I don't know if I'm suffering from cabin fever or spring fever but I'm feeling a powerful itch to get my feet wet, whether I catch anything or not.
On my way home from Denver last weekend it looked like the Arkansas is pretty much free from winter's clutches. The Rio Grande is still pretty icy even
with the warm weather. I know some of you are old hands at the Ark, what's the fishing like this time of year and what do you find those browns like at ice
out? If I break away tomorrow and try it I will report back. Thanks, Ray
0 Kudo
Ice out on the Ark?
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 raywright |
Ice out on the Ark? |
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Posts: 56 02/26/09 09:28:14 |
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splitcane |
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Posts: 532 02/28/09 04:49:57 |
The Ark fishes good this time of year, mostly subsurface but if the temps hit 50* you can get some midge action... Standard searching pattern would be a #16 Beadhead Cadis Pupa, tailing a #18 black PT flashback... It's a river of opportunity with lost of micro climates, so be ready for anything including terrestrials... Just around the corner are the BWO & Mothers Day Caddis Hatches, should be good... Last year the Water Gods wiped out the caddis hatch before it ever took off, first time in my history...
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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splitcane |
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Posts: 532 03/05/09 04:41:55 |
Well...?
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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raywright |
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Posts: 56 03/05/09 14:46:14 |
Oops, my bad. I did venture up to Salida on the 27th to give it a try. The river was certainly fishable, the fellow at the fly shop reported good fishing, but
the wind was blowing about 35 mph and it was trying to snow and I couldn't get anything but a pod of refugees from the upstream hatchery to show any
interest. Now I'm cooped up in the shop with the wind blowing 40 and forecast to pick up a bit tomorrow. I'll try to to better in my reporting, and
hopefully have a bit more success to report on. Ray
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splitcane |
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Posts: 532 03/09/09 08:06:16 |
Thanks for the report Ray...
30 mph in the canyon is a slight breeze..."-) Might try a little more down the canyon this time of year as it's a little warmer... Talked to some friends on the river and it's priming up to be a great year...
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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fyshstix |
Ark spring '09 | #5 | ||
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Posts: 7 04/16/09 06:51:33 |
Guys - don't let this get off this board. With the weather forecast, the Ark should go BANG next week from Canon City at least to Texas Creek. Flows
around 300, great clarity, decent wading in that rocky SOB, and hungry browns. The caddis hatch could be spectacular this year.
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jayhake.clarksclassicfl... |
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Posts: 28 04/17/09 18:40:21 |
There are no fish in the Arkansas this time of the year, I hate to say ;) The baetis hatch has been outstanding (4 dry fly only floats this year already) and
the word from the water gods is that they are going to hold the flows steady through the caddis hatch this year, unlike last year.
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splitcane |
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Posts: 532 04/18/09 04:02:15 |
That's good news because the Water Morons really blow it last year and the dam rubber hatch lasted into Oct...!
Speaking of the Rubber Hatch...
Maybe the bright side of this economy is there will be much less this year because they were out of control last year. For $25 buck's they throw your ass into a rubber raft with an 18 year old punk that couldn't find his ass with both hands. There were a couple of drowning last year and if they keep going the way there going it's just a matter of time till something really bad happens...
Any way... guess I'm a little pissy this morning... "-)
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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splitcane |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 532 04/21/09 03:11:55 |
Ok... Do tell boy's, is it Caddis...?
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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jayhake.clarksclassicfl... |
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Posts: 28 04/21/09 05:43:38 |
Not on yet, but should be very soon. It is supposed to be very warm today and I understand that there have been sporadic hatches in the Canon City area. I have
several meetings today, but I will try to get out and check the river a bit and at least take a water temperature. Flows are perfect for wading and the snow we
had didn't turn the color off at all.
On another note, I just received a 8'6" Edwards No. 50 quad. It needs a little TLC, but I think I will put that on hold to test it out during the caddis hatch a bit. Should be a sweetheart for throwing caddis dries! Cheers, Jay |
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splitcane |
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Posts: 532 04/21/09 06:00:02 |
Thanks for the report Jay... There calling for good weather in the 60's all week, bet it moves like wildfire up the canyon...
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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fyshstix |
Bugs on the Ark | #11 | ||
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Posts: 7 04/22/09 19:51:16 |
Fished the Arkansas this afternoon until dark. Lots of caddis around Canon City and a few up near Texas Creek. No takers on elk hairs below Texas Creek but pretty good topside action closer to Canon. Water clarity off due to low level snow melt from last weekend. If it stays dry a couple more days, go to the Arkansas and meet the Browns. Take sunscreen too. Work in the yard later. |
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splitcane |
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Posts: 532 04/23/09 04:47:19 |
Good tip, I always forget my sunscreen the first time out of the hole...
Looks like a little rain coming in the next few days but still in the 50's... Did you give the Paramount/Rattan a spin...?
Take Care, Dave
Denver Dave's Vintage Bamboo Fly Rods |
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fyshstix |
Caddis on the Ark | #13 | ||
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Posts: 7 04/24/09 04:03:50 |
I took the new rattan-gripped Paramount down to the Arkansas this week. Cast that puppy all day and the grip is very comfortable. After a bit, I didn't
even give it a second thought. I would recommend this technique to anyone with nasty cork that wants to get their rod back on the water without a major
restoration. Thanks, Dave. Oh yeah, the caddis are still about on the Arkansas. Tougher hatch to fish this year - just enough snowmelt coming in to stain
the river and cause temps to fluctuate. The best advice I can offer - tough it out and go fishing. Cheers.
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jayhake.clarksclassicfl... |
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Posts: 28 04/24/09 10:49:59 |
285 CFS in Salida today, clear to a tiny bit tea stained (due to low elevation snowmelt). Water temps are creeping into the low to mid 50s. Some mayflies
hatching but no caddis explosion yet. Cooler and cloudier this weekend, which may slow things down.
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