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Artistic view of a Male Pteronarcys californica (Pteronarcyidae) (Giant Salmonfly) Stonefly Adult from the Gallatin River in Montana
Salmonflies
Pteronarcys californica

The giant Salmonflies of the Western mountains are legendary for their proclivity to elicit consistent dry-fly action and ferocious strikes.

Ventral view of a Hydropsyche (Hydropsychidae) (Spotted Sedge) Caddisfly Larva from the Yakima River in Washington
With a bit of help from the microscope, this specimen keys clearly and unsurprisingly to Hydropsyche.
27" brown trout, my largest ever. It was the sub-dominant fish in its pool. After this, I hooked the bigger one, but I couldn't land it.
Troutnut is a project started in 2003 by salmonid ecologist Jason "Troutnut" Neuswanger to help anglers and fly tyers unabashedly embrace the entomological side of the sport. Learn more about Troutnut or support the project for an enhanced experience here.

Fgfg
Colorado

Posts: 4
Fgfg on Feb 25, 2017February 25th, 2017, 12:01 pm EST
Hey 👋
I've been fishing clear creek in golden Colorado, waters icy, I've been out past two days. Swinging black, olive and white streamers. Poison tounges, black beauties and zebra midges - no hits.

Any special advice for Colorado Rocky Mountain frozen creeks?

Thanks!!
@ferngullyflyguy
Iasgair
Iasgair's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 148
Iasgair on Feb 25, 2017February 25th, 2017, 1:53 pm EST
Fgfg,

Nice to see another Coloradan. For Clear Creek, the hatches will primarily be midges. But mayfly nymphs should be on the move as well. You may want to try a combination of these in a 2-nymph set up.

Try:
BH Pheasant tail sizes 16-20.
BH Brassie 18-22 in olive, cream, or gray.
BWO Para. 16-22.
Midge dry flies 20-28.

I hope this helps. I know it works well on the Big T.

Also, stay warm and please be careful on any ice. Most of all, be patient. They will be deep in holes, and tucked up tight under rocks. Clear Creek can be very tough this time of year, but obviously better after run off.

If you continue using streamers, keep them as close to the bottom as you can tapping the rocks.
Fgfg
Colorado

Posts: 4
Fgfg on Feb 25, 2017February 25th, 2017, 2:01 pm EST
This post was more than helpful - thank you Isagair - I will keep you posted on what works ! Thanks again! @isadair
@ferngullyflyguy
Iasgair
Iasgair's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 148
Iasgair on Feb 26, 2017February 26th, 2017, 1:23 am EST
One more thing. Use smaller streamers than what you would normally use. I would use something 1 1/2 inches long at most.







PaulRoberts
PaulRoberts's profile picture
Colorado

Posts: 1776
PaulRoberts on Feb 26, 2017February 26th, 2017, 3:04 am EST
If you are in really cold water the fish may not be willing to move much. I know we've had an unseasonably warm February, but this last front has dropped temps back to winter. Keeping speed in check will become important again.

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