HEADS UP FLYFISHING

Schwag…

headsupflyfishing — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 17:15:08 +0000

Support the cause, join the team or change up your wardrobe with Heads Up FlyFishing gear – see this and all the new schwag in our storefront:

FlyFishing at Vallecito Lake

headsupflyfishing — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:03:27 +0000

The Colorado Dept of Wildlife recently stocked rainbow trout averaging 14 inches, native brown trout are spawning and the salmon are running - now is the time to wet a line at Vallecito Lake!

Trout and Salmon are responding very well to a variety of flies, which you can pick up at DOC’S MARINA – most notably black wooly buggers and red san juan worms (Note: Doc’s Marina also rents fishing rods).

Contact the folks at DOC’S MARINA (970) 884-9450 for a flyfishing lesson or custom guided trip.

This little beauty was caught at 3pm on Friday afternoon (10/08/10).

Always Re-tie, let me tell you why…

headsupflyfishing — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:50:31 +0000

On the first day of the annual Flying Mako Tournament, our team (Project Healing Waters) encountered makos and a bit of adversity. The pictured mako was the first of the day, a 100-point bonus, estimated at 150 lbs - landed by Lou Galvan of Galvan Reels.

The first fish of the day was a blessing because we would encounter a bit of adversity while targeting our next mako an hour later.

After Jeremy spotted the next mako, I started casting to it with the same “lucky” rod Lou used to bring in the 150 lbs-er. Problem: we never re-tied our fly after battling a big fish. That is a NO NO…on the 8th cast, the Albright Knot unravelled and my fly fell off costing our team a valuable 25 points. Solution: Always Re-tie. It takes another minute, but can make all the difference in the world.

Now supporting Trout Unlimited!

headsupflyfishing — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 23:40:19 +0000

We put our money where our mouth (or heart) is…supporting organizations that protect, conserve and reestablish watersheds, so that generations to come can enjoy the sport we love.

The following is an article about cutthroat by Durango’s own Paul Shepard:

Consider the fate of a fragile species

September 27, 2009

The Durango Herald

By Paul Shepard

As part of the recent land swap discussion, we should consider values that do not equate well to dollars, as they are priceless.

The U.S. Forest Service recognizes articles identified in the Wild&Scenic Rivers Acts as “outstandingly remarkable values” or ORVs. These are features in the forest of such high value, the Forest Service is directed to manage them so as to retain their character. In order for the people to make more informed decisions about the proposed land swap, I feel it important to share these values.

The Hermosa Creek basin has two outstandingly remarkable values: recreation, and fish and wildlife. Virtually all outdoor recreation activities are allowed including mountain biking, hunting, fishing, camping, off-roading, horses, hiking, climbing, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing and recreational vehicles. The basin also supports local agriculture with grazing allotments.

To build on the outstandingly remarkable value of fish and wildlife, the Colorado River cutthroat trout reintroduction program is under way, with the Division of Wildlife working with the Forest Service.

The only trout native to our regional rivers are the cutthroats.

All others such as browns, rainbows and brookies were introduced to replace the natives. The cutthroats almost had been wiped out from mining, over-harvesting and habitat loss since the late 1800s. This program is an attempt to increase their numbers from near threatened.

The reintroduction program involves two other states, Wyoming and Utah. But such programs can occur in only very specific headwater locations. Hermosa Creek is considered to be the top location in Colorado because it meets the criteria needed for success, including a waterfall on the East Fork to act as a barrier.

If a waterfall is not available, a man-made one must be built. The barriers are needed to keep invasive trout from moving upstream and compromising the native-only populations. Barriers cannot be built just anywhere. Available geologic features must include sufficient gradient and a pinch-point. Additionally, a road must be near for equipment and stocking trucks. Such a road exists in Hermosa Park.

Nearly two decades ago, the Forest Service began this process by acquiring Purgatory Flats on the East Fork of Hermosa via a land swap. In 1991, the Division of Wildlife turned this reach into a cutthroat-only fishery above Sig Creek falls. Two years ago, a man-made barrier was built on the main stem at Hotel Draw, and the reintroduction is ongoing. Once the main stem is completed, this will create two separate populations.

Thus far, the cutthroat reintroduction program is considered to be a success. However, the ultimate goal is to connect these two populations, allowing for movement between drainages and promoting population diversity. The Hermosa Park private parcel is the limiting factor to complete success. This is because the confluence of these two sections resides on this private property and is out of the jurisdiction of the Forest Service.

By turning the Hermosa parcel over to the public, the program can continue toward complete success. It is worth noting, should the numbers of cutthroat trout fall dramatically, because of massive fires or habitat loss, the fish could be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Nobody wants this. Everyone would lose should this occur. All forest-wide uses could be affected, and beneficial water uses could be dramatically altered, in three states.

There are other values to consider, as well. Two years ago, Hermosa Creek received the designation of “Outstanding Waters” by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. The creek has such high water quality that, by law, it can’t be compromised. Hermosa Creek is the only stream in Colorado with this designation outside of a national park or wilderness area.

Also, the Hermosa Creek watershed is Colorado’s largest unprotected roadless area. Literally tens of thousands of acres are so pristine, they are eligible for wilderness designation. And all this is little more than a half hour’s drive from Durango. However, the Hermosa Park private parcel sits right in the middle of this amazing open space.

In an open and public workgroup formed in 2008, unrelated to the land swap issues, a consensus values statement for the Hermosa basin was articulated as: The Hermosa Creek area is exceptional because it is a large, intact (unfragmented) natural watershed containing diverse ecosystems, including fish, plants and wildlife over a broad elevation range, and supports a variety of uses, including recreation and grazing, in the vicinity of a large town.

This diverse working group – ocs.fortlewis.edu/riverprotection/Hermosa – sees the value of an intact watershed and recognizes the special and unique characteristics of the Hermosa Creek area.

Please keep these values in mind as we decide what to develop in our national forests.

Paul Sheppard is president of the Five Rivers Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Durango. Reach him at 759-4422.

26-minute battle in Texas Hole

headsupflyfishing — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 17:30:42 +0000

Leroy (from Houston, TX) battles a 21-inch/5lb-er in Texas Hole for 26-minutes:

San Juan River FlyFishing

Upon landing the fish, he joined our 20/20 club – Congrats Leroy!

It’s STREAMER time!

headsupflyfishing — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:14:51 +0000

As high water peaks and starts to recede on the Animas and surrounding 4-Corners waters, the streamer fishing is getting hot! If the water is anything but chocolate (a hint of green is a good sign) the fish will be able to spot a big black or olive streamer and are often hungry enough to do it.

This is your chance to score big browns or rainbows that at other times of the year only come out at night. The fish generally will be by the side banks of the river on the shoulders of steep banks where the water runs a little slower. Islands or multiple rock formations/structure in the river are the places to chuck those meaty streamers in search of BIG predators.

Technique wise, streamer fishing will vary a great deal.

Standard techniques from the past would be to 1)cast downstream and across at 45 degrees, 2)keep the rod tip fairly high while giving the streamer some bouncing action as it crosses the current and 3)strip the streamer back up stream at the bottom of the swing. Realize thru the process that you must be “in touch” with the fly to know when you have a hit.

A very productive variation on the theme would be to 1)use a strike indicator and 2)begin the process by casting upstream at a 45 degree angle, then 3)use a “dead-drift” technique until the fly is struck or reaches the bottom of the run – if it reaches the bottom of the run before a take, use a standard strip retrieve to complete the cycle.

Good luck with those lunkers!

Wader Repair

headsupflyfishing — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:27:25 +0000

So, after months of wading in my waders (last recorded at 27 fl oz.), I have decided to fix the leak on the knee of my left inseam. Just in time for summer – when I don’t need the waders – BRILLIANT!

For those seeking instruction on how to fix leaks, check this out:

Punctures

The first step is to locate the puncture. Sometimes this is very apparent and can be visually determined quickly and accurately. However, in most cases you will have a general idea where the puncture is but aren’t 100% sure of its exact location. The quickest way to locate the source of the puncture is to turn your waders inside out and spray the general area of the leak with rubbing alcohol. Take your hand and spread the rubbing alcohol onto the inside fabric. Turn your waders right side out and look for a dark spot to appear on the face fabric.

Once located, mark the spot on both the outside and inside of the wader. At this point you will need to have either the Orvis Wader Repair Kit, Aquaseal Wader Repair Kit or a tube of Aquaseal to complete the repair. Make sure the area is clean using either plain rubbing alcohol or an alcohol prep pad included in the kit.

Apply a dab of Aquaseal to completely cover the spot and extend it for about 1/8” of an inch to the outside of the wader.

Let it dry for about 12 hours (to speed drying time use Cotol) and repeat the process on the inside.

For larger punctures or punctures in high wear areas, apply a second coating of Aquaseal over the initial application. Be sure to extend the second coat 1/8” beyond the edge of the first application so that it can adequately bond to the wader.

Temporary repairs of puncture leaks can be made utilizing UV Cure Aquaseal Wader Patch 1L9L which cures in a few minutes with exposure to UV light (sunlight). However, this product is not durable enough to serve as a permanent fix. If you are out fishing and can locate a puncture leak, then this product can have you fishing again in 15 minutes and will hold up until you are able to affect a more permanent repair with regular Aquaseal.

Tears

If you tear your breathable waders, the repair process is slightly different. Locating the tear isn’t an issue, but you will need to stabilize the area by applying some tape to the inside of the wader. The Orvis Wader Repair Kit and the Aquaseal Wader Repair Kit include tape, but common duct tape will work in a pinch.

Apply the tape to the inside of the wader being sure to match the two sides of the tear together neatly.

Clean the area with alcohol and then apply enough Aquaseal to completely cover the tear and overlap by 1/8 of an inch.

Allow to dry for about 12 hours (to speed drying time use Cotol). Remove the tape from the inside of the wader and clean the area with alcohol to remove any residue left by the tape. Repeat the Aquaseal application on the inside of the wader.

For larger tears or tears in high stress areas, apply a second coating of Aquaseal over the initial application. Be sure to extend the second coat 1/8” beyond the edge of the first application so that it can adequately bond to the wader.

The waterproof tape included in the Orvis Wader Repair Kit or the Aquaseal Wader Repair Kit will facilitate a temporary repair in the field, but is not durable enough for a permanent repair.

High-Country Lakes/Streams during the “Run-off”…

headsupflyfishing — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:07:41 +0000

Seeing high, off-color water in your favorite stream or river (eg Animas River) may make you sad – fear not though, there are plenty of options to hold you over until the water clears.

Here in the 4-Corners we are blessed to have a plethora of high-country lakes and streams to fish during the run-off season. As the waters build below, high country fishing spots are revealed above; hungry trout emerge to feed in some of the most secluded spots the southwest has to offer. And high-country lakes remain consistent throughout.

If you need a flyfishing fix, try one of these locations: Hermosa Creek, Spud Lake, City Reservior, Lime Creek and Vallecito Lake. Each has something wonderful to offer you during this time of year!

Note: We were sight fishing the flats of Vallecito Lake for pike earlier this week…stay tuned for pictures.

New Website

headsupflyfishing — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:31:59 +0000

For those that have visited us previously, you are seeing a new website…we have shifted from the typical traditional/informational web format to an interactive web experience.

Why? Simply put, to give you more of what you love and to develop our relationship with you. Moving forward, we will be sharing a variety of content (how-to videos, random thoughts, images, hatch reports, etc) to keep you informed, entertained and involved.

Feel free to leave us some feedback on what you’d like to see!