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The Green Cheeseburger. |
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Cat's Caddis Larva. |
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Buttery brownie fooled by an olive Green Cheeseburger. |
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Fishing in the creeks with great success! |
Follow me in my sharing the happiness in fly fishing.
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The Green Cheeseburger. |
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Cat's Caddis Larva. |
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Buttery brownie fooled by an olive Green Cheeseburger. |
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Fishing in the creeks with great success! |
Every spring across the trout-laden rivers of the American West, something spectacular happens. As runoff begins to subside and the days stretch longer, an enormous insect emerges from the cobbled riverbeds. The Salmonfly—Pteronarcys californica, a massive, prehistoric-looking stonefly that ignites the water with life and draws trout to the surface with a reckless hunger.
The Salmonfly is a species of giant stonefly in the order Plecoptera. They grow up to 3 inches long, being one of the largest aquatic insects in North America. Adults are typically dark brown to black with vivid orange or rust-colored markings on the underside.
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Pteronarcys californica |
The Salmonfly’s has a long-life cycle. The nymph stage can last up to 3 to 4 years, the nymph lives beneath the surface, crawling among stones and river bottom debris. They feed on organic matter and slowly mature. As water temperatures climb in late spring, nymphs begin migrating toward the riverbanks in preparation for emergence. During this time, trout will feast on these vulnerable nymphs. At night or early morning, nymphs will crawl out of the water onto rocks, logs, or grasses and split their exoskeletons to become winged adults.
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The Salmonfly are massive in size. |
Adult Salmonflies have a short terrestrial life of just a week or two. They fly awkwardly, mate, and females return to the river to drop eggs, slapping the water surface and are often easy targets for trout.
For fly fishermen, the Salmonfly hatch is of legend. It is an incredible time of the most explosive dry fly fishing of the year. Witnessing a big trout suddenly rise with abandon and crashing through the water surface to devour these Salmonflies is extraordinary! Timing is everything. The hatch typically runs from mid-May to early July, depending on location, altitude, and weather. Rivers warm from the bottom up, so anglers often follow the hatch upstream over days or weeks.
Dead drifts close to banks, under overhangs, or near logs often draw violent takes from trout lurking for an easy, high-protein snack. If you haven’t experienced this unbelievable kind of dry fly fishing, put it on your fishing agenda to seek and fish it! See you on the river!
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Manhattan Midge. |
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Simple Quill Midge. |
The Simple Quill Midge. Cruise by once, eat on the return! This fly pattern seems to turn heads under some of the harder fishing conditions, but often very productive fished in the springtime..Hook: Togens 3x heavy scud size 20Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk 12/0 blackBody: Hand Stripped Quill naturalWing case: Fluoro filaments clearUV: Solarez Bone DryScissors: Anadromous Fly Company Arrow point straight 4” orange
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Manhattan Midge in purple. |
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Rojo Midge. |
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Burnt French Fry Mini Leech. |
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Matchstick Midge. |
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Paisy Midge. |
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Mercury Blood Midge in red and black. |
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The Orange Scud. |
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Miracle Midge. |
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Bling Midge. |
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Black Beauty Midge. |
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No Mercy Midge. |
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The Anneworm. |
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Foamie Homie Midge. |
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Cat's Caddis Larva aka Green Cheeseburger. |
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The Holo Midge. |
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Matchstick Emerger. |
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TF Midge. |
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Pink Scud. |
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My right nondisplaced scaphoid wrist waist oblique fracture. |
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Happiness and trout! |
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The River |
Anglers All 5211 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
Times: 1:00pm to 4pm
I hope to see you there!
The fly fishing show of the year, join me, Dave Allison, Jonathan Artunez, Kevin Arculeo, Nick Benik, Marcus Bevier, Tyler Boroff, Michael Burgess, Jeff Currier, John Demuth, Jude Duran, Daryl Eakins, Joel Evans, Tim Flagler, Dylan Gonzales, Eli Gonzales, Jason Haddix, Travis Hanson, Larry Holt, Phil Iwane, Joe Jackson, Tim Jacobs, Stephen Johnson, Merne Judson, Bill Kirk, Lance Kittel, Chris Krueger, Steven Maldonado, David McElwain, Kim Mutaw, Hans Mylant, Carl Pennington, Juan Ramirez, Jane Retherford, Jeff Rowley, Allen Rupp, Shane Schuster, Steve Schweitzer, Spencer Seim, Robin Spaight, Scott Stisser, Rick Takahashi, Son Tao, Matt Thornton, Cat Toy, Todd Turner, Frank Whispell, Jason Yi, and Tom Ziegler.
• The largest exhibit floor in the history of the Denver Fly Fishing Show, yet again!• New 2025 products from manufacturers.• Programs and learning opportunities for youngsters and families.• Women’s Fly Fishing Showcase focused on thewoman angler.• Casting demos and instruction with Christopher Rownes, Gary Borger, Landon Mayer, Jeff Currier, Mac Brown and more!• Fly tying with Phil Rowley, Ed Engle, Tim Flagler, Pat Dorsey, TimCammisa and more!• Classes with the Experts where you can get one-on-one time with the Pros.• The must-see International Fly Fishing Film Festival on Friday at 6:30featuring award-winning fly-fishing films.• The most extensive list of professional speakers across the globe.• Lodges, resorts, exotic vacation destinations offering the best fly fishingtrips on the planet.• Live, on site Podcasting• Live and art demonstrations• Live bamboo rod building demonstrations• New rods, reels, lines, accessories, clothing, waders, boots, books, DVDs andanything else you may want to purchase, plus our exclusive author’s booth.• Conservation organizations and opportunities to volunteer for the sportyou cherish.
Please join this amazing fly fishing event! I hope to see you there!
WHEN | February 8, 2025, Saturday
WHERE | American Legion Post 32 Longmont, Colorado
ADMISSION | $20 - See Event registration page
Doors open | 12:30pm
Food and beverage available for purchase at venue
The St. Vrain Angler Trout Unlimited and Laughing Grizzly Fly Shop co-host an annual Fly Tying Expo that features expert tyers from Northern Colorado and throughout the state. This Expo offers the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with the tyers where attendees can chat and learn their patterns, tips, and pointers. With more than 30 tyers demonstrating an astounding variety of flies, attending the Expo is a crash course in upping your tying skills.
The Fly Tying Expo is a fundraiser to support the Chapter’s work and outreach. Flies tied at the event are donated by the tyers for bucket draws. The event also features a silent auction including trips and fishing related items. Fundraising proceeds go to:
1. Youth programming that introduces kids to fly fishing and healthy watersheds;
2. St. Vrain Creek habitat improvement and restoration; and
3. Educating our community on the value of healthy streams and trout habitat.
2025 Tyer lineup
Jonathan Antunez | Scott Drake | Rod Dufour
Phil Cavendor | Chuck Esch | Jason Haddix
Kevan Davidson | Stephen Johnson | John YI
Shannah Fedus | John Majerus | Steve Maldonado
Dennis Martin | Mark Mcmillian | Teryll Monroe
Rich pilatzke | Jane Retherford | Micheal ringus
Dick shinton | Marty staab | rick takahashi
anh thai | cat toy | Susan underwood
James Ushiyama | Frank whispell | janine whispell
lydia wickizer | fran Blayney | Phil Iwane
stephanie hazelton
January 18th, 2025, Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm!
Angler's Covey, Womens Fly Tying Showcase
Please join me for this very special event featuring a day of fly tying by the ladies! Come see Anh Thai, Cat Toy, Rachel Leinweber, Amy Grigg, and Lydia Wickizer tie their favorite fly patterns.
This is a great opportunity for fly tyers of all abilities to ask questions, learn, and be a part of the fly tying community! There will be some giveaways throughout the day.
Don’t miss this chance to see some of most creative and awesome women fly tyers!
Anglers Covey:
295 S 21st St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
We hope to see you there!
The International Sportsmen's Expo is happening January 9th through January 12, 2025Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!The Denver Colorado Convention Center700 14th StreetDenver, CO 80202Phone: (303) 228-8000Email: info@denverconvention.comPublic Show Hours:Thursday Noon to 7:00pmFriday Noon to 7:00pmSaturday 10:00am to 7:00pmSunday 10:00am to 4:00pm2025 Fly-Tying Video Theater SchedulesThursday, January 9th, 2025 12:00-3:30pm:Steve Schweitzer - Dick Shinton - Susan Underwood – Richard Pilatzke- Terra Groah - Todd Birchby – John Yi - Joe Brenton - Jane Retherford - Mary Manka3:30-7:00pm: Steve Schweitzer - Ralph Rhoades - Hans Mylant - John Vevurka – Janine Whispell – Terra Groah - Eric Pettine - Todd Birchby – John Yi – Joe Brenton - Jane Retherford - Mary MankaVideo Tyers: Frank Whispell (12:30); Mark McMillan (2); Kirk Bien (3:30); Chris Steinbeck (5)Friday, January 10th, 2025 12:00-3:30pm: Daryl Eakins - Dennis Martin - Dick Shinton - Susan Underwood - Frank Whispell - Janine Whispell - Ben Baxter - Cat Toy - Bret Oeltjenbruns – Steve Schweitzer - Tim Jacobs - Elkan Normadin3:30-7:00pm: Garrison Doctor - Scott Stisser - Steve Maldonado - Kevan Davidson - Barbara Luneau - Mark Rayman - Bill Kirk – Cat Toy - Joel Evans – Eric Pettine - Tim Jacobs - Renea PedersenVideo Tyers: Garrison Doctor (12:30); Steve Maldonado (2); Pat Dorsey (3:30); Steve Schweitzer (5)Saturday, January 11th, 2025 10:00am-2:00pm:Rick Takahashi - Chris Krueger - Chuck Esch - Kevan Davidson – Steve Rogers - Steve Schweitzer - Stephanie Hazelton - Joel Evans – Shannah Fedus – Frank Whispell - Cat Toy - Anh ThaiSunday, January 12th, 2025 10:00-1:00pm:Daryl Eakins - John Vevurka - Chuck Esch - Phil Iwane - Bret Oeltjenbruns - Stephanie Hazelton - Antonio Rodrigues - Lydia Wickizer - James Ushiyama - Jon Easdon – Mark McMillan - Loren Mcglone1:00-4:00pm: Daryl Eakins – Joel Evans - Renea Pedersen – Stephen Johnson - Barbara Luneau - Mark Rayman - Joe Brenton - Eric Pettine - Fran Blayney - Natasha Blayney - Jonathan Antunez – Richard PilatzkeVideo Tyers: Daryl Eakins (10:30); Phil Iwane (12); Loren Mcglone (1:30), Antonio Rodriguez (3)
We hope to see you there!
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Mt. Taranaki. |
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The incredible bug life in the river. |
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The scenery is magnificent and very remote. |
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New Zealand longfin eel live in the rivers and creeks. |
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This rainbow trout bit by a longfin eel. |
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Digitalis Purpurea |
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The play of these trout was exhilarating! |