People are Starting to Come Outside

I really did not fish the early part of the year enough.  I was in the middle of a relocation to none other than Woodland Park, Colorado!  Is it possible to hotspot a town?  I am just around the corner from stretches of river and reservoirs that people fly in from other parts of the country and even world to fish.  It is my front door.  But, at the same time I know that I cannot take it for granted. 

Last year I was able to fish with Tiny Stevens.  It was a blast.  I am ready to do it again!  Just last week I was able to take out friend and yes, kinda a fly fisherman stuck in a spin fishing body.  His name is also Alan, and he spells it right.  Alan drew my name in the giveaway this year too.. Cool!  I was also really fortunate to be able to fish with Chad LaChance again as we nymphed for trout in the middle of winter!    That makes three spinning guys who have fished with me, I think it is time that I go out and spin fish with a spin fisherman!  I know a few guys that I hope to get out with this year!  Actually, I got to fish with Tom Torres of Forward Operating Base Colorado.  I fly fish, he spin fishes, we poke fun at one another and have a wonderful time together.  I really hope that I see more of that.  If you are a spin fisherman wondering about the fly rod, and have no idea what the flies are on the river..  And you see me, tap me on the shoulder and I will make sure to have a few extra for you.  Seriously.

But most of all, in my travels around Colorado in the last few months I have met a few members and they are always awesome.  They are courteous, approachable and gracious.  It is pretty neat when people can get along on the water and learn from one another. I have gotten a few dirty emails and the other day I got one from "Anglerwannabe" and because it was in the subject line I thought, "here we go again."  But it was a FishExplorer member that I had met earlier.  Very neat indeed!! 

Now, strangely enough, as a guide I always am looking around, thinking maybe I can gather enough data, find changes, trends, etc etc etc to make fishing better.  On the particular body of water I was fishing near Anglerwannabe, I talk to a lot of people.  I get a lot of people sending me photos.  A lot of people know about it.  But over the course of my travels, people have been respecting the resource and strangely, a smaller reservoir is neither being over fished or disrespected.  I picked up more trash in a back country meadow than I did on this small popular reservoir.  And a smile came over my face when someone, not a member, had been told by a FishExplorer member which fish should be released.  That is very cool.

Been doing some really neat things on the river lately.  I have been tying nearly all of my own flies including those for my guided trip.  Fly tying can be very relaxing.  I love to do it at night or with friends.  I have also been fishing some really small waters near home.  The ones you really do not see people on.  Those are the trips that get interesting.  You aren't quite sure if there are fish there, but you have a really strong suspicion you can find some.  It is a great challenge if you are getting into fly fishing.  Hitting smaller stretches of water for a bit more flighty fish.  I get a kick out of it.  If you look hard enough, you can find water that is free of people even on July 4th of this year.  I promise!

If you want to see a little bit more, you can see what I am doing on (719)Fly.com.  I just posted a new thing I am doing with my fly tying gear.  Days like today were meant for biscuits and gravy in the morning and then a day filled with tying.  I have the sweetest storage system.  I love it.  If you have any specific questions you can email me there too. 

I have been doing my fair share of fishing now in these last few weeks.  Here are a few pictures from what I have been doing.

It is going to be a great year!  Get out and teach and learn.  Try something new and explore.  I have found great happiness in doing just that..