January 18, 2022
The Tailwater (The Chutes to the Tire Hole)
Flows: 80 cfs.
Water Temp: 38F.
Water clarity: Very clear - ~6’.
Air Temp: 32F @ 8:30a - low 60s @ 4p.
Hatches: Midge 9a to early afternoon, BWO 12N – 4p
Flies: #12 Chubby Chernobyl, #20 Beadhead Pheasant Tail, #18 Red Midge Larva, #24 Mercury Flashback Black Beauty, #24 Black Flashback RS2, #20 Chocolate Thunder, #24 Olive Mercury RS2, #24 Olive Jujubaetis, #24 Top Secret Midge, #18 Prince Nymph, #24 Grey Sparkle Wing RS2, #24 Parachute BWO, #24 Sparkle Dun.
A rainbow just released into the water.
Top producers: Grey Sparkle Dun, Prince Nymph.
This week started out with very mild January weather. That was to change on Wednesday. A cold front was to move into Colorado early Wednesday morning and bring with it a bit of snow and ice to the Front Range. Not really a storm --- for Colorado -- but a definite change in the weather.
I was solo this week. Brian is out of town visiting relatives and at first I was thinking of going out on Wednesday. Cloudy skies, a little snow flying around – good fishing weather. And it would keep the fair-weather anglers at home! But as it got closer the forecast kept getting colder – with the highs predicted to only be in the 30s.
Well, that’s too cold for me. Maybe now I’m a fair-weather fisherman!
A Great Blue Heron. My fishing buddy this week.
So I went out on Tuesday. Highs were forecasted to be in the low 60s in Pueblo with partly cloudy skies. Much better. We now have a new moon which has been shining brightly at night and the barometric pressure was supposed to be dropping throughout the day. All these factors pointed to a challenging day for fishing.
With the bright, full moon the fish could feed all night. The changing and lowering of the barometric pressure is supposed to make the trout feel bloated – causing them to eat less and be more particular. Except for the partly cloudy skies it didn’t sound like an opportune time to be out on the water.
But it was.
The Tailwater was my destination and I planned to start in the Nature Center area - the Chutes. Then I would work my way upstream – maybe to the Weirs. I would get to the Weirs in the afternoon. I’ve found fish rising in that spot on many afternoons and maybe I could get some on dries. Always fun.
My 1st stop - the pocket water between the boulders in the foreground - just upstream from the Gate Hole.
The parking lot was pretty full when I arrived and I thought it might be a crowded day.
But it wasn’t.
As I walked along the path toward the Chutes I stopped to look into the Gate Hole and the runs that lead into it. There was no one in sight and I thought to myself – I’m here to fish and no one is fishing that spot, so why not hit it. Then I climbed down the bank and walked to the river’s edge. There was no one in sight as far as I could see - upstream or downstream from me. Perfect!
These runs are about 1/8 of a mile downstream from the Nature Center and between there and the first run, the water is slow and flat. Then there is a series of about three runs that feed into the Gate Hole. I like to fish these runs.
When on the runs it feels like you’re fishing a small river or stream. There are little sections of pocket water, seams and troughs in them where fish like to hang out. Both Brian and I have caught our share of fish – usually rainbows -along these runs. And they’re sometimes surprisingly big.
Notice the brownish, glossy water by the shore and where it meets the choppy water that's a little darker blue. That's the seam where I got my 1st fish of the day.
The water was very clear and although I didn’t know it till later, the water department lowered the water 15 cfs early Tuesday morning – before I arrived.
It was a little before 9a and there were no flies hatching. My nymph rig was as I had left it last week - a #18 Prince Nymph followed by a #18 Red Midge Larva and a #24 Black Mercury Midge Emerger – and I thought I’d give it a try.
First. I hit a small pocket that I can’t seem to pass up. It is only about ten feet in length and I’m guessing about 4’ deep. When you look at it – your first thought is its too small to hold any trout. But I’ve caught some nice ones in it before. After giving it a few drifts I moved on.
1st fish of the day. An 18" female rainbow.
Moving further into the river – I waded to a shallow run where fast riffles feed into it. This is another place where you think to yourself “there has to be at least one fish in there”. I started out drifting my flies at the edge of the run closest to me - then proceeded to drift them further into it. Increasing my distance by a few feet on each cast. On about my fourth drift – this one now at the run’s furthest point from me - I got a hit.
Fish on. The take was subtle – but once I had her hooked up - she felt like a nice one. And she was. After a really good fight I brought her to net. A nice 18” rainbow who took the Prince Nymph. I a few of these in my fly box. I think I got them from some guide I hired a while back. I haven’t used them in a long time and have been thinking of giving them a try. First fish I’ve caught on one of those in a long, long time.
She took the Prince Nymph.
It was a good start to the day.
After releasing the rainbow, I gave the run a few more tries – just to see. If there were any other fish in it – they most likely bolted as I fought that rainbow.
Moving downstream, I hit the other runs leading into the tire hole. I soon found out that I wasn’t the only one fishing. As I moved downstream I spooked a large Great Blue Heron and he took flight out over the water. These a big birds – I’m guessing his wing span was about 6’. They’re also kinda creepy. They look prehistoric – and unless they move, they’re really hard to spot. This guy didn’t go far though – taking a perch on what is left of an old pier.
Midges started to hatch as I fished the Gate Hole but there were no fish to be found. After covering that hole, I went back up to the run where I started earlier and fished my way back down. With the lower flows the water was clear enough to see into the river and I didn’t see any fish. And I had no further interest.
Another look at the Great Blue Heron - with different effects.
So I got my gear and climbed back up to the path and walked down to the Chutes. I like to look into the river as I walk along the path. It sits higher up from the river and with the clarity you could see into it. Besides looking for fish, I like to get a feel for the river structure. Where are there pools, boulders, pocket water, seams, etc. Downriver from the Gate Hole the water again slows and is flat until you reach the Chutes.
As I climbed down the embankment to get to the water I found a fisherman at the top pool on the north side. I chatted with him a bit, he was using crank bait and said he had one fish chase his lure earlier. And he was ready to move on – wanting to fish the pond on the south side of the river.
Again I was alone. No other fishermen in sight. Perfect!
Looking into the Chutes from the path above.
I covered the Chutes a couple of times – adjusting flies and depth as I went along. But surprisingly had no takers. Surprisingly, because these runs and pools just have to have fish in them. Not only did I not have a hit – I didn’t see any fish.
My plan was to keep moving and I gave this spot about 45 minutes. I’ve never been further downstream – Brian has - and he said its just slow, flat water. As I looked to where the river bends a bit to the north, I saw what looked like some faster, riffled water. I walked down to see. It was an illusion. The wind was blowing upstream – and the water was so slow - the surface of it was being pushed upstream making it look like riffles.
I didn’t want any part of that – and left. Next stop was the Diver Hole. On the way I would hit the runs above the Gate Hole – just for kicks. Then eat lunch.
Looking into the Gate Hole from the runs above it.
It was just before noon and the BWO were now coming off. After covering the runs I ate lunch on a huge downed tree along the river’s edge. With the BWOs hatching – I didn’t want to eat, but I was hungry. The tree that I was sitting on had dried kelp all along the bottom of it. It must be in the river – when the flows are high during summer – no doubt with brownies taking shelter all along it!
There was no one in the Diver Hole or the run between it and the Plunge Pools. But there was a guy in the #2 Plunge Pool – far enough away that we both had plenty of room to ourselves.
I like to start fishing in the run leading into the Diver Hole. As I walked along the bank I spotted a couple of nice rainbows in the current near the south side (opposite from me) of the river. They were in a place where I often spot them. One thing about the low flows and clear water – the fish spook very easily. After a few casts the fish were gone. I think they got spooked by my indicator.
A 19" fatty. Got her in the Diver Pool on a #24 Grey Sparkle Wing RS2.
As I normally do, I worked my way downstream toward the Diver Hole. And as I did, I was able to spot a pod of trout in the front, and in the middle, of the hole. As I drifted my flies toward them, a few bolted. On the advice of a guy at my local fly shop – I had just bought a different type of indicator. The one I was using is made of yarn and he recommended a new style that is made of foam. It’s really light weight and doesn’t make a splash when it hits the water.
I gave it a try.
And it worked.
An 18" rainbow. This one took the #24 Grey Sparkle Dun too.
After changing the indicator it wasn’t long before I had a fish on. A big one. I got him behind the boulders about mid-river. He hit aggressively and just took off – line zipping out of my reel. Exciting!
He was heading downstream. In order for me to follow him, I had to wade out of the water and walk around a deep pool that sits between those boulders and the river bank. It’s not easy getting out of the water either because it’s a pretty steep climb.
But I got out and around the pool with the fish still on. He was now just downstream of the deep pool, head shaking and fighting to get loose. As I brought him into the slower water at the edge of the pool – he made a run back into the faster water. I brought him back – and he made another run. Then another. Jeez this fish was hard to handle!
In the end he finally broke free. Damn it! That was a nice fish.
A cutbow who took the Sparkle Wing RS2.
No worries though. I would end up with a handful – and many pounds – of rainbows and a couple of cutbows. The largest one was 19”. A beautiful female who I’m guessing weighed in between 3 and 4 pounds. I also had a handful of rainbows from 10” to 18”. They all hit a #24 Grey Sparkle Wing RS2.
What fun.
After a while the fish seemed to all congregate on the south side of the river. The water is very slow there and they weren’t moving much. And they weren’t taking my flies. I began to think they weren’t feeding – just resting in the slow water. Or maybe they were spooked. Or a little of both.
After trying for them on more than several drifts I decided to move on. I was thinking of the Tire Hole. By now the guy had vacated the Plunge Pools and was fishing the run just above the #1 Plunge Pool. So before entirely leaving the area – I gave the #2 Plunge Pool a try. Adding weight and depth to my nymph rig.
A 17" male rainbow. He took the Sparkle Wing RS2.
I then headed toward the Tire Hole. Along the way are the Blue Heron Hole and the Flag Hole. I was on the path and it goes by the Blue Heron Hole where fish sometimes rise to take adult flies. You can stand there and watch them. If I see fish rising – I always stop and try to get a few on dries. None were rising – in fact, I didn’t see any fish at all so I continued on to the Flag Hole.
I was surprised to find the Flag Hole open. It was all mine – no other fishermen in sight. This is another one of those spots that I just can’t pass up. I covered the front, the back, and the middle of the hole. No takers.
For some unknown reason this hole has not produced in the past month or so. There were times when both Brian and I would take out a couple or more fish – each. And nice ones. But they haven’t been there lately. Who knows what these fish do. All at once they seem to just disappear from certain places. Then all of a sudden they’re back.
Got this rainbow in the Diver Hole on the Sparkle Wing RS2. The fly of the day.
So it was onto the Tire Hole. There is a spot in the middle of the run that I wanted to try. As I approached I could see that there was another fisherman in the run – right where I was planning to fish.
I had a choice. Either fish the small seam at the end of the run – or head up to the Weirs. I decided to fish the small seam. I got a nice 17” rainbow out of there the last time. Again, I fished it from the south side of the pool – casting back into the fast water. After several drifts I lifted my flies to recast and had a fish take. But without really having a chance to set my hook – he quickly wiggled free.
I could see some fish rising in the slow water just upstream from me. I wasn’t sure if they were little guys or not – but decided to try for them. Why not. As I was tying on my dry flies – the guy who was fishing in the spot I wanted to try left. I figured I’d let the run sit a while and continued tying on my flies.
The wind was making my cast difficult and there were some overhanging trees in the way. I was having a difficult time getting a good cast a drift into the target area. After a bit I gave up and walked up to the run in the Tire Hole.
Got this 18" male rainbow in the middle run at the Tire Hole. He took the #18 Prince Nymph.
This run is pretty shallow and I would normally fish my Hopper/Dropper setup in it. But I had just changed it to a dry fly setup, so I fished my nymph rig. Before casting in though I had to lower depth by moving my indicator and remove some weight. I had added to both while fishing the Plunge Pool and the Flag Hole which are both deep pools.
I wasn’t sure how much weight I was going to take off. But as I was adjusting my indicator I saw a fish rise in the run and take a fly off the surface of the water. Now I knew. I took all my weight off. The Prince Nymph is tied with a tungsten bead and some lead wire - all the weight I would need.
After three of four drifts through the run I was thinking to myself “wonder what’s going on here. I normally can get a fish to hit – especially one that I see feeding”. Then BANG! He just hit and ran. My indicator flying upstream and line streaming out of my reel. I was just hanging on.
He was a nice fish and fought like hell – taking me about 100 yards downstream. Fierce head shakes, deep runs all along the way. I finally had him in some slower water but was still having a hard time getting his head up. Then I felt a slip and a tug. It feels like a “bam – bam”. It almost always means the fish spit your fly – but got hooked on one of your trailing flies. I’m pretty sure he took the Grey Sparkle Wing RS2 – spit that and got foul hooked by the Olive Mercury RS2 I had trailing it.
Another look at the 18" rainbow take out of the Tire Hole.
This is not good because you now have a foul hooked fish on your line. It hard to turn the fish – get his head up – so the fish now has more power. Guides will tell you to break him off. Often times I’ve found that breaking him off means the line breaks and the fish swims away with at least one hook in his body. So I try to land ‘em. But this one did break off – luckily for him, he broke free of all my flies.
It was getting towards 4p – the time I planned to leave. I dejectedly walked back upstream to the run where I hooked up the fish. I was thinking the odds were slim that there would be another fish in that spot – and it was getting late. I thought I’d give it a couple more drifts just to see.
As I got into position I saw another fish rise in the film. It didn’t look as big as the one I just had – but it wasn’t a little guy either. At the end of each drift, I would take a step downstream and was now getting to the end of the run. Then BANG! It was just like the last one. Indicator flying across the river - line streaming out. Then the fish took a jump – fully out of the water. It was big – making a loud splash as he landed back in the water.
A beautifully colored rainbow taken out of the Diver Hole.
This one took me downstream about 50 yards – same head shakes and deep runs along the way. I must have fought that fish for a good 10 minutes and finally he came to the surface. Then he’d make a run. But it was a short run. Then he’d come back up – make another run. Even shorter. He was tired and about to be in the net.
I was surprised that he was only 18” – this one and the one that broke free – fought just as hard, maybe harder than the 19” fat girl I caught in the Diver Pool. This guy took the Prince Nymph.
There may have been yet another fish or two in that run. But after releasing the fish – I gathered my stuff and headed to the car.
Time to go.
And what better way to end the day?
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