The Big S
The
plan for the annual late April trip to Colorado
looked a bit wobbly during the couple of weeks leading up to departure. Not
only did we not have a vehicle lined up for the ride out, but my sister's
husband slipped into a mysterious coma and endured a weeklong hospital
stay that threatened his life and nearly put an end to my trip
participation. But then just as suddenly things turned around 180 degrees
for the better and all the complicated issues simply disappeared, making me
wonder how and why everything always seems to work out and why we spend so
much time worrying about what might happen. Our chase of the famed Mother's
Day Caddis hatch on the Arkansas River was mostly failure this year. The
"star" attraction pulled a disappearing act but an alternate and equally
important insect was there to fill in. Up and down early spring weather
patterns plus equally up and down water temps and flows conspired to keep
the Caddis hatch from popping but the tiny Baetis may-flies(Blue Wing
Olives) were there to take up the slack. The first day and a half of fishing
were held in check by blustery winds and high forties water temperatures but
on Monday and especially on Tuesday abundant sunshine plus clearing, stable
water flows brought good fishing with small nymphs. Three fly rigs were the
norm this year, either a dry floating a pair of extra small tungsten “bwo”
imitations or three bead head nymphs of progressively smaller sizes hanging
under an unobtrusive indicator. After a long winter of catching mostly “put
and take” Rainbows it is really nice to match wits with both the wild Browns
and the complexities of a real hatch or if
things line up
perfectly, two real hatches. The Big “S” As in years past the Salida
Days Inn was our base of operations but we fished up or down stream depending on
the latest reports or sometimes just roamed on some-body's wild hunch.
Salida is still small and rustic enough to be a reminder of how Colorado
used to be, definitely old school. It's a town where after enough visits the
locals seem to vaguely remember you or at least have a notion of why you're
there. It's also a place where you can usually find a place to eat no matter
how long after sundown you stay out waiting for the Caddis egg layers. The
fly shop guys are helpful without being too boosterish; they usually give
out just enough info to help but not so much that you can't help but feel
you were able to figure out a few things on your own. A local wood fired
pizza joint/ micro brewery has a flavor they call “Big S” brown and I don't
know if it's named for the pleasing amber color coming from the tap or the
coppery red spotted trout swimming in the river. Either way it‟s definitely
one of my favorite brews from one of my favorite fishing towns. I had
thought about skipping the trip this year and going south to chase some
Texas warm water species but I'm glad I changed my mind and kept the string
alive. I've also made an internal vow to not be tempted next year with
thoughts of going somewhere else.
Mother's Day Hatch Trip to Salida, Colorado
The Sixth Mother's Day Hatch Trip to
Salida, Colorado is scheduled on April 24 - Apr 28 (Saturday -
Wednesday) 2010. The club has blocked 10 rooms at
Days Inn, Salida, CO for this
trip at discounted group rate (30% off). The reservation must be made by
April 13, 2010. You must make your own reservation directly. You should
mention that you are with the Flatland Fly Fishers to receive the discounted
rate. There is no guarantee for the room or the rate after April 13.
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Days Inn, Salida |
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Mothers Day Caddis Hatch
Beginning in mid April near Canon City, Colorado on the Arkansas River the
famed Mothers Day Caddis Hatch begins. The Caddis itself is the
Brachycentrus Caddis it is a dark olive color, size 14 to 16. The caddis
begin to hatch as midday water temps reach the magic number of 54 degrees.
The hatch progresses upstream until the air temperature initiates snow melt
giving way to spring runoff which cools down the river and the hatch.
Normal water flow in March and April are from 200-400 cubic feet per second.
The water is very wadeable, but you still need to watch the mossy rocks, a
good pair of felt boots is advisable, studs are even better. The fish
population is predominantly Browns, and they make up 90% of the rivers
population 10% are Rainbows. The Browns were imported from Europe and now
reproduce on there own and are 100 percent Wild. Remember you need to
practice a little stealth while stalking these fish.
Hatches
The mother’s day caddis is the bug of choice this time of year, but don’t
plan on it. Be versatile. There are two types of caddis that could be
hatching so make sure you know which one is present. The mother’s day caddis
(Brachycentrus Occidentalis) is black to dark gray in size 14 to 16. The
secondary caddis hatch (Hydropsyche Occidentalis) is slightly smaller and
more of an olive to olive gray color in size 16 to 18. There may be no
caddis present at all, like on rainy, cloudy, or snowy days, these are blue
winged olive days. This is where versatility is important; you might fish
both types of flies numerous times in a day. Nymph fishing is the most
productive way to fish, which is the most successful.
Caddis Hatch Tips.
Stay out of the Caddis Hatch blizzards. It is too hard to pick out your fly.
Move above the hatch. Start at 10 AM you can use an emerger and pupa rig.
Use a caddis pupa with a beadhead and fish it deeper. When it looks like the
fish are hitting up higher in the water column put on an unweighted pupa.
When fish are hitting adult caddis rig up with two dries. In the late
afternoon fish are stuffed and the Caddis are on the shore to couple and
mate. Once the sun is off the water the females; size 14 come out and
skitter on the waters surface to deposit eggs. FISH UNTIL DARK. Be prepared
for Blue Wing Olive hatches they can occur at time also. Purchase a good map
of the river, to make sure you are fishing on public water. A 4 or 5 weight
is a good rod for the Arkansas River, a 6 weight is nice when the winds
decide to howl through the canyon.
Where to Find Fish
Look for current seams, this is where fast and slow water meet, fish the
edge of the fast water. Also fish the spots directly in front of and behind
boulders. If you find a riffle that has fairly even current, swing a soft
hackle. Is you are fishing nymphs make sure you a weighting it enough to get
it down fast, this could take as much as 4 bb size split shots. One last
thing, DON’T wade through the water you should be fishing, fish the bank
first then wade in and work your way out.
Flies
Bead head pheasant tail-14,16,18
Bead head prince nymph- 12,14,16
Bead head copper john- 16,18, copper, green, chartreuse
Caddis larva-14,16, green, brown
Soft hackles- 14,16, peacock, pheasant tail, green, olive
Elk hair caddis- 14,16,18, black, olive gray, olive
Blue winged olive- 16,18
Bead head sparkle pupa- 16, bright green
Fly
Pattern Archive from Royal Gorge Anglers
Fly shops
Royal Gorge Anglers
ph. 888-994-6743 888-994-6743
1210 Royal Gorge Blvd. Cañon City, Colorado
http://www.royalgorgeanglers.com
Arkansas River Fly Shop
At the west end of Salida on the south side of US Highway 50.
(719)539-FISH(3474)
.http://www.arkanglers.com/
Driving directions
US 400 to Dodge City
US 50 to Salida.
522 Miles to Salida
Non Resident Fishing Permit Fees Fees include a 25¢ Search and Rescue Fee
and a 75¢ PEAC surcharge.
Annual $56.00
Five-Day $21.00
One-Day $9.00
Fishing Resources
Fishing Report
from Arkansas River Fly Shop (Salida)
Fishing Report from Royal Gorge Anglers (Canon City)
Colorado Stream Flow Report (Select Arkansas River at Salida)
Colorado Fishing Network
Hatch Chart
Arkansas River Fly Shop
Royal Gorge Anglers
Colorado Division of Wildlife Fishing Resources
Colorado
Division of Wildlife Fishing Page
Colorado Fishing License Information
Whirling Disease in Colorado