shop. We have over 5 miles of private water and over 100 miles of the best streams in the west to choose from for your float or wade fishing trip. Our waters include the North Platte (Grey Reef), Colorado, Fraser, Williams Fork, North Fork, Arapahoe Creek, Muddy Creek, and the high altitude headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park. We offer full and half day rates, and provide transportation from the fly shop to the fishing location. Rental rods, waders, and boots available. For guide and rental rates, visit our website at www.GrandFlyFishing.com or call 970.726.5231.

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Based in Salida, Colorado, Anglers Junction Fishing is the premier fly fishing outfitter on the Arkansas River. Servicing 120 miles of the Arkansas River from Leadville to Canon City, as well as Antero Reservoir outside Fairplay, Anglers Junction is the outfitter of choice for anglers of all levels. For Anglers Junction, quality means the opportunity to cast to wild fish in their natural environment, no crowds and beautiful surroundings. And on a river where most of the time a dry fly is the fly of choice. If this sounds like you too, then you need to float or wade the Arkansas River with us if you haven't already We offer customized float fishing and walk & wade trips from March through October with the most experienced guides in the area. Contact us at 719.539.2100 info@anglersjunctionfishing.com / www.anglersjunctionfishing.com

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Finding Trout...When winter nymph fishing, you must get your flies down to where the fish are located otherwise you are wasting your time. Trout will not go out of there way for a meal; you literally have to bounce your flies off their nose in order for them to strike. With that said, do not be hesitant with your split shot, add as much as it takes so that you are occasionally snagging bottom. If you are not ticking bottom, you are not catching fish! The great thing with winter fly fishing is the fact that when you find one fish, you have more then likely found many.

When things begin to warm up just prior to spring runoff, you can experience some of the best trout fishing of the year. With warmer ambient temperatures the snow will begin to melt and trickle into our surrounding fisheries; warming them slightly and causing both insect life and trout to become more active.Still in somewhat of a winter slumber, trout will still be found primarily along the bottom of deeper runs trying to conserve energy. You would approach fishing these runs exactly the same way you would in the winter, only this time you should anticipate quite a bit more action. There have been times when I have only moved 15ft upstream and moved a dozen or more fish. When things begin to truly warm up, causing our local rivers and streams to swell with last winter’s bounty, you will need to adjust your approach at finding trout. When runoff is going off, you should begin to fish larger fly patterns such as streamers and large stone fly nymphs. Fish these patterns high and tight along the rivers edge. You will find that fish tend to seek refuge from the stronger main currents found in the middle of the river by hiding behind large boulders or points that break up the rivers current. Large flies are important during runoff because they are easily seen in the murky water and the trout can justify fighting the strong currents for a larger food source.

Just after runoff when water temperatures are warming up, flows are dropping and clarity is improving, you should begin to anticipate a smorgasbord of aquatic insect hatches. With these improving conditions you will also begin to notice that trout will hold throughout the entire width and depth of the river. Trout being opportunistic feeders generally hold in water that allows them to feed consistently without expending too much energy. These areas are found where fast water meets slow water, or seams. These seams are typically created by boulders found throughout the entire river and points found along the river’s bank. The trout will hang out in the slow water in anticipation that insects will float by in the faster water; they can then dart out and snatch their meal off this “conveyor belt”. Another common place to find actively feeding fish is in front of rocks. Fish that are found in front of rocks and boulders, are surfing the hydraulic wave created by the rushing water going around or over the rock. Again, these fish are expending less energy by holding in slower water and are first in line when insects do float by. During the latter months of summer, water levels will greatly subside, temperatures will increase and insects will be few and far between. These conditions will cause the trout to begin to move into the riffle water in search of both food and oxygen. Because warmer water holds less oxygen, trout will go where the water is more turbulent and aerated. In addition to more oxygen, riffle water will displace more insects off the river bottom and provide a consistent food source for the trout.

When summer gives way to fall, we typically experience cool evenings and chilly mornings. These cooler temperatures in turn cool the rivers in our valley and allow the fish to begin to move back into there usual summer haunts. Again you will find trout holding in the slow water behind rocks, boulders and points waiting for their next meal to float by. With the water now extremely low and gin clear, you must now more then ever be extremely stealthy when fishing. These fish have seen it all summer long, are well educated and are extremely spooky. This is a great opportunity to practice your sight fishing by acting as if you were a predatory bird in search of your next meal. Move deliberately and fish methodically to be successful during the fall months.

Hopefully this better informs you on how to approach a river under different fishing conditions. You must remember that the ecosystem that these fish live in is constantly changing and that you need to be alert to what is going on both below and above the waters surface.

Gore Creek Fly Fisherman - the Vail Valley’s oldest fly fishing shop and most prominent guide service in Vail, Beaver Creek, and Avon, Colorado has been catering to fly fishermen for over 25 years. Our vast fly fishing knowledge of the Eagle River, Gore Creek, the Colorado River, and the numerous high country streams and lakes is second to none. This translates into unparalleled accessibility to the best fishing anywhere.

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