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High Water Fly Fishing

Can you fish during run-off/ high water? YES. YES. YES! Here is some fishing theory and wisdom from Katie Fiedler Anderson, a veteran fly fishing guide in the Vail Valley.

Where do the fish go during run-off? The answer is: not far! The fish remain true to their instincts, and there is a basic principal that you need to know to understand their behavior. Fish are looking for the least amount of work for the most amount of food, always. This video shows how that translates to fish hang-outs during high water. I hope this video is helpful!

Of course, we recommend snagging a guide to show you the spots we have hunted down over the years that allow you to cast, and catch, and stand with success! Guides do a lot more than just tie your flies on, trust me. We are carefully thinking about everything. From where you stand (less tangles, more bites) , to how you will land a fish (how can we avoid obstacles) , to where you will move if a pool or pocket slows down. We have put the time and effort into maximizing your trip experience! We want to show you those bites and keep the fun parts of fly fishing on the forefront of your trip. Book a trip today (970)376-0002.

“Phoenix” Full Length Film now available on You Tube!

What a journey to this day! Nixy has grown so much since last summer when we shot this film, but the story is ours forever. I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you to the Braker Brothers for doing such a phenomenal job producing this film. Please leave comments and let me know what you think of our hard work!

How to tell what kind of fly rod you have!

If you are just getting started in the world of fly fishing, this is a great place to start. Knowing you have the correct equipment builds confidence for all of the steps to follow. Here’s a short video on how to tell what you are looking at!

You can narrow down what you need by waterway , and then by the size of fish you are trying to catch. The heavier the rod, the bigger fish it can handle. I fish a 12 wt when targeting 120lb tarpon and a 5wt when targeting 12-20 inch trout in my back yard river.

Creeks 0-4wt

Rivers 4-7wt

Ocean 8-12wt

Fly Fishing During “Water Closures”

There has been an explosion of “Voluntary Water Closures ” this year. What does that mean? Why is this happening? Can you and I fish? What should you do if you see anglers fishing? Will all of the fish die? Let’s discuss!

What is a voluntary water closure?

A volunatry water closure comes from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife ( CPW). It is a request for anglers to stop fishing a certain stretch of water.

What is the REASON for a water closure?

The reason CPW closes a section of water to fishing is to protect the resource ( The Fish!) . When the water temperatures rise, it starts to put stress on the fish by depleting the amount of oxygen available in the water. Catching a fish in hot water is a lot like me asking you to sprint around a track while holding your breath. It leads to high mortality rates and hurts the fishery.

Why does this seem to happen every year?

The bulk of our water comes from snowmelt and rain. Low snow accumulation from the winter and/or a hot spring means that our snowpack melted early, leaving us with lower/warmer water conditions. As we continue into the heat of the summer, the water warms up to a temperature not ideal for cold-water fish like trout. The only things left to cool the rivers is rain and/or colder weather patterns.

What are the magic temperatures?

The rule of thumb is to stop fishing when the water hits 68 degrees. This is debatable by a degree here or there, depending on who is talking. But knowing the WHY helps make informed decisions.

Can I still fish?

YES! The closure are there to help educate and advocate for the fishery. We suggest following the closure rules, but don’t be afraid to fish during open times. We still have plenty of open water. Elevation gains yield cooler temperatures. Use that information to your advantage. Take a thermometer with you and test the water before and during your outing to be sure! See this video below for tips on how to properly handle and release fish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZSXh2gCkUo

What should I do if I see people fishing?

Will anyone currently get arrested or get a ticket for fishing the voluntary closure? No. We can do our part by educating ourselves and to sharing information with one another. Reading up on this topic is a great start and a friendly conversation goes a long way!

Will all of the fish die?

Let’s hope not! We know fish change feeding patterns in hot water and eat less. Algae can bloom. Immune functions can become depressed. These rainy afternoons and cooler evening are certainly making an impact and let’s hope they stay consistent.

Current Information on River Closures :

https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/StatewideFishingConditions.aspx

https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/colorado-parks-and-wildlife-enacts-voluntary-fishing-closures-on-the-fraser-river-colorado-river-and-eagle-river-until-further-notice/

Summer Riverscape in Colorado

Spring Fly Fishing

One of the most overlooked times of year to fish that actually crushes… SPRING!

The fish are starting to snap out of their winter hibernation mode and we get some great eats in the spring. Try to get out on the sunny warm days before run off hits. So when there is still snow on the mountain and the skiing is a slushy mess… those are the epic days to get out and fish.

Trout can be found feeding on the midge hatches. ( See photo) and also some nice fat stoneflies. When the fish are eating midges, like they have been recently, you will see them rise with very little splash as they eat the tiny meals just before they break the surface. The bites on your hook can be just as subtle, so set the hook on everything!

Have fun and good luck. If you would like to learn more, book a guided fly fishing trip with Anderson’s Fish Camp. We will customize each outing based on what you want to learn or if you just want to catch a bunch of fish and have fun, it’s all up to you! We still recommend a half-day wade trip, which is 4 hours. You can ski in the morning and fish in the afternoon when it’s warmest. We’d love to get you out on the water.

(970) 376-0002 or AndersonsFishCamp.Com for more information.

Join us for the F3T this Friday (3/25/22) at the Riverwalk Theater!

Join Cooper,Katie, and Phoenix Anderson, with Andrew Braker as they present their film “Phoenix” as part of the Fly Fishing Film Tour. The film tour is a series of 10 minute films made to inspire and entertain through the sport of fly fishing. The film tour will be playing at the Riverwalk Theater this Friday, March 25,2022 at 6:30pm. Visit flyfilmtour.com for advance tickets. Proceeds from the even go to support Eagle Valley Trout Unlimited. TU serves to protect our local cold water fisheries. We hope to see you there! 

“Phoenix” now playing in the Fly Fishing Film Tour

We are proud to announce that our short film, Phoenix, is currently playing as part of the Fly Fishing Film Tour!

Katie Fiedler Anderson has been a fly fishing guide in Vail, Colorado for over a decade, but things started to change when she became pregnant with her daughter. The short film, “Phoenix”, tells a story of passion, as Katie and her husband take a leap of faith in order to inspire their 4-year-old daughter to chase her dreams no matter what the obstacle.

The film was produced by the Braker Brothers. The Braker Brothers are on a mission to use the power of outdoor storytelling to create sustainable change. Eric (22) and Andrew (27) are Maryland-based filmmakers who are just getting warmed up… With one award-winning credit under their belt, “A Journey Upstream,” they don’t plan on stopping any time soon.

Follow the link to the Fly Fishing Film Tour for a showing near you!

Denver, CO – March 16The Oriental TheaterDenver CO 802122022 Fly Fishing Film TourView Event

Boulder, CO – March 17Boulder TheaterBoulder CO 803022022 Fly Fishing Film TourView Event

A Benefit for the Uncompahgre River – March 19Ouray County 4H Events CenterRidgway CO 814322022 Fly Fishing Film TourBuy Tickets

Fort Collins, CO – March 19Lincoln CenterFort Collins CO 805212022 Fly Fishing Film TourView Event

Aspen, CO – March 25Wheeler Opera HouseAspen CO 816112022 Fly Fishing Film Tour View Event

Aprés-Fish Adult Beverages We Love

The chill in the air and long days on the water have us craving our favorite after fishing cocktails. Here are two of my favorites. One’s in a can so you can throw and go; and the other requires a little bit of effort. Both go well in a folding chair.

If you like whiskey… think Manhattans, Whisky Sours, etc… you HAVE to try a New York Sour! This is a leveled-up take on a whisky sour that comes to life by adding a surprisingly perfect addition- a red wine float.

NY Sour's always make the fish tales grow.
NY Sour’s always make the fish look bigger.

The players:

  • 2 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 egg white 
    • This is what makes the foam. If you choose to omit, just don’t worry about making the layers. *
  • 1/2 ounce full-bodied red wine
    • You want a wine made from thick-skinned grapes! Think Cabernet or Merlot. Stay away from Pinot Noir which can fall flat against the whiskey.
  • Luxardo cherries  
    • If they aren’t Luxardo, you are missing out!

Steps:

• Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg into a shaker and shake HARD! A well-frothed sour is the key to the delicious layers.

•Pour into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

•Slowly pour red wine over the back of a spoon dipped just under the foam to get a beautiful layer.

•Garnish with Luxardo cherries.

ENJOY!

*Consuming raw egg can lead to food-borne illness.

The second beverage is the best hard cider I’ve tried and it’s by a Colorado company called STEM. I long for adult beverages that taste refreshing, are gluten-free, and don’t kill with the sugar content. This is one of few beverages with 0g. sugar that makes me feel like I am winning at adulthood. STEM makes a few variations if you like the sweet, and they have some other fun dry flavors and fusions as well ( Pear is another favorite) . We are not sponsored in any way by STEM. We just love the product!

STEM Hopped Apple Cider
Hopped, but doesn’t taste too “hoppy”. Refreshing and light.

Brown Trout Spawning Season- Fun Facts!

Fall is the time of year the brown trout spawn!

Fun facts are below!

Colorful Brown Trout

How do you know if a trout is actively spawning?

Trout will spawn in shallow water with smaller rocks. They clear the moss of the rocks with their bodies in an exhausting effort to make a clean bed (or “redd” if you want to use technical terms. ) You can see these clean spots fairly easily on the Eagle River as we have a solid covering of moss on our rocks, so the clean spots will really stick out.

See the clear spot for spawning
A cleared-off trout redd.

When do rainbow trout spawn?

The Rainbows spawn in the springtime!

Is it ok to fish right now?

Yes! Just be mindful and leave those spawning fish sitting on the redds alone! They are in a delicate process and using A LOT of energy. Definitely don’t step on their redds. You can absolutely fish in deeper runs and riffles. As with all fish, handle them with a quick and gentle touch!

How do trout spawn, exactly?

The female trout deposits eggs onto the redd and then leaves the male to fertilize the redd. This redd is then fiercely guarded by the male trout. It is not uncommon to see other fish fighting over a spot on the redd. Trout will eat each other’s eggs and can become quite aggressive for the easy meal. Other fish often sit downstream the redd waiting for easy eggs to wash down.

What other fish spawn in the fall?

Rocky Mountain Whitefish! You can catch some big ones this time of year, although it is a little less common as the whitefish feed off of the bottom. Whitefish are a native Colorado fish and they definitely put a bend on a fly rod!

Massive Rocky Mountain Whitefish

Do trout move upstream when they spawn?

Yes! Most of the summer fish are spread out along the healthy parts of the river and “holed up” in their areas. They are trying to get fat and not spending many calories on swimming or moving. In contrast to summer behavior; in the fall, the browns and whitefish are definitely moving upstream with a spawning mission in mind. That’s why we see some bigger fish this time of year come up from the lower Eagle. And the shallow water makes it easier to hook into the bigger ones too.

Guide Cooper Anderson with a monster brown caught on the Eagle River.

Fall is a fantastic time to get out and enjoy the river! It’s quiet on the river, the fish are happy with the colder temperatures, mayflies and midges are all over the place, and there are certainly some big fish being caught right now. Let us show you the best pools and pockets, tie your flies, and keep the fun moving while you’re out fly fishing. Call Anderson’s Fish Camp at (970) 376-0002 to book a guided trip and make some fall memories!   Andersonsfishcamp.com for more information.

FlyLords: Women On the Water

Women on the Water: Katie Fiedler Anderson

Many of us call the water home, Katie Fiedler Anderson is no different. Just after high school, she picked up a fly rod and has never looked back. Now, many years later, she is the proud owner of Anderson’s Fish Camp, a mother, and a wife. Her time in the industry has not been a walk in the park, so to speak; nevertheless, she is dedicated to sharing what she knows with all who are interested. Check out the full Women on the Water interview here! Women on the Water: Katie Fiedler Anderson

How to patch leaky waders

It’s going to happen eventually; a small leak in even the nicest of waders. Here is a short video on how to find the holes in your waders and fix them!

Fly fishing guide tips for deciding where to fish during a drought.

By: Katie Fiedler Anderson

In my last article, you learned how the current drought in Colorado is creating warmer water temperatures, which can cause stress on fish due to a lack of oxygen content. Remember, water temps need to be below 65 degrees to be considered safe to catch and release a fish.

This week, I will share the top 5 considerations Anderson’s Fish Camp guides use to determine where to find the coolest water, literally! Hopefully this information will help you when considering where to go fish!

1. Altitude – the higher the altitude, the cooler the temperatures get. The difference between fishing Eagle-Vail or Eagle can be significant when talking about water temperatures! A few local creeks to try would be: upper Gore Creek, Piney, Beaver Creek, or Homestake Creek!

2. Riparian Zone– The riparian zone refers to the infinitely important ecosystem along the riverbanks. A healthy riparian zone contains trees, bushes, and shrubs that help prevent erosion, which in turn, keeps the river narrow and therefore running deeper. Additionally, the riparian zone provides shade, which cools the water. These trees and bushes are also a wildly important habitat for aquatic and terrestrial insects ( a.k.a. FISH FOOD). I can go on and on, but the riparian zone is worth hefty consideration.

3. Grade – Ask yourself when you are standing in an area, “How is the water dropping and churning?” The bubbles you see below a waterfall or a steeper grade signal oxygen recirculation back into the water. We like to see a good drop in grade that churns up water. Long areas of still, flat, hot, water are the exact opposite of what we are looking for in these conditions.

4.Water Depth – Skinny water heats quicker. Deep pools and pockets provide cooler water temps, not to mention protection from those hawks and eagles that will easily kill and eat a fish in skinny water!  Additionally, big boulders and undercut rocks can provide shade and protection for fish.

5. Time of Day- Air Temps are historically cooler in the mornings and evenings. This time of year, we leave the evenings alone because the water temps have surged during the heat of the day and, quite frankly, need some time to fall back down to a comfortable limit. As of August 25, we are recommending a 7:00 start time. This time allows the sun to climb over the mountain ridges, while leaving plenty of time to explore the river before leaving the river around noon.

Please see the included pictures of our thermometer readings. One set is from August 21 on the CCR section ( private water on the Eagle River in Edwards, Colorado) taken at 7:15am and again at 11am.The later one from Aug 25 on the CCR section taken at 10:30am. You can see our technique of placing the thermometer on our boots for 3-5 minutes to get an accurate and consistent reading.

10 considerations for protecting trout during a drought phase

Happy August! Colorado fishing season remains in full swing. You may start to hear chatter about water temperature in relation to fishing. Rightly so, almost every year, after a period of warm weather and little rain, concerns rise regarding the health of our magnificent fishery.

We break down fish health in terms of stress. Stress can come from the angler (wearing a fish out, improper care when handling, improper release, walking on trout redds) the environment ( hot water temps, diseases, lack of food), or other predators ( bigger aggressive fish, birds of prey, beavers, otters, etc.) . Stress is directly linked to mortality of fish.  It is often a surprise to anglers that most fish that die, will do so after you release them into the water. Just because they were thrown back in, truly means nothing if a fish has endured too much stress.

 Here are our top 10 considerations for protecting fish health while fly fishing:

  1. Use proper equipment to land fish efficiently and quickly.  The act of hooking a fish causes stress for the fish.  That surge of adrenaline, and then sometimes the calories and energy used when a fish swims around while on your line all are depleting resources. A proper weight rod and proper line with strong knots will help in efficiency.
  2. Don’t fish in water above 65 degrees! If water temps reach 65 degrees or higher, the oxygen levels drop in the water. This means the fish is already under a great amount of stress because it can’t breathe well. Fish in the morning when the river is at its’ coolest temp, and aim to be done by noon. We recommend a thermometer to check the water temps, as it’s concrete proof of whether or not you should fish.
  3. GET YOUR HANDS WET anytime you are handling a fish you don’t intend to kill. Most people don’t realize: the slime on a fish is part of its immune system! I’m not saying trout will get COVID-19, but they are vulnerable to disease and need a healthy immune system just like you and I!   
  4. DON’T THROW THE FISH BACK! When you catch a fish, it can be disorienting for the fish. Always put the fish back in the water, head upstream, in a spot with a little bit of current to it. This will allow water to flush through the gills while the fish orients itself again. DO NOT LET THE FISH GO until it kicks out of your hands. When that fish kicks, it has been properly revived and released. Not before. If you see a fish dive bomb straight under a rock; this is not a good sign. Often, you can grab the fish and properly release it or if you can’t grab it, move your net or foot close to it to get it to swim.
  5. De-barb your hooks. I shouldn’t have to go into much detail about this one. A barb is for catching and not letting go. If you don’t intend to cook your kill, de-barbing is the proper thing to do.
  6. It is Colorado State law to fish with 3 hooks or less. Any more and you’re breaking the law, and it’s unsportsmanlike like. Most anglers don’t know this rule!
  7. Use a rubber net. The “old school” or “vintage” nets are death traps that peel the slime off of the fish. You may as well pet them with sandpaper. Also, any sun gloves, or thumbholes on sun shirts should be removed before touching a trout as these items peel the slime as well.
  8. If the fish is out of the water, it is not breathing. The fish just ran a marathon on the end of your rod. Consider that, and water temps, before asking the fish to hold its breath again so you can have a photo.
  9. The trout is not a Popsicle. Squeezing it won’t yield better results. It will probably make it squirm more. If you are going to take a quick picture, get the camera ready first. Then, cradle the fish gently; fingers under the belly and thumbs on top; and put it right back into the water. Also, “lipping” a trout, like you would a bass, will break its jaw, and there’s no reason to lip a trout.
  10.  Know your “bag limits”. If you kill a fish, this goes towards your daily limit; even if you “let it go”.

Fly fishing is a great way to connect with nature. I hope this article empowers you to connect in a way that protects your incredible resource!

A gentle release of a healthy rainbow trout. Guide: Cooper Anderson

What is a Palomino trout?

 You will notice the Palomino trout because of its unique coloring; it looks almost like an albino rainbow trout! Also known as “bananas” or “lightening trout”, a Palomino’s golden coloring comes from a West Virginia golden rainbow trout breeding with a classically colored rainbow trout and creating a one of a kind catch that delights many anglers.

Palomino trout originated from a hatchery in West Virginia and can now be found in many lakes and stocked streams. Here in the Valley, we find them in stocked lakes & ponds. They are able to reproduce, unlike another local hybrid species the tiger trout, although there is not much information on the success rates.

The Palomino is surely unique, and they are said to have a better fight when at the end of your fly rod. This could be the excitement of catching such a rare looking fish or it could be a truly stronger breed, but you will have to find out for yourself!

Anderson’s Fish Camp is proudly partnered with the Country Club of the Rockies, where you will find a few Palominos circling the gold course lakes. Please call (970) 376-0002 to book a guided fly fishing trip today!

Above: A Palomino catch for a beautiful fly fishing bride-to-be! ( 2019)

What is Run-Off? Some fun facts about high water season.

What is Run-off?

Welcome to run-off season! Anyone that gazes at the Eagle River often, may have noticed that it is looking a little different lately. All of the snow from the high-mountain peaks is melting rapidly, creating a season us “river folk” fondly refer to as run-off!

Our home river, The Eagle River, is 60.5 miles of undammed free-flowing beautiful mountain water. The headwater begins its journey near the Continental Divide just outside of Red Cliff, CO. where you can jump from bank to bank over the Eagle River; and then it continues westward until it joins the Colorado River in Dotsero, CO. Through this 77 mile stretch, snowmelt, rain, creeks, and small drainages, empty into the river which increases its volume as it flows downstream. For this reason, the USGS ( United States Geological Survey) has set up gauges at various points along the Eagle River so that you can check the flow.

I like to follow the Avon, CO flow chart, since this is the water that I fish the most. (Link at the end of this article)

Following this chart; At its lowest the Eagle River flows in the range approx. 40-90 CFS. At its highest or at its peak, the Eagle River will run anywhere between approx. 5,000 and 7,000 CFS.

The peak is determined by the weather and snow pack. Hot days back to back, with a healthy snow-pack will get a high volume run-off. Cooler days, or a terrible snow year will produce a slower/lower volume run-off.

WHAT IS CFS?

CFS stands for Cubic Feet Per Second. For a visual, a basketball is roughly the size of a cubic foot. The Eagle River is running at around 1,500 CFS today.

If you picture yourself standing in the middle of the river (not recommended right now!), than you will have roughly 1,500 basketballs blasting past you EVERY SECOND! Not a game of dodge ball I want to play!

Nonetheless, run-off is a healthy river function! Run-off clears out sediments ( such as all of the rocks/sand deposited on the roads through out the winter)  that collect and can kill or suffocate bug life over time. When the bug life isn’t healthy, the fish suffer. This is something that often is missing when a damn is constructed in the middle of a river, and why we are so lucky to have a healthy WILD river in our backyard.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT FISHING?

Fish are truly remarkable. They survive the frigid cold winters, and then they are hit with run-off, which they are adapted to quite well. In a wild river like the Eagle, there are plenty of rocks, boulders, and river bends that offer protection from the raging currents. The fish will hunker down in these areas during the peak flow. They aren’t hanging on for dear life as you or I might be doing if we had 900 basketballs of water flushing by us every second; rather fish simply adapt to the conditions, and move around accordingly. The trout will still eat a variety of aquatic insects during this time and once the water calms down, they move away from the shallow river edges where they are vulnerable to predators. The fish eat every day, and therefore can be caught every day. It’s the approach that changes for an angler, as we have to adapt to presenting flies in the varying conditions. But that, my friends, is job security; and one of the reasons I love what I do!

If you would like to book a trip with Anderson’s Fish Camp, please call or text us at (970) 376-0002 or visit AndersonsFishCamp.com for more information. You will find our current COVID protocols on our web site. If you are fishing on your own, please be careful! Never wade into a section that is moving rapidly. 

If you want to check the flow visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09067020&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060