Colorado Fly Fishing & Riparian Education Center

01/15/2023

You still alive?

06/21/2015

06/21/2015

This past week I have been to Barker Reservoir 3 different days and I have caught 6 different species of fish. Rainbow trout, brook trout, splake, grayling, salmon, and of course a few suckers. I have been witness to people catching brown trout, a greenback cutthroat, and one cut-bow. This has been a blast and gets better with every hook up. But don't come up here and take my spot, it has been reserved for the rest of the season. Just kidding, you are welcome to come and you'll have a good chance of seeing me there. I'll be the one catching all the fish. Please stop and say hello. You never know, I might give you some tips for success.

05/31/2015

Growing up in Nederland, I have fished Barker Reservoir every year since 1982. In my earlier years I was throwing a 1/4 oz. Kastmaster as far as I could catching many fine rainbow trout.. As I turned more toward fly fishing I found myself at the inlet every year catching rainbows, browns and the occasional cutthroat or brookie.

Since then, Barker has since become a treasure trove of fish species due to the stocking programs over the past four or five years that have brought us Tiger Muskies, Slake, Lake trout, Salmon and Arctic Grayling to add to the list of trout. Among of of these, the Arctic Grayling is the most fun to fly fish for. They are very curious and like to feed higher in the water column and on the surface. They are a very active fish and beautiful as well, which in my book makes for a great day of fishing.

With the high waters on the streams and rivers throughout June, your local reservoirs offer great fishing in the inlet areas. Good luck and please feel free to share your stories with us.

02/25/2015

We want to make the riparian world of fly fishing available to people that normally wouldn't have a chance to experience this outdoor, hands on learning.

02/25/2015

What signals are you sending through your line?

On most days from the first moment I see the stream my eyes get wider, my heart starts pounding my optimism of a great day of fishing is copious. Then as my line float along with the tranquility of the stream I fall into rhythm with everything around me. I am becoming one with the environment and aware of the bugs under the water, the bugs above the water, the birds and the wildlife all sets my pace. The energy that flows through you results in a positive day catching fish.

Most of us are probably guilty of running from problems in our life to go fishing, I have. Some of those days I am thinking of something else and can’t find that pace that nature is trying to set. Out of tune with the stream means no energy flow and fewer fish. Believe it or not, but I do. That energy is sent through your line and can affect your success. If you’re not in tune, your drift may be affected because you’re distracted. You’re not in rhythm with the water.

It’s a beautiful morning as we reach the stream, looking forward to a great day. But as we get just past noon we haven’t see too much action. Still optimistic I am finally getting in tune and finding a few feeders, but my partner is starting to tire and not getting in tune. His concentration is gone and he’s not having much success. Sometimes it is hard if not impossible to find that energy flow when you lose it. I am guilty of it myself. I just have to stop, sit down and try to refocus on nature. Sit on the bank and watch what’s going on. Become aware and in the moment. Then tie a new rig on and become one with the stream leaving your problems behind.

01/23/2015

Some of my big memories

06/25/2013

04/23/2013

April 22 and another 10" of January! Our snow pack is above normal now. My fishing time is WAY below normal.

04/06/2013

Great article possibly connecting ADHD to lack of time spent in nature. The ice has broken free and the sound of the stream is my therapy. Just in time!

Field Notes from the Future: Tracking the Movement to Connect People and Nature

02/21/2013

Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle is the featured guest on this Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer. He is introducing the term Nature Deficit Disorder and is an advocate for curing children of this affliction. Please listen to this Podcast and get involved!

This week, in an addition to a long FLy Box section, I go a little off topic as I interview Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, who introduced the term Nature Deficit Disorder to the world, and has perhaps done more than anyone else in modern times raise awarene...