On 5/27 Drew Wilson showed up to the shop to put a fresh coat of paint on the shop centerpiece, a 12' replica great white shark. Instead of giving it another familiar paint scheme Drew adorned the shark in the color scheme of our state fish, The Greenback Cutthroat. Fun was had by all. Now, back to fly fishing. The Golden Guide report this week gives an overall look at the places we've been fishing and the flies/presentations we've had success on.

THANK YOU!

Last weekend we hosted our first in-person event in what feels like an eternity. We had a TON of fun and our entire staff would like to extend a proper Thank You to all of our customers and industry friends that came out to see Drew Wilson paint the shop shark. After a challenging year it was refreshing to get the Golden Fly Shop community together to do our favorite thing: talk fly fishing! 

If you weren't at "The Shark Party," you definitely missed out!

Next time we have a party, make a point to be here! 

After "Antero Dave" won the raffle we decided to ask him a few questions about his fly fishing background and where his nickname derives from...

Golden Fly Shop: How long have you been an angler and what inspires you to get on the water? 

Antero Dave: "Since I could ride a bicycle. Fly Fishing only for the last few years and it's my escape to get away from it all. Nice and quiet."

Golden Fly Shop: How would you describe your fishing style?

Antero Dave: "I'm still learning. I don't have a style but I only fish still-water... I don't fish any river's or streams or anything like that. My favorite's: Eleven Mile, Antero and Spinney...Not in that order." 

Golden Fly Shop: What do you look for in a local fly shop?

Antero Dave: "Help. Somebody that knows what they're talking about and can steer me in the right direction. Right Kevin?..." he says. 

Golden Fly Shop: If you could take Bonnie (The company car) anywhere to go fishing, all expenses paid, where would you go fish? 

Antero Dave: I'd go to upstate New York to fish The Salmon River for Steelhead in November or December. It's cold, but the fish are nice! 

Silver Linings: w/ flows on the Upper C unusually low

wade anglers should take advantage.

This brown ate a cased caddis on a seam-line.

GOLDEN GUIDE TRIP REPORT:

At Golden Fly Shop we strive to execute every guided trip at the highest level. From first contact with the shop, to the last fish at the end of the day we offer a premium service at a fair price. Our guides are passionate anglers, excellent service providers and our trips are competitively priced to offer everyone a great day on the water!

2 angler wade trip = $400*

2 angler float trip = $650

Conditions are fantastic if you know where to go (and where not to go)!  With bugs popping off and the water flowing freely, now is the time to lock-in your preferred guided trip dates!

*Prices based on location, time commitment and # of anglers.

So Ice-off has come and go. Fish are no-longer keying into just about anything you can throw.

it's time to get technical...

Recently our staff met up at the boat dock with friend of the shop, Mike Schwartz, to fish some new G. Loomis Rods and see if they could find a few willing fish.

Keep an eye on our You Tube Channel for a full video dropping soon!

Fishing was a little slower than they hoped but numerous fish could be found shallow, near banks/structure. The most effective rig without a doubt was a balanced leech paired with a chronomid. The O.S. Buzzer and Traffic Light both produced.

If you're at the bench tying your own supply, don't sleep on our Balanced Leech How To Video! 

 Chronomid hatches have been thick as of late. For the next few weeks focus your efforts fishing those bugs in both nymph and adult stages. As the weed lines grow and become more prominent we will start to see the first callibaetis hatches and damsel nymph activity of the year. If none of that sounds good, you can always count on an olive wooly bugger fished with an intermediate line. 

 Book those preferred still-water dates now before our guide calendar fills up for prime season! 

Spring tailwater guide trips have been consistent with multiple tactics bringing our guide's and anglers success. Fishing #20-22 Adult BWO's under cloud-cover has satiated the dry-fly pursuits while #16 Black/Olive leeches rigged with a #22 Red or Purple Juju or Darth Baetis.

These suggested patterns will get the job done on The South Platte and Blue Rivers which are both just over an hour from the shop.

As flows and lighting conditions change be ready to make adjustments in size and color accordingly! 

The upper C remains at lower than average flows (350-500 cfs). The lower flows provided an early Salmonfly hatch and increased access points the wade anglers out there. 

Last, but certainly not least, FLOAT SEASON IS HERE! 

Golden Fly Shop is now offering full day float trips on the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers. While conditions on the Upper Colorado remain bleak at best in terms of river flows (currently 391 as we write this), the Roaring Fork and Lower Colorado Rivers are providing plenty of water for excellent opportunities to throw dry flies, nymphs and streamers. 

Key flies for freestone float trips have been #8-10 coffee/black pats rubber legs (Girdle Bugs), #4-6 Olive/Black articulated streamers, Kryptonite Caddis, CDC flashback P-tail's, and Squirmy or San Juan worms.

The best part about float trips is not only will your guide be able to shuttle you to fresh runs and less pressured fish but the vantage point of a full-day trip provides top notch scenic views as well.