Colorado fly fishing herf - the strategery session
- Thread starter Coolhand
- Start date
Coolhand
Resident River Rat
Man, this week has been nuts. Guys, Zmonster (a newer CO Springs BOTL) has been asking for a meeting time - what did you guys have in mind? Was thinking you could swing through the Springs' shop, we could go to dinner downtown (near Club 15c) then hit the club for a bit (it's the town's only cigar bar). Obviously nothing too wild or crazy since we'll be fishing the next morning.
Also, we officially have tricos popping! They started yesterday. This should be a very good thing assuming they don't do anything idiotic with the streamflows in the next few days.
Also, we officially have tricos popping! They started yesterday. This should be a very good thing assuming they don't do anything idiotic with the streamflows in the next few days.
The last flight gets in around 2:30pm, and we'll have to stop at my house in the Springs to get cigars and camping stuff, so I think 4:30-5:00pm would be a safe time to meet up at your shop. Where were you thinking for dinner?
TYLER
TYLER
Coolhand
Resident River Rat
We could hit that Old Chicago's right down by 15c, or Jose Muldoon's, or something else down there ...
I'll call you tomorrow, Tyler - have your card, still. Need to plot a time to fish, meet at the other shop in Woodland Park on Wednesday, so we can outfit everybody with waders as needed. I know that ZMonster and a few others need a time to meet up so we can head out.
Where are you guys camping out, again?
I'll call you tomorrow, Tyler - have your card, still. Need to plot a time to fish, meet at the other shop in Woodland Park on Wednesday, so we can outfit everybody with waders as needed. I know that ZMonster and a few others need a time to meet up so we can head out.
Where are you guys camping out, again?
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Not camping. We are at the Cripple Creek Hospitality House. We decided to rough it.:innocent:
Coolhand
Resident River Rat
OK, the wheels are a-spinnin'.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) evening Tyler will be picking up the early arrivers at DIA and (assuming nobody gets held-over in Hoboken), you guys should be down to the Springs shop around 5:00 pm.
I have reservations at a restaurant called Jose Muldoon's (home of the World's Largest Margarita!) at 7:30, on their back patio (read: where you can smoke a cigar). In addition to the BOTLs flying in, Halon/Tyler and myself, there will probably be my girlfriend (sorry, she leaves for business on Thursday, I fly out on Friday, this is probably the last I'll see her for about 14 days, heh), and new BOTL ZMonster and his friend, who will be fishing with us as well.
On Wednesday the 9th, we'll meet at the Peak Fly Shop IN WOODLAND PARK between 7:00 to 7:30am. The reason for meeting there is that it's where all our waders and boots are stored, so we can get everybody geared up. Can also purchase licenses there if you need - please remember they're CASH OR CHECK only (state's rule, not mine).
We're providing rods and reels, waders and boots, to everybody that needs them, no charge, for as long as you're planning to stay and fish. Tyler will probably be in charge of policing the gear back up and returning it to the shop as I have to leave for Alaska on Friday.:scratchhe
You'll want to have some leaders, tippet, and flies - you can pick them up at the shop, so don't stress over it. Those, you will have to buy.:togetherl
Heh. Don't worry, you won't be breaking the bank.
There are a couple places to grab sandwiches on the way to the river, for those inclined to take a break for lunch.
I have a couple guides lined up to come up for one or both days (Wednesday / Thursday). They're going to help out, teach, etc. Bear in mind this trip is off the books, so there's no hard-and-fast "thou shalt pay xxx" thing going on ...
But they are professional guides, and damn good ones at that, so if you guys want to get together and arrange a kitty for them, I can arrange to be looking the other way when you do it.
If you try to give me any money on the river, I will wind up giving it to the guides anyway, so skip the middle-man.:nodlaugh:
Tentatively the guides I have lined up are Peter, Ben, Sherry, and Janet.
The two ladies are very hardcore fly fishers. Sometimes guys want to handle them with kid gloves, being the fairer sex and all.
A word to the wise? Don't.:nodlaugh:
Sherry goes by "mom," as well, if you notice a bit of a resemblance. Yes, I put my mother to work; slave-driver that I am.
Peter (aka the Cockney Cowboy) is a really interesting cat. Former SAS sniper. Really laid-back fellow; knows every trout at the Ranch by their first name.
Ben is our newest guide, and a younger guy. Ben is still in the "it ain't a good day 'til you've caught 10 each" mode, but he'll calm down. Really nice kid.
So we should have the aid and instruction thing covered. Might have another guide or two along as well, depending on everybody's schedules. Sherry and Janet both smoke cigars (mom constantly pilfers mine). Peter is a smoker, but I've never seen him smoke a cigar - he might, though. Ben, I have no idea, other than he's not in any wise offended by them.
For reference / MapQuesting, the Peak Fly Shop address is:
301 East Highway 24
Woodland Park, CO
80863
It's right off Highway 24 - heading west through WP, you will see a McDonald's and a Sonic (side-by-side) on your right. The next street west is Chester St.
Take a left (across traffic) on Chester; immediately hang a right into the first parking lot you possibly can. You won't see the shop from there, but keep heading west through the lot. The shop is a large log cabin with a walkway bridge. We'll have fresh coffee on. The shop is visible from the highway if you pass Chester, but you will have to shoot a U to come back to it (damn highway dividers).
Watch out for Felix the cat, and the two baby deer, that have been hanging out around the parking lot, when you come in, heh.
Got sizes on some of you, and we'll have waders pulled for the guys I have info on. Should be fun!
-brad
Tomorrow (Tuesday) evening Tyler will be picking up the early arrivers at DIA and (assuming nobody gets held-over in Hoboken), you guys should be down to the Springs shop around 5:00 pm.
I have reservations at a restaurant called Jose Muldoon's (home of the World's Largest Margarita!) at 7:30, on their back patio (read: where you can smoke a cigar). In addition to the BOTLs flying in, Halon/Tyler and myself, there will probably be my girlfriend (sorry, she leaves for business on Thursday, I fly out on Friday, this is probably the last I'll see her for about 14 days, heh), and new BOTL ZMonster and his friend, who will be fishing with us as well.
On Wednesday the 9th, we'll meet at the Peak Fly Shop IN WOODLAND PARK between 7:00 to 7:30am. The reason for meeting there is that it's where all our waders and boots are stored, so we can get everybody geared up. Can also purchase licenses there if you need - please remember they're CASH OR CHECK only (state's rule, not mine).
We're providing rods and reels, waders and boots, to everybody that needs them, no charge, for as long as you're planning to stay and fish. Tyler will probably be in charge of policing the gear back up and returning it to the shop as I have to leave for Alaska on Friday.:scratchhe
You'll want to have some leaders, tippet, and flies - you can pick them up at the shop, so don't stress over it. Those, you will have to buy.:togetherl
Heh. Don't worry, you won't be breaking the bank.
There are a couple places to grab sandwiches on the way to the river, for those inclined to take a break for lunch.
I have a couple guides lined up to come up for one or both days (Wednesday / Thursday). They're going to help out, teach, etc. Bear in mind this trip is off the books, so there's no hard-and-fast "thou shalt pay xxx" thing going on ...
But they are professional guides, and damn good ones at that, so if you guys want to get together and arrange a kitty for them, I can arrange to be looking the other way when you do it.
If you try to give me any money on the river, I will wind up giving it to the guides anyway, so skip the middle-man.:nodlaugh:
Tentatively the guides I have lined up are Peter, Ben, Sherry, and Janet.
The two ladies are very hardcore fly fishers. Sometimes guys want to handle them with kid gloves, being the fairer sex and all.
A word to the wise? Don't.:nodlaugh:
Sherry goes by "mom," as well, if you notice a bit of a resemblance. Yes, I put my mother to work; slave-driver that I am.
Peter (aka the Cockney Cowboy) is a really interesting cat. Former SAS sniper. Really laid-back fellow; knows every trout at the Ranch by their first name.
Ben is our newest guide, and a younger guy. Ben is still in the "it ain't a good day 'til you've caught 10 each" mode, but he'll calm down. Really nice kid.
So we should have the aid and instruction thing covered. Might have another guide or two along as well, depending on everybody's schedules. Sherry and Janet both smoke cigars (mom constantly pilfers mine). Peter is a smoker, but I've never seen him smoke a cigar - he might, though. Ben, I have no idea, other than he's not in any wise offended by them.
For reference / MapQuesting, the Peak Fly Shop address is:
301 East Highway 24
Woodland Park, CO
80863
It's right off Highway 24 - heading west through WP, you will see a McDonald's and a Sonic (side-by-side) on your right. The next street west is Chester St.
Take a left (across traffic) on Chester; immediately hang a right into the first parking lot you possibly can. You won't see the shop from there, but keep heading west through the lot. The shop is a large log cabin with a walkway bridge. We'll have fresh coffee on. The shop is visible from the highway if you pass Chester, but you will have to shoot a U to come back to it (damn highway dividers).
Watch out for Felix the cat, and the two baby deer, that have been hanging out around the parking lot, when you come in, heh.
Got sizes on some of you, and we'll have waders pulled for the guys I have info on. Should be fun!
-brad
Coolhand
Resident River Rat
Oh, and Tyler - the Donut Mill has reopened!
If you guys go there for breakfast, I recommend the biscuits and gravy. Be warned: If you order two donuts and a bear-claw, you will have just ordered five pounds of fried dough. They don't skimp.
If you guys go there for breakfast, I recommend the biscuits and gravy. Be warned: If you order two donuts and a bear-claw, you will have just ordered five pounds of fried dough. They don't skimp.
Coolhand
Resident River Rat
Sorry, keep coming up with stuff.
Currently I have a reservation for 16 at the Bronco Billy's Steakhouse in Cripple Creek, Friday the 11th at 7:30 pm.
Bronco Billy's is the only casino in CC to allow smoking; they have a cigar bar designation. It covers about 25% of the total place, and does not include the steakhouse, but, yeah.
I will take their steakhouse against any steak place in the state, pretty much. Marc Murphy, the owner, is a friend, and will be seeing to the first round of drinks and appetizers for you guys.
I say "you guys," because I'll be on my way to DIA by then.
You guys will be doing Marc a favor by smoking it up in the casino; the anti-smoking Nazis are attempting to get his cigar bar status repealed - so don't be surprised if someone in a Bronco Billy's t-shirt snaps your photo. Bring the big sticks.
Currently I have a reservation for 16 at the Bronco Billy's Steakhouse in Cripple Creek, Friday the 11th at 7:30 pm.
Bronco Billy's is the only casino in CC to allow smoking; they have a cigar bar designation. It covers about 25% of the total place, and does not include the steakhouse, but, yeah.
I will take their steakhouse against any steak place in the state, pretty much. Marc Murphy, the owner, is a friend, and will be seeing to the first round of drinks and appetizers for you guys.
I say "you guys," because I'll be on my way to DIA by then.
You guys will be doing Marc a favor by smoking it up in the casino; the anti-smoking Nazis are attempting to get his cigar bar status repealed - so don't be surprised if someone in a Bronco Billy's t-shirt snaps your photo. Bring the big sticks.
Greg
BoM October 2006
Man I cannot wait....:clap:Sorry, keep coming up with stuff.
Currently I have a reservation for 16 at the Bronco Billy's Steakhouse in Cripple Creek, Friday the 11th at 7:30 pm.
Bronco Billy's is the only casino in CC to allow smoking; they have a cigar bar designation. It covers about 25% of the total place, and does not include the steakhouse, but, yeah.
I will take their steakhouse against any steak place in the state, pretty much. Marc Murphy, the owner, is a friend, and will be seeing to the first round of drinks and appetizers for you guys.
I say "you guys," because I'll be on my way to DIA by then.
You guys will be doing Marc a favor by smoking it up in the casino; the anti-smoking Nazis are attempting to get his cigar bar status repealed - so don't be surprised if someone in a Bronco Billy's t-shirt snaps your photo. Bring the big sticks.
And I am packing plenty of Double Coronas :grin:
woohoo! The donut mill is mandatory for anyone going through Woodland Park. I'm really glad to hear it re-opened! Let's plan on grabbing breakfast there, guys, so maybe we'll try and get to the donut mill around 6:45 or so.
I've got transportation covered for Chuck, Jeff, and Greg, just in case anyone was wondering. Can't wait!
TYLER
I've got transportation covered for Chuck, Jeff, and Greg, just in case anyone was wondering. Can't wait!
TYLER
Greg
BoM October 2006
Tyler, I have your cell#....I'll call once at the airport. Looks like my fight has changed somewhat, looking to arrive at 2:16pm.
Thanks again Man!!
Moglman
Mountain Hound
I wish I could have made this herf, guys, and I know you had a blast. I hope all went well, big fish were caught and great cigars were had by all I'm sure. I also hope your other activities were memorable.
yeah buddy! brad was unbelievable! total class act! tyler and i landed a couple 4 pounders!! and i went swimming!! weather was absolutely fantastic! only drawback was a swarm of mosquitos that just loved greg! definetly doing this one again!!
Coolhand
Resident River Rat
Sorry for the slow response - as the brothers attending knew, I had to leave on Friday for a trip to Alaska.
... and believe me, after the trip I had, I would've much rather joined them for dinner at the casino. Worst trip of my life.:frownno:
Fishing with the brothers was great fun, though Spinney Ranch wasn't fishing especially well either day they came out. No idea why, either - I reckon it was just high pressure from all the anglers hitting it the previous few days.
I have photos from the trip to post up as soon as I can sort them out from some of the AK photos ... will do it here directly. But yeah, it was a great time!
... and believe me, after the trip I had, I would've much rather joined them for dinner at the casino. Worst trip of my life.:frownno:
Fishing with the brothers was great fun, though Spinney Ranch wasn't fishing especially well either day they came out. No idea why, either - I reckon it was just high pressure from all the anglers hitting it the previous few days.
I have photos from the trip to post up as soon as I can sort them out from some of the AK photos ... will do it here directly. But yeah, it was a great time!
Dude. You have got to be kidding. Standing in that stream with your mom hollering at me, "dont just fling the fly, cast it", has got to go down as one of the best times I have ever had in my life. We hooked ALOT of fish and the company was excellent. I know I will be back.