The Right Equipment

By Janice O’Shea

Colorado has a wealth of streams, rivers and lakes open for public recreation during the spring, summer and fall months. But what about the winter?  A select group of rivers are fishable in the winter, unless of course you want to try your hand at ice fishing.

Those rivers are the tailwaters coming out of certain dams around Colorado. Some of the finest trout fishing occurs below dams. The water coming out of these dams tends to have a more limited temperature range than free flowing rivers therefore providing some fabulous fishing.

If the dam is a bottom release dam, the best fishing will occur nearer the dam. The water coming out of the dam will be warmer than a top release dam.

As for imitations, scuds on some tailwaters can be fished year around. Mysis shrimp on the Blue River, Frying Pan and Taylor Rivers are a predominant food source for trout. I like to fish mysis shrimp patterns in the spring time on these rivers.

Don’t leave home without san juan worms in your fly box. There is a species of aquatic earthworm that like to populate below bottom release dams. I like to tie my san juan worms with red dyed pheasant tail around the hook under the chenille. Woolly buggers, olive matukas, and leeches are also great patterns. I am becoming a fan of dead drifting streamers with indicators whether I fish them in tailwaters or other rivers.  If the water is cold below the dam, (lower than 40 degrees) mayflies, and caddis flies may become more prevalent farther downstream where the water will be warmer. There are exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, smaller sized aquatic insects will inhabit nearer a dam with colder water.

The right equipment is essential for you to enjoy the fly fishing experience whether it is in the summer or winter months and whether you are fishing tailwaters or free flowing rivers or lakes or streams. The right equipment should start with taking a fly fishing class. Among the subjects discussed in the class is the latest in equipment and how to cast a rod. These classes will shorten the learning curve so that you can enjoy this great sport.

One of the two most important pieces of equipment to get your hands on is polarized sunglasses and a net seine. Polarized sunglasses should be worn always while you are casting for your eye safety, and to help you see through the water. A net seine fits over a fishing net to find out what the trout are feeding on. The darker colored insects will be easier to see with a white colored net seine.

Learning to cast, casting with a good fly line and putting a good fly rod in your hands are also  essential. Fly rods are separated into groups. A fly rod is designated by line weights. These weights refer to the grain weight of the first 30 feet of fly line. A fly rod with a designated weight is made to be cast with a fly line of the same weight.  In other words, the rod, reel and fly line should balance out each other. A 5 weight rod matches a 5 weight line and 5 weight reel.  A good weight for most fishing in Colorado including tailwater fishing is the 5 or 6 weight rod, line and reel. You can have a 6 weight line on a 5 weight rod, but a 4 weight line on a 5 rod will not bend or load the rod as well during the cast.

There are currently 16 different weight designations on the market. These weight designations range from 0-15. These weights are species and situation specific.

For example, if fishing for smaller species trout or panfish in fresh water, a 0,1,2,3,4 weight will work. If fishing for small to large or light bass on ponds, or lakes to large rivers, a 5,6 weight is good.  If fishing for large trout, light salmon, or bass in larger rivers a 7 weight will do the job. For steel head, salmon, pike, bonefish, or light tarpon, an 8,9 will work best. For permit, king salmon, tarpon, salt water, shark, and other big game species, a 10 to 15 will work. 

Keep the old fiberglass rod, but try the graphite or new boron rods. They are a pleasure to cast.

Here are some very important items to remember about purchasing a rod.

1. Don’t choose a rod because a friend or someone else recommends it.

2. Don’t choose a rod based on how it feels by waving it in the air in the store. Take the rod with fly line and reel outside and cast with 25 feet of line out of the tip of the rod. Then you will be able to see and feel the action or bend of the rod. 

3. Don’t buy a rod thinking you will get used to it.

4. Don’t buy a rod unless it has a lifetime warranty.

5. Multi-piece rods work just as well as two piece rods.

6. Buy the best rod that fits your budget. There are more rods on the market today that accommodate most budgets. 

7. An 8 1⁄2 or 9 foot rod is a good length to look for in a rod, unless you will be fishing smaller streams.

8. Make sure the grip fits your hand.

9. Test drive different brands of rods and price ranges.

Fly lines, like rods, are designated in line weights. Choosing a line should match the weight of the rod and reel. There are many different lines on the market today, and a good fly shop will direct you to what you need.  I like the fluorescent lines especially for beginners. Casting is a visual skill and the angler needs to see the line. Can the fish see the line? Maybe, but they seem more interested in the fly at the end of the tippet than the line. 

For river fishing, I recommend the floating fly line. The floating line remains on the water’s surface, providing easier maneuvering of the line and pick-up for the cast.  Double taper lines are tapered the same at the front and back of the line. Because of the same taper at the front and back of the line, the line is reversible and therefore more economical. 

Reels are more than line storage devices. Larger fish are best played from the reel--especially if you fish tailwaters. When playing a trout or big fish, the drag system on the reel takes over to better manage the fly line and backing. I am becoming a fan of the large arbor reels. One of the pluses of this reel is that more line is brought in for every turn of the reel handle.

Having the right equipment and knowing how to use it will help make your fly fishing trips more enjoyable and your fishing more successful.

About The Author

Janice O’Shea is a native of Colorado and has fished since she was eight years old. She has fly fished more than 20 years. Janice is a veteran teacher with degrees in elementary  and secondary education. She has turned her passion  and commitment for the outdoors to guiding and teaching Fly Fishing in Colorado. Janice established her company, Trout Trips, LLC, 8 years ago,  and is currently the guide service for Flat Iron Fishing Company in  the Village at Flatirons. She is anxious to sare her knowledge and provide a memorable flyfishing experience for you. You can contact Janice at 303-518-4337, or www.trouttrips.com.