Jul
10
2010
Hard to believe the year is already half over and there’s still way too much water to fish and so little time to do so.
My first trip of consequence this summer was a three-day jaunt to the Frying Pan River – just as our annual runoff was beginning to blow-out all the other free flowing rivers and streams in the state. At the time the Pan was running at a slim 128cfs; just a couple of weeks before Ruedi Reservoir overflowed the spillway and jumped the flows up to a roaring +/- 800cfs.
River traffic was pretty light at the time and with the exception of the hole hoggers below the dam, we didn’t have to bump elbows with a lot of other anglers. This, in itself, is noteworthy for this popular river. However, while we caught a fair share of fish on nymphs and streamers, it was anything but easy fishing.
The second evening, as we were driving down-canyon and just a few miles east of Basalt, I spotted a mature black bear standing broadside on the embankment just a few yards above the road. This bear sighting was a first for me in Colorado, despite living and hunting in this state for most of my six-plus decades. My fishing partner was driving at the time and didn’t get the opportunity to see the beast, lest we end up in the river. His subsequent ranting among a group of fishing buddies has since earned him the moniker of “No See-um Bear.” That being said, I contend, that as a Midwest transplant, he has to pay his Colorado dues before he gets to see a bear!
Next up were a couple of back to back trips to the Delaney lakes near Walden, Colorado. The First trip brought several nice fish to net on giant chironamid pupae and Callibaetis soft hackle nymphs drifted just below the surface. The following week I again caught several healthy specimens, but this time on a dual-wing version of my “Squirrel-pin”, tied on a Gamakasu jig hook, and fished deep with quick strips. The Delaney fish are in great shape this season and even 13″ cuttbows put a big bend in the fly rod.
The recent Callibaetis article in Fly Fisherman magazine brought an invitation to fish a private lake near Nederland, Colorado. This proved to be a very well stocked and maintained lake with many fine Donaldson steelehead and Kamloops strain rainbows up to 24″ in length. They also exhibited a fondness for the “Hot-head QT” (which can be found on my page at www.danica.com) – this in preference to more traditional stillwater patterns, which might have been surprising, if not for the fact that the QT has been a Wyoming lake “go to” fly for several decades. I’m not sure what it represents, but the fish sure like it.
I also had the distinct pleasure of being invited to fish a private fishing club lake near Rand, Colorado a few weeks later. Located at the south end of Colorado’s North Park, this irrigation reservoir offered up numerous strong trout on a day that was cut short by a fast approaching electrical storm about mid-afternoon. Another revelation was the fact that these fish were slamming a stonefly imitation called “Pat’s Rubberlegs” – the last fly that I would have considered for a stillwater venue. Fortunately, I had been advised in advance as to what the fish were keying on, so I had gone prepared.
The Pat’s Rubberlegs pattern recipe and tying instructions can be found in the “flybox” link on Charlie’s Fly Box web page – www.charliesflybox.com. I’ve since tied several in size six and eight and won’t leave home without them in the future. My best guess is, in lakes and ponds they represent dragonfly nymphs, but only the fish know for certain.
As an aside: I found that a product named “Speckled Sexi-legs” in Copper Brown, and offered by Montana Fly Company, was the easiest to tie, and with the banded markings, they added a nice look to the finished fly.
A new article on my terrestrial pattern, DC’s Snoball Beetle, has just been posted to the web site. Recent personnel and format changes to the Fly Tier’s Bench column at Fly Fisherman magazine now makes it questionable if they will ever publish the article. As a consequence, I’ve gone ahead and presented it here. Hope you enjoy the article and tie a few to use yourself.
Well, that’s about it for now. I’m headed back to Delaney’s sometime soon to see if I can catch the damselfly and motorboat caddis hatches. The rivers and streams have receded from runoff and are offering up several mayfly and caddisfly hatches as well. Time to hit my favorite Colorado small stream, the Tarryall. Those big Tarryall rainbows sure like to slam a well presented streamer along the cut banks and bend holes. Can’t wait!
Regards, Dennis
May
10
2010
My feature article “A Case for Callibaetis” is now in the public domain in the June 2010 issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine. In the short time it has been in the hands of fellow fly fishermen, I have received some very nice e-mails – here are a few excerpts.
“I just finished reading your excellent article on Callibaetis in the current issue of Fly Fisherman. I’m an avid stillwater fly fisher and spend about a month at Hebgen Lake (Montana) each year…etc.
RP
Boise, Idaho
“Just read your article in Fly Fisherman and thought it was great. I absolutely love, and am addicted to, fishing Callibaetis hatches. There is a five-acre lake at the head of (No Name) Creek which (had) the most dependable and unbelievable Callibaetis hatches. Starting in early May, especially when there was low ceiling cloud cover, the bugs would come off like a snow storm and the lake would come alive with rainbows 16″ to 20″ plus, arching out of the water eating duns with total abandon. Fishing crippled patterns was like stealing candy from a baby. It took me a couple of seasons to figure it out…etc.
AC – Colorado (note: since this is local, names were changed to protect the resource)
“Just a brief message to let you know how much I appreciated reading such an intelligent, informative, well-written, well-illustrated, detailed and enlightening article from someone who clearly knows what they are writing about because of careful study. It is such a pleasure to see someone using the proper terminology and technical language appropriate for the subject. I give you an A+.
JM, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Biological Sciences
SU,NY
Albany, NY
I also received queries as to where one could purchase the fly patterns illustrated in the article. The “Crippled Callibaetis” is an Umpqua Feather Merchants contract pattern and is available through fly shops. If yours doesn’t currently carry the fly, ask them to do so. The other patterns described are not publicly available, so if you don’t tie yourself, take the article to your fly shop and request they tie a custom order. Or, have a fly tying fishing buddy tie some up for both of you!
To all, I do sincerely appreciate your valued feedback and acceptance of my writing efforts. Glad you enjoyed the article.
The unedited version of “A Case for Callibaetis”, along with some unpublished photos, will soon appear in both the Article Archives and Pattern Archives links on my web site. So check back soon for the rest of the story.
Apr
8
2010
Though our mountain venues continue to wear cloaks of wintry white, spring has definitely sprung. A recent trip to the Blue River near Silverthorne, Colorado, produced some hog-fat rainbows splashed on cheeks and sides with neon crimson.
My hot fly for the day was the new Craven/Collier Hot-Wire Jujubee Midge, tied with gunmetal blue and chartreuse wires – the article and representative patterns for this fly can be found in the “article archives” link on my web page. I do believe this pattern deserves a spot in your fly boxes, along side the original Charlie Craven Jujubee pattern.
Two more patterns, the Crippled Green Drake and DC’s Neon Prince-Stone have been added to the “pattern archives” link for your tying and fishing enjoyment. Both patterns will be represented as ink on paper in upcoming issues of Southwest and Northwest Fly Fishing. Look for these late in 2010.
As always, I welcome your comments and feedback on any of the fly patterns, articles, and other related items found on this web site. Please let me know what works for you, and what doesn’t. Thanks, Dennis
Feb
14
2010
Yesterday marked the 34th Annual West Denver TU fly tying event and it appeared to be another winner! Due to the prestigious status of this long running venue, it had almost grown out of hand with so many good fly tiers wanting to participate. This year, however, it was pared back to a more manageable size by becoming an “invitational only.” The formula appeared to work with more breathing room for all participants.
Once again, I was there representing my good friend Charlie Craven, owner of Charlie’s Fly Box, located in Old Town Arvada, Colorado. Many thanks to those who watched my presentations and purchased the resulting fly patterns. All proceeds of fly sales go to the TU chapter fund for worthwhile projects.
At the same time, there is a growing interest expressed in having some of my fly patterns put on my web site in tutorial form. I have a number of fly patterns, including a few that Umpqua Feather Merchants have added to their vast collection of wholesale flies, that are at the top of my priority list and will get these posted as my time and that of my web-master allow. In the meantime, if I’ve presented a fly pattern that you want to tie but have questions on, don’t hesitate to contact me and I’ll do my best to work you through it.
In other news: the publication date has now been set for my feature article “A Case for Callibaetis”, which will appear in the June 2010 issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine. Once the article hits the newsstand, I’ll post it to my web site. As always, I welcome your feedback on what and how I can improve the material I present to the readership.
Next up is the Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing event with an impressive roster of well known fly fishing celebrities in attendance. I’m not one of them, however, I will be tying there on Saturday, February 27th. Right now I’m thinking of focusing on my first love – steamers! Hope to see there.
Dennis
Jan
18
2010
Howdy folks: I just wanted to share a recent e-mail from a gentleman in Calgary, Alberta Canada. He wrote: “I have been fishing your DC Leech and it is the best leech pattern I’ve ever used on the interior lakes of British Columbia.” Very nice testimonial, indeed! This pattern was published in the March 2009 issue of Fly Fisherman Magazine, is posted on Fly Fisherman’s Beta web site, and is also found on my web site in both article and pattern tutorial form. Don’t leave home without it! This chap was also writing in regard to clarification on tying my Blonde Hare-do (also found in the web site pattern link) which he intends to test on those big Canadian Bull Trout this coming season. Good luck, eh!
In other news, I have had another of my fly patterns accepted by Umpqua Feather Merchants – the “Crippled Green Drake” – which will be released in their new fly lineup for 2011. This pattern features a delta wing of snowshoe hare hair and is tied in similar fashion to the “Crippled Callibaetis” pattern which is also an Umpqua offering. A photo of the pattern can be found in the photo gallery “bugs and flies” page. I’ll be tying this creation at the upcoming West Denver TU event as well.
Thanks,
Dennis
Jan
16
2010
January 15, 2010 ~
Greetings and Happy New Year! We’re off to a good start in 2010 by posting two new articles to the web site. The first, Craven/Collier Hot-wire Jujubee Midge, is about a spin-off of the Craven Jujubee Midge, a very popular and deadly trout pattern created by good friend Charlie Craven. The pattern incorporates UTC wire into the body instead of Super Hair or Unique Hair. I think you’ll have fun experimenting with the wide and vivid variety of color combinations possible with this approach.
The second article, DC’s Pikesicle, is in the January/February issue of Southwest Fly Fishing, and now on my web site as well. For you avid pike fly rodders, this fly will prove to be a valuable addition to your pattern arsenal.
I hope you enjoy these new additions, please give me your valued feedback via this blog site.
On January 7th, I was a guest fly tier at the Denver International Sportsman’s Expo. I tied a couple of interesting fly patterns that will be showing up in tutorial form on the web site sometime in the future, so check back now and then for updates.
Thanks and tight lines in 2010!
Dennis
Nov
26
2009
Hello everyone! Welcome to my new blog. Please check back frequently as I post about my fly fishing adventures.
Thank you!
-Dennis
Dennis' Catch of the Day