On recent back-to-back Thursdays, headed out to a familiar stretch of the Blue River since it had definitely been a while. I’ve been on a recent “streamer kick” lately (ok…maybe for the last year), and decided to leave my favorite olive over white craft fur streamer on the line. I initially picked up a couple of nice, typical 12″-13″ browns and rainbows out of my favorite deep run when, 20 minutes later, got into a fight with a fish the likes of which got my heart racing, reigniting the caffeine had earlier! A few casts prior had seen a large trout pursue but not take my streamer, so simply changed my stream side body position and casting angle to offer him a more enticing opportunity. “Boom…found him!” My 10′ 4wt Orvis Recon did its part, and I eventually maneuvered the 26 male cutthroat into my large-yet-seemingly not large enough net! Over the last few years of visiting this stretch, I had always believed there was a large dominant fish in this run, and this time I had found him! I wisely didn’t attempt one of my usual selfies with such a large fish, but gently captured it’s beauty laid out before releasing him seriously contemplated leaving for home after this because, what more could possibly expect? Then realizing I would be violating one of my personal rules (fishing time MUST exceed total drivinime, AND that my sanity walde guestioned by my wife, decided to stay. made a few more casts into the run as the adrenaline wore off, and realizing this fish must have dominated there, termoved river teetsofTyewater. A few cast in again latched into an even stronger fighting fish, a 27″ female cutthroat that took me downriver in pursuit. After dropping my net at least 3 times and thinking I was probably going to lose the fight, I finally managed to land her (again awkwardly) into my net….Wow! I thought, “why is no one else here to enjoy this with me?” A few pictures and release video later, I continued upriver to explore more water. As the day wore on and my wrist finally stopped aching, walked back to the initial run of the day to see if could find any fish brave enough to move in on the run that the male dominated earlier. Incredibly, I found a 21″ rainbow that took a liking to my same craft fur streamer I had yet to change out! After meeting my leave” cnteria, exhausted at the 5- hour point, and giving glory to God for one of the best fly fishing days I’ve ever had in Colorado, I left for home. On the 2-hour ride back couldn’t figure out what had done right! These were not your typical, public water fish…certainly not the typical mid-teen varieties had caught here before. had a hunch and, after sharing my pictures (ok…taunting with them!) and bouncing my thoughts off a very good friend who is also an avid fly fisherman, we decided these must have been lake fish that had moved upriver to spawn (rainbows, cutthroats, and cutbows in spring). Our recent warm air temps and near perfect water temps (mid 40’s warming to low 50’s) must have turned on the fish to begin the spawning run

…But, how could I be sure?!?…

A week later (last Thursday) decided to test my theory…Same place, same general conditions of time-of-day and temperature, same fly. I had a few small “grab-n-go’s” in the “A” water, and finally managed a 12″ rainbow after a few hours of fishing. Was I surprised? Yes and no. Yes because, if they were spawners, they may have continued further upstream or maybe had spawned and returned to the lake already, or some other “yahoo” had come through, then caught and kept them. No because, should have, at least, seen or moved other fish in this familiar stretch of water. I was content with leaving the area (nearly left 3 times), when the wind picked up a bit. Guess it’ll have to be streamers the rest of the day, thought to myself. But had already switched colors and sizes several times and thought, what would Kenny do? decided to disregard that thought (e) and switched to drop-shotting through that deep and enticing stretch of water. Almost immediately | landed 3 typical 12″-13″ browns on an upper tagged prince nymph. Realizing I could keep 2 flies and a shot under control despite the wind, I then added a newly tied squirmy wor on the lower tag. Three casts later, I found the willing jaws of a 25″ female cutthroat! After landing the monster found a newly arriving fisherman willing to take my picture before releasing her to do what she was made to do this time of year. Having met my criteria and having “figured it out” over the course of another long day, I left for home thrilled again!

What failed to mention was that, between these two particular Thursdays, my 3rd granddaughter, Adelaide Laurel, was born…incredibly, on my birthday too!! What’s also unbelievable is that, at 19.5″ at birth, she had not exceeded the length of 4 of my fish caught hat week! Notice her beautiful smile as I whispered to her that, not only would we now be birthday buddies,” but that “Papou” would take her fishing for Rocky Mountain Rive Monsters like these someday! What a week! “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to your word…”

Blessed Easter to you and your families!
Dn. Gregory Krochta
Aurora, CO FATC Member