AZ_Trout

DON'T FISH IN THE OUTLETS...... DON'T FISH AT TANEYCOMO OR ANY OF THE TROUT PARKS... IGNORE THEM --- OUT FISH THEM I LIKE TO HIT THEM WITH MY FLYLINE ON SOME WILD CASTS AND FAUX HOOK SETS THEN IF ALL ELSE FAILS -- REPOSITION TO RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM OR IF THE RUN IS SHALLOW --WALK BACK AND FORTH THRU IT AND THEN LEAVE HEY BUT I CAN BE AN AHOLE

FYI save this web page and you won't even have to do the math http://www.garden-island.com/trout-weight-formula-calculator.htm

Plus $7 is a very small fee to support an activity that you like to enjoy ---C&R or keeping either way, $7 bucks is cheap fun!

OK Now I'm just curious, it's been a year and a half..... Did you get the reel fixed? Did a Okuma foot fit it? I fixed one that way still working fine. Just wondering. Good luck.

I like my TFO 3wt Professional --The Finness is a step up. Great small stream and small fish rod.

I agree stop in at Tim's. He'll get you all set up and then it's off to fishing. I'd even like to try one of TFO's little 2 or 1 wts Be a blast on the newly stocked fish.

I fish the trout worms on my fly rod --set anywhere from 1-4 feet under an indicator. I'll use 1/3 - 1/2 the original worm, this helps get a better hook set vs the whole worm. I started doing this set up maybe 20 years ago, while fishing at Ft. Riley KS for stocked trout in Camron Spring pond. The locals where doing real well with live bait and power bait while I'd pick up 1 -2 trout to like 5 of theirs. I thought there had to be a way to fish a worm or bait via the fly rod, but with out it falling off in the cast. I had a slow epiphany, it took about 2 days then it hit me --try the trout worms we use at the parks for the kids or when the water is up and dirty. It worked, it took some time to refine my approach, but it worked. I've done this at Lake Shawnee in Topeka, Lake Henry in Lawrence, and now out here in AZ they stock local lakes for the winter season and I've converted a few locals to the Ozark worm. I will still fish a woolly bugger, or a soft hackle, even a nymph under an indicator in these lakes first. I like the feel of the strike, it's a far better feel than just the slow take of the worm and then setting the hook, but hey a bent rod is more fun than an empty one! If you have the opportunity to try out the worm under a float, try it, develop the timing to get a good hook set yet not gut hook the fish, and have fun. Plus it will drive the other people around you nuts when you tell them what your doing.

My son and I have fished the Ferry -once. I said I'd never fish it again. You will need a boat - either rent one or hire a guide. There is a limited area that you can walk in but the majority of the river is in a canyon. We hired a guide from Ambassadors Guides. This was the worst guide experience I have ever had!!! I have had some great guides - well prepared- know their stuff- able to help - and can adapted based on the need to. This guide was no where near worth calling a guide. First he shows up and "asks us about what flies we have - no previous suggestions as to what to get or have (every other guide I had had flies they like - charge you for some but no the less have local knowledge) no drinks or water (he was suppose to have lunch and drinks as you can tell this day was not going to go well at all! The only way he knew to fish was to throw 30-40 feet of line with an indicator and dead drift. Now we are casting over many good fish just to let out 30-40 feet of line. [size=4]Forget the Ferry go to the San Juan If you do go to the Ferry -- try Marble Canyon Outfitters or Terry Gunn @ Lees Ferry Anglers

Brian, I was just there --Oct 24-31 -- There were a couple old raceways dug up..but I was thinking of the little stream that is right by the fish food dispensers. They could cut a smooth - level grade so it would be stable and safer. There is / or was - that one pond like raceway to the south, just above the road and tower. We were back for the SDC Christmas -- but never got around to the hatchery. Now back in AZ, so I have a few weeks of Browns trying to get fat before winter. Tightlines

There is a small section of moving water - just east of the raceways- next to the old outdoor aquarium - by the main building. It could serve as an area for kids. The visual of kids hooking some nice fish, might help create interest. Also one of the longer ponds just south of this raceway could be handicap fitted with safe decks.

Currently been in Branson since Sat the 24th Enjoying the rain and rageing river. Haven't even put my rods together yet --why bother. Since it is our time share week - I had planned to be here any way...hope to fish some. Maybe get a chance to go over to RRSP.

If Bass Pro is close -- then go there. For the most part I've found both good, and useful help in both stores here in Phoenix. When I'm in KC I always go to Cabela's - but it is closer to where we are. Bass Pro has -at least on line, a couple of Temple Fork Outfitters combos - series 1 for $145 - upgrade to Pro model $175 and a Redington Crosswater for $120. I like my TFO and have a friend that likes his Redington The folks at the store should be able to help you ---- a great DVD is FlyFishing Made Easy by Scientific Anglers -- or search on you tube-- tons of instructions. A 4 or a 5 wt would be fine, and all the other info has been great. Suggestion -- if they have a couple rods set up --see if they will let you cast them. It may come down to just which one feels the best.

I would have to Ditto --everyone's suggestion of Cabela's. You're in KC --there's one in KC - even if it's across town, it's worth the drive. Also the link to Allbright is a bargain at the discounts. I would also suggest it is a fine balance between spending too much on something you might not like or only do once, versus getting good equipment in the first place. But the better the rod and reel -- the easier learning can be, too often I see people get something cheap (a kit for <$100) and usually it's hard to cast - no feel, and they end up spend more money to get something better. Yet you don't want to spend too much if you find out you don't like to flyfish. If you are going to chase bass at some of the farm ponds -- you might want to go with a 5 weight, but I use my 3 wt more than any other set up I have. If you go to Cabela's -- check out the bargain cave, I've found a few great deals over the years.

To the best of my knowledge - Mar 1 OPEN Last day of Oct 31st --Halloween --Closes Thus Nov 1st it is closed as it is on Feb 28th or 29th Not sure of C&R season --but it was the second Friday Of Nov --Second Monday of Feb Don't have the dates - since they can vary. Hope that helps

Probably, cause you can always find someone wanting to "shoot the sh#t" Ha Ha I think I'm funny

Flyfishmaster Silverthorne is just about the perfect location. If I could spend about 4-5 months there - without snow, I'd be almost in heaven. Close to Denver, right on some great water, short drives to the Colorado, RMNP, South Platte system, headwaters for the Arkansas. We've rented homes up there about 3 -4 times now, one the properties had a 3 acre private pond. The trout were pigs, almost like pets - the BIG ones where all but impossible to fool (oh we caught 5-6 nice fish but they were smart)- the little ones where happy to entertain us though. I'm a big fan of the Ozarks and Springfield - Branson. Taneycomo, RRSP, Below Beaver Lake, N Fork of the White. And we have some really nice water about 3 hours north of Tucson, with the White Mountains of AZ, but I just really like the Dillon Silverthorne Breckinridge area. It might be that as kids growing up in the KC area we often went to Colorado camping on our family vacations, or because I'm a trout junkie - this is a great area, I don't know. But if I could figure out how to be rich and able to rotate between those 3 areas I could be in trout paradise. Tight Lines

Lots of nice places out there. I'd really suggest getting a hold of Pat Dorsey http://www.bluequillangler.com/ I've fished with Pat a couple of times and all I can say is Pat and any of the other guides he uses or suggest are TOP Notch. Pat is just a great guy and has so much info on the South Platte system -- you'll just pick up all kinds of info. The folks at Cutthroat Angles in Silverthorne are OK too. Good luck on the trip

I'd have to agree with Al. I know what I don't like, and ditto a lot of his remarks (I hate it when they keep holding the fish out of water - while they go on and on). I tend watch as many of these as I can find --so it must be a love hate relationship. But again I live in the dessert, need to live vicariously through someone. I always wanted a state's dept of conservation to do a local program of around the state fishing locations and trips (no hidden gems or places that would suffer from too much pressure). TU's "On the Rise" is nice. But a state like Montana, Colorado, Wyoming - has tons of known local water - and it would help in planning a vacation trip. Feature different local guides - traveling around the state, teaching yet promoting tourism for the state. I want the show to teach - show me the flies - how to tie the flies. I like watching the strike -- I hate it when the camera man is getting artsy -- just follow the fly - indicator. Here are some of the programs I like to watch. On The Rise. The New Fly Fisher & Sportfishing on the Fly on WFN (World Fishing Network) channel #394 on Dish Network. Familiar Waters Fly Fish TV Jerry McGinnis – had a show on ESPN –a few years back – I always liked the fly fishing segments. One trip up north for smallmouth’s, a Taneycomo trip with Whitty Herzog Many Years ago -- there was a program "Gone Fishing" with Harold Ensley He always made a couple trips to Canada - Minnesota - maybe even Alaska -but most programs where from around the Midwest. If I can't be fishing --let me watch fishing.

Not in SWMO --but NWMO just above the KC Area -- Cosby MO -- The Gun Dog School of Missouri (gundogofmo.com) -- disclaimer - Les is my little brother, but he has a way with the dogs, and has sent dogs all over the country. Heck you might be able to convince him to do a Branson Springfield trip - vacation and then he could truck the dog back up. He hunts -- I fish -- never does match up.

WATCH --- those that are having more luck. What are they doing? Talk with them, many will share info. Any time you can spend with a guy like Tim will be priceless. I don't move as much as I should -- I know I should move more -- but I get wrapped up in a section - or fish and stay too long. I think when you move the first 3 casts or so to a new area or fish, produce more strikes than the 25th cast to the same place. Some of my more favorite drys for RRSP - #16 Renegade, 18-20 Tiny BWO, 16 Griffins Gnat, Ants, Beetles, Crackelbacks. Also do you use an indicator? Just getting proficient with an indicator will bump your numbers. Don't be afraid to go small with the nymphs 18-20s, or use eggs. I know we use to spend many a summer camping / fishing trips at the park -- but I'd hate to guess how long it took before I really had a solid clue as to what I was doing, needed to do, and adjusted when necessary. If you can fish the winter season -- that will help your curve a bunch. Practice and experience -- should lead to knowledge and skill. Good Luck Tight lines

Welcome to the addiction Always glad when people have success early on in their fly fishing adventures. I know for the first few years of trying to fly fish - I bet -- I looked like an uncoordinated - brain dead - spazzz. Most major manufactures will repair or replace the rod, so will many good shops, beats trying to do it yourself. Now you have an excuse to buy a couple of more rods. I always try to have multiple rods along on even a day trip. If you breaks I have a back up, I can have different weight and or length rods ready for back up or if a lighter or heavier weigh is needed. But mostly it is a great reason just to buy more - new - different. You might want to try a trip to Roaring River State Park too. A good place to work on your technique. Thighlines

I don't remember that far back. But one of the first winter seasons for my son and I was 1988 at RRSP. Chris was in 2nd grade - I'd guess 8 years old. He could work a spinning rod well enough to function on his own. We went up to the hatchery and bought our winter permits, rigged up and started fishing. Up by the top pool, Chris hooks up with a +5 lb fish on a spinner, gets it in and let's it go. Later he shouts WOW look at this one, he is on the top bridge in fast water, I thought he snagged a stick and was being funny, until I was the fish move, jump and roll, I 'd guess close to 8lbs. It jumps again and throws the spinner. Now at this point I'd sat down and cried, Chris laughs and says "had to let it go anyhow". Later down by the lodge Tim's fishing the same hole as Chris, Tim has a nice 15 inch bow on the fly rod, he asks Chris "you want try one on this rod?" Chris does, and from that point on he has been a Flyrodder, 1st and almost only. We pretty much started a family tradition, that Thanksgiving weekend, Chris, my brother in law, and I went to RRSP for Catch N Release. We tried to work in 1 or 2 more trips in the winter season for the next 6-7 years until we moved from Topeka to Tucson. I still toy with the idea of flying in to KC and driving down for C&R.

Here are a couple of ideas and suggestions I'll share. Always try Woolie Burgers, Semi Seal Leaches, Bead Head Prince, other attractor patterns, either fished on a wet tip line, or floating w - w/o weight depending upon each water. On windy days a small micro jig under a strike indicator works with a slow retrieve, chrono or other midge patterns deep under a float. If the fish seem to be up top a soft hackle fished in the top 6 inches works. Now the issue that can start a long discussion as to what is fly fishing....... use the plastic trout worms, 1/2 - 1/3 of a piece under an indicator, slowly stripped back and let the fish run with it a bit then set the hook. I started trying this 20 years ago - or more when I lived in Topeka, KS. Local lakes and ponds would be stocked in the winter - spring session, and the bait fishers did great..but I wanted to use the long rod. It took some trial and error but I finally got it to work. Lake Shawnee in Topeka, Ft Riley, even out here in AZ where we have some winter trout stocking on urban lakes and some of the higher elevation levels, it has worked. You have to develop a timing so the fish are not hooked too deep, and you're not trying to set the hook too soon, since they will mouth the worm for a second or two before taking it. While the strike is more fun when you are striping a fly vs the worm, if the fly is not working then the rod's not bent, and the amount of fun is lessened. Good Luck

OK --- I'm an addict! I have 4 3wts. They are a blast for smaller fish. My first set up was also the Cabela's lower end rod(3 rivers?), I found it fine, it could handle 18-20 inch fish, easy to use in tight bushy areas. So I upgraded to TFO 7-6 4 pcs, gave the Cabela's to my son. Now the junkie kicked in. I found a 6-6 3wt 7pc March Brown on Overstock - could not pass it up, a blast on a couple small streams and the winter trout put and take stocked lakes. darn Cabela's Bargin Cave got me too. I found a McGill Wright 7-0 4 pc FlyGirl, yes made for a women's smaller hands - but for $100 I couldn't pass it up. It has become my favorite. For float tubing I did get a 9 footer -- makes casting easier. Another plus is the longer rod makes it easier to keep line off the water- if your high sticking. I try to justify my addiction by: golfers have a club for almost every situation, why not a fly rod?

.I would be in favor of only C&R above Fall Creek on any trout. Below Fall Creek Browns over 24 inches may be kept. I'd even push the Brown minimum to 26 inches. You want to keep fish -- fish down by the Landing, or Campgrounds, Trout Docks.