Email Us | (888) 876-8818

Cutthroat Anglers Owner Trapper Rudd with fish

Newsletter

Cutthroat Newsletter - 10/18/07

< Return to Newsletter Archive

This has really been a fall to remember. Nothing is more refreshing to a guide than to ask a client with confidence "So what's your favorite way to fish? We can catch on dries, dry/droppers, nymphs, or streamers."

newsletter photo

We just wrapped up our fall guide school last week. What a hoot! Our students enjoyed streamside foliage in it's peak fall color, remote stretches of river, wild trout, blistered hands, 16 hour days, and high powered energy drinks- a true guide's life.

Not that fall fishing is over just yet (we're still running quite a few float trips), but this winter is going to hold some exciting destination travel opportunities at Cutthroat Anglers starting with the trip that Trapper is hosting to Costa de Cocos, Mexico (see the full article in the last issue or on our newsletter web page). We've got several more trips in the works and we'll be sure to keep you posted as dates and arrangements become available.

Also, for those of you who have been holding out for a late season special on a new rod, we do have a handful of rods priced to sell. Get 'em while they're hot. They never last long.

Eggs Over Easy

Every year at this time and again in the spring, a moral and ethical dilemma arises about whether or not it's okay to fish for spawning trout. Of course, it's always fun to sight and easily catch a ton of fish. The problem is that by pulling trout off of their beds (called "redds"), the chances of the eggs being properly deposited, fertilized, and protected are greatly reduced.

newsletter photo

Redds are generally found in shallow riffles and appear as oval shaped piles of clean, pea sized gravel. Fish are generally visible and are in the middle of doing their thing while on the redds. Unfortunately, Western rivers are not Holiday Inns and don't provide trout "do not disturb" signs to hang up while this is going on.

In my opinion, purposely fishing redds is about as crude as trying to catch wild trout on treble hooks covered in Uncle Milty's Stink Cheese. If you want easy fishing, try private water. How would you like it if people were throwing sharp objects at you while you were trying to make babies?

Pop a Top with Mitch Melichar

Mitch Melichar has been guiding in Colorado since I was in three cornered diapers. He is a true sage with a contagious bellowing laugh, who has served as a mentor to myself and many others on our staff. He's also a great dude to sit down and have a beer with, so today we did just that.

newsletter photo

As usual, we popped a squat at the "Center of the Universe,"cracked a pair of cheap beers, and got the fireplace going. It was my intent to conduct some kind of semi-formal interview for this article, but for the most part, we really just got to talkin'.

I've always viewed fly fishing as a complex blend of art and science that requires years on the water to even begin to comprehend, so I asked Mitch what he thinks new anglers can do to boost the learning curve. His reply made quite a bit of sense- "It's really not that complicated. All you really need to know is how, when, and where to fish your flies." He followed by saying "Your guide[s] and fly shop can help a lot with that. Establishing relationships shops and guides is key." After hearing that, I am still sitting here wondering if I have been over-analyzing this whole thing for all these years.

Next we talked about mountain life, particularly in Summit County. There are a lot of folks who come to Summit County looking to "live the dream" and end up waking up in a cold sweat realizing that it's a tough place to survive. I asked Mitch what has kept him here so long, and how he has maintained his quality of life over the years. He replied "I just love it Chris (giggles). I knew I belonged here ever since the first time I saw it [Summit County] skiing with my parents. The people are great too. If that ever changed I would have to consider moving, although I don't know where I'd go." Mitch started his life in the county as a ski instructor, then opened a couple of small businesses including a deli and a souvenir shop. He said "I worked hard- I was never a ski bum." For the last decade and a half, however, fly fishing and guiding have been his passion. I threw out the question "If you had to choose another profession right now, what would you be?" He thought for a second, then replied with a grin "Screwed!"

A few facts about Mitch:

  • He is an excellent hockey player.
  • If you can get him to make you a Reuben, you're in for a real treat.
  • He listens to Waylon Jennings and Eminem on the way to work.
  • He holds the only "keggers" that I still attend at this point in my life.
  • He guides in Alaska as well as in Colorado.
  • His one pet peeve while guiding is "Early Birds".
  • He and his fiance Jill are getting married this February. Best wishes!

Ask the Cutthroat Guide Staff

Ask the Cutthroat Guide Staff

We're off to a good start with this column. Thanks for your participation and keep those questions coming. We've got a huge staff of real fish bums willing to provide real answers. Here we go.

Q: What cell phone company provides the best coverage for Colorado rivers? Many times I leave the Ark, Colorado, or wherever way, later than I think I will, but I can't call to tell the girlfriend I'm late until I'm about ten minutes from home and end up returning to a worried and pissed-off girlfriend.

A: An account with Verizon is sure to keep you out of the dog house. Although cell service is always spotty in the mountains, you'll be able to get a signal on or near most of the major rivers in the state. Another thing you may want to consider is to set your phone to notify you when you move in or out of service. It's a bit annoying but you'll learn quickly where the good spots are. Next time you go fishing, be sure to bring the network. Can you hear me now?

Q: I'm interested in a guided trip not only to catch fish, but also to learn as many new techniques and tactics as I can. Is there a particular time of year or type of trip that would be best?

A: In our opinion, late spring is a great time of year for that. By April, there are usually hatches that you can fish start to finish. By that I mean nymphing before the hatch, fishing dry/droppers during the emergence, and fishing dry flies once the hatch is in full swing. Also, by learning some new tricks early in the year, you'll have plenty of time to practice and apply what you've learned.

Q: Have there been any reported incidences of guides meeting female clients after the trip for dates?

A: Funny. You must have been the class clown. Shooter never guided much. The rest of us aren't that good looking and we smell like fish.

Tight Lines,
Chris Hall and Trapper Rudd
Cutthroat Anglers

< Return to Newsletter Archive