To the un trained ear it might of sounded like ga ga ge ge but I new exactly what he was saying.  "Dad, what is the legal age to drive a boat in Colorado"?

figuring out how to give it some gas

Maybe they are preparing for high water rowing

Well, it's getting to be that time of the fishing season to find alternatives to the river for that tight line fix.  Antero Res.  just might be the dealer for you.  Stomach samplings have shown everything from leeches and suckers to chironamids, damsels and scuds.  This place has a lot of fish and everything all of those trout need to grow big quick.

Ignore the respectable Brown Trout displayed just like the finest silk tie would be presented by a salesman to a potential buyer and pay attention to the beautiful late spring conditions.  Dare I say it was calm.

The Arkansas end of May and who would have thought it would still be low and clear.

The Ark is still fishing extremely well.  Flows have been low and the fish are chowing down on caddis and bwo's.  Most days are seeing a early bwo hatch and a late caddis hatch with great nymphing all day and an early and late period of dry fly fishing.

Antero Reservoir

I am starting a show for fish called The Biggest Loser.  Based on the human reality tv series The Biggest Loser will take obese fish like these and throw them in a gym for six months so that we, as viewers, can laugh and cry as tubby finds his way to new healthier beginning.  Antero Reservoir will supply the talent.

Here in the Arkansas Valley the creeks and Beaver ponds are open and provide an opportunity to challenge any skill level.  There might be something spiritual about casting to willing fish in the small, pristine waters of a high mountain creek.

Night Fishing For Brown Trout

Fishing big black streamers late in the evening has been moving some nice brown trout.  I say moving because if you have seen me fish a streamer on the river or creeks here than it tends to be a visual reaction for the hook set and with the lack of light to see that can be damn hard at times.  I guess a good faithful strip retrieve works too. 

Happy days on the Arkansas. Sometimes you just have to smile.

The Arkansas is fishing so well right now there is quite a bit to say about it.  If I didn't have an ever growing, nightly fly tying list than I just might be the person to tell you.  For now check out the Arkanglers web page for some info.

Cinco De Mayo Dry Fly Holy Shitness

The fish down stream of Salida have seen enough Caddis and other bugs to make for some killer dry fly fishing.  The Arkansas is at that point we have been waiting for.  There is just something beautiful about inhaling bugs on the way down the river.

Here's to you, women flyfishers

I have to say that the vast majority of women who will or do fly fish are an absolute pleasure to have out on the water.  I will resist the temptation to brutally point out why and just appreciate the chance to have somebody aboard who can listen.

Thanks Kirsten, it is good to see that the fish populations are still high.

Have you ever set the hook on what felt like a rock and then before you know it the rock is taking line off your real.  Well this felt like a rock, began swimming downstream and damn it, no denying it was a rock.

Cold weather has slowed the caddis hatch but not the fishing.  Dealing with brutal winds can be part of the every day, spring experience here in the Arkansas Valley ( one downside to the beautiful mountain views).  One has to take on the challenges of nature with an appreciation of the opportunity to do so.   Even if that means rippn' lip in the wind.  Don't get the idea that the water temps are to cold to justify feeding through the majority of the day.  The fish in the Arkansas are getting fat on nymphs and each other.  With the cranefly's hatching along with the caddis and bwo's a few fish are already willing to smash a dry.  Soon we will see the right temps and conditions to get the majority of fish on the banks and looking up for a big twitched dry fly.