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Cutthroat Anglers Colorado Fly Fishing Shop and Guide Service

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Cutthroat Newsletter - 10/02/06

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What an up and down last couple of weeks. First off, sorry for the lack of info last week. The hot topic right now is still the Kokanee. We're still not seeing a thick migration up the Blue. If you remember last year, we never did get the massive roving pods that Kokes are famous for. Hopefully, this year the salmon will make a mass exodus out of Green Mountain, but it might end up being a sporadic run. For now, its our advice to head to the Blue just above the lake in search of trout, and if you find Kokanee you should consider it an added bonus. If you really need a Koke fix you should head to the Dream Stream. The salmon are super thick and surprisingly big.

Clint holds up a slab Rainbow
Clint holds up a slab Rainbow

As far as trout are concerned, the Fall is definitely not disappointing. Over the last two weeks we've seen weather patterns varying from over a foot of snow to blue bird days tipping the 70 degree mark. While the blue bird days are perfect for taking in the brilliant Fall colors, the fishing is a step above when the weather turns nasty. Whenever we see clouds and a rise in the humidity the Baetis are pouring off on the Blue, Colorado, and Williams Fork. Last week, the Baetis hatch was so thick on the Blue (just above Green Mountain) that it was almost impossible to catch fish contending with what seemed like millions of natural BWOs. If you don't see rising fish it can be hard to make fish rise right now. Hedge your bets and nymph with tiny Baetis patterns until you find fish rising to naturals.

Its streamer season!! The float trips on the Colorado are still the ticket. If their was a Vegas wager line on which fishing option will produce the best, float trips on the Colorado would almost be even money - they're that good! The Lower Colorado near Glenwood Springs is fishing great. The Fall results in cooler water that helps water clarity. Deep nymph rigs are going to produce the biggest fish. Streamer fishing can be almost non-stop down here when all else fails. The floats below Pumphouse are still seeing good action on Dry- Droppers. Cloudy days bring out the Baetis and the trout will usually shed their wary demeanor to rise to any well placed cast. Streamer fishing will only continue to improve throughout the Fall, so be sure to stock up on a variety of colors and sizes!!

Leaf update: Even though we received over a foot of snow in places a couple of weeks ago, the leaves are still brilliant colors! The Gore Range is at its peak color, so take a "sick day" to see the colors and cast a line in the Blue or Colorado.

Tight Lines,

Shooter

Alaska Adventure

Clint holds up a slab Rainbow
Hagen shows off the 30 3/4 inch Rainbow

Two pillars of our guide staff, Clint Rossell and Mitch Melichar, both traveled to Alaska for the month of September to host clients in search of monster Rainbows. The two based out of the Kvichak River Lodge near the mouth of Lake Illiamna. The Kvichak River is home to the world's purest strain of Rainbow trout. The trout feast on the Salmon spawn and eventual decaying salmon to grow to enormous proportions. Guides Hagen Lyle and John Gloudemans also joined Clint and Mitch as clients for a week of Alaska Rainbows. The largest fish landed during the month long trip was caught by Hagen. The Rainbow was nearly 31-inches long. Clint says that his clients hooked over 10 fish each week that were over 30-inches long; however, only Hagen was lucky enough to land one. Clint plans to again host clients in Alaska next year, so anyone interested in tackling the largest Rainbows in the world should keep some dates open in late August or early September in 2007.

Guide Conquests

Clint holds up a slab Rainbow

Besides the Alaska travels of Clint, Mitch, John, and Hagen many of the remaining guide staff are embarking on angling adventures of their own. Your's truly and Chris Hal will again head north to fish Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Shane Smith recently bagged an Elk during archery season. Shane also plans a saltwater pilgrimage to Puerto Rico in November in search of permit. Trapper traveled to San Diego in search of Mako shark with Capt. Conway Bowman, but the season was near its end and the fishing was tough. Trap leaves for the Amazon the end of October and then has plans for Costa Rica and the Bahamas before the year is over.

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