HOOKED : Brown Water and Brews
An occasional newsletter about fly fishing in Colorado's Front Range with a focus on the Pikes Peak region!
⛲️ Largest City In U.S WITHOUT a River
Hey, Colorado Springs! Guess what? Even though we may not have a raging river, we've got a couple of waterways in our backyard: Monument and Fountain Creek. But unlike those cities that treat their rivers like VIPs, Fountain Creek has been left to its own devices. It’s seen better days.
So what’s the big deal?
Since General Palmer landed in Colorado Springs, it has been growing, requiring additional infrastructure to support modern life. But during the hustle and bustle of building this city, our natural landscape took a hit, and Fountain Creek is a direct example of the neglect.
Brian Mihlbachler, the natural resource manager for the Airforce Academy, said:
Hydromodification, which is just a change in the hydrology and the hydrualics of the watershed … that’s all driven by all the new development, and the impervious surfaces; the rooftops, the roads where water that now falls on the landscape can’t infilitrate into the ground and become ground water and this water becomes becomes runoff rather quickly.
Mihlbachler’s thought on development is a clear example of how our watershed cannot thrive and grow naturally under current conditions. Water immediately vanishes as stormwater into the creek, eroding soils and destroying our riparian habitat and homes for our aquatic buddies, such as the dwindling trout population.
Fishing?
That's right! There are trout that live and spawn in our local watershed. But even with this knowledge, it's rare to see a fisherperson braving the murky water.
Alan Peak, a local fishing guide, has been changing the narrative.
Peak told the Colorado Sun:
Some people want to come down here and see it with me, fly fishermen ... Some people think that I’m nuts. There’s a big question about the water quality down here. So, you know, there have been comments made: ‘Do you wear gloves? Don’t step on needles.’ It is a very mixed reaction that I get.
Peak’s commentary points to something relatively easy to fix in the grand scheme of things. Trash and pollutants could be reduced if Colorado Springs implemented regular patrolling and pollution protocols like other cities with waterways.
A much scarier thought comes from the unseen parts of the creek. E-Coli has been surveyed within the Fountain Creek waterway, making it much more dangerous. But nature is resilient, and if we give Fountain Creek the attention it deserves, it can be restored to its former glory and become a great recreation opportunity for anglers and everydayers alike.
So what does the future look like?
Colorado College held a panel meeting last wednesday evening, including city council members, CSU workers, and even professors, to talk about Fountain and Monument Creek and the plans for the future, including the proposed COS Creek Plan.
The plan outcomes break into a few main categories.
Restore the natural function of the Fountain Creek Watershed.
Create a Premiere Destination for Outdoor Recreation & Leisure
Support Economic Vitality and Revitalization
Create a Strong Sense of Place Unique to Colorado Springs.
When will it start?
In a way, it’s already started; just below the Colorado College campus, we can see that the Monument Creek Project has begun. This Project has been initiated to because of the severe erosion that the creek has forgone near Mesa Bridge, exposing a large (42-inch) wastewater interceptor.
The project will introduce new boulders and habitat restoration to help slow the river, deepen the channel, improve riparian habitat, and include a new access ramp to the creek.
Here are some proposed features:
So, grab your fishing gear and a cold beverage, and let’s turn this vision into more than just a daydream. Fountain Creek is calling, and it’s time to answer with action.
P.S. - Lunch breaks will never be the same! 🎣🍻
🌤️ Conditions
South Platte River:
Dream Stream
Tactics
Nymphing is usually the most effective at the dream. Variations of small emergers and eggs have been working well. Don’t be afraid to throw some worms as well. Dry fly fishing has been slower but okay earlier in the day.
Given the low flows, a smaller tackle will be your friend; 5x has worked well here!
Bugs
Nymphs/Emergers
Barrs emerger sizes 20-22; Red Copper John, Sizes 16-18; Egg patterns, all colors. Sizes 16-18; Money midge, brown, sizes 20-24; RS2, grey, black, purple, sizes 20 & 22; Buckskins, Natural, sizes 18-20.
Drys
Mole Fly, brown. Size 22; Blue Wing Olive, Size 20, Iwane Dun, Black, Size 22.
Streamers
Zoo Couger, Olive. Size 4; Baby Gonga, Tan, rainbow, size 8; Mini changer, white, rainbow. Size 8: Slumpbuster, black/brown. Size 4.
Eleven Mile Canyon
Tactics
The dry fly fishing has been great (especially in the AM). Fish have been keying into Trico, caddis, and mayfly hatches, so having a wide variety of flies for the canyon is a good idea.
The flows are low due to the dam removal project and will be so for the remainder of the winter, so small tackle will be necessary ( 5x-6x ). Fish will be extremely skittish, making bug presentation vital!
Bugs
Nymphs/Emergers
Slim Shady, olive, sizes 20-22; CDC RS2, black, sizes 20-24; Foamback emerger, brown, black, 20-22; Blindside midge, black, purple. Sizes 20-22; Sparkle wing RS2, black. Sizes 20 & 22; Pheasant tail, brown. Sizes 16-22.
Drys
Mole fly, Brown, green, sizes 22-24; Trico vis a dun, black. Sizes 22 & 24; Iwane Dun, BWO, Size 22-24; CDC spinner, black. Sizes 20-24; Tails up Trico, black. Size 22; Neils BWO, green, sizes 22-24.
Streamer
Laser legal, Natural. Size 4; Double Gonga, yellow. Size 4; Butt-Monkey brown. Size 8.
Deckers / Cheesman Canyon
Tactics
Flows have been pretty steady, around 100 CFS. This is a decent flow for deckers, and fish will be more willing to feed. (should be coming up soon, with more demand from Denver).
Nymphing with appropriate depth and weight is crucial as fish spread out and feed opportunistically. Dry/dropper setups, using hoppers and hatch-specific nymphs, are effective; larger attractor patterns as dry flies with weighted droppers work well. Dry fly fishing with hatch-specific insects is picking up. Additionally, it’s an excellent time to use streamers at Deckers.
Bugs
Nymphs/Emergers
Micro May, Jigged Size 18; Stalcups baetis, green sizes 20-22; Eggs, all colors. Sizes 14-18; Pheasant tail, natural. Sizes 18-22; Juan split PMD, Sizes 18 & 20; Foamback Emerger, brown. Size 22.
Drys
Mole Fly, brown, size 22; Neil’s BWO green. Sizes 22 & 24; Matt’s Midge, black, Size 22; Iwane Dun, green. Sizes 22 & 24; Comparadun, green, size 22; Amy’s Ant, green, purple. Sizes 14-12.
Streamers
Wooly Buggers, black, green, brown, natural. Sizes 12-8; Baby Gonga, brown, grey. Size 6; Zoo Cougar, olive, Size 6.
Pueblo Tailwater
Tactics
Flows are really good right now. The water is clear, and the fish are feeding!
Looking for deeper water and nymphing will be most effective, although dry fly fishing has been productive with somewhat lower flows. The streamer fishing will be best early in the morning. Fish will be keying in on bugs at all stages of life. The fall BWO hatches have been taking over, but don’t be afraid to toss some Tricos and fall caddis patterns.
Bugs
Nymphs / Emergers
Money Midge, brown. Sizes 20-24; Buckskin, yellow. Sizes 16-18; Pheasant tail-brown, sizes 16-20; Mercury RS2, black, size 20 & 22; Perdigon, all colors, size 16; Blindside Midge, black, purple. Sizes 20-24.
Drys
BWO vis-a-dun, olive-size 22; Mole Fly, all colors, sizes 18-22; Iwane Dun, Olive, size 22.
Streamers
Laser legal, Natural. Size 4; Double Gonga, yellow. Size 4; Meat whistle, brown. Size 8.
FLY BY
🌊 - River of the week
The Weeks River: The Taylor
Below Taylor Reservoir, the Taylor River can have some excitingly productive fishing. And big fish with that. The fish below the reservoir feed on the mysis shrimp, among other bugs, which get filtered out of the reservoir and provide ample protein for hungry trout! Located about two and a half hours from Colorado Springs, it is the perfect weekend trip!
Make sure to check out Montrose Anglers for up-to-date conditions and guided experiences.
🪝 - Tie of the week
Sunny Side Up Egg 🍳
The Sunny Side Up Egg is a perfect fly for fall fishing. Brown trout spawn during this season, causing many eggs to float down the river, enticing opportunistic fish. For a step-by-step tying guide, refer to this video featuring Angler Covey Guide Hans Mylant.
🦫 - UPDATE: Eleven Mile damn REMOVAL
Eleven Mile Dam is still under construction. No significant updates other than flows will likely remain at around 60 cfs for the remainder of the winter.
🐠 - UPDATE: Kokanee / Dream Stream
The Dream Stream has still been seeing insane pressure from anglers. This, coupled with the still low numbers of salmon, will create frustrated fisher people and slow days on the dream.
🍻 - Anglers Covey Fly Tying Event
Join anglers covey signature tyers at Red Leg Brewing for a laid-back guided tying session alongside your favorite Red Leg Brews.
Where: Red Leg Brewing Co.
When: Sunday, Nov. 12,
Time: 4 P.M - 6 P.M
Hey there, fishing people! I’m Ollie Smith, your friendly neighborhood angler based at Anglers Covey FlyShop and a film student at Colorado College. Here in Colorado, I've noticed something missing: a go-to hub for fishing stories, cool headlines, exciting events, and the all-important fishing reports.
Introducing HOOKED! It’s the ultimate solution for anglers in Colorado Springs and the front-range areas who want to stay in the loop about all things fishing and news. If you like what you see, subscribe and join the crew.