Post By: RockyMtnHigh Posted: 6/12/2012 7:04:54 PM Points: 71
Not a bad day at all. I was in a float tube from about 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Launched from the south shore and spent most of my time in the deeper water off of the island.
Early, it was still and bright, and fishing was slow. About 9:00 or so it started picking up, mostly on chironomids. Then, there were more than a few callibaetis on the water (but not many rising fish) and the fish keyed in on callibaetis nymph patterns. There were also a few damsels in the water, and I caught a couple of fish on a damselfly pattern. But most of my fish were caught on callibaetis and chironomid patterns (hint: if there are chironomids on the surface, try to match their color)
Overall, I probably caught about 15 fish. Most were under 14 inches, but there were a few 16" rainbows, one 14" brown, 2 small suckers (the first time I'd seen suckers there), and a pretty 19" cutbow. I don't have pictures, because I haven't figured out a way to take pictures in a float tube without risking harm to the fish and/or my camera.
Having read many of the posts about the "death" of Antero, it was nice to go out there and have my rod bent a few times. Yes, the fish are certainly smaller and more beat up than they used to be, but it's still not a bad fishery.
Reply by: Flyrodn Posted: 6/13/2012 8:59:38 AM Points: 50712
Thanks for the detailed report, I make a conditions report out of it and gave you the points this time. For future updates, please use the lake update submission form above.
The wind started picking up a little earlier than usual (around 11:00 AM), but it was still very fishable. When I left at 1:00 it wan't all that bad. Typically, the mornings there are pretty calm, then the wind really picks up between noon and 2:00.
Although there were rare adult damselflies around, I didn't try fishing a dry (and caught fish on damselfly nymphs).
Reply by: Fish Hooker Posted: 6/15/2012 8:59:37 PM Points: 60
Nice, it is hard to find the correct damselflies to present to them, but when you do it is on! I have about 3 different variations of them if anyone cares I will take pictures of them and post it.
Fish Hooker - Yes, you should totally post the pics of your files. Did you tie these flies? (I fly and bubble fish but look forward to picking up real fly fishing sometime). Can you explain a little about the variations?
There are a number of different damselfly nymph patterns. [log in for link]
They tend to differ in various ways: Color (green vs. olive vs. brown) Material (some are made with plastic tubing so they appear more segmented, while others are made with all natural materials) Eyes vs. no-eyes.
On Antero (and at Spinney) I have had more luck with greener patterns, but the material and eyes/no-eyes seems to be more variable. Sometimes I have had more luck with the plastic tubing patterns, and other times the more natural patterns seem to work better. I don't know if this is due to fish preference or just my luck at the time.
Really, the best advice I have it to look in the water and try to find a live bug. Once you find one, really look at it, because doing so can give you a better idea what you are trying to imitate with your fly.
Reply by: Fish Hooker Posted: 6/20/2012 8:25:10 PM Points: 60
Sorry jkaboom that it took me so long to get back with you. I do not have the patience to tie my own flies, however here is an example of the adult damselflies, that when presented correctly, have worked the best for me. I do not have the fourth one, (i have lost 2 this year the hard way) which I think is the best, it comes from the hatch fly shop. good fishing and give the fly a try.
