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Cutthroat Anglers Colorado Fly Fishing Shop and Guide Service

Newsletter

Cutthroat Newsletter - 5/14/07

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We're looking forward to a beautiful weekend in the mountains with temperatures in the high 60's into the low 80's depending on where you're fishing. We have seen quite a few pictures of robust rainbows taken from the Blue this week with the higher flows, and rumor has it that the flows will continue to go up! Read more in the Rocky Mountain News.

The Arkansas remains the #1 hot spot. The Mothers Day Caddis Hatch remains in full swing and the water is running clear. Guided trips have been phenomenal and we do have guides available for the Caddis hatch on the Arkansas! If you can't make it to the Ark, don't overlook the Lower Blue or the Williams Fork right now. Salmonflies on the Colorado should also be right around the corner........stay tuned.

As spring progresses, river conditions may change quickly. As always, remember that regardless of this, there is good fishing somewhere every day of the year. We will do our best to keep our fishing reports updated, and please don't hesitate to give us a call for the latest.

Mysis Shrimp Revealed

I recently realized that Barry, Mitch, and I have been speaking the words Mysis shrimp about once every five minutes in the shop lately. I began to wonder if anglers understand Mysis shrimp and their role in the Blue River tailwater, or if they are just accepted as "a good fly to use on the Blue." Let me take a minute to explain.

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Mysis relicta (pronounced mice-ease) shrimp, or opossum shrimp, are small, wispy, clear crustaceans that were originally introduced to Lake Dillon as a food source for Kokanee Salmon. Due to their clear bodies and nocturnal feeding habits, the Mysis proved to be an inadequate food source for the salmon.

What did happen, however, is that due to their nocturnal nature, the Mysis shrimp by settled to the bed of the lake during daytime hours and began sweeping through the bottom release of Dillon Dam. Most of the shrimp don't make it through this wild ride alive. Upon dying, the clear bodied shrimp turn anywhere from silver to stark white. As a result of this pigment, they become visible and readily available to trout feeding in the river below the dam.

Mysis shrimp are packed full of protein and are the main food source responsible for the growth of the 5-15 pound trout that have lived in the Blue over the years. The shrimp are also high in carotene which accounts for the brilliant coloring of the fish that feed on them.

So why all the hype right now? Many of the giant Mysis fed trout in the Blue spend their time happily chowing away in the no fishing zone just below the dam. When the flow comes up as they have recently, the angling benefits are two-fold. The numbers of available shrimp in the system increase exponentially, and the fish have a hard time holding in the heavy current that blasts through the dam. Many of these fish ultimately seek refuge in softer pockets through town and are accessible to anglers.

Sponsor A Soldier

We have decided to do our part in saying thank you to Colorado soldiers who have served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. On June 24, the Cutthroat Anglers Guide Service will be donating float and private water guided trips to soldiers who have recently returned to Fort Carson Military base in Colorado Springs. Local ranchers including Bull Basin Outfitters on Troublesome Creek and Reeder Creek Ranch on the Colorado River have also pitched in by donating rod fees and guides.

We have received a great deal of positive feedback from our clients about the effort and several have asked what they can do to help. We are hoping to accommodate 30-40 soldiers and are looking for charitable donations of $45 per soldier to provide flies for the day and a Cutthroat Anglers logo hat. If you would like to make a donation please give us a call at the shop at 970.262.2878 or toll free at 1.888.876.8818. Thanks from the staff!

Chasing Rainbows In Alaska

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Cutthroat Anglers's most animated guide, Clint Rossell will again be hosting fishing trips on Alaska's renowned Kvichak River August 17th through October 1st this year. The Kvichak is a remote, pristine river that is home to the largest rainbow trout in the world. Last year's trips were by and large a huge success and hopes are set high for this fall. The flight over the spectacular Lake Clark Wilderness from Anchorage to the lodge alone is worth the trip. Clint still has availability and encourages anyone interested to contact him by phone at 720.530.6153 or by email at (noodman@yahoo.com). Information packets and DVDs are available upon request.

Tight Lines,
Chris Hall and Trapper Rudd
Cutthroat Anglers

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