scotty macfly
Well-known member
I went up Poudre Canyon to a section called..... well, maybe I shouldn't say, and you'll understand soon I'm sure.
Man, since I got that second thought about not saying where exactly I was fishing, it changed everything about my opening statement.
O.k., I was fishing the Poudre, and with the smoke from the California fires somewhat choking out the sun, I figured dry fly action was the way to go. It started out good with three good hits, but I lost everyone of those fish. But no worries, the day was still young.
I was using a favorite fly that has proven very well on this river, the Renegade #14, and it did well. I was catching a lot of smaller fish, around 8 inches or so with an occasional bigger fish to keep it exciting. But I also had many refusals so I changed to a Delaware Adams. This fly like to float high on the surface, and it floats well making it easy to see. It was doing a fine job bringing up fish from deeper slick areas and riffles. But it wasn't like what was yet to come.
I moved up river to where a boulder sat in the middle of the river creating a big pocket behind it. I stood on a nearby rock and I was shocked by the show I was witnessing. There were fish rising to the surface all over this pocket with authority. Some were coming completely out of the water going after whatever it was that I couldn't see. I watched awhile then decided to join the festivities. I offered them the Delaware Adams, but they just came up slapping it out of the way. Hmmm. I figured whatever they were after I had to do my best to imitate. The smallest fly I had was a #20 Adams, so I tied it on and offered it up. BAM!!! That didn't take long. I couldn't see my fly on the water, and when the fish took it I was lucky enough to feel the weight of it before I set the hook. I was able to see the fish rise, splash taking the fly and go down again. I figured if I saw the fish rise and see the splash, then wait till I see it go down before I set the hook on the next fish I catch. I love it when a plan comes together.
This was like a turkey shoot, or better yet, shooting fish in a barrel. As soon as the fly hit the water I was able to locate it by lifting the rod tip and following the leader down to the tippet, and then to the fly. Fish were nailing this fly with such aggression, it was a blast. I would catch a fish, let it go, wait for the pocket to calm down a bit and cast again finding another willing fish to put a bend in my rod. Then it happened. I caught a very nice brookie. This is the first brookie I caught out of the Poudre, and what a blessing it was. Earlier this year I caught my first cutthroat out of here, and now a brookie. I read on the signs they were here, but never caught any till this year. I don't know how many fish I pulled out from behind that boulder, I think 8, but I took photo's of the best ones. It's hard keeping them wet while taking photo's by myself, but the net helps.
There were more, but I can only post five photo's for some reason. But it was a great afternoon, and I do plan on returning to this spot again. Now you see why I didn't say where on the river I was at.
Man, since I got that second thought about not saying where exactly I was fishing, it changed everything about my opening statement.
O.k., I was fishing the Poudre, and with the smoke from the California fires somewhat choking out the sun, I figured dry fly action was the way to go. It started out good with three good hits, but I lost everyone of those fish. But no worries, the day was still young.
I was using a favorite fly that has proven very well on this river, the Renegade #14, and it did well. I was catching a lot of smaller fish, around 8 inches or so with an occasional bigger fish to keep it exciting. But I also had many refusals so I changed to a Delaware Adams. This fly like to float high on the surface, and it floats well making it easy to see. It was doing a fine job bringing up fish from deeper slick areas and riffles. But it wasn't like what was yet to come.
I moved up river to where a boulder sat in the middle of the river creating a big pocket behind it. I stood on a nearby rock and I was shocked by the show I was witnessing. There were fish rising to the surface all over this pocket with authority. Some were coming completely out of the water going after whatever it was that I couldn't see. I watched awhile then decided to join the festivities. I offered them the Delaware Adams, but they just came up slapping it out of the way. Hmmm. I figured whatever they were after I had to do my best to imitate. The smallest fly I had was a #20 Adams, so I tied it on and offered it up. BAM!!! That didn't take long. I couldn't see my fly on the water, and when the fish took it I was lucky enough to feel the weight of it before I set the hook. I was able to see the fish rise, splash taking the fly and go down again. I figured if I saw the fish rise and see the splash, then wait till I see it go down before I set the hook on the next fish I catch. I love it when a plan comes together.
This was like a turkey shoot, or better yet, shooting fish in a barrel. As soon as the fly hit the water I was able to locate it by lifting the rod tip and following the leader down to the tippet, and then to the fly. Fish were nailing this fly with such aggression, it was a blast. I would catch a fish, let it go, wait for the pocket to calm down a bit and cast again finding another willing fish to put a bend in my rod. Then it happened. I caught a very nice brookie. This is the first brookie I caught out of the Poudre, and what a blessing it was. Earlier this year I caught my first cutthroat out of here, and now a brookie. I read on the signs they were here, but never caught any till this year. I don't know how many fish I pulled out from behind that boulder, I think 8, but I took photo's of the best ones. It's hard keeping them wet while taking photo's by myself, but the net helps.
There were more, but I can only post five photo's for some reason. But it was a great afternoon, and I do plan on returning to this spot again. Now you see why I didn't say where on the river I was at.
