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Category
Trouts Journal

Photo Essay: Stacked on the Colorado

Ivan Orsic / Mar 5, 2018

I'm a firm believer that winter fishing on freestones isn't about figuring out what kind of water the trout are holding in, it's about finding the slow, deep run that's actually holding fish. It's about finding them stacked.

Even with a late start, the Middle Colorado River was straight slush. We started weighing our options. Should we wait it out, hit the Blue, go to the Eagle...

But, it was 11 AM and we didn't want to get back in the truck to find open water. It was warming up and we convinced ourselves it would clear by noon.

Friend of the shop, Denis, and Trouts Head Guide Scott Dickson head down to fish the slush.

When fishing the slush, the trick is to land your nymphs in the water and not on the ice. That's harder said than done.

By 12:30-1:00 PM, the slush started to thin out and we had some productive moments. Tanner throwing that dreaded triple nymph rig.

Scott found one. At this point, we thought we found the Full Stack. But, this run only gave up 6 fish or so. They were in there, but not in full force.

Tanner got on the board with...

...this solid brown. The Soft-Hackle Tungsten Pheasant Tail did some solid work.

AMERICA!!!

We moved downstream and picked apart a couple of runs. It was slim pickings until we crossed and worked what ended up being our last run of the day from top to bottom. Tanner caught this healthy winter bow slipping as it was trying to pack on some calories.

Bye Now.

Soft Hackle Tungsten Pheasant Tail tricked another.

Denis roll casts from his perch on a somewhat solid ice shelf.

Meanwhile, Tanner swings those soft hackles through some likely water.

Denis found them.

So did Tanner. Double. Double. DOOOOBLAY!

It's hard to beat winter brown trout on the Colorado River.

Whitefish tug too...

And another one. Trout, whitefish, and suckers were feeding throughout in this long, deep run. After a slower start, we found them stacked and it made our afternoon.

Denis showing off the fish of the day. This brown ate old reliable...Pat's Rubber Legs.

As the light started to fade and our toes started to numb, Denis sent this one off to close the day out.

The all-new Ross Evolution LTX put in a solid day's work.

If you're passing by Idaho Springs on the way back from a fishing trip and you don't stop at Smoking Yards BBQ. You're a fool.

GEAR USED:

Sage Foundation 590-4 Fly Rod

Abel SDF 6/7 Fly Reel

Ross Evolution LTX Fly Reel

Rio Gold WF5F

Rising Lunker Net

Nomad Mid-Length Net

Orvis Safe Passage Sling Pack

Simms G4 Pro Hip Pack

Simms G3 Stockingfoot Waders

Simms Vaportread Wading Boots

Nike Ankle Socks (Not Good)

Simms ExStream Wading Sock (Good)

Simms Waypoint Hip Pack

SUCCESSFUL FLIES:

Pat's Rubberlegs

Soft Hackle Tungsten Pheasant Tail

Brassie

Prince Nymph

Hotwire Prince Nymph

Pink San Juan Worm

Biot Midge Emerger

Bead Head Emerger

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