Fly Fishing

MassTeach · Posted: Wed 03/26/08 11:41 am Post subject: Colorado?

Hi Guys,
Anyone familiar with the South Platte or Animas rivers in Colorado? I'm heading out there for three weeks this summer and just trying to figure out some must have patterns I should be tying.
Thanks,
Zach

ChrisR · Location: Southeast Massachusetts

You can't go wrong rolling with Joey's top ten flies.

http://www.fliesandfins.com/postt1118.html

Check the fish tale he posted on the main page. He has had a killer winter out in CO.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

ya ... joey will also give you some more info .. as he lives in colorado .. but times are tough for him right now and i feel bad for him (just kidding .. i'm actually very jealous) ... he's chasing steelhead on the olympic penninsula as we speak ..... stay tuned, he is due back in colorado later this week sometime .. i hope he got into some nice steelhead, he has been planning and looking forward to this trip since last summer! .. i hope he gets his fish ..

anyway, as chris r. said that would be a good post to check out till joey gets back .. but, there are also others on this site who live in CO or know CO very well and may help you out before then ... good luck

chris r . didn't you live in co for a while?

ChrisR · Location: Southeast Massachusetts

Yup. For about a year when I was in the Air Force. Joey's flies are definitely what I would fish. The RS2 is a great pattern for out there. And midges also. I mainly fished the Snake and Blue rivers in summit county. They are kind of popular spots to fish. So the fish see some pressure. Never fished the South Platte or Animas. But if your talking a summer trip big stimulators and salmon fly patterns may work great. Also ants, beatles and hoppers. Fish the edges where there is cover.

Trucha · Location: Albuquerque, NM

Hey Zach,

The S. Platte is a favorite of mine. Tie up a bunch of midge patterns from #16 -22, in RS2, Desert Storms, Chocolate Emergers, larvas in white and grey and throw in a couple of scud patterns.

I haven't fished the Animas yet. So, I can't say anthing right off hand. If you are coming to the southern part of Colorado, consider fishing the Conejos - real good for Browns.

MassTeach · Posted: Fri 03/28/08 4:47 pm Post subject:

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies...started tying flies for the trip already.
Zach

joey · Location: Colorado

Zach- goodluck this summer let me know when you make it out maybe I'll cruise over there and wet a line with ya. I havent fish the platte that much it is kinda drive for me. When I have fished it small black midges and rs2s did alright. I think it is early August that they have a big trico hatch (could be wrong though). When the small stuff isn't doing it try some larger baetis nymphs as a lead fly. That might get 'em going. Do you plan on hitting any other water when you are here? three weeks is a long time. The Taylor river is a tailwater about 3 hours from there that had a killer Green Drake hatch last year near the end of July. Hopefully that is the case this year. Can't beat 26" bows eating size 12 dries. Pretty killer. let us know how you do.

j-

MassTeach · Posted: Mon 03/31/08 2:09 pm Post subject:

Hi Joey,
Really thinking about heading to the Conejos River at the recommendation of Trucha...from my early research it appears to get a lot less pressure than the Animas. Have you ever fished it?
Zach

joey · Location: Colorado

Never fished it, looks like a good place to go. If you are down that way you might consider the san juan if you can stand a crowd. Big fish there. But a lot of people.

MassTeach · Posted: Mon 03/31/08 2:58 pm Post subject:

Was thinking of the San Juan. If you could hit one river in CO what would it be?
Thanks...sorry for all the questions!
Zach

joey · Location: Colorado

Thats a tough one, right now it would be the roaring fork, it has been off the hook lately. Then it would be the taylor and then the yampa. Sounds like you are going to be more in the southern part of the state. keep me posted.