All posts by tcujsp303

Colorado Trout

Nymphing for Pre-Winter Trout

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During fall break, I decided to take a morning trip to one of my favorite “big trout” spots in Colorado: Deckers. On this late October day, I woke up at 5AM, and headed towards Deckers with size 22-24 RS2s and Top Secret Midges. Having vast experience in this fishery, I knew that this time of year can either be really hit or miss. Luckily for me, the day was a huge hit.

After drinking a cup of hot chocolate in my Jeep, I waded up, tied on a double-nymph rig (RS2 and TSM), and headed to my favorite hole. Immediately, I saw fish rising at the surface, which immediately made me want to change my rig.  However, as I have learned from fly fishing in Colorado, a lightly weighted nymph rig can end up being the most effective method to catching rising fish.

The morning consisted of 8 fish: a couple of good browns and six beautiful rainbows. One of the bows became my personal best at Deckers being 24 inches (picture below). To my surprise, this fish actually took a size 22 soft hackle emerger, and made this fall break worth noting.

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Mexico Offshore (AJs

Mexico Offshore

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Although fly fishing will always be my ultimate passion, I am always willing to do whatever it takes to catch fish. Specifically, using topwater lures for huge amberjack, tuna, jacks, or bottom fishing with jigs for big red snapper, grouper, or anything that swims. These pictures here are fishing offshore in Mexico with Punta Mita Expeditions headed by Sebastian Melani.  Awesome fish, awesome fights, and an awesome time.

Here are some highlight fish that I have caught in Punta Mita, Mexico with Sebastian and the crew.

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Alaska, Grayling

Grayling, Char, and Rainbows in Alaska

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There is nowhere like Alaska.  Although the weather and mosquitos will test your skill all day long, the fly fishing cannot be beat. Whether this is fighting huge silvers on the fly rod, or using dry flies for rising Rainbows and Grayling, Alaska is the best in the world.

Being to Alaska three times now, I thought I would make a quick post with some pictures of the awesome Grayling that I have caught. These pictures are from an early August trip that consisted of catching 20+ grayling and 20+ rainbows a day. In addition to this, we caught tons of big Arctic Char on huge streamers in some more open water (including a 27 incher that was caught on a day when we forgot the camera). Here are some of the best pics from the trip, and I can’t wait for my next Alaska trip to pursue the giant rainbows that swim in late September.

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Alaska, Salmon

Hitting Silver in Alaska

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Over the years, many people have asked me what my favorite fish to catch on a fly rod is.  Although this question is never an easy answer, I always break it into the two main categories: freshwater and saltwater. Redfish (at least for now) tend to be my favorite saltwater fish to catch on the fly. BUT, what about for freshwater?

After catching huge silver salmon in Alaska, this fish is by far one of my most favorite to catch on the fly.  Whether this is because they will chase huge neon pink leeches at full speed, or will be acrobatic during the fight, these fish never get tired during the fight.

Going to Aleknagik Island Lodge in Alaska now four times, I wanted to dedicate a post to some of my favorite silver salmon moments to this post.

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Carp

The Summer of Carp on the Fly

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Growing up on a two acre pond, I had seen carp all of my life. And yes, like any young boy, I had caught plenty using the typical corn, bread, or worm set up. However, it was after reading articles on how difficult these fish are to catch on the fly rod that it soon became a personal challenge to catch as many carp on the fly as I possibly could.  And not in my backyard pond, but in the South Platte River around Denver.

Having observed carp ever since I was a 5 year old boy, to put it simply, I seemed to naturally know which flies would work. Although there are long articles on what flies are best, and why these flies work best, I shut those out immediately. Why you may ask? Because there are three flies that seem to consistently work for me, and please when I tell you them, believe me. I know they may be a little out there, but I PROMISE if fished properly, carp can be caught.

Fly 1: a big black stonefly. Although used primarily when deep nymphing for trout, I have caught several carp on this pattern. It has a big hook which helps for not breaking the fish off, and the pattern simply looks ugly in the water without any shiny materials, making it good for carp. Even though most of the time the carp will eat it, I have had many cases where I reel in the fish with the fly hooked in the chin or neck of the carp, in that they will circle the fly many times before eating it. Regardless, a carp on the fly is a carp on the fly.

Fly 2: A small (and I mean small) parachute adams. Being a dry fly, this fly is best used for “slurping” fish, and are best for still water situations. I find that grass carp will even hit this fly.

Fly 3: A bonefish fly called the “Root Beer Charlie”. Yes, I know, a bonefish fly. It looks like a tiny crawdad, or a little water bug, or something. BUT – the carp love it. Try it out.

Below are some pictures from my carp adventures, primarily taking place in July before the water gets quite cold.

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Colorado Trout

Floating the Roaring Fork

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With year two of college around the corner, my dad and I decided to go up to Glenwood Springs and float the Roaring Fork, in hopes of pounding some brownies and ‘bows with some dry dropper setups.

After the three hour drive, we arrived in beautiful Glenwood Springs – but – mother nature clearly was having a bad day. With rain and slight wind, we knew the fish would be moving, and we crushed it. Whether this be with big foam hoppers, or huge caddis patterns, the fish were hitting dries all day long. The afternoon definitely seemed to be favor our droppers (flashback pheasant tails, prince nymphs, anatomays), and we managed to catch some great fish.

Always love floating the Roaring Fork and the Colorado – perfect way to end the summer.

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Bonefish

Bonefish in Belize

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Like most fly fishermen, I have began to fall in love with the saltwater. Whether this is catching huge bull redfish, or spooky bonefish, the salt cannot be beat.  So, when arriving in Belize, I immediately realized how awesome fly fishing the saltwater can be.

Having been to Belize now three times, I wanted to share some of my best bonefish pictures. This summer (in July) we will be headed down to Belize once again in search of permit and tarpon. Stay posted.

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Colorado Trout

Monster Brown on the South Platte

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On this late May day, I found myself getting up early on a Wednesday morning in hopes of being able to hit the South Platte waters in suburban Littleton, CO. After checking the flows online, I knew that there would be some monster trout lurking in some of my secret holes. Thus, I went to the garage, tied on my double nymph rig (flashback pheasant tail and RS2), and set off towards my honey holes.

Although it was May, these spots at the South Platte hold some of the spookiest trout that I have ever seen, thus I still was throwing size 18-22 flies. In addition to this, 6X tippet is a necessity, and no bigger than a 5X leader can be used. Although 5X is considered to be strong, when you are dealing with 24+ inch browns and the occasional rainbow, 5X can be puppy line.

I unloaded my bike from my jeep and immediately took off to my favorite big fish spot on the entire South Platte.  The water looked perfect – a small BWO hatch seemed to be coming off, and the sun was not glaring to drastically – making it easier to sneak up on these huge trout.

So I began casting upstream and letting my double-nymph rig come down towards me. Working every seam, I was about to change spots in that I hadn’t seen or hooked any fish.  However, I kept casting in a deep riffle right along the bank (probably 5 feet off), and BOOM! A monster brown hit the flashback pheasant tail and took off downstream.

I immediately was fighting this fish on the reel, and bolted downstream in order to keep proper tension with the fish.  The fish bulldogged, flew, and jolted all in one fight – it was unusual because I find that you either have the “jumping” fish or the “dogging” fish. But, this fish had the whole package.

After a 15 minute fight or so, I finally got the fish in the net, and let out a scream that the people on the interstate nearby could probably hear.  A monster 25 inch brown was in the net – giving me a new personal best for Colorado. Being by myself, I did my best to take some pictures, and luckily for me, they turned out great.

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