March 2010 Newsletter
Spring has sprung, at least officially. As we write this, the short term forecast calls for more rain and snow, so we've got to hold on a little longer until the sunshine comes to stay. Hasn't the past winter seemed endless?
The recent warm weather has lured sedentary (non-winter) anglers out of their dens and away from their tying desks onto local waters. A trip to the T on St Patrick's Day was cut short because nearly every pullout along the river with nearby open water was occupied by at least one vehicle. It's probably gonna be that way for awhile, at least until there are more options for flyfishing. This rush to the water is similar to an early season BWO hatch- it usually dies down pretty quickly. The potatoes will return to their couches and leave the fishing to the more serious anglers among us once the waters rise a little.
Local lakes are opening up. Joe Johnson reported a fine catch of hungry bass and perch last week at Pella Crossing Park near Hygiene. McCall and MacIntosh Lakes are both open, and carp have been observed prowling the shallows at MacIntosh. Ice is rapidly diminishing at Union Res, so the wipers will soon be active.
The Park received over a foot of snow in the Bear Lake area in last week's storm, so it will still be winter in the high country for a while, irrespective of what the calendar says. But at lower altitudes like the Moraine Park and Horseshoe Park areas, the ice and snow will rapidly disappear, and we'll be fishing there before you can say Salvelinus fontinalis.
No matter what kind of waters you like to fish, the next six weeks are prime time. Longer days and warmer weather get the bugs moving, and the fish's increasing metabolism drives them to start fattening up. Rainbows and cutthroats will be spawning soon, and they need muscle and energy to be successful. A well-presented fly will probably find an eager taker.
We're stocked up and ready to go at the Laughing Grizzly. Merchandise is arriving almost daily now- everything from flies and tippet to rods and reels to waders and boots.
Saturday Tying Clinics
Saturday Clinics will continue until April 17. All clinics are from 10:00 to 12:00 every Saturday. We always have coffee and Great Harvest pastries, so you don't even need to get up early and make it to breakfast. We've got a great lineup of tyers including Rick Takahashi, Charlie Craven, Pat Dorsey, Steve Schweitzer, Jay Zimmerman, Rob Kolanda and a host of others. You can find the complete Clinic schedule on our website at http://www.laughinggrizzlyflyshop.com/Crntevnts.html.
Contests
We have been pleasantly surprised by the response to our contests. Many of you have told us how much you have enjoyed them, from the sublime (how many size 32 flies on a dime) to the ridiculous (weight in grams of a packet of fly hooks). We'll keep them going as long as you show interest and we can keep coming up with ideas. If you have any ideas for future contests, feel free to send them our way.
Guided Trips
Don't miss out- get your trip booked early. Whether you're interested in local waters or something further afield like the San Juan, the Reef or the Big Horn, we can help you plan the trip you'd like to take. With our extended network of contacts, we can put you in touch with guides around the world. A guided trip makes a great Mother's day, Father's Day or Graduation gift. The Laughing Grizzly will also continue to put together trips to destinations like Patagonia and Alaska. Stay tuned for more information.
Kids Learn to Fly Fish Program
Our annual Kids Learn to Fly Fish program, co-sponsored with St Vrain Anglers chapter of Trout Unlimited is off to a great start in 2010. We've had two fly-tying sessions, and the third one will be held this Saturday, March 27, from 8:00-12:00 at the Longmont PD Community Room at 3rd and Kimbark. If you have a few hours to spare as a volunteer, this is a great opportunity. You don't need anything but basic fly tying skills and the desire to have fun with some kids. Contact Dick at the shop or at the email address below to volunteer.
Colorado Trout Unlimited Youth Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp Camp classes include principles of ecology, hydrology and hydrogeology, aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate sampling, trout behavior, trout stream entomology, the biology of pollution, acid deposition, and politics of conservation and human effects on the Rocky Mountains. In addition, the camp includes hands-on classes in fly tying, fly casting, streamside ethics, streamside botany, wader safety and survival, and related topics. Students also participate in a Forest Service project. Dick has been a volunteer counselor for this program for the past two years. Here's his take on it: "I've seen 40 teens go through this camp. They've ranged from very experienced to never held a fishing rod before. Every one of them has gained the skills and knowledge not only to be competent fly fishers and tyers, but also to be effective stewards of coldwater fisheries and trout habitat. If you have a son or daughter looking for a valuable outdoor learning experience, they'd be hard pressed to find a better one." Tuition for a local youth participant will be paid by SVATU. Applications must be received by CTU by March 30. Details can be found on their website, www.cotrout.org. Dick would be happy to answer any questions about the program.
The camp is an annual program for youth ages 14-18. It will be held this year June 6-11 at a private ranch in the Aspen area. Counselors, leaders and teachers are professional guides, university-level educators, Forest Service personnel, water district managers, TU staff and other expert professionals.
Trout Unlimited Auction
Our local TU chapter, St Vrain Anglers, has scheduled their annual auction fundraiser for May 22 this year at the Longmont Moose Lodge. There will be both silent and live auction items and lots of bucket raffles. Food will be free as usual, and there will be a cash bar. Details can be found at the SVATU web site, www.svatu.org.
It's been an SVATU tradition to have a special raffle for a high end package. This year's package includes a 7-1/2 ft, 4 weight bamboo rod donated by local rod maker and SVATU member Patrick Loehrlein, and a Hardy LRH reel with spare spool donated by Robin Henneke. Only 50 tickets at $20 each are being sold. They are available from Dick at the shop (Fri, Sat or Sun), or at SVATU meetings and events. You can also send Dick an email at rashinton@gmail.com if you'd like to purchase a ticket.
River Church Fly Fishing Expo
This is the second year for this event, held at the River Church just west of Lyons on Hwy 36 on April 16-17. This year's Expo features Gary Borger, noted fly fisher, fly designer and tyer, and casting expert. Borger will be speaking and conducting fly tying and casting classes at the Expo.
There will be a variety of demonstrations of fly tying, stream entomology, knots and rigging, bamboo rod building featuring Frank Drummond, and an on-stream seminar on Presentation by our own Mike Kruise, in addition to many other demos and activities by local experts. It's a family event designed for all levels of fly fishers, or those who'd like to learn more about it- a perfect event to take your non-fly fishing friends to.
There's a dinner on Friday evening with Gary Borger, and both breakfast and lunch will be served on Saturday. You can find all the details at www.therivercolorado.org.
In the Shop
Books - Charlie Craven's Basic Fly Tying is back in stock. We've got autographed copies available at no extra charge. $39.95
Dave Whitlock's newest, Trout and Their Food is in the shop, and an absolute steal at $16.95. This is a great companion to his venerable Guide to Aquatic Trout Foods. The book is a compendium of Whit's Trout magazine columns over the years, and includes material and art that hasn't been published in this form before. A must for every trouter's library.
Whiting Brahma Hen Backs- These beautiful little birds provide wonderful soft hackle feathers for wet flies, nymph legs and Tabou Caddis wings, and we have received a nice shipment of them. The Chickabou patches from these birds are in very short supply right now, but we hope to have some in stock soon.
Duck Quills- From classic mayfly dries to gaudy Atlantic salmon patterns, duck quills are an absolute necessity. We've got 'em in about 16 colors.
Assorted Furs and Hairs- What's a nutria? would be a good contest question. We've got their fur, along with American oppossum, woodchuck, arctic fox, gray fox, antelope, badger, beaver, deer, elk, antelope... Come in and check out our selection. Some of these furs don't get the attention they used to because we have so many synthetics available. If you have never used muskrat, beaver or oppossum to dub a dry fly, you should treat yourself. These and other furs have a sheen and water resistance that just can't be matched by a synthetic product.
Awesome Possum Dubbing- And speaking of possums, this Wapsi product is made from, what else, Australian oppossum fur. It comes in many dyed and natural colors, and will make some of the buggiest nymphs you've ever tied. Nothing says "G'day mate" to a trout like a nymph tied with Awesome Possum.
That's all for this month. See you on the water or in the shop.The Laughing Grizzly Staff