You can contact Dennis at: DSmith7136@msn.com

 

    Looking back through my photo fishing files, I couldn’t help but notice how dramatically our weather varies from year to year in any given season and how that, in turn, affects our fishing.  

     For example, my photos show that March 1st,  2009 was a warm and sunny day, there wasn’t a lick of ice to be found on our local lakes and streams, midges and Blue-wing olive mayflies were hatching in profusion on the Big T and folks were fishing Lone Tree Reservoir dressed in short-sleeved T-shirts. Crocuses, daffodils, and grape hyacinths were already in bloom, tulips were pushing little green shoots through the soil and maple trees were budding out. Judging from all the above, I’m guessing mid-day temperatures were reaching into the mid-sixties, and had been for some time.

    This year, by comparison, nearly a foot of hard, crusty snow remains in our yard, the thermometer continues to plunge into the teens at night and a bunch of my buddies are bundled up in wool parkas and insulated bib overalls drilling holes in the foot-thick ice on Boyd, Lone Tree, and Lon Hagler Reservoirs. Most of the best fly fishing reaches on the Big T and the Poudre are still ice bound and will be for some time - given the prevailing weather pattern. Ahhh - springtime in the Rockies. Still

    But - fly fishermen willing to drive a few hours can find real, moving water and - believe it or not -good to excellent dry fly fishing on the Arkansas River near Salida where caddis flies, baetis and Pale Morning Dun mayfly emergers are producing some spectacular action. On the Frying Pan River below Ruedi Reservoir and the Blue River in Silverthorne, mysis shrimp, tiny dry flies and a variety of midge patterns are also generating better than average catches. The trout may be acting like it’s springtime, but you’d better wear your long johns, woolies and stocking caps if you don’t want to freeze.

- Dennis

Dennis Smith is an Outdoor Writer and Photographer. His articles and photos have appeared in numerous outdoor publications, catalogs and newspapers. Dennis can be reached at (970) 669-6074. Want to know more about Dennis?

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