Check out this trailer for the latest movie by the boys from AEG Media. We’ve got copies on order that should arrive this week. Call the shop if you want to purchase copies in advance as they’re going to go fast! Enjoy
Recently I had a humbling experience on a to Cheesman Canyon, one that will forever change the way I prepare for a long winter day of fishing. It was mid week in January, and I was in need of a good day on the water. Feeling that a long walk, and some great scenery would do me well, I headed out to the upper stretches of Cheesman Canyon. 
Normally I would always walk in from the bottom lot, seeing as the hike in is much more manageable (especially since they rebuilt the upper trail). But that day seemed like a good day to get out and hike and clear my head. The weather that day was supposed to be mild and sunny, with a high around 45 degrees; all in all a perfect day to spend fishing my favorite stretch of river.
The morning started out slow, with only a couple fish to hand. My game plan was to start at the very top of the canyon and fish my way down stream. By about noon, I had reached Schoonover Gulch, about 1/4 mile from the top. I was eying a nice looking pool, but I knew there was no way to fish it productively from the side of the river I was on. Determined to find some feeding fish, I searched for a good spot to cross. After spotting a shallow looking section, I made my way down the steep canyon slope and proceeded to cross. The flows in the canyon that day were around 200 cfs, so I wasn’t concerned that wading across the river would prove to be daunting or treacherous.
This came off the website for of the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust regarding the recent fish kill in Florida that resulted from the extreme cold in early January.
“The severe cold that gripped Florida in early January resulted in high levels of fish mortality. Snook appear to have been hardest hit, but bonefish and tarpon were killed as well. In response, on January 15, 2010, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed harvest on these three species. Catch and Release fishing is still allowed. And there is a silver lining in this cloud.
The cold weather in Florida has caused mortalities of numerous coastal gamefishes. The night temperature reached down to freezing along coastal areas in the central and southern part of the state three or four nights in a row. Reports of dead bonefish came from in the Upper Keys and scattered reports of small tarpon statewide. The FWC has closed these fisheries to harvest even though few tarpon are kept, and the limit on bonefish is only one per person per day (yes, some are still harvested in South Florida). Catch and release fishing for these species is still allowed. The FWC is taking this proactive, precautionary approach to ensure the long-term health of the fisheries. As temperatures warm, guides and anglers are finding hungry fish coming in from deeper waters.
Anybody who has been to this year’s Fly Fishing Film Tour has seen the teaser for the newest film from AEG Media, METALHEAD. The trout bumming crew gets together for one final fly fishing odyssey deep in the British Columbia backcountry for some unreal Steelheading. The video is set for release on February 16th, and you can be sure that Trout’s is going to have them. We’re taking advance orders for anybody interested.
Today, The Denver Post reported that the snowpack in Colorado was at 86% of historical average. This doesn’t really come as a surprise, for anybody whose been to the high country lately has witnessed a very obvious lack of snow for this time of year. Although a dry winter like this doesn’t bode well for skiers, many anglers wonder what effect it will have on our summer fishing season? Most people will draw a doom and gloom reaction to this news, making it seem like we’re in for another summer like 2002. I would challenge that mindset and encourage everybody to look at our current situation from another stand point.
First, 86% snowpack for this time of year isn’t that bad. When you look at a historical table of Colorado snowpacks dating back to 1968, you’ll see that there are many other years where the statewide snowpack was much lower in February than 86%. For example, if you analyze historical February snowpack averages (see below) you’ll see that since 1968 there have been numerous years where the snowpack has been well below our current level.
