Still Water

Still Water 7/3/11

Chesterfield Reservoir-Sunday July 3, 2011

What a different year this is. The reservoir is still full, and I am finally seeing damsel nymphs in the shallows.

The fish are big, fat and strong. Either fish leeches and damsels with an intermediate or #2 sinking line in the deeper water, especially if you know where existing weed beds and structure are prevalent.

Or come in to the shallower waters (around weedbeds and dropoffs) and indicator fish in anything from 1 to 10 feet of water. Fish chironomids early and then go to your favorite damsel pattern. Fish will be cruising the edges , even where the dropoff is immediate and deep.

Also-Look for Callibaetis nymphs and drys along with adult (dry) damsels. Fish Chesterfield “Hebgen ” style with a  callibaetis /damsel nymph hung from a Callibaetis or dry damsel. Look out-the fish are STRONG

TB

Still Water 7-5-2011

Damselfly activity is the name of the game on all reservoirs.   Big fish are responding now at  Chesterfield and Twenty-Four Mile reservoirs.  Concentrate on shallow waters and around submerged vegetation.  Same thing at Daniels Res. where midging remains just as effective.  When it comes to damselflies, don’t overlook  using dry adult patterns on the surface.  Can be a lot like gulper action.  Sand Creek Ponds will join the list of still water choices for non-motorized boating with fishing after July 15th.

Still Waters 6-29-2011

Hottest one here is Daniels Reservoir with damselfly nymphs in the upper end and other shallows bringing darn good action.  Midging also works. Chesterfield, Hawkins, and Twenty-Four mile reservoirs are improving because on growing damselfly activity.  We have not heard much on good fishing on Treasureton and Springfield reservoirs, so read between the lines here.  Bluegill fishing at Twin Lakes has not hit its peak.  Maybe things will break free this weekend, but expect lots’a motorized sports breaking free, too.

Still Waters 6-25-2011

Same as the last report,  action is picking up everywhere.  Stick to waters less than fifteen feet deep.  The shallower parts of Daniels Reservoir seem to offer the  best  fishing for the time being.  The upper end and the west side, in particular.   Try damselfly nymphs, and some innovators are trailing a midge pupa behind them with success. Try the same on Twenty-Four  Mile  and Chesterfield reservoirs which are improving.   Here’s a windy day tactic to try on all these: suspend a damselfly nymph or a small leech pattern under an indicator and let wave action move the fly up & down.   Pay attention!

We expect reports on the warm water fisheries to begin coming in. To date cold waters have slowed action, but things are warming up.

Still Waters 6-22-2011

All of these are coming around to good fishing. Damselfly nymphs on intermediate lines around weed beds in shallow water is the best strategy.  Midge pupa patterns under an indicator on a floating line are also effective. Try these everywhere including Daniels, Hawkins, Springfield, and Chesterfield reservoirs.  Speaking of Chesterfield Reservoir, much of the land along the west and south shoreline is private property. It is to be crossed by foot traffic only.  The landowner has expressed some concern that some cases of vehicle trespass has happened with garbage being left on the property. For many anglers, foot access to the reservoir across this property is the only way to effectively access the reservoir.  We do not want to lose this access, so  please respect the land owner’s wish of foot travel only.

Warm water species activity you ask?  Hasn’t started yet.  We need more days of summer this year of cool, wet springtime.   We’ll keep posted on when things pick up here.

Still Water 6-18-2011

Action is picking up on all of these. You can credit this improvement to warming waters bringing on some damselfly activity. Not many big emergences yet, but nymphs are moving as water warms. Midges will always be doing the same, so pupa patterns under an indicator will always work.  Presentation is more important than pattern selection.  Concentrate on shallow waters where vegetation is growing. Plants shelter  food forms from scuds, damselfly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs, midges, and leeches.  Floating lines are  very useful now. Find the taking depth through use of an indicator for any of these. Intermediate lines are best for keeping flies submerged in shallow water this time of year. Fishing deeper water with faster sinking lines comes later in the year when shallows warm to the point where dissolved oxygen levels are uncomfortable for fish.

Still Water 6-11-2011

Action is beginning to pick up on all of these. For Chesterfield, Twenty-Four Mile, and Springfield reservoirs action seems long overdue.  Daniels Res. offers the best action whether midging or trying damselfly nymph or small leech patterns if one concentrates on the shallows on the upper end and west side.  Hawkins Res. offers its best fishing early and late in the day all over  with the same patterns.

Still Waters 6-8-2011

All our southeast corner reservoirs are improving fishing-wise, but better days will come with warming weather.  Daniels offers the best fishing with damselfly nymphs, small leech patterns (intermediate lines) as well as migding.  Stick to the shallows.  Some fish are being caught in Chesterfield and Twenty-Four Mile reservoirs using the same  techniques and in shallow water.  Avoid the discolored water in both places.  Springfield is producing with these techniques—Early AMs and evenings seem best.  No reports yet on Treasureton.  As for warm water fishing, Twin Lakes is slow as are most others.

Still Waters 6-4-2011

We are paying attention to these because still waters are the only ones offering any variety right now.  But even still waters are not at their best.  We need higher water temperatures to get things really active, and it looks like the current warming trend is just what is needed.  We have not heard of any still waters being terrific to this point, but stay with those small leech and damselfly nymph patterns because soon things will soon break loose.   And concentrate on shallower waters whether at Chesterfield (avoid discolored inflow from Toponce Creek), Twenty-Four Mile (avoid discolored water from east side creek) or Daniels reservoirs—they are warmer. Of course midging will always work.

Still Waters 6-1-2011

No big changes here.  Midging remains the most consistent technique just about everywhere.  Best locations for midging are upper end of Daniels Reservoir, Hawkins Res. along willows adjacent to the highway, east and west ends of Springfield Res.  Warm weather is sure to boost fishing activity on all still waters.