New Moon Fishing Club

Fishing the Tailwaters of Colorado

As Told by Todd Anderson

Transcribed by Ken Roberts

Blue, Frying Pan, and Taylor rivers hold the most double digit fish.

Need to THINK and STUDY the river before jumping into the water. Spot from a distance and on high ground if possible. Use the buddy system to help spot.

90% of large fish look up for food. Rarely do they look forward. So, they're usually laying towards the bottom and will mostly eat nymphs. Trophy fish rarely eat dries (except at night)

During high flows or spawning season will the best time for large fish. Try using egg patterns, bright colored streamers, San Juans.

Miscis Shrimp are the favorite food for large fish. #16 is a good size.

During March and October, is when the lakes bottoms "turn over" and a large concentration of shrimp rise up from the bottom and get sucked down the spillway.

Rainbows and Cutthroat spawn in the spring.

Browns and Brookies spawn in the fall.

Low light or cloudy days are best as you don't cast many, if any shadows. Larger fish tend to come out more.

Sunglasses- Clear water copper lens are great to see/spot fish during low light conditions.

The buddy system is the best way to spot large fish. You'll need a buddy to also help land any large fish. Attempting to do so by yourself will probably cause you to loose it. ALWAYS have a camera with flash!

Approach- Quartering upstream or downstream.

Line- Cortland 444 SL Clear tip or Clear Creek Army Green WF-5-F.

Leader- Fluorocarbon type line is new on the market. It blends in the background underwater. It also withstands the elements.

Tippets- 4X or 5X Fluorocarbon type.

2-Fly set-up:

• Tie the trailer fly onto the eyelet, not on the shank.
• Soak weights in vinegar to dull the shine on them.
• Add weights as needed, use more than less.

In depths over 10-12ft. put weights on after the fly on it's own tippit.

After casting, start to "mend" your line. This will allow your fly to sink a little and slow the "drift".

Keep a low profile when approaching the river bank. Keep some obstruction between you and the fish.

Landing the fish:

• Keep the rod tip up!
• Set drag high with breaking the line.
• Use a good disc drag reel.

Strike Indicators- Use white. It blends in better with the surface film.

When handling a large fish, support it's weight by holding the fish under the chin and tail.

Fish migrate during high flows and spawning season to downstream areas.

Keep a journal of your trip. Write down weather conditions, water flows, fly types and sizes used. Locations and fish caught. Measure fish by length and 2 girth measurements.

Don't bother fishing around full moons. Fish have probably eaten all night.

This site is for informational purposes only. Created by dmk. Email newmoonfc@aol.com with question or comments.

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