Cheeseman Reservoir

[riverfever]

IW is right...when you get to #20/22's sometimes you end up staring at a circle that's a few feet in radius and when you see a rise you hit it. You'll learn real quickly when it's legit and when a trout is just coming in for a closer look. At times I'll cover multiple patterns or in really sh!tty light (or when hung over) I'll tie on a larger Parachute, big Caddis, or even a Stimulator and then drop a Trico or similar microscopic fly under that and maybe grease the leader. Then you at least have a visual on the bigger fly to help you but if you start fishing with any regularity you'll be amazed at how quickly your eyes will adjust. They become sharper from all the scanning for shapes and slight movements, whites of their mouths during feeding, etc.

As far as knowing what's on the menu...you just begin to know based on the river, section of river, time of day, time of year, etc. For example...I spend a lot of time in Cheesman Canyon during the summers and it's usually the same half dozen or so flies that I go to. Once in a while things will shut down and they'll get lockjaw but that's usually due to something freak like runoff or a crazy hatch of some sort.

Perfect example is that Idiot Wind loves him some RSII's. IMHO...they blow. Scott woul dhave been scrambling for that pattern if you described those conditions to him and I would have gone with a Black, bead head Cheesman Emerger. I've got a lot of confidence in that pattern and I wouldn't wipe with an RSII. That's also half the fun too...catching trout on something different than anyone else that day.

 

[buschwhaked]

What do you mean by "grease the leader?" Also, what book/website do you recommend that will give me a better idea of what bugs are working on certain sections of river?

 

[Idiot Wind]

What do you mean by "grease the leader?" Also, what book/website do you recommend that will give me a better idea of what bugs are working on certain sections of river?

This book is an absolute must.

http://www.amazon.com/Flyfishers-Gu...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221595206&sr=8-1

as far as greasing your leader, use your dry fly floatant (Loon Outdoors Aquel for example) and apply some of it to your leader to help it float on the surface.

I also on occasion hit The Blue Quill Angler website for relatively up to date info on various rivers.

 

[buschwhaked]

Ok, we're going to RMNP next weekend!!! Woohoo. Anyway, we got a site in Moraine and the Big T is right there. Been doing some research and this is what I came up with:

-16 - 18 Elk Hair Caddis for Lakes and Streams
-16 - 18 Adams (both parachute and regular)
-16 - 18 Orange Asher
-18 - 18 Mosquito
-16 - 18 Yellow Humpy
-16 Hair's ear for the Big Thompson (nymph pattern)
-12 Stonefly for the Big Thompson
- web-wing caddis #16
- Red Quill #16 or a Parawulff Adam #18
- copper-beaded pheasant tail #18
- Tungsten beaded WD40s #18 or a Gidget #18
- Pearl Elkhair caddis #16
- Schlotter's Foam ant #18
- brown Gidget #18
- Transparant #16


Any other recommendations?

 

[Idiot Wind]

Ok, we're going to RMNP next weekend!!!

well, I am jealous. RMNP is my favorite place in the world to fish. The Big T through Moraine Park can be tough. Fish are VERY spooky. If you are going to spend more than a day there, get a park map and hit up some out of the way streams. Follow pretty much any trail that has a stream/lake up to it, hike more than 1/2 mile from the trailhead you will probably have the place to yourself *cough* Lawn Lake Trailhead *cough*. Crimp your barbs down if you choose this route.

I would throw on one more ant pattern. Just make it a regular every day black ant.

 

[buschwhaked]

well, I am jealous. RMNP is my favorite place in the world to fish. The Big T through Moraine Park can be tough. Fish are VERY spooky. If you are going to spend more than a day there, get a park map and hit up some out of the way streams. Follow pretty much any trail that has a stream/lake up to it, hike more than 1/2 mile from the trailhead you will probably have the place to yourself *cough* Lawn Lake Trailhead *cough*. Crimp your barbs down if you choose this route.

I would throw on one more ant pattern. Just make it a regular every day black ant.

Yeah, my wife and I are heading up friday and leaving sunday. She's never been up there though so I want to take some time to show her the park. But hey, I've got a headlamp...

Any good local fly shops I should hit up before heading in? I was looking at Kirk's Fly Shop website and they seem pretty cool. Any recommendations?

I usually fish barbless anyway. I just hate having to fight to get the fly out of both the fish and my fly patch.

 

[Idiot Wind]

Any good local fly shops I should hit up before heading in? I was looking at Kirk's Fly Shop website and they seem pretty cool. Any recommendations?

I recently ran into one of their guides on a backpacking trip. that shop will do you just fine. A side note, you are going at the right time of year. You should hear the elk buggling most of the night. I freaking love that sound.

 

[buschwhaked]

A side note, you are going at the right time of year. You should hear the elk buggling most of the night. I freaking love that sound.

Yeah, I usually try to hit any NP I go to when kids are back in school. Though I went to the Grand Canyon in March and it was packed. Totally forgot about Spring Break. :doh: There were actually more Europeans there than anybody else though. The exchange rate is really driving up European tourism.

Funny side note though, my buddy works at Yellowstone. In July, he was fly fishing in a side stream and all of a sudden he started hearing "click click click click" behind him. He turned around and a tour bus loaded with Japanese tourists had unloaded and were taking pictures with their overkill cameras of him fly fishing. He packed up and moved lol. He said they looked pissed he didn't keep fishing and didn't understand why he would move.