TR: Spinney Mountain Reservoir 5-20-07
After last year’s slaughter fest during the callibaetis hatch, I’ve been keeping my eyes and ears open the last couple of weeks hoping for a repeat. When it’s on at Spinney, IT’S ON, to the point of a fish every couple of minutes. If you’re not hooked up in about 5 you better pull your line out cuz you’ll most likely find a rat’s rest of flies at the end of it.
For non-fly fishers, callibaetis belong to the Baetidae family and are a type of mayfly. They usually hatch at a given water temperature but barometric pressure and weather all come in to play and tend to be my nemesis. A similar western river mayfly would be the Blue Winged Olive (BWO) or Pale Morning Dun (PMD). The adult callibaetis in Spinney are hudge! The adults average in size somewhere in the #10-14 range in the spring and reduce in size as the water warms. And as expected, the fish go bonkers for them.
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Spinney is located in South Park at 9500’ and is the 2nd reservoir inline from the headwaters of the South Fork of the South Platte River. The South Platte River Basin is also the primary water source for the ever so thirsty Front Range. The combination of cold water and fertile grasslands creates an environment that breeds large trout. The trout in Spinney average 17-19”, have broad shoulders and love to jump. The majority of the trout are rainbows or cutbows but you do have a chance at the tri-fecta. Fish in the 10-15 pound weight class are caught yearly.
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photos courtesy of Colorado Trout Hunters
Unfortunately, we didn’t hit pay dirt. The callibaetis and monster trout have proven to still be elusive, but we had consistent action boating 20 fish in 5 hours. Most of the fish were caught in 12-15’ of water 50 to 100’ off shore on Prince, callibaetis, scuds and “the reservoir dog” nymphs suspended below bobbers 9’ to the bottom fly. The Reservoir Dog is a pattern an acquaintance of mine developed that will slay on pretty much any fertile western lake. PM me if you want the pattern, cuz you need it if you do any Stillwater fishing at all.
My regular boat owning fishing buddy was out of town so I had to do a little sweet talking to find other means. Andy had been dieing to get out (so really not much sweet talking needed;) ) for a while and it just so happens he has “a” boat.
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With the 454 fired up it was time to wake up the local residents and see if we could hit mach loony in a relatively short distance.
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It was surprising how fly fisherman friendly this boat was. The closed front bow made for a great casting platform.
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Wasn’t long before the bobbers started sinking.
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Joe liking what he’s found.
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Pow4brains gets in to a couple.
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The views are pretty good.
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Andy with, “the biggest trout of my life!” We’ll teach him.:D
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Good enough fishing for these guys too.
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As expected in South Park, the wind and storms kicked us off around 1pm but all and all it was a great day. Hopefully a full callibaetis TR will be coming soon.
