I have found that flyfishing is a healthy way for me to not only to keep in shape (I will easly hike 2-3 miles per trip) but there is a meditative quality that helps calm my racing brain. The effects last long after you return from an outing. My wife encourages me to go on excursions because of the benifits she receives afterwards from a husband who is less impulsive, calmer and more attentive. Allthough start up cost for this sport and hobby can be expensive you can get a decent rod and reel set up for less than $150.00. Also dont forget a good set of waders because you are going to get wet at some point, like it or not. Also are there any other ADD/ADHD flyfishers out there who reap these type of positive effects (although tempoary) when they fish? Let me know. Capt Kylos

oh, Capt Kylos, you got me started.....

I can understand the meditative quality about the sport. I've been out there in my waders and a borrowed fly rod...yes I understand the challenge about the fly line and the beauty of it's motion. watching for the bugs and following the fish as it breaks water and jumps....trouble is I really do not know what to do next because I really do not want to catch the fish. I like to walk up stream and dream but...

My b/f is an avid flyfisher(since he was 15) he ties and goes out on the salmon river run up in Polasky and fishes in roscoe NY. He can stand in the water for hours and days and never become bored or tired. and he usually fishes in no kill waters. I have to say that this is his life.

Now the not so great part....I think that he uses this as a substitute for our relationship...

But I have to respect him for his talent, (and it is a skill) and I understand the hypnotic quality of the rushing waters. There is such a magnifcent world right there below the surface.

I belive in catch and release fishing. Fishing is a great renuable resource! Allthough when I go to some private lakes in Leadville that are stocked by a hatachery on site I will take a few home. A 24 inch 3 1/2 pound rainbow will feed a few people. As far as the potential for someone to use flyfishing as a escape or a substitute for relationship interactions are something to be aware of. My wife is supportive of my hobby because she knows that the small amount of quantity of time lost in our relationship to fishing is made up by the increased quality of time due to benniefits gained from letting me go fishing. Capt Kylos.

yes...b/f lives near a hatachery but even then he will generally through back. He is also into ocean fishing and he has tied several salt water flies. I don't think that he has attempted fly fishing the ocean...although he is now talking about going beyond the waves in a kayak. From what he has said, people have success this way.

have fun fishing...and I am glad that your wife is supportive. Has she gone with you?

My wife has gone with me a few times but she likes the hiking part more than dealing with slimey fish. Capt Kylos

You know, I think you may have just made me realize why I've been not as collected as I was just a couple years ago...
I started Fly Fishing mainly in the salt back around 96 - 97', started off with about a $300 outfit ( -waders,boots, vest ) and stayed with it up until about 2002... that's when I started not having the time, and not making the time accordingly... now you're making me wonder if that's what I'm missing....
That's right around when I sold my boat too.... hmm, maybe I need to dig out the ol' Sage this spring, and wet a line again !! I do miss standing on a jetty down the cape, or up in Gloucester and catching fish hand over fist and watching all the " chicken fisherman " ( term we used to describe the guys that show up with a 6 pack and a bucket of KFC, that toss out a chunk of clams or frozen herring and think they are going to catch fish ) Stand there in bewilderment.... wondering why they aren't catching nothing but a buzz.
Although..... I do need a new pair of waders and boot, after I fell down an embankment down in Wesport, through an entire briar patch, hence they are now more like a sponge.....lol. That's an experience, trying to get out of a mega bush of briars in a neoprene rubber covered in cloth suit.... oh, the fun!!
Back to the topic, I primarily fish for Striper, Blues, and when I'm lucky bontio.. which are a must experience on the fly if you never have. It's exhilarating to watch 200 yards of line vanish in under 30 seconds, and the runs at 35 to 45 mph don't hurt either !!
** here's to wetting a line come May 1st !!

I think the importance of having a healthy outlet for stress is something that people dont give enough thought and energy too. We have a tendencey to get wrapped up in everyday survival and we end up unhappy. Fishing makes it a little more tolerable to get up and go put in a 10 hour day at the office or job site.Ameuse I must admit a little envy for those of you that live near the ocean and all those BIG fish. I'll have to plan a fishing trip to the big blue someday, untill than I will continue to explore Colorado's "little fish " the best I can. Good luck on catching that fishing bug again!!!! Capt Kylos

I have fished some but not lots. I've used a fly rod a couple of times and enjoyed it. It's got that eye hand coordination thing I love so much. But I never seem to make the time to fish.

I even bought a canoe this year thinking I might take the young one back to the duck pond and slay some jack but went for a single paddle and that was it. That is so sad. I even learnt how to fillet the darn things boneless which makes them very edible.

I do think you have a very good point capt' about needing to take stress and tension relievers seriously. I've been doing this with exercise but that's very active and full of blunt stimulation. Fishing leaves room for contemplation and relaxed conversation that I could use more of. Especially with my youngest.

Please post more and as the season gets on maybe I can follow you guys into the water ways around here for at least some bait fishing. Maybe if I can slow down long enough I can evolve toward flies. My brothers both fly fish and love it.

I did manage to land the first two rainbows I caught on fly which my brother shook his head at. Apparently I wasn't supposed to do that. :D I also had the pleasure of hooking a large big mouth bass that thrilled me to no end in a float tube. I didn't know enough with him and ended up with a dive to the weeds, never to see the light of day on my requests.
Cheers! Ian.

Well like they say Itschaotic: A bad day fishing is better than the best day working. I hope you will be able to get out and fish sometime soon and make time for that all important introspection that comes with a day on the river, lake , pond ect.... Capt kylos

Thanks Capt. Tomorrow I'll put it in my pda when I'm to buy a licence! eheh

We have a little river flowing through our place. I've spent one fine afternoon pulling rock bass out of there one after the other for hours. They were all within an inch of a master angler award here, but not one of the forty or more met the criteria!
Cheers! Ian

Also, pack a camera! Not only will you get some great nature shots but your buddies won't belive how big the fish is unless you have a picture. Capt Kylos

Good idea. I've just got a new digital that I'm loving. I'll have to look into a decent case for it. I remember once being out in the river in fairly fast water with my Nikon and thinking.. hmm am I just stupid! I got a great shot of my (late) dog out of the deal and the camera remained high and dry.

Please start another thread with links to you fish pictures! :D

Cheers! Ian.

I think I will start a fish photo thread as soon as I can dig up and scan all my non digital fish photos. Look for it in the near future! Capt Kylos

http://www.addforums.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=358

There's my first two on fly.

Thats very nice. Now have you ever caught two at once? I know in B.C you can't fish with two flies at once but in Colorado you can use two flies (topper and dropper) and I have caught two at once. Too bad I dont have a picture of that! Capt Kylos

HI,

I too enjoy fishing. I live in the Philadelphia, Pa area, so I can do fresh and sal****er. I like to fish plastic worms, it's relaxing. I throw out the worm and slowly bounce it back. I would like to get an ocean kayak. It would be great exercise to paddle around while fishing.

al

Hello Alkoz, my friend who lives in Providence RI loves his sea kayak. He gets pulled around the bay by some big fish (striped bass and bluefish). Capt Kylos

The ground is frozen for many feet.. the snow is blowing and I'm going to throw more wood on the fire. :P
Ian.

It sounds like no fishing till spring for you Ian. Oh well it will come soon . Capt Kylos

Well there is ice fishing but they tell me you have to sit still and in one place for that.. :D

I tred ice fishing once, we caught some big trout but there wasn't enough action for me and talk about cold. BRRRRRR! Capt Kylos

The cold is all in the clothes bud.

Let me tell you about Ontario Fishing

You drive over to the area where the river is

out in the country , where you come to the end of the county road and the begging of a tunnel of trees and a farmers lane , about 2 miles long .

As long as you dont mind the thought of getting a possible scratch on your car or even getting stuck in a mudhole you can navigate all nthe way to the river.

When you get to the river which is a nice grassy knoll right on a river bend where you are looking at nothing but bush and river , you take your worms out of your tackle box that you have bought to support the local economy of worm pickers and sellers, open the lid and pour them into the water to feed the fish and turtles.

Now that you have no bait left to tempt the fish into bitting at your hook and disturbing you from the peace and tranquility, you cafully cast your line into the water with a weight on it that wont allow the current to pull your line back to shore, sit down on the grassy knoll and proceed to drift off into the most pleasnt dream world about catching the big fish.

4-5 hours later you pack up and go home and tell the wife they werent biteing, totally relaxed and ready to go do it again the next day

It is Glorious

Wow Garry, just looking at that thumbnail of the river put me in a state of Zen! Capt Kylos

Spring is coming and the rivers around here are starting to thaw. Soon I will be hunting the elusive Troutzilla!!!!!! Capt Kylos:) :eek: :)

I will be going to the Arkansas River on Friday - Sunday : fishing a stretch between Granite and Salida Colorado. With the mild winter we are having here reports are that a mini hatch of caddis flys are taking place on that stretch of the river. Large Brown and Rainbow Trout reside in this part of the Arkansas. The Arkansas River ;) in this location is a beautiful river with undercut banks and large boulders giving both ample cover and very big and deep pools. I will take pictures. Capt Kylos

Hi,

I'm having a catch 22 episode. There are lots of places to go fishing and I have two ways of going. One is to take my boat which is a bit of a hassle to setup and break down. The other way to to go by foot, but then you're limited to where to go. The solution would be to get a kayak.

Here's where the catch 22 comes in. I keep imagining a nice warm sunny day where I launch the kayak and paddle to a nice fishing spot. It just seems so relaxing. The problem is that I have no money to get one. My OCD has me thinking of selling some of my guitar stuff, searching the web, etc. I'm stressing out over looking for a way to do my "relaxing fishin".

I can't believe this..even as I'm writing this, I''m getting exciting thinking about what color to get. Should I get a red, yellow, blue......... I don't even have any cash to get one and I'm gettine excited. Time for me 3 deep/slow breaths:eek:

Al

You might try to find a discount fish tackle store or maybe Ebay to try to find that kayak for as cheap as possible Alkoz. Or you could charge it and pay for it the next 3-5 years. Well gotta go to the Arkansas river to try to get a record trout. Capt Kylos:D

By the way there is both a caddis hatch and a Blue Winged Olive hatch going on right now on the Arkansas!!! Capt Kylos:eek:

Well I am back from the Arkansas River, what a majestic river with great structure. Mother nature did not cooperate as we had a 15-20 mph head wind all day Sat. on Sunday we had the wind but at least it was at our back. Caught about a dozen very nice German Browns in the 12-16 inch range. Missed about twice that number. As soon as my scaner is fixed or replaced I will post pictures. Capt Kylos:)

yum yum

You like those German Browns do ya Ian. There tasty but I dont get to eat it much, as my wife hates fish. Oh well. Capt Kylos:cool:

I took my daughter out to a kids only fishing pond yesterday and she had a blast. I got her a scooby doo fishing pole and she caught a 12 inch trout. Thats my girl!!! Capt Kylos:D

Outstanding! There is nothing quite like a kid's enthusiasm.

Yes a childs smile is the best reward. Today I'm going to a local tresure of a river (creek) Boulder Creek. The stretch between Boulder and the Barker Res Dam is a real treat. It is stocked with rainbows, german browns and has native brookie trout in the upper regions. I recived information that the dam released water yesterday clearing any ice from a small cold snap we had. After working a half day I will do a recon mission to see what areas of the creek are ready. Capt Kylos:D

Well there was great fishing yesterday allthough I'm about a week or two early for anything above halfway of Boulder Creek. Caught all browns; no rainbows feeding yet, at least what I was offering. Let me know of your fishing adventures as spring is here and the fishing is starting to get good. Capt Kylos;)

Wow I did some great fishing just before we got hit by a blizzard yesterday. It was a beautiful 68 - 70 degrees F on Saturday and the fish were going crazy. In a three hour period I hooked into no less than 50 fish. I caught all three types of trout found here. The biggest being just over a foot long. Than on Sunday we get a foot of snow with 30 mph winds. I love living in Colorado. Capt Kylos:D

If the weather clears up here I'll be out on the weekend. The ice came off the river two weeks ago. The lake might be clear now I haven't checked. I feel the call. :D
Cheers! Ian.

Glad to see that your thinking about heading back to the water Ian. Good Luck. Capt Kylos:)

Do you hold any weight to the phase of the moon and your catch rate?

The solunar calender can be a very useful tool. During what is predicted to be the best fishing times I have had great success even though conditions may not have been ideal. I think there is some influance of the lunar cycle and the fish feeding. Capt Kylos

Are all lunar fishing calenders indicating the same sweet spots?

The soluar calender shows the lunar cycle in respect to the moon phases and its location in relationship to earth. I belive that they are prepaired for different areas but the geography is fairly large (ie north america ect..) Capt Kylos

cool, thanks.

Wow, the fishing season is off to a great start here in Colorado. The main run off is yet to happen (mid May-early June is when it hits it peak). With the low water conditions the fish are a bit skittish but very hungry. Todays fishing tip is: when applying dry fly dressing add a little bit extra to your leader line just above the dry fly. This allows the leader to float better and give a more natural presentation. Capt Kylos.

It's still too early here. It's all closed May 1st to the 20th here. The shallows will yield some walleye soon and likely some Pike or Northerns as Americans often call them.

We didn't manage to get out on the lake because of wind and the river is hopelessly high. Maybe on the weekend I'll get out with the youngest and try and tease a few out in the shallows.
Cheers!

Just before the weather turned from something like L.A in the summer to Seattle in the winter I had a chance to pop up to a local creek that holds big german brown trout and a lot of challange, Left Hand Creek. This creek retains it's large population of browns with a smattering of rainbows with out the useual fishing pressure, the browns are main attractions here. In a creek that is at most times no wider than 1/2 a two lane road. The secret is that the terrain is difficult. The banks are steep with patches of poison ivy and big carsized boulders often need to be navigated to work your way upstream. Early and late season are often the best time to catch large (up to 18 inch) brown trout. At lower water flow you can use the water to your avantage. The low water allows for some wadeing. But be wary of holes ,loose boulders ,fast currents and areas of deadfall even in low flow. Use a shorter rod (7-7 1/2 foot 4-5 weight) and because of limited casting area the roll cast and a technique I call plinking must be mastered. Plinking or flick casting is the art of useing your rod and fly much like archer uses his bow and arrow. Useing a dry fly, nymph or both you hold the bottom fly with thumb and forefinger you strip out just enough line to allow your rod to bend slightly. Point in direction of that pool that you have stalked up to and release. Be careful not to bend the rod back too much, flicking the water and a tangled mess are likely. Your flies are light and with some practice you will be suprised how far you can flick them. This "cast" works great for those Impossible to cast areas. :) Capt Kylos

You are making me lust! Season closes here on May first for a couple of weeks. The spawners haven't even really been active since it turned cold.
Cheers!

Weather has turned nice after a rainy ,snowy cold spell and now with the forcast for the coming weeks in the 60-70 deg. range the run-off will soon come. Run-off is natures way of cleaning the rivers around here. The high waters scub out debris, garbage ( littering is a big pet peeve in my book),silt and other yuck that accumulates over a season. The high water season is also a great time to get a big fish if you know where to look. In high run-off time, fish areas that you can't hit during other times of the year like flat areas with less structure and the higher altitude stretches that normaly flow very slow. Try around the bank area on both sides of the stream if possible. Lots of high sticking is needed to get the proper float. On a last note, the dangers of fishing are multiplied during run-off. Areas that are normally an easy wade become unpassable and small waterfalls and deadfall can be fatal traps. Certain stretches should be avoided all together during high water season.Fish Safe.:soapbox: Capt Kylos

Have you read the book "The River Why?"

From a flat lander, your description brings it all clear like I'm travelling.
Cheers! Ian.

Good idea. I've just got a new digital that I'm loving. I'll have to look into a decent case for it. I remember once being out in the river in fairly fast water with my Nikon and thinking.. hmm am I just stupid! I got a great shot of my (late) dog out of the deal and the camera remained high and dry.

Please start another thread with links to you fish pictures! :D

Cheers! Ian.
A beautiful dog, Ian :) I love the top picture. Very good photography there.;)

***blush*** thanks.

Hey Ian I just ordered The River Why from the used book store, I'll let you know how I liked it. Capt K

it's one of my most favorite books (and that's saying a lot - i love to read)

i've been wanting to re-read it, now i've get the yen to dig deep for my old copy --- it's around here *somewhere* ...

enjoy the reading and the fishing!

w.

That's pretty cool Wheezie. I mean that you found that book to be close to the mark too.
Did I mention that I like you? :D

There are many natural wonders in the state of Colorado but one of my favorites is Rocky Mountain National Park. This vast mountainous high altitude alpine valley located a few miles west of Estes Park is breathtaking. When you first get there and you are surrounded by 8 + peaks of 12,000 ft or more ( Longs peak is 14,255 ft) you are stuned by it's shear magnitude. Home to countless elk, many big horn sheep, thousands of birds and various mamals of all size and shape, and the most beautiful trout in the world, the green back cutthroat. Thanks to well planed conservation the once endangered fish is now stable and coming back. The trout has an almost irridesant green back (more so on males) with a vibrant red slash around the gills. Found only in high alpine lakes and streams this is a fish that is only caught in a few select locations in the world. Catch and release only with barbless hooks, there is a reverance that locals feel for this trout. When I go to catch this rare and fantastic fish I go to the Roaring River. Contrairy to its name it is a often narrow steep dropping steam low to medium flow. It is the river that is somewhat responceable for flooding the town of Estes ( dam broke on the rivers feeder lake, Lawn Lake). After that flood, the landscape was changed for the better, at least for the flyfishers. The 30 foot wall of water had washed out all the trees and had deposited boulders (some are bigger than houses) in and around the river. The landscape allows for open casting and provides great structure. Use nymphs early season than switch to dry flies during summer-fall. Beadhead nymphs size 12-18 work great as do hoppers, royal wulffs and irresistables are great dry fly choices.These fish are very skittish so stealth is a must, use what cover there is to approch the stream. Also be prepaired for 1) a long, steep hike (1000 + feet in elevation the first mile or so): 2) the weather, storms can roll in with out warning and deliver lightning, rain ,snow and wind. Pack for all conditions and be lightning aware. 3) With plenty of water (packed in or with portable filter, you dont want Giardia) and high energy snacks, at 9,000-11,000 ft you will need some energy, belive me. The six mile hike to Lawn Lake will take all day if you fish the whole stretch. One last thing, beware of shifting boulders: I hade one crush two of my toes up there about seven years ago, I'm lucky it was'nt my leg. If you get into trouble out there, help is a long time coming. Good luck. Capt K

What a picture you paint for my imagination! Thank-you.

Could we possibly talk you into breaking up your writing into short paragraphs? It's almost impossible for me to read it in a big block like that.

We've made note of this need in the guidelines, because so many others have the same trouble. It would be a shame not to encourage people to think about their time outdoors without including such attractive pictures as this one of fly fishing.

Man that sounds some kind of sweet.
Cheers! Ian.

PS. Love the signature!

Sorry Ian about the long story I just get going and dont know when to stop. I'll break it up next time. Capt K

Hey, don't get me wrong. The length of the story was welcome! :D No worries, I can always just copy it into an editor and break it up myself if need be. I appreciate that you can hear me though. Thanks.

It's warm today, and I'm sure the shallows would yield up something, but with the season closed, I'd best stay put and get some of the other work done around here.
Cheers! Ian.

http://shorterlink.org/246

Here is an old one from about 1978 or so. Yikes! That's me on the left, my youngest brother centre and my Uncle (swervin' Mervin) on the right.

This was a sweet little trip out of Flin Flon Manitoba. We fished for two hours and were tossing back some very large picks by the time were were done. We carefully saved all the cheeks out of these fish and had them to separately. Oh my... my mouth is salivating!

Opening day is the 14th. ;)

Cheers!

Those are some nice looking Walleye Ian. I haven't seen Walleye like that since my buddy brought back pictures from his Walleye and Pike fishing trip up to the Northwest Territorys. Those are some good eating fish. Capt K

Like no other they hit my fork in just the right way.

Since I've had Pike boneless, I'm obsessed. The contrast is sharp but it's a nice change and the Pike is so much like a salmon texture I've come to really like it. Especially when it's been living in clean cool water.

The upcoming holiday (Memorial Day) is the opening for fishing at Mt. Massive Lakes in Leadville Colorado. These are 26 different lakes that are open to a select few. A lifetime membership to this fishery is around $100,000 U.S plus yearly dues and this does not include a cabin, those are extra. Well through a friend of a friend, I have secured a fishing spot on opening day the last few years. You Pay $40.00 for a 48 hour pass of fishing heaven.

What makes this place so special? Well for one it has not one but two hatcherys on site. The large ponds are stocked with Brown, Brookie, Rainbow, Cutthroat and Hybrid Tiger Trout. They also stock Tiger Muskee, Grayling, Artic Char and White Fish. All in a beautiful high altitude (11,000 ft) valley.

The average size trout is around 18 inches and a few have caught 30+ inchers over the years. Last year I caught a 22 inch 3+ pounder with in a hour of fishing. On top of the excelent fishing you have the poker game that is a tradition on the first night. There is no cable tv up here. The game is friendly as it can be when $ is involved. Than after a mostly sleepless night it is off to fish from 5:30 AM to 10:30 PM with few breaks involved. Than add a little late night snack :) and more poker ( the second night is mostly the diehards) get up at 5:00AM and fish that last day untill you pass expires.


I will make it up to Leadville about twice a season ( opening day and Fourth of July). This is about all my body can handle. You come home with enough trout to feed you and your neighbors for a month and enough fish tails to last for years. Capt Kylos

I just recieved a phone call from a out of state fishing buddy that he has found a picture of myself with a 18 inch wild caught brook trout. Allthough not a state record (7lbs 10oz) this fish may well be a record for the creek I pulled it out of. It is being Fed-Exed from Washington D.C to my house today and it will be posted A.S.A.P. Capt Kylos:D

Well the big fishing weekend is coming fast. I recived a fishing report that the Mt Massive ( I love that name) Lakes are poised to be the best fishing that has happened for years. Trout 16-19 inches are exploding in population and a 30 incher was caught on Sat. The Artic Char have also taken off and now have a limit of 10 for your 2 day pass. The Grayling have become monsters with 15 inchers being fairly common. I am going to the discount fishing tackle store today to stock up on spinners and spoons and pistol pete flys. I can't wait. Capt K:D

Off to Leadville wish me luck!!!!!! Capt K:D

Wow, what a weekend as I'm so tired I can barely type. The fishing was epic and the weather was good except fo a few T-storms that rolled thru. A lot of great stuff happened this weekend including - my first Artic Char and Greyling, wow those are cool fish and those Char fight great! The Grayling with it's sailfin puts up a good fight to allthough their mouths are somewhat fragile. I will post the pics later this week. If you ever have an extra $100,000 and love to fish this would be the place join. Capt Kylos:faint: