Fort Collins and Northern Colorado: Fly Fishing with Friends

Nothing beats fishing with friends on a long weekend getaway.

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of fishing with a high school friend and his son (they traveled from New Hampshire).  Colorado conditions were challenging, even for an experienced angler such as myself.  

We fished the conditions, which called for deep/fast water nymphing.  We endured long days, filled with pockets of sun and spits of rain, hail, wind, and lightening.  By any measurement, fishing was very SLOW, but we managed to catch a few each day.  I applaud my amigos patience and resiliency -- most anglers would have thrown in the towel and found comfort in the ever popular spring run-off statement, no fish...the water was too high, fast, and dirty.  It is true, fishing is harder and slower in such conditions; however, it's not impossible.  Learn to fish the conditions, and I guaranty, you'll soon become a very good angler! 

Thanks for a great weekend amigos! 

PS.  If you are new to the sport, let me know how I can help. 

Fort Collins Fly Fishing: Fishing Nets and CPR

Today's Blog Post

Disclosure: I have taken thousands of fish photos.  Unknowingly, until I learned how to land fish without a net and utilize 'best' Catch-Photo-Release techniques (CPR), I did what everyone else did.  However, 10 years ago I changed -- I no longer use fishing nets, I practice CPR, and I reduced the amount of fishy photos taken (i.e., do we really need 24/7 fish porn?).  

Years ago, a fishing net was strictly used to land a fish (a fish that was most likely eaten for dinner).  Now days, in a web based world, fishing nets are being used for 1) catch-n-release, and 2) take sensational photos -- modeling yourself, the fish, your fly rod, national brands, alcohol, and other.  IMHO, it's odd behavior and it seems to represent everything but 'best' catch-photo-release practices.

Do you need a fishing net and what are 'best' catch-photo-release practices?     

1. Fishing nets are a great tool, especially for drift boats, float tubes, or other water craft.  But, I often fail to see 'best' CPR practice when landing/netting a fish.   

2. For those that walk-n-wade, I argue that fishing nets are not needed at all.  Why?   

- Bush/tree snags

- Large and bulky

- Broken, if stepped on

- Silently slips out 

- Forget to pick up
- Drop in H2O (bye-bye)

- They ain't cheap

- And most importantly...

Unknowingly engage in poor Catch-Photo-Release techniques

To learn more about landing fish without a net and practice CPR techniques, please read Catch-Photo-Release Part 1 and 2

Thanks for reading -- If anything, I hope the information encourages you to examine your CPR practice.