Transportation:
Shuttle services out of Denver: http://www.supershuttle.com/en/DENAirportShuttleFortCollins.html#loveland
this is the best shuttle service, check their schedules for Airpot pick up and Loveland drop off and vice-versa. Use the Showtime USA Video location for drop off and pick up. This is the best place to come get you and drop you off.
Lodging:
This year we will be at Dripping Springs Resort, they were nice enough to open early for us so if everything is perfect upon arrival please forgive them. They have assured me they will be ready and hot tubs will be running by the second night at the latest. Yes I said hot tubs, so riverside lodge with hot tubs :O)
We will be renting out the entire lodge portion in Thunderbird and Phoenix. Check it out at http://www.drippingsprings.com/thunderbird.php3
We will arrive on 04/26 and check out on 05/02/12. For those that need pick up in Loveland off the shuttle we need to know asap when to meet you uopn your arrival and when we need to drop you off for your shuttle to you return flights.
Food:
There are full kitchen services and due to proximity we will be eating breakfast there on most mornings. Since we are not located where we can get out to eat before we fish I have decided to handle the breakfast at an additional cost of $6.00/day/angler. Eggs, bacon, sauage, toast, bagels, oatmeal, cereals, juices, coffee and whatever else you might need. Please let me know ahead about dietary restrictions. I have lactose and gluten allergies so I will also be prepared for that if anyone else does. Lunches will be provided with the daily rate as wellas all snacks and drinks on the water. For dinner we will eat out on several occasions, there are some great local restaurants, you may come or stay at the lodge and prepare your own meals, dinner is at your expense. I would like to do a group BBQ a night or two if the group is interested so that we can stay right there and relax. Everybody chip in and split the cost. If you need groceries or beverages there are several places in Estes Park about 2 miles away from us or we can stop on our way back from fishing in one of the bigger towns if you would like.
Equipment:
Most wading will be in moving water, the flows at this time of the season are generally low as it is pre-runoff. Although the stream flows are generally low there are fairly significant gradients to deal with, there may be some areas that require more aggressive wading, a staff would be useful if you generally carry one. If there is ever a point you are uncomfortable with the wading or hiking please let us know and we will make sure we get you into a run that is more suited to your comfort level. You will want to carry at least two rods with you on the trip, especially if one breaks! Hopefully not and we will have extras should the emergency arise. Most fishing can be comfortably done with a 4 or 5 wt. rod. I would suggest if you have a 4 and 6 wt., bring them, if you don't have these particular rods you should at least have one that is a 6 or 7wt. to throw into the wind with heavier flies just in case. Please talk to us ahead of time in case you need us to bring a heavier rod for you. Nothing is worse than being in an area with good fish and heavy winds and not being able to deliver the fly! That being said, a 4 wt. will work for most of the areas we will be fishing on this trip and is the ideal weight. Remember we will be providing leaders, indicators where necessary, tippet and flies so if you don't want to bring your vest, don't! I will have extra nippers and forceps as well and I'll be giving you a small box of flies to carry with should we get separated for any reason. Floating lines are all you will need, no sinking necessary. Please make sure your waders are not leaking ahead of time as we will not be carrying extras, other than a repair kit. Boots should be studded, preferably there will be lots of up and down and around through canyon boulder fields. If anyone would like us to provide the boots and waders for them we can do that at an additional expense of $50 to cover shipping expenses for the extra gear and you should let us know this a.s.a.p., not later than one month prior to ensure we have all the correct sizes in gear. We carry top of the line William Joseph and Chota gear that is either brand new or only been used a few times, so we will NOT stick you in a pair of stinky leaky waders! You should also have clothing for temperatures ranging from 40 to 70 degrees. The average the time of year when we are out there is in the mid 60's for a high but can be considerably cooler early and late in the day. There is also a good chance for rain, so a water proof jacket is essential. Not to scare you but it could even snow so a winter hat not a bad idea either and the H2O temps will be cool anywhere from 40 to 55 degrees so long underwear and fleece are great to bring. Sunscreen, polarized glasses and hat.
Fishing:
Generally we can do what ever your heart desires techniques wise. The rainbows and cutthroat are post spawn and the browns are hungry from the past spawn season and winter, which means excellent fishing. Dries, dry-dropper, nymphing and streamers are all great choices so if you are up to it we can do it all! I love to fish a dry-dropper combo this time of year depending on location. We will encounter some early season Gray Drakes, Midges, BWO and Caddis along with some early Stoneflies so there will be plenty of bugs around to keep the fish feeding. Expect that the fish will average around 11 to 14" with fish in the 16 to 18" range an added bonus. One particular location I have in mind may see those numbers increase significantly but they are harder to catch. The Big Thompson itself is loaded with beautiful cuttbows, rainbows and browns at the resort so if for any reason you are not up for it that day, by all means stay and relax. The plan is to fish the property at least one day for just that reason.
Really looking forward to hanging out and getting some fishing in with you guys. See you soon!
Colorado State Fishing License: You need this before you show up!!!
https://www1.co.wildlifelicense.com/start.php
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Thanks you for using Wiley's Flies for all of your fly fishing needs, we greatly appreciate the business!
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