Wednesday, December 27, 2006

December 27, 2006. It's been a while since my last post and not much has really happened since then. I mentioned that I have had the opportunity to share my passion of fly fishing with my brother, David, and my father. On one such trip we were able to fish the South Platte River, between Elevenmile and Spinney Mountain Reservoirs. We did this with a larger group of friends and family with the assistance of Monroe Coleman, a guide affiliated with The Blue Quill Angler, a fly fishing shop in Evergreen, Colorado.

Neither my brother nor my father had done any fly fishing before this trip. Regardless, the guides really assisted and both my father and brother had an enjoyable time. So much so, that now my father is a regular partner on our fly fishing adventures. On that trip my father caught a small, but beautiful rainbow, but my brother got skunked. The important thing is that they enjoyed themselves immensely. My brother particularly enjoyed the incredible scenery.

All-in-all, we had an enjoyable day sharing our enjoyment of fishing and being in the outdoors away from the stresses of everyday life.

Saturday, December 09, 2006

December 9, 2006. Let me tell you about someone who has become a special fishing buddy of mine--my brother Chuck! Chuck is one of those people that when he sets upon doing something, he picks it up with relative ease, fly fishing included. I introduced Chuck to fly fishing last year (2005) on a guided trip he and I, along with two other friends, took on the Arkansas River near Salida, Colorado. Since I had been fly fishing for a few years, I figured I had a few years advantage on him. Wrong! Chuck picked it up with relative ease (and special attention from an old fly fishing guide (that story at another time)). Within a few hours, Chuck's skill--and determination--matched mine and we were fishing at the same skill level. I was pleased. That way Chuck and I could fish on the same par and neither would hold the other back. As a result, we had a successful trip and many others here in the East, along with a follow-up trip this past September where he and I hit the jackpot on the Colorado River near Hot Sulphur Springs, CO.

The next time I post, I'll discuss fishing with my other brother, David, and my Dad. It's nice as adults to enjoy time together with family and friends, and fly fishing is one of those sports that has as an added bonus, the pleasure of bringing family together. More on that later.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

December 5, 2006. The Copper John. What can't I say about this special nymph? Regardless of where and when I've been fishing, the Copper John has always proved to be the most productive. I have found that the Red or Green Copper John seems to imitate whatever it is the fish are feeding on the most. In Colorado, for example, when all else failed, I pulled out my handy dandy Copper John and voila, "Fish on!" Size 16 - 20 seem to work the most. Mr brother claims that he is going to get rid of all of his flies, except his Copper Johns--I'll believe that when I see it! Nevertheless, when all else fails, I suggest rigging up a Copper John, and you too will experience, "Fish on!"

Tight lines!

Monday, December 04, 2006

December 4, 2006. Check out this flyfishing site, www.roundrocks.com. I received their Winter mailer today and they have a great selection of flies for .89 cents a piece--what a great deal. I have paid multiples of that at local fly shops. Next time I post, I'll talk about my favorite fly--The Copper John.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

December 3, 2006. Check out some of the links on the right side. Some of these are pretty good sites and offer a mix of information on water conditions, angling tips, and products.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

December 2, 2006. Unfortunately, I was unable to go flyfishing on Thanksgiving because of the weather--cold and wet. Now that it appears winter is starting to set in here in Maryland, I'm not sure whether I'll be able to get out again before my license expires. Maybe next weekend.

Last time I went fishing was back in September in Colorado. I was able to fish with my brother and a couple friends. We fished the Colorado and Fraser Rivers. We had the greatest success on the Colorado right around Hot Sulphur Springs and on the western side of Byers Canyon where my brother and I were hauling them out. It got to the point where we were hoping they would just coome off so that we didn't have to remove the hooks--it was crazy.