By Kirk Deeter

Having wrapped up a week of backcountry fly fishing, it's time to reflect on the many lessons learned along the way (if you aren't learning, you aren't really fishing are you?) 

The number one lesson I took away from this adventure is that habitat is the number one factor that influences the quality of the fish, and fishing.  It's no different than deer hunting, bass fishing, or anything else.  But the picture comes into clear focus when you actually get out on different waters, and can contrast for yourself the experiences from one river to another. 

What makes a trout stream great?

Location is part of it.  Naturally, the further afield and the more remote you get, the better it gets.  The more you distance yourself from the pressures applied by other anglers, the more likely trout are eat dry flies. It's just that simple.  I am 100 percent convinced that the rivers where you have to use tiny little nymphs all the time are that way because the trout that live there see a lot of flies.

But the health of a trout population--the robust nature of the fish, and the volume of trout in a river--depends the quality of their habitat for spawning, protection, and forage.  Good habitat can transcend most factors.

That all came into clear focus yesterday when we chanced upon a restored stream (where the habitat was great) and caught Rio Grande cutthroats up to 16 inches long... and growing.  If there is habitat, they will grow. 

Which naturally leads to the work Trout Unlimited does... part of this trip was about finding and experiencing fish, the other, more important part was tuning into the challenges posed to these fish by way of threats to their habitat as a result of public land leases for oil and gas production.  I encourage all of you to join and work with TU in protecting the fisheries that give us all something to blog and talk about on Fly Talk.

Lastly, here's a hint for anyone looking for a Colorado trout expedition of their own.  The area around South Fork, Colorado, is teeming with great opportunity... some of the best in America. Whether you want to catch 20-inch browns or native cutts in the high country, you can do it here.  I could spend another month and not begin to scratch the surface of what is available in this stunningly beautiful region.  The Riverbend Resort is an affordable and centrally-located place to set up your base by cabin or RV.  Tell Dan I sent you... Then get out there and hook 'em up.

Deeter

Comments (12)

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Your timing is uncanny Deeter. I'm putting together a trip as we speak.

You wouldn't happen to know of any good guides in that area? :)

I can't wait to get to Colorado. It is so beautiful.

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from vtbluegrass wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

What on earth is that giant thing in that trouts mouth?

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from idahooutdoors wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Nothing like back country cutthroat fishing, I have found several secret spots where an angler can pull 16 inch cuts all day, to the point you just can't physically fish anymore, good times.....

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Hopefully I wil be able to make that trip one day...

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from vince wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Deeter - have you ever read Rosenbauer's book Prospecting for Trout? He has a really interesting set of theories on location and trout stream fertility. It's been amazingly accurate in my fishing experiences - I can look at the geology of a trout stream and have a rough estimate of how the fishing is going to go. I highly recommend it - it's the best book on fly fishing I've ever read.

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from shane wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

"Habitat? Who cares? Drill baby!"

- A lot of morons.

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from MLH wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Regarding habitat - Bravo! And it is not just through the great folks with TU. Local and regional groups do much for habitat - I'd say most of it occurs at local/chapter levels. Kick in! Meet some great people, have some fun, catch more and bigger fish, and feel good.

Some of the most surprising flyfishing I've experienced was right in downtown Steamboat Springs. They have done and continue to do so much for that river.

Same goes for habitat for pheasant, grouse, woodcock, ducks, etc.

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from kirkdeeter wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

buckhunter... down in southwestern Colorado, you need to talk with John Flick of Duranglers in Durango, Colo; duranglers.com. He is an old friend of mine, and please tell him I sent you. John will know the right guide for any drainage in this area. If you are making Colorado plans, in my humble opinion, you must visit the San Juan region in the southwest part of the state. I live near Denver because I have to get on airplanes every couple weeks... but the San Juans are my fishing home, and one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I promise.

vtbluegrass... a caddis with a yellow foam post that rises over the wing so semi-blind anglers (no name) can track it in the riffles.

Vince... funny you ask... I traded E-mails with Tom Rosenbauer today... I consider him a great friend and mentor, and have, naturally, read all his books. He is, of course, right, so far as those theories are concerned. The geology differs east, where he lives, from west, where I live... but the geography factor vis a vis going far afield to find less inhibited trout is the same wherever you go in the entire world. If you read Rosenbauer, you are undoubtedly on an enlightened track.

KD

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from shane wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

(no name) = Romano?

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from timromano wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

shane,

Uh, I'm not the 40 something that wears glasses...

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from troutbum_colo wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Timmy - stand up for yourself. We both know Deeter is getting a little hard of seeing. Time to buy him some coke-bottle bottom thick glasses that are polarized.

Great picture. Walk away from the pressure and the fishing improves. Don't just pull up the river and jump out and fish, unless you have not been on the water in a long time.

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Deeter,
I spent a couple weeks last year chasing elk (archery) in the San Juans. What a beautiful place. The folks in Durango were also wonderful. I swore I was going back and now you've given me good reason.

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from vince wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Deeter - have you ever read Rosenbauer's book Prospecting for Trout? He has a really interesting set of theories on location and trout stream fertility. It's been amazingly accurate in my fishing experiences - I can look at the geology of a trout stream and have a rough estimate of how the fishing is going to go. I highly recommend it - it's the best book on fly fishing I've ever read.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

"Habitat? Who cares? Drill baby!"

- A lot of morons.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from MLH wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Regarding habitat - Bravo! And it is not just through the great folks with TU. Local and regional groups do much for habitat - I'd say most of it occurs at local/chapter levels. Kick in! Meet some great people, have some fun, catch more and bigger fish, and feel good.

Some of the most surprising flyfishing I've experienced was right in downtown Steamboat Springs. They have done and continue to do so much for that river.

Same goes for habitat for pheasant, grouse, woodcock, ducks, etc.

+2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from kirkdeeter wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

buckhunter... down in southwestern Colorado, you need to talk with John Flick of Duranglers in Durango, Colo; duranglers.com. He is an old friend of mine, and please tell him I sent you. John will know the right guide for any drainage in this area. If you are making Colorado plans, in my humble opinion, you must visit the San Juan region in the southwest part of the state. I live near Denver because I have to get on airplanes every couple weeks... but the San Juans are my fishing home, and one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I promise.

vtbluegrass... a caddis with a yellow foam post that rises over the wing so semi-blind anglers (no name) can track it in the riffles.

Vince... funny you ask... I traded E-mails with Tom Rosenbauer today... I consider him a great friend and mentor, and have, naturally, read all his books. He is, of course, right, so far as those theories are concerned. The geology differs east, where he lives, from west, where I live... but the geography factor vis a vis going far afield to find less inhibited trout is the same wherever you go in the entire world. If you read Rosenbauer, you are undoubtedly on an enlightened track.

KD

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from shane wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

(no name) = Romano?

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from buckhunter wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Your timing is uncanny Deeter. I'm putting together a trip as we speak.

You wouldn't happen to know of any good guides in that area? :)

I can't wait to get to Colorado. It is so beautiful.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from vtbluegrass wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

What on earth is that giant thing in that trouts mouth?

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from idahooutdoors wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Nothing like back country cutthroat fishing, I have found several secret spots where an angler can pull 16 inch cuts all day, to the point you just can't physically fish anymore, good times.....

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Hopefully I wil be able to make that trip one day...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from timromano wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

shane,

Uh, I'm not the 40 something that wears glasses...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from troutbum_colo wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Timmy - stand up for yourself. We both know Deeter is getting a little hard of seeing. Time to buy him some coke-bottle bottom thick glasses that are polarized.

Great picture. Walk away from the pressure and the fishing improves. Don't just pull up the river and jump out and fish, unless you have not been on the water in a long time.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 2 years 30 weeks ago

Deeter,
I spent a couple weeks last year chasing elk (archery) in the San Juans. What a beautiful place. The folks in Durango were also wonderful. I swore I was going back and now you've given me good reason.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.