Fly fishing with the Scud

Winters can be quite picturesque in the wilderness of the mountains blanketed with glistening snow and featureless earthscape.  The winter is a crystalline bliss, with days of brilliant rays that show the uniqueness of every snowflake.  The air is a frozen lace on existing uncovered branches on bare trees and limited blades of grass.  As Old Man Winter settles in, the rivers, creeks, and lakes lay frozen and dormant beneath the ice and snow leaving the tailwaters exclusively for fishing.  During winter, freshwater shrimp-like crustaceans, or scuds, are a significant food source in the tailwaters for the finicky trout when other food sources are not readily available.

My scuddies.

There are many various species of scuds, but the group in tailwaters primarily belongs to the family, Gammaridae.  They are categorized in the crustaceans and in the order of the amphipoda.  Their body structure are of a head (cephalothorax) with 2 pairs of antennae sensitive to touch and smell, a body (thorax) of 7 segments each with a pair of legs used for clutching food, scurrying, and mating.  They have an abdomen with 6 segments each with appendages for swimming.  With a translucent appearance, they are found in various colors like cream, light brown, grey, and multiple shades of green connected by their diet and surroundings.

Olive scud.  Image by Brandon Molzahn, Togens Pro Staff.

Tailwaters below dams are often perfect scud habitat where they thrive in shallow, stable flows with abundance of aquatic vegetation.  They are nocturnal crustaceans usually feasting during starlight.  With their two pairs of clawed feet, they grip food and relish on dead decomposed organic matter particularly plant detritus, biofilms of algae, fungi, bacteria, and animal matter.

A pregnant scud.  Image by Rick Beck, Togens Pro Staff.

During mating, the male and female scuds wrap their bodies jointly where sperm is released into the female’s brood pouch, or marsupium, where fertilization occurs with her eggs.  Her marsupium is visibly distinct with an orange in coloration.  She carries her eggs about one to three weeks until they hatch.  The newborn scuds are tiny at 1 mm in size and resembling that of microscopic adult scud.  The next time she molts and sloughs her exoskeleton, her young are liberated.

An exoskeleton molted from a growing scud.  Image by Cat Toy.

Young scuds will grow and shed their exoskeleton about eight to nine times as they mature into adults.  Scuds change to a tan color when molting to shed its exoskeleton and replacing it with a radiant carapace.  With the molting process, the exoskeleton splits across the back between two thoracic segments. First the front half of the body is pulled away of the old exoskeleton followed by the back half. Many scuds live for about one year.

Scuds come in a variety of colors.  A light brown and grey scud. 

Trout will often hunt for scuds by drifting leisurely with their snouts down in the river bottom vegetation and gatherings of loose sedimentary matter.  When there is a trout hot on a scuds tail, they uncoil and swim briskly for shelter.  Scuds contain the pigment carotene and when ingested by trout, the pigment is transferred to the tissue of the fish displaying a pinkish-red color.

The pigment carotene transferred to the tissue of the fish displaying a pinkish-red color.

Scuds are a year-round food source for the trout.  It is good to have a generous stash of scuds in your fly box.  I have had some of my best fishing days with scuds in tailwaters. With fewer hatches during springtime and late fall, fishing with scuds can be amazing.  Present them as a dead-drift presentation to the depths of vegetation where the trout live.  Do not underestimate casting into the faster water.  I have caught some trophy sized trout chasing after tumbling scuds in the swifter water.  Stay warm and enjoy some winter fly fishing.  See you on the river!

Glass Scud.  Image by Christopher Deen, Togens Pro Staff.

This blog is also featured on Togens Fly Shop and United Women on the Fly.

Fishing the Summer of 2021!

 

  

The perpetual neon blue skies with a few buckles of clouds illuminating with a few thunderstorms.  The mountains, rivers, and creeks are laden with the mesmeric beauty with multitudes of wildflowers, and a sundry of scents twirl in the dry air.  Summer brings in long flattering days of the year, where fly fishing and lifetime friendships are made.  This summer has been stupendous fly fishing.  I have met some incredible fishy friends as we kindled our own fishing symphony and many days on the rivers.

Phil Iwane and I fishing the S. Platte River.

Phil reached out to me a little before summer was coming to fishing together.  One of his cherished places to fish is the S. Platte River.  Phil Iwane is one of Umpqua's elite fly designers and the innovator of the No Mercy Midge and his Extended body Mayfly.  To be honest, I felt a ton of anxiety fishing with Phil since he is well-known in the fly fishing industry.  We met in the parking area of Cheesman Canyon with a group of is fishing buddies, Scott Stisser and Mike McVay.  Sometimes, with all the nervousness we place on ourselves just puts us at a higher level to try to meet expectations.  We had an exceptional time on the river catching an uncountable number of good fish.  Phil is one of the kindest, fun, happy-go-lucky fishing friend I can appreciate, share, and learn from.  And boy, that No Mercy Midge drives those fish crazy!  I love fishing often with Phil.

I told Lee, I see a big trout.  He said, "well cast in there Cat, go get em!"

Lee Beard had been following me for a couple of years on Facebook and a bit astonished of this Cat in the Hat who posted a lot of fish pictures.  He shared with me, when he would view my postings, he said to himself, this girl can fish!  Lee Beard is a retired successful crew chief in the History of National Hot Rod Association drag racing.  He has an impressive history of 55 National Event wins in Top Fuel and Funny Car classes.  His first win as a crew chief was in 1980 at Bandimere Speedway High Nationals.  In 2017, he was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame and in 2018 into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.

A winning cutbow in the net!

He reached out to me to fish sometime, of which I gladly accepted.  We met on a day to fish the Blue River.  I realized in fishing with this guy, it seem imperative that my expectations needed to be at a high caliber.  I wasn’t sure if I could pull it off at a river I was unfamiliar with.  To summarize that day, we both caught some substantially big fish of which we kept slapping each other of the exhilarating day.  We fish almost weekly.

Lee Raley with a fantastic rainbow.

Lee Raley and I have been friends for a couple of years.  He gifted me his old Big Thompson fly tying vise a couple of Christmas’s ago that helped unfold my passion of fly tying.  We fished the Yampa River that cold day with lots of fish in the net.  Lee reached out to me this summer to fish together.  We met out on the Eagle River on a hot summer day in July.  We had not fished together for a couple of years, and so the day was relaxing and easy.  A kind-hearted man I love to call my friend, we fished until we knew it was time to go home.  Boy, we had a very successful day on the river.  

A big Snake River Cutthroat Trout for me!

There is something so special in connecting with other fly fishermen.  We all share a passion that only we can go off the deep end.  With Lee, we really can fish, and we can zero in just in the little, big world of fly fishing, the river, and share the excitement of netting another beautiful trout as if it was our first.  We fish as regularly as we can.

Son Tao and I getting after these big fish.

I have been following Master Fly Tier, Son Tao on Instagram since the start of my love for fly fishing in the last 3 years.  I envied and marveled over this man of his exceptional talent in fly tying.  Master Sergeant Son Tao has a combined 22 years of service in the US Army where he has been deployed to the Philippines, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.  Not only is he a master fly tier, but an extraordinary fly fisherman.  We got to meet on the S. Platte River with Phil Iwane and I for a day fishing with the boys.  Every time I glanced over at Son, I started to believe his rod was bent before we even got to the river!  Kind of cool to be up in his fishing status and even a double catch.  I’ll miss Son as he and his family will relocate to S. Carolina.

I netted this fat rainbow and netted Anh's rainbow on top of mine.

One of my favorite lady anglers I love to fish with is Anh Thai.  She is an outstanding fly tier, and she is one of the fishiest girls I know.  We both agreed this summer, we must fish. The day came, and we wet waded and fished the Blue River.  We stalked the trout and had an amazing day and made efforts to out fish the guys on the river.  Since then, we have had some great days on the S. Platte River as our fishing crew keeps growing.  Anh and I are both involved with United Women on the Fly as well as Colorado Women on the Fly teaching, promoting, and educating about fly fishing.  I will have new blog to come out soon with United Women on the Fly.

Beauty of a rainbow from the S. Platte River.

It was such an amazing summer of fly fishing, honestly I have lost track of how many fantastic fish I have caught.  This summer I found myself more days then not on the rivers.  I am a full-time registered nurse, and I am constantly under a level of stress sometimes I don't want to admit.  The rivers, creeks, and the fish keep me coming back.  To recharge, enjoy, and remember why I am here.  To help take care of others, to fish, and to enjoy what life has to offer.  I am so thankful for all my fishing friends as well as new friendships.

Duc and I on a double catch at the S. Platte River.

I have been fascinated by the pictures Duc posts on Colorado Fly Fishing on Facebook. The beautiful trout he catches with his son Oliver at Deckers are unbelievable.  Duc Nguyen is an award winning certified koi judge with some big koi shows. Kois are judged by their size, vivid color, pattern, and presence.  It is the art and hobby movement of ‘koi kichi’ or koi maniacs.  You know this guy is fishy and beyond!  Phil and I got the chance to meet Duc at Cheesmen Canyon.  You guessed it, yet another fishy day with friends.  We even had a triple with the three of us!  Can’t make that happen unless it’s Cat, Phil, and Duc!

Duc, Phil, and I all caught and netted a fish at the same time.

I have met some amazing fishy friends and these friends are some to mention.  Fall fishing is starting off like a firecracker!  I intend to fish and fly tie through winter and back around to spring.  I hope your summer was incredibly fishy as mine was.  May this fall bring lots of fish in your net!

The fish crew, Cat, Michael, Jeff, Son, Phil, Anh, Erin, and Son in front.

What a fight this rainbow threw at me!

Welcome fall with a glimpse of the fishing!

Last day of Summer treat me well with a huge Cutthroat trout.

Does it get any better than this with the colors?

The Caddis

Summer comes fast, as the vivid wildflowers blanket the mountains in bloom. The sky blazes blue and the sun is a celebration of gold. The trees hover above as they don their best verdant, green hues, and the river banks are adorned with tall blades of grass. The river is seen with a caddis in the air skating, jerking, and bouncing of the water surface. The river comes alive with a feeding frenzy of many trout snouts seen breaking the water surface eager for the feast.

The Caddis.  Image by Cat Toy, Togens Pro Staff.

  

The caddis is one of the most bountiful sources of food for the trout.  They are a part of the Trichoptera group of insects of hairy wings in ancient Greek.  They are prevalent in rivers, creeks, lakes, and streams. Trout feast on them from larva stage up to the adult stage of their life cycle.  Caddis have a complete metamorphosis with three life stages:  the larva, pupa, and the adult.

The Caddis larva. Image by Cat Toy, Togens Pro Staff.

Caddis larva are resemblant to a small grub, and they are very susceptible at this stage.   They develop through five instars as an aquatic larva.  At the end of the larval stage, the caddis will seal itself in a casing retreat to undergo the development changes of two to three weeks.  They produce a safe, protective case out of silk and debris usually from leaves, sand, gravel, and sticks. Caddis will remain and dwell in this stage generally nine to ten months  When it is time to pupate, they will secure of their casing.  This is dependent upon the optimal time of day and water temperatures to emerge.

Caddis larva.  Image by Cat Toy, Togens Pro Staff.

At the end of the larval stage, most caddis flies clamp their casings to solid objects on the bottom of a river or stream.  During the pupa stage of its metamorphosis, the developing structure encasement pulls away from the larval skin and assumes the pupa shape.  The mature insect inside the skin controls its own functions of muscle movement, legs, and mandible.  It will cut its way out of the casing and swim or crawl to the surface while still in its transparent pupa cloak.

Caddis larva. Image by Stanton Jack, Togens Pro Staff.

As the pupa reaches metamorphosis, it will nibble through the exterior casing to create an opening.  Until it extricates completely from the casing, it cannot create air bubbles.  When they separate free from their casing, the caddis will fill the casing with a gas pocket.  The air bubbles in the casing add buoyancy. 

Caddis in the development of tube-case making stage. Image by Cat, Togens Pro Staff.

Caddis will transport in the current before beginning the ascent with their oar-shaped legs.  Their movement to reach the surface is a rowing stop and go swimming motion.  The caddis will linger when it reaches the surface and struggle to escape its own shuck. It will push through the pupa meniscus skin and wiggle free.  Take off for flight, they are a winged adult.

Mikulak Sedge with trailing shuck.  Image by Ken Woodward, Togens Pro Staff.

The adult caddis will flutter and move about before departing the surface of the water.  Once out of the silk pupa meniscus, most caddis flies will fly off hastily.  Many adults may skate across the water instead of take off.  Of course, it is a threat for survival with birds in the air and the ravenous trout below the water surface.
 

The Caddis. Image by Stanton Jack, Togens Pro Staff.

The adult caddis have a resembling appearance like a moth.  Their tent shaped wings lay flat against their bodies. They will fly around erratically sometimes for days seeking to mate.  Adult caddis flies huddle in dark and moist hiding places until ready to mate.  One can witness the large swarms of caddis during the cooling hours of the evening.  After mating, the female caddis will land on the water surface, or swim to the bottom to lay eggs.  After laying their eggs, they die shortly.  Most caddis species have a one-year life cycle.  Species vary with an median of three weeks in the egg stage, nine to ten months as larvae, two to five weeks as pupae, and two to five weeks as an adult.

Some females may survive and lay eggs a few more cycles of reproduction before dying.  Many caddis are swept away and drown while others are partaken by the trout.  The dead and dying caddis are robust in their presence during egg laying, making this last stage of their lifecycle and makes for a significant food source for the trout.

During a caddis hatch, many fishermen often will get overzealous to catch fish on the dry.  The trout are more likely focused on the middle water column and the caddis emergent stage.  Be wise as to how to fish the life cycle of the caddis hatch will help increase the chances of a successful day on the water.  See you on the river!

This blog is featured on Shopmcfly.com  Check out their website with some of my luckiest fishing hats, t-shirts, and stickers!

This blog is also featured on Togens Fly Shop Hooks, beads, thread, wire, dubbing, fly tying tools, coatings, resins, chenille, tinsel, and so much more for your fly tying place to shop!

The blog is also featured with United Women on the Fly a fantastic organization committed to building great relationships with education, resources, and connections with other anglers in the community.

WildStream Breeze Fly Rod Review

 

For small creeks and tricky tight waters, WildStream’s Breeze fly rod has the finesse and sensitivity for stalking the spooky fish.  WildStream had the pleasure of Jon Baiocchi designing this specialized, light weight creek rod.  This fly rod is sure to satiate anglers fishing for small, witty trout.

The Breeze has a delicate presentation and a surprisingly very sensitive response.  Fishing with this light rod, the subtle takes of small trout are well received.  The action of these rods are on the softer side with great accuracy for both nymphing and dry fly fishing.

Black matte finish

WildStream’s Breeze is made from IM 10 graphite for lightweight feature and the clean responsiveness for great accuracy. It has a carbon fiber reel seat  and a classic matte finish for low glare and design for those skittish trout.  Fuji snake guides line along this 4 piece rod, and with a comfortable grade A gripping cork handle.

Brook trout are a joy on the Breeze fly rod.

The Breeze creek line is available in 7 ft. 6 inch of 1 and 3 weight models as well as the 9 ft. 3 weight model.  I have found how versatile and fun the 9 ft. 3 weight fishes for some high mountain cutthroat trout, but also can effectively handle trophy class.  You will appreciate the subtle delicacy built into these rods whether its looking for the subtlest sign of a grab while fishing Chironomids, or a steady drift of nymphs.

These cutthroat trout can fight!  So fun on the Breeze!

WildStream created a fly rod for anglers who need to feed a fishing habit!  To order a WildStream Breeze fly rod at $200, simply email WildStream’s USA Head of Operations, James Kissinger at wildstreamfishing@gmail.com, or contact me at cattoy.flyfishing@gmail.com.

See you on the little creeks!

Caught this nice rainbow at 11:32am, water temperature 64 degrees.

Fish early before water temperatures get too warm.. It's best to quit fishing as water temperatures head towards 67 degrees.  Warm water conditions are stressful and less optimal for fish to recover and may no survive.  Please help preserve the sport we all enjoy so much during these critical times.

Results left of a careless angler with no regards to water temperatures and the trout.

Please be aware and refer to the fishing closures Colorado Parks and Wildlife 

Colorado Wildflowers

Musk Thistle.  In great abundance around Gypsum Ponds.

Colorado has so many beautiful wildflowers along our rivers, creeks, and streams.  I wanted to create an ongoing blog of wildflowers I have come across on my days of fishing.  If you have encountered a wildflower here in Colorado and would like some help with identifying the name, please feel free to send me an email of a picture:  cattoy.flyfishing@gmail.com.  Photo credit can be shared.

I would like to dedicate this growing blog to Jon Baiocchi, a fantastic fly fishing guide in California who gave his heart and soul into the fly fishing industry.  I will miss you my best friend.  You would make me laugh just rattling of the names of flowers as we would walk by.  I don't know if I could hold all those wildflowers in my head, but just to try to be as great as you were. 

The American Globeflower.

September 27th, 2021:  The American Globeflower grows in the Northeast and in the Rocky Mountain West.  It is the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and it has a buttercup-like flower.  I came across this solo flower growing in the water close to shore on the Blue River.  They thrive in swamps and bogs in subalpine bogs in the West.  These are typically the first wildflowers that emerge in the spring snowmelt in the boggy parts of western subalpine meadows.  They usually bloom between May and August.  I am lucky to find this one late September as the weather has been mild going into fall.

Dwarf Rabbitbrush (Sticky-flowered Rabbitbrush)

 September 13th, 2021:  The Dwarf Rabbitbrush is known for its vivid color and small, slender flat-topped clusters of golden yellow flowers, 5-lobed.  Leaves are stalkless narrow, long and twisted.  Very common in western Colorado on dry hillsides, deserts, and open woods.  A native shrub that can tolerate drier conditions here in Colorado.  I came across these blooms while getting around to the banks to fish the Eagle River.  These flowers bloom from July into September trailing into the fall season.

Yampa (Squawroot, Wild Caraway.

September 1st, 2021:  The Yampa wildflower I have seen these quite abundant at a lot of rivers and creeks I have been fishing. I encountered this time with this wildflower at Clear Creek.  These tiny, white flowers like to grow in moist groves and Slopes.  They flower from July thru August, although, it is the 1st of September.

Poison Ivy.

August 18th, 2021:  Poison Ivy.  Obviously, it is not a wildflower, but to be on the look out while roaming looking at wildflowers.  Keep your dogs on leashes to prevent harm to your pets as well as transferring to you.

Hairyseed Bahia

August 16th, 2021:  These wildflowers are amazing, exploding with color!  I came across these while hiking to the banks to fish the Eagle River with my friend, Lee.  It has yellow flowers with both ray florets and disc florets.  It usually grows in sandy soil, of which the terrain of the Eagle River has.

Dwarf Goldenrod.

August 12th, 2021:  This perennial belongs to the Aster family of up to 8" tall, in clumps.  Leaves are basal about 2" long and thick.  They typically grow along gravelly and rocky areas. boulder fields, outcroppings, and ridges. I came across this wildflower while fly fishing the Blue River.  These will flower in June to September with golden orange disks, golden yellow ray flowers with gentle ripple with each petal. 

Rock Groundsel (Hoary Ragwoirt)

August 12th, 2021:  This wildflower explodes with yellow compact clusters with about 8 golden yellow ray flowers and a few more disk flowers, bracts are green and white, linear.  These grow in sunny slopes, ridges, exposed areas, and boulder fields.  I came across these wildflowers while hiking into Cheesemans to fish the S. Platte River with my friend Anh.  These wildflowers will bloom from July to September.

Oxeye Daisy 

August 8th, 2021:  These wild daisies are the Oxeye Daisy.  I came across these wildflowers by Herman's Gulch.  It is a creeping, perennial that grows 10 inches to 2 feet tall. The basal and lower leaves are spoon-shaped, toothed, and with long petioles (leaf stem). The upper leaves are narrow, toothed, and clasp the stem. Flowers bloom between June and August. Flowers are 1 to 3 inches in diameter, with 15 to 30 white ray flowers.

Butter and Eggs (YellowToadflax)

August 8th, 2021:  This pretty flower caught my eye while fishing in the S. Platte River at Deckers.  I thought of fresh popped popcorn when I looked away from the river.  It is a yellow snap dragon-like petal flower.  The inner coloring of the flower is dark yellow.  Leaves are narrow and lance-shaped.  These flowers bloom om June through October.

Little Red Elephant (Elephant Flower).

August 8th, 2021:  These wildflowers are some of my favorites with the cute little, pink elephant heads.  From the Figwort family, the Little Red Elephant wildflower can stand 2' tall in large colonies with pink, reddish to purplish flowers.  I came across these flowers while hiking with my friend Anh on the way to Upper Chicago Lake.  The hike is a reasonable descent down to the lake of loose scree and rocks and boulders.  Of course, if there is a down, the return on the way up is for those in good shape and lungs like a lion.  These flowers are usually found in shallow water, boggy wet meadows, and near streams and springs.  They flower from June to August.

Rocky Mountain Bee Plant.

August 9th, 2021:  The Rocky Mountain Bee Plant is one of the showiest wildflowers in the western and prairie regions of the United States.  It is known to have an unpleasant odor avoided by livestock.  I came across these pretty, pink wildflowers while hiking to a fishing spot at Deckers, or the S. Platte River.  They made me think of airy lanterns.  Each flower has four petals and sepals with six long showy stamens.  These nectar-filled blossoms are clustered in elongated puff shapes and near the top portion of the stems and attract a wide array of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and wasps.  They bloom from May through September.

Fairy Trumpet (Skyrocket, Scarlet Cilia, Skunk Flower)

From the Phlox family, the Fairy trumpet flower can stand 5' tall with slender downy stems.  Flowers are long with a bright red , trumpet shape corolla that is up to 2".  I came across these wildflowers on the hike to Cheesemens Canyon.  They thrive in dry open sunny areas, open woods, rocky slopes and fields.  Flowering time is from June to September.

Alpine Fireweed (Chamerion subdentatum)

July 25, 2021:  The Alpine Fireweed is from the evening Primerose family. A perennial can grow up to 20" tall with several leaning stems. Large vibrant, showy pink flowers. I was stopped by these flowers along the banks of Clear Creek while fishing for cutthroat trout. These flowers prefer moist grounds along stream banks. They flower from June to September.

Scarlet Globemallow.

This wildflower I came upon hiking into the banks of Deckers, or another section of the S. Platte River for a twilight session.  This upright flower may sprawl densely with white-hairy perennial that grows no more than a foot in height.  Found in clumps or clusters, they colonize extensively where ever they are growing. The flower is with orange-pink petals with red bracts. 

Tall Chiming Bells (Tall Mertensia, Mountain Bluebell)

July 7th, 2021:  The Tall Chiming Bells wildflower is a tall bell-shaped flower that can grow is tall as 4' in height.  Flowers are a nodding cluster with light blue to pinkish corollas.  The leaves are soft, smooth about 6" long.  I found these wildflowers blooming along the creek banks of S. Boulder Creek up in the mountains by the Moffat Tunnel and the little town, Rollinsville.  It is a favorite creek I enjoy fishing about 40 minutes away from home, as well as ride my dirt bike up to the top of Rollins Pass.  Aside from the wildflowers, the creek, and riding up to the top of the Pass, this area of Colorado takes my breath away of scenery, wildlife, and color changes through the seasons.  This wildflower blooms from June through August.  It grows on stream banks, springs, and seeps.

Tarragon, Artemisia campestris caudata. 

July 7th, 2021:  This towering wildflower I came across along the banks of the Eagle River.  This flower belongs to the Aster Family.  A biennial that can grow as tall as 30" with taproot and reddish flexible leafy stem.  Flowering time is July and August.

Showy Milkweed.

July 12th, 2021:  The Shower Milkweed is a tall wildflower with large clusters of five pointed pink flowers.  They are typically found on roadsides and open sunny areas.  Large leaves with smooth edges.  I came across these tall wildflowers while hiking along the banks of the Eagle River with my friend, Lee Raley.  These globes of flowers are large like a tennis ball.  These flowers bloom early summer to fall.

Indian Paintbrush

July 16th, 2021:  The Indian Paintbrush wildflower encountered while creekin at S. Boulder Creek nearby the Moffat Tunnel, a railroad and water tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. One of my favorite places close to home of beautiful mountain scenery, hiking, fly fishing, dirt biking, and enjoyment of backcountry skiing in the winter.

Sunloving Aster

July 18th, 2012:  These Sunloving Asters were everywhere with the hike into Cheesemans Canyon to fish a part of the S. Platte River.  They are a purple ray flower with large yellow disk centers.  They grow in open areas of the forest, slopes, and ridges.  Flowering time is from June to September.