tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38502511284242116752024-03-13T22:06:11.906-07:00Colorado Skies OutfittersColorado Skies Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132495705386455136noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-16570291949992233902011-03-11T15:35:00.000-08:002011-03-11T16:23:43.150-08:00Blog and Website Has MovedColorado Skies Outfitters has a new website and blog with all your Colorado fly fishing reports, fly tying videos, and guided fly fishing information. <br /><br />Website: <a href="http://coloradoskiesoutfitters.com">coloradoskiesoutfitters.com</a><br /><br />Blog:<a href="http://coloradoskiesoutfitters.com/blog/">coloradoskiesoutfitters.com/blog/</a>Colorado Skies Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132495705386455136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-39794470915285028282010-04-27T16:55:00.000-07:002011-03-23T00:22:12.146-07:00South Platte Fishing Report: Last week of April<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs2SZwUtjUAvo7Vn3EDxJ1EjTXn-VY31I4oJdOm1lAVaNpMNiDrEDIMJCuvSnavRakn2wASP0rulz1t42GT_hSsSQnZMOO55dse26wJOx4phn9V9VVxQ6hCYKME4QVQWoF2TSfT45Bw/s1600/25445_388390598790_64723213790_4191360_4911160_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464973816159947154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs2SZwUtjUAvo7Vn3EDxJ1EjTXn-VY31I4oJdOm1lAVaNpMNiDrEDIMJCuvSnavRakn2wASP0rulz1t42GT_hSsSQnZMOO55dse26wJOx4phn9V9VVxQ6hCYKME4QVQWoF2TSfT45Bw/s320/25445_388390598790_64723213790_4191360_4911160_n.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 242px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
For South Platte Fishing Reports visit our new site at <br />
<a href="http://coloradoskiesoutfitters.com/category/fishing-reports/">http://coloradoskiesoutfitters.com/category/fishing-reports/</a><br />
For our blog visit <a href="http://coloradoskiesoutfitters.com/blog/">http://coloradoskiesoutfitters.com/blog/</a><br />
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Silver Springs Ranch<br />
Ice has just come off our private ponds in Woodland Park. A recent trip had several large browns and bows put in the net including this absolute lunker pictured in this report! Only a 25 dollar rod fee and available only through Colorado Skies! <br />
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Deckers Area <br />
We are all still hoping for some help from Denver Water in Clearing up the lower river with bigger flows out of Cheesman. Hasn't happened yet, and flows today were recently dropped to 52 CFS. What this means is fishing above Deckers is good-Very Good, and below Deckers is tough. Tie on some Banana Splits, and pat's rubber legs in the lower river and you might be surprised. The fish on the lower river have received little pressure in the last few weeks. If they can see your fly, they will eat it...I don't care what it is. <br />
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Above Deckers, lots of midges, BWO's and even some caddis starting to flutter around. <br />
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Eleven Mile Canyon<br />
Fishing in Eleven Mile canyon has been good with higher flows, and good bug activity. Egg trailed with a barr's emerger will do the trick. If you want to get cute with it...purple jujubeatis, split foam backs, purple back beatis, etc. <br />
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Also some pike in the Canyon right now. Every spring the Pike migrate towards the dam and end up in the river below. They'll eventually work their way down to Lake George, but now is a chance to see some big pike. A few customers have come in with pics of some absolute monsters! The water is cold in the river, and the Pike will be lethargic. If you see one, tie on a gummy minnow and let it suspend right infront of them. A little twitch here and there. <br />
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Dream Stream<br />
Still Not fishable. The lake is turning over, and the various feeder creeks have it pretty nasty. <br />
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South Park Stillwater<br />
Ice off is right around the corner. Some open water at Antero, and Spinney is just days away! Stop in for some of our new chironmid patterns.Colorado Skies Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132495705386455136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-60646906106229133032010-03-08T04:31:00.000-08:002010-03-08T05:13:31.982-08:00Don't be That Guy!Haven't posted in a while, so thought I would give my .02 on what I've seen last week. <br /> <br /><br />Big fish are also starting to show up on the Dream Stream, but at this time I feel there are more fisherman in the river than 10 pound migrators from Elevenmile. If your going to the Dream Stream, "Don't be that guy!" <br /><br /> If your wondering who "That Guy" is and want to avoid being him, here are a few things to avoid. <br /><br />1. Camps in one hole ALL----DAY-----LONG. Seriously, move around and fish to some different fish. <br /><br />2. Cries and throws a hissy fit temper tandrom when someone starts fishing "to close." This is the Dream Stream in March, not a secluded high mountain Stream. Realize the boundary of what is an acceptable distance is smaller on the Dream Stream. If everyone is moving and not camping it works itself out. Tolerance people! <br /><br />3. Fishing multiple egg patterns on the same rig. Unless you want your name to be omelet amongst your fishing buddies, don't be that guy. <br /><br />4. Intentionally foul hooking fish--If your sight fishing its, going to happen from time to time, but don't set the hook for no other reason than your flies are near the fish. Set the hook when you see a white mouth, a flash, the fish move, or something justifiably out of the ordinary. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">LAST BUT NOT LEAST.... MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE<br /></span>5. If your walking along the bank, and there is a guy on the other side fishing, there is no need to lean over the bank and take a peak into the hole the dudes fishing. If it's me on the other side, I'm going to tell you very quickly to, "Quit staring at my girlfriends ass!" Your will then look at me with a very puzzled look like "that guy" did on Wednesday. Here is what I mean. It's every guys nature to take a peak, but in respect fight the urge and don't be that guy! I suppose its better then the next degree of this which would be to just give my girl a nice slap on the rear AKA...walking by and out of testosterone driven impulse deciding to throw a line into the hole I'm fishing. A look is somewhat annoying but I can let it go. Touching crosses the line! <br /><br />If you want to see what "that guy" DOES NOT LOOK LIKE...check out page 11 and 12 of Southwest Angler...one of our guides Jeff Lyon had a few nice pics in there on a high mountain stream last fall! <a href="http://tiny.cc/ncvmw">http://tiny.cc/ncvmw</a>Colorado Skies Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132495705386455136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-17582305346667650932010-02-06T20:12:00.000-08:002010-02-07T02:17:08.865-08:00Colorado's Top 25 FliesThis has been a fun ranking to put together. Certainly some flies work better on other waters and at different times of the year. I formed this rating based on the following criteria.<br />1. Fly effectiveness on various waters and at different times of the year<br />2. How often I find myself tying the particular fly on my line<br />3. Durability, floatation, weight, overall performance and appearance<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Ranking 1-25<br /></span><span style="font-weight:bold;">#1Umpqua's Flashback Pheasant Tail</span>: (to include: beaded, no bead, clear bead)<br />There is not a river in Colorado where a pheasant tail won't work, or a time of the year where it will not work. Though not a difficult fly to tie, Umpqua ties this fly far better than any other fly manufacture--especially in the smaller sizes. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#2: Beadhead Prince Nymph</span><br />A first choice on all free stones. Has always produced, and will always produce<br /><a href="http://www.umpqua.com/p-509-prince-nymph.aspx"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#3: Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail</span><br />Through the earl spring, summer the Soft Hackle PT has become my most productive fly as a dropper under a dry fly. The movement, silhouette, and "bugginess" off this fly make it irresistable to Colorado trout on free stones, tailwaters, and still water. It can be fished as a caddis emerger, BWO emerger, PMD emerger, and green drake emerger. I fish this fly in natural, red, black and olive size #10-18. <br /><a href="http://www.orvis.com/orvis_assets/thumbnails/957PNW.jpg"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#4: Crystal bugger</span><br />The crytal bugger is the most productive streamer I have used in Colorado. Black is always my first choice, but I find myself tying on the whole color spectrum at some point in the year. Great for stillwater, bass, carp, stripped, or even dead drifted under an indicator. <br /><a href="http://http://www.umpqua.com/p-485-crystal-bugger.aspx"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#5: RS2</span><br />This is a no brainer and an easy top ten. Many different styles available, and has been a top producing fly on tailwaters for quite sometime. <a href="http://www.umpqua.com/p-372-sparkle-wing-rs2.aspx"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#6: Craven's Jujubee Midge<br /></span>It's very rare that a midge pattern can come around and be completely innovative from anything ever tied like it. The use of superhair to create a perfectly flush and segmented body was made possible only by fly tying master Charlie Craven. The flouro-fiber wing case has just enough flash to wink at fish while maintaining proportions. This is by far the best midge pattern. I fish it in virtually ever color available with excellent results. <br /><a href="http://www.umpqua.com/pm-349-37-jujubee-midge-cravens.aspx"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#7: Mercer's Epoxy Back Golden Stone</span><br />The single most productive golden stone nymph in Colorado. The wide size variety makes it productive on numerous waters under numerous conditions. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#8: Amy's Ant</span><br />Amy's Ant is the hopper to replace all hoppers. After using Amy's Ant for the few summers, I find no reason to ever tie on another hopper pattern. Floats all day, very durable, catches fish, and can hang a bit of weight underneath. <a href="http://www.umpqua.com/pm-145-46-amys-ant-dennis.aspx"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#9: Krystal Simulator<br /></span>An improvement on the original stimulator, the Krystal variety seams to catch light and trigger lunging strikes from colorado trout. It can be fished as a caddis, stonefly, and terrestrial. <br /><a href="http://www.umpqua.com/pm-168-34-crystal-stimulator-kaufmanns-barbless.aspx"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">#10: Dennis' Para Wulff</span><br />Jack Dennis cracks the top ten again with this fly. The para Wulff is a far imporvement of the long trusted Para Adams. The difference is the versatility of the wulff style fly and the balance on the water. This is my first choice dry to cover about any kind of mayfly that could possibly hatch in Colorado. This fly in purple is unreal! <br /><a href="http://www.umpqua.com/p-262-parawulff-dennis.aspx"></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Best of the Rest</span><br />#11: San Juan Worm<br />#12: Sculpzilla<br />#13: Rubberlegs<br />#14: X2 Caddis<br />#15: Clouser Minnow<br />#16: BH Twenty Incher<br />#17: Barr's Slump Buster<br />#18: Poly-wing Spinner (rusty, trico, etc)<br />#19: Brown Killer Mayfly<br />#20: Pigsticker<br />#21: Pearl and Elk Caddis<br />#22: Fly Formerly Known as Prince<br />#23: Barr's Pure Midge<br />#24: Barr's Graphic Caddis<br />#25: Griffith's GnatColorado Skies Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132495705386455136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-68969491009021650222010-01-24T10:55:00.000-08:002010-01-24T11:27:32.857-08:00First Impressions<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu-7p1C98h12MJuoJw9ZGux32KcA4sxB6s2yj1E_g6zUoTVnezgF8d9V-w3DjTsQxidtEQrBPt6EfPWMXq9YgiN2OHvpkqzvPlKqo7dLRY8nJaC86ZL7QUGOYQbB14Y2uu2b2j-FvGn8/s1600-h/P1010496.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430384864797395570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu-7p1C98h12MJuoJw9ZGux32KcA4sxB6s2yj1E_g6zUoTVnezgF8d9V-w3DjTsQxidtEQrBPt6EfPWMXq9YgiN2OHvpkqzvPlKqo7dLRY8nJaC86ZL7QUGOYQbB14Y2uu2b2j-FvGn8/s320/P1010496.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Let me lead this off by saying i was asked a while back to contribute to this blog, not WHAT to contribute.<br /></div><div>First impressions are big. It can shape your trust in the shop you’ve just stumbled into, whether it be an auto mechanic, therapist, bar or fly shop. I once wandered into the only fly shop in Spearfish South Dakota at the end of July about 11 years ago. My first, second and third impression sucked . The place was dead except for the black and white TV set running a version of General Hospital the rest of America saw the week before. In front of the noise maker, slumped like a Grizzly Bear that just had a 55 gallon drum of donuts and a keg of beer, slept the shop dog/owner. I’m not sure if his poor attitude was because I woke him or because I was the first soul he had seen that week. I knew my way around the industry by then, I had been through a few shops that sold me Wooly Buggers for a BWO hatch. I knew I could not play Syracuse style zone defense to get what I wanted in downtown Spearfish. This was obviously a time to play offense and not the “run it up the middle” stuff. The poor guy had no idea I called a play in the dirt before I even walked in. “Ol Fargo” wasn’t new at this, he understood quickly I wasn’t there to make his month by buying a Winston 4 weight. I was looking for info in a very strange place for the price of a dozen flies and a leader. Then we blindsided him. In walked my trick play. Long brown hair, eyes that would melt you, a smile you fell in love with the moment you saw it all wrapped up in a cute little 4-11” package. Just one of the two women I should have married, not the two I did. Little J had him eating out of her hand, it just wasn’t fair. She changed both my and ol Fargo’s first impressions for the better. “Trust me” was the last thing I heard as we walked out the door with the grease covered napkin map leading to his secret spot.<br /></div><div>After spending 2 weeks with Miss J camping at Slough Creek, Fargo’s secret spot did not scream good things back at me. This weed infested puddle on the outskirts of the Badlands of our country gave me a very poor first impression. The weeds on the fringe of good water was so thick, the very large population of snakes sharing it with us didn’t even seem to get wet as they tormented me. Having to wade to my nipples just to get a portion of a 60’cast to open water made me feel sorry for my tiny fishing partner. It took about 8 minutes to completely understand the gift we were given and squash yet another wrong first impression. It was one of a few days I counted fish. We were in the hundreds before a thunderstorm drove us back to the pick up.<br /></div><div>Fly shops can be funny places and I don’t mean classic Eddie Murphy funny. Sometimes you have to decide on your own if you got what you were paying for when you didn’t buy anything. Information is tricky to put a price tag on. I want to know that shop dog is standing there with confidence and knowledge, not arrogance. The shop is no place to put someone new. The shop is not a place for a recycled guide who cant produce while his feet are wet. A shop dog should be a local. The shop dog should never talk about what one of his guides did yesterday. If you recognize any of these during your quest, trust your first impressions.</div><br /><div>I have worn several hats in this industry in the last 5 years and I now find myself a free agent. No solid affiliation will bring a bit of honesty boiling to the top in someone like me. My first impression of some of the young guns of this industry has not always been positive. Fair or not they have had to prove themselves to me to truly listen and appreciate their youthful exuberance. Respect is earned. Theo Anest and the boys at Colorado Skies have done that. His passion for the sport and who he has chosen to surround himself with has helped him grow into a great guide and shop owner. I’m not getting a nickel for this contribution, if anything it’s me paying Theo back for doing things right for a sport that I have loved for 30 years. Trust your first impression in this quaint little shop in Parker, if for nothing else he would never have General Hospital on.</div><div> </div><div>This was just a way to avoid the fact that anyday my feet are not wet i get bored. I needed to do something other than tie flys this morning, sorry Theo. Any complaints about this dribble should be directed to my staff at bobbertalk.blogspot.com, my name is Bob Streb and i approve this message</div>bob strebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02245473999969921699noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-24426363507100661512010-01-18T21:32:00.000-08:002010-01-18T22:02:39.741-08:00Great Weekend at Grey Reef!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTuqzfO0grDvLVkRkpWP0etdZA_cRay4PSMgHmaJVo4qCHJexRH6uejgFOTbNpVVbM7_P7fAYsGmb9KzLXrOIR_Sbis2sUPUkmpv4RRHwSwTvb-lwgGxE5n5_2Xsxn6NucqFwESXYvQ/s1600-h/P1170145.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTuqzfO0grDvLVkRkpWP0etdZA_cRay4PSMgHmaJVo4qCHJexRH6uejgFOTbNpVVbM7_P7fAYsGmb9KzLXrOIR_Sbis2sUPUkmpv4RRHwSwTvb-lwgGxE5n5_2Xsxn6NucqFwESXYvQ/s320/P1170145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428325140989964034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGQrijV5Vxbzjf_7ULz3gjL1yHqA5vhqXZs9Y50wdGGBrom4GmWdHMSJZStPZbOpUbvabOs7JmXHWSF8ZcJpT-mLBOQ7ERH2P1moaDGD12q0ptKRAvMoRKqYAjX1IiDDLZKAOfAPItw/s1600-h/P1180151.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGQrijV5Vxbzjf_7ULz3gjL1yHqA5vhqXZs9Y50wdGGBrom4GmWdHMSJZStPZbOpUbvabOs7JmXHWSF8ZcJpT-mLBOQ7ERH2P1moaDGD12q0ptKRAvMoRKqYAjX1IiDDLZKAOfAPItw/s320/P1180151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428325131376091250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_fqUA_rt9wuE3KL3yl-OaBWwAEpZ19f5-judqesG7XdSahufQiXxJCcc4vmi9X1xcLHxxIqvFbtCR6mVv1OZQ8tk-5jX8UXpNJe8zvfFq2dxu-zp0pFoAaSoUD_kNkl6hvDihe8CVA/s1600-h/P1190161.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_fqUA_rt9wuE3KL3yl-OaBWwAEpZ19f5-judqesG7XdSahufQiXxJCcc4vmi9X1xcLHxxIqvFbtCR6mVv1OZQ8tk-5jX8UXpNJe8zvfFq2dxu-zp0pFoAaSoUD_kNkl6hvDihe8CVA/s320/P1190161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428325123050823026" /></a><br /><br />James was in the shop this weekend, so Mike and I headed up to Grey Reef and we had a blast! Keep checking the website, as I feel a destination trip to the Reef could be in the works this spring in partnership with Trent and his crew at Grey Reef Fly Shop. These guys know the Reef better than anyone (they live on it), and beyond all else--they're some pretty awesome guys. Make sure when you're up there you stop in and give them your support. They are always more than willing to give you the straight scoop on what's working. 307-232-9128 <br /><br />Friday we decided to fish below Alcova as the Reef had a few people on it. Below Alcova they had the water almost completely shut off. Usually below the outlet the water is ripping way to hard to really be effective with anything other than some heavy artillery spin gear. I know there are big fish that sit in this spillway so today was our shot. We dumped the raft in right above the wooden bridge and rowed up to the outlet. I tied on a sculpzilla with a rusty pine squirl leach behind it. I was making long cast up all the way to the face of the dam, and then slowly stripping back. First cast--wham! 18 inch bow. We caught several fish in that 16-20 inch range but didn't come up with the North platte behemoth I was looking for. Below the alcova outlet. Note: if the bell rings for water release get the F outta there! Sunday we were going to float Reef to lusby and went by Lusby to check and make sure it was still open--there are a few known spots there of sheet ice that can form--but none today! Amazing what a week of warm weather can do. If you are going to float it this winter make sure you eye it up at lusby first! A few days of cold weather will put some sheet ice over it in no time. Weather was perfect all day--50's, no wind, sun. Couldn't ask for anything better for January in WY. Fishing was pretty steady--fish were in the tail-outs of runs and far inside seams--to be expected. Typical grey reef stuff--orange scuds, red annalids on the smaller end 14-18, black midges 18. Lots of cookie cutter fish in that 16-18 inch range...a few larger. Had one beast straiten a #18 200R. I love that hook for tying red annelids but size 18 and smaller means you gotta baby em with grey reef fish. I generally prefer laying the wood to em up there. It seamed like we would bang one fish in each run and then notta-- Stick and move. All and all a great trip! <br /><br />Thank God places like WY still exist!Colorado Skies Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132495705386455136noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-72825708520382671832009-12-15T16:41:00.000-08:002009-12-15T16:57:04.530-08:00It is the season...<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Any way you slice it, I like fishing in the winter. Yes its cold, can be windy and icy, but man is it a beautiful time to be outside. I took my son to Deckers this weekend to get some quick fishing in before a night of Nut Cracker ballet with my daughter. Normally, quick and winter fishing don't go hand in hand, but I wanted to get out and try the Scott S4 Theo had been talking about.<br />We hit Deckers early in the morning; we didn't see a single car once we left Sedalia. When we parked along the river to put on our gear a bald Eagle flew off the river to a nearby tree. The sky was blue and the river was serene. Things are slower and quieter this time of year, especially after the cold snap we just had. I think of winter fishing the same way as car camping - if you are uncomfortable you didn't bring enough gear. My son and I layered up and headed down to the river. There were no footprints in the snow as we approached the river and we pushed a trout out from under the clear shore ice. We stood and just checked it all out - it was great, quiet. I was hanging with my son on a perfect Colorado winter morning looking for trout.<br />It had been a while since my son and I fly fished together. He grew up fishing - from worms to flies to most recently spawn for Michigan chrome (we did use flies, but we went to the dark side and threw the Steelies pork chops until they ate...). However, with sports schedules, work travel and whatever other lame excuse I can think of, we just haven't been on the water much together. As much as I love fly fishing - I didn't force my kids to learn to cast to a rhythm set by a metronome as shown in "The Movie". I just gave them access to the gear and told them they can come along anytime. When they were younger I fished from the bank with them in the backpack, as they grew legs they started casting short rods with 10' of old fly line. Or they just cast their Snoopy rods. The key was hanging with Dad, doughnuts on the way to the river and a killer shore lunch of sardines, crackers and cheese.<br />I think teaching any skill is easier to do when the pupil is not related to you. This applies to skiing, canoeing, driving and fly fishing to mention a few. Every time I have taken someone fishing, I have learned something. Maybe it was a better way to explain a technique or understanding how to demonstrate it clearer. This day with my son was no different - I learned a lot. He had asked for a refresher since he hadn't cast in a while. I set him up with a double nymph rig and began the tutorial. Even without false casting there is a lot going on - mending, stripping, line control etc.... My tutorial only lasted about 5 minutes, I could tell by his tone of voice he was done listening to me and ready to just fish. So I let him. I told him to work his way upstream to me and I headed out to try the new rod. As I watched him from upstream, I learned that he actually listened to everything I had said and was figuring it out on his own. I think I would have ruined his day if I had fished next to him - adjusting things here and there. He did great and he did it on his own.<br />Standing back and watching is hard for any parent to do, but it works. Sometimes my passion for fly fishing is so strong I want to make sure that my kids love it as much as I do, that they have the best day, catch tons of fish and enjoy the sport instantly. On this perfect winter day, we just fished, ate a great burrito at the Deckers coffee shop and headed home.<br />Normally in winter I fish slow and methodical, that day I bet I only made a few decent drifts. I wanted to try out that new S4 so bad I kept my flies in the air more than in the water. I spent the morning casting everything to see how it performed - streamers, double nymph rigs, long leaders, short leaders - you name it, I threw it. I spent more time casting and changing rigs than I did drifting a fly, but it was fun. I am no rod critic, but I love that S4 - it put the fly where I wanted it to go, handled the short soft casts fine, and the bigger stuff as well. Good times....<br />Driving out of Deckers, we ran into Jeremy and his dog Magnum walking down the road. I stopped the truck and exchanged war stories for a few minutes - no cars came whizzing by, just a nice quiet day on the river. Hard to believe on one of the busiest waters near Denver. The cold weeds 'em out so layer up and head out!</span> </span>Kevin Mackeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15357853925604157789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-89797687642895038852009-12-06T19:12:00.000-08:002009-12-06T19:13:48.341-08:00December Issue of Search Parker Magazine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-eJniUE5eIdkpuoGcXB0TwTKqjEfBdHqyjNyZchOBgMK9z1593g4afpmkR2L9jfIrMYbU_pac5W5uoqm0jkNvCqcTn2lHE_2VX1cx_5YVn-wIUPwsZ6McZeGBXjXYVoZb3eHTX6PwjY/s1600-h/cover_100.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-eJniUE5eIdkpuoGcXB0TwTKqjEfBdHqyjNyZchOBgMK9z1593g4afpmkR2L9jfIrMYbU_pac5W5uoqm0jkNvCqcTn2lHE_2VX1cx_5YVn-wIUPwsZ6McZeGBXjXYVoZb3eHTX6PwjY/s320/cover_100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412327009882315634" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "><p align="center"><b><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">Colorado Skies Outfitters<br /></span></b><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><i>By Search Parker Magazine</i></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"></span></p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><p align="left">Colorado Skies Outfitters (CSO), Parker’s first and only fly shop and guide service located in Old Town Parker reports that the summer of 2009 was a great season of fishing. "We guided a lot of trips this summer, and we are very grateful for the high level of water and fishing activity. The Fall season was a bit difficult due to the early arrival of Winter weather," said Owner Theo Anest.</p><p align="left">CSO conducted several float trips on the Colorado and Eagle Rivers this year as well as various trips on private water. However, the bulk of guided trips occurred on the Douglas County portion of the South Platte River in the Deckers/Cheesman Canyon area. "Living in Parker, we are very fortunate to have the Gold Medal South Platte a scenic 40 minutes from the shop," said Anest</p><p align="left">CSO reports outstanding fishing this year despite the unusually wet Summer that made for bigger flows and less than clear water. According to Anest, high flows allowed for bigger food sources to be washed away and made available to South Platte trout on a more regular basis. As a result of the dirtier water, trout were forced to key in on these larger offerings and take advantage of them as they came. "Since the water has once again cleared and we can once again see fish, it’s obvious the Browns and Rainbows packed on some serious size over the summer. In the Deckers area, we are consistently seeing fish in the 18-20" range, with several fish exceeding the trophy 24" mark," said Anest.</p><p align="left">Now that temperatures are cooling, the trout who call the South Platte River home are feeding vigorously in preparation for Winter months. For anglers, this means fishing can be excellent throughout the day. Late Fall is not only a good time on the South Platte, but on many other Colorado rivers as well. As Brown Trout prepare for the spawning months, they become very territorial and highly aggressive. For those interested in float fishing with CSO on either the Colorado or Roaring Fork River, even a late Fall/early December outing means throwing big flies that produce smashing strikes from Brown Trout. This time of the year is truly one of the greatest times to fish. "The weather is often still pleasant, the fishing is great, and there is nothing prettier than standing in a Western river when all the others are at home staying warm," said CSO guide James Spicer.</p><p align="left">Beyond trout fishing, CSO is also offering guided fly fishing trips for Carp. No, that is not a typo, Carp! "Leave all preconceived notions of what a Carp is at the door. Carp are highly intelligent, very wary fish that require a high level of stealth and finesse in order to catch on a fly. After successfully hooking and landing a carp on the fly rod, no fish requiring some level of stealth will ever feel as challenging again," said Spicer.</p><p align="left">With the colder days ahead of us, CSO has in place several fly tying classes which are suited for those new to fly tying as well as more advanced tiers. For more information about tying classes, guided fly fishing trips, special Christmas gift giving or anything pertaining to fly fishing in Colorado, give Colorado Skies Outfitters a call at 720-851-HOOK (4665) and located at 11020 S. Pikes Peak Drive in Parker at the Victorian Peaks building in Old Town Parker. ◊</p><p align="left">Colorado Skies Outfitters is located at 11020 S. Pikes Peak Drive in Parker at the Victorian Peaks building in Old Town Parker.</p><p align="left">720.851.HOOK (4665)</p></span></span>Theo Anesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663706966977586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-9425994367625022962009-12-06T19:08:00.000-08:002009-12-06T19:11:03.864-08:00Search Parker Magazine June, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK0OWF-XkVorD9dnlW_aUpA3NQr-Uzi_dqMKQeD2dGAQELrRXhBfD5DuSmvpQSY1bltemgYBQZp0fsD64yJ0pb_L-k6IzzmS_7OqLfshqBOTwx14lIvPCw6XVFH631NUcEA0w3KJv0bE/s1600-h/cover_94.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK0OWF-XkVorD9dnlW_aUpA3NQr-Uzi_dqMKQeD2dGAQELrRXhBfD5DuSmvpQSY1bltemgYBQZp0fsD64yJ0pb_L-k6IzzmS_7OqLfshqBOTwx14lIvPCw6XVFH631NUcEA0w3KJv0bE/s320/cover_94.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412326359946664146" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; "><p align="center"><b><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;">NEW FLY SHOP & GUIDE SERVICE IN PARKER<br /></span></b><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><i>By Search Parker Magazine</i></span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><b><span style="font-family:TrajanPro-Bold;font-size:100%;color:#5e293c;"></span></b></span></p><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"><b><span style="font-family:TrajanPro-Bold;font-size:100%;color:#5e293c;"></span></b><p align="JUSTIFY">With summer just around the corner, Search Parker Magazine is pleased to announce the opening of Colorado Skies Outfitters (CSO), located in Old Town Parker’s Victorian Peaks Business Center at 11020 Pikes Peak Drive. CSO will be Parker’s first and only full service fly shop and guide service. CSO has a grand opening planned for June 12-15th, during the Parker Country Festival. Guided trips are already going out, catching fish and having fun!</p><p align="JUSTIFY">Owner Theo Anest, a Parker native, CSU and Ponderosa High School Graduate, learned to fly fish at a young age at Bingham Reservoir in the Pinery Subdivision. To this day, he can still be found making long casts to the biggest wiper bass in Colorado off the same banks he stood as a 10 year old. "I am very excited about the chance to provide the community I love a local place to learn about this incredible sport, to talk about the one that got away and a place where time does not exist."</p><p align="JUSTIFY">Theo offers this caution to those new to the sport. "What may have been a quick trip to the local fly shop for half dozen flies usually turns into 30 minutes of talking about your latest fishing trip, sharing a cup of coffee, all before deciding to sit down and tie "a few" flies. A five minute trip can easily become a three hour trip. That’s what is so great about fly fishing; it’s an escape from every day life and a step into a never ending world of adventure, memories, new places, and friendships."</p><p align="JUSTIFY">Colorado Skies will surely offer this distraction from everyday business. Their fly shop will be part of a 7,000 square foot retail offering at Victorian Peaks. The shop will feature a fly tying corner where people can come and learn to tie flies, as well as monthly seminars and fly fishing conventions. Joining CSO will be the Back 9 Golf shop. "In creating this mixed retail destination, we hope we can provide people with the products to play 18, catch an 18 inch trout, all while the wife gazes through the wide selection of home accessories and antiques in the lower level at Victorian Peaks." It really is a win-win!</p><p align="JUSTIFY">CSO will also be providing guided fly fishing on some of Colorado’s most world renowned trout streams. Within a short 45 minute drive from the CSO fly shop, anglers can be standing in the shadows of the illustrious Cheesman Canyon stalking trophy rainbow and brown trout that are known to grow over 24 inches. CSO also provides the opportunity for float fishing from Mackenzie style drift boats on a variety of prized waters such as the Eagle, Colorado, and Roaring Fork. If solitude is the end all, CSO has access to over 40 pristine private stretches of river throughout the state. A guided fly fishing trip is a great option for those wanting to learn more about the sport, family outings, and corporate team building retreats.</p><p align="JUSTIFY">Deciding to go on a fishing trip with Colorado Skies Outfitters is a sure bet for a day of fun and for many, a lifetime of adventure, a lens through which those who are hooked view the world. Before you know it, you will be tying your own flies, making your own fly rods, and soaking up every bit of information you can about the latest tricks of the trade, new gear and places to visit. No matter how hard it rains on Wall Street, the sun still shines on Colorado’s rivers over 300 days a year!</p><p align="JUSTIFY">Colorado Skies also has a strong desire to reach out to others through fly fishing. CSO has founded a non profit 501(c)(3) extension of their business called Fly Fish for Life (FFL). FFL will be providing no cost fly fishing retreats for those recovering from brain and spinal injuries at Craig Hospital this summer.</p><p align="left">Living in Colorado provides a plethora of outdoor opportunities, and fly fishing is no exception. Colorado Skies has as its central goal to provide you with the information, skills and equipment to enjoy this sport.<span style="color:#5e293c;">◊</span></p><b><p align="left">For More Information on Colorado Skies:</p><span style="font-family:Californian FB;font-size:85%;color:#ffffff;"><p align="left"> </p></span><p align="left">Colorado Skies is located at 11020 Pikes Peak Dr. #105 in Parker.</p><p align="left">720-851-HOOK <a href="http://www.coloradoskiesoutfitters.com/" target="_blank">www.coloradoskiesoutfitters.com</a></p></b></span></span>Theo Anesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663706966977586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-75639718149356247632009-12-02T12:51:00.000-08:002009-12-02T13:03:24.596-08:00South Platte Fishing Report 12/2/09Flow:150<div>Clarity: Clear</div><div>Hatches: Midges</div><div>Hot Flies: Pink thread midges, Jame's Purple Midge, eggs, smaller beatis nymphs</div><div>Rating: Excellent</div><div><br /></div><div>Deckers: Fishing in Deckers has been exceptional as of late. Egg season has continued into December. Dropping about any kind of midge below an egg is being received with great results. Work also began along Horse Creek to clear out debree from this summers heavy rain. This will allow water to return to the normal stream bed and should result in better water clarity below Deckers Bridge as work progresses. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eleven Mile: Had a chance to hit Eleven Mile with by boys from Coloradofisherman.com on black friday! What a fun group to fish with. Lot's of laughs, good food, and bent rods. Streamers were producing fish early even on a blue bird day. Slow six inch strips with a pause in between seamed to be the rhythm fish were dancing to. As the day progressed nymph fishing was better. A few fish rising from time to time and we were able to to take a few on a Brooks Sprout midge behind a 24 para-adams. All and all--a great day to be on the water. Lot's of Kokes in the river still, but they are on their last fin. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dream Stream: A lot of fish have returned to the reservoir but there are still a few goo fish around. With the flow at 65 it's winter as usual with flies selection. Don't be afraid to pull a streamer from time to time either! </div><div><br /></div><div>If you're interested in a trip it's a great time to get out and we are now in off season rates which is 20% off summer rates! </div><div><br /></div><div>www.coloradoskiesoutfitters.com </div>Theo Anesthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01663706966977586919noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3850251128424211675.post-27017413777478548972009-12-01T21:29:00.000-08:002009-12-01T22:04:51.912-08:00Going Big and Dirty on the South Platte<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvaB-6Qhs3vNK03YJXYcLALi6qL-BEB_aHqkRWgaYBOWEwU7BjQuXCopCG9wUZJ8Yzcx37Bvss924AUEXP_Grtwc5qgeUOpZvngQJifp1dbUP-8fviMNF9CZSbbafs_IJO_m19wDdbQ/s1600-h/16570_175722698790_64723213790_3055816_6274224_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvaB-6Qhs3vNK03YJXYcLALi6qL-BEB_aHqkRWgaYBOWEwU7BjQuXCopCG9wUZJ8Yzcx37Bvss924AUEXP_Grtwc5qgeUOpZvngQJifp1dbUP-8fviMNF9CZSbbafs_IJO_m19wDdbQ/s320/16570_175722698790_64723213790_3055816_6274224_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410508612442447842" /></a><br />Here is a sneak peak of the upcoming article I wrote to be release in the Next issue of High Country Angler. <div> </div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Going Big and Dirty in Deckers</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">By Theo Anest</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica">www.coloradoskiesoutfitters.com </p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">In Late July I was on a half day wade and had heard reports the night before of heavy rain in the Deckers area. I expected off colored water but nothing could have prepared me for what I would see when I came down the dirt road from Sprucewood. The water on the South Platte literally had texture. Late the night before and into the early morning, a torrential down poor had washed out nearly every bank along the river, with numerous slides along Horse Creek between Woodland Park and Deckers. The North Fork was our saving grace that day which miraculously remained clear. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">When I returned to the shop in Parker, I was unsure of what would happen to a river recovering nicely from the scars of the Haymen Fire. The phone starting ringing at the shop with questions as soon as word spread that Deckers had severely blown out. “How long would it take to clear, Is there any fish kill, when will the road be open again to get to Cheesman?” Answers to people’s questions at that time were as good as mine. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">The river above Deckers bridge slowly began to clear but anything below Horse Creek was messy. This was due to a section of Horse Creek about two Miles above Deckers coined “The Swamp” by Danny Brennan of Flies and Lies. The Swamp filled with debree piles causing the creek to reroute outside of it’s normal stream bed picking up debree and other sediment. Today the swamp is still a problem and work needs to be done before water entering the South Platte from Horse Creek will resemble anything other than chocolate milk. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">A week after the heavy rain storm, we were once again guiding the South Platte around Deckers when most everybody else avoided it like the plague. When we drove clients by the river upstream to Deckers, our guides and I could feel tension mounting in client’s questions. Are we really going to fish this river? Can these fish see an inch in front of their face? Thanks to a little experimentation, experience fishing other dirty rivers, and a few innovations at the vice to combat the river’s new color, we could confidently answer these questions with a “yes.”</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">As a guide on the Colorado, Eagle and Roaring Fork, I never shied away from high and dirty water. In fact, I loved it. So long as your fly selection does its part to help trout find your offering, high/dirty water makes fish very forgiving of tippet size, less than drag free drifts, and other imperfections. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Even prior to the heavy rain, I began taking a different approach to the South Platte when flows crept above 200 CFS. Since Hayman, the biomass has turned from tailwater to something of a freestone caddis and stonefly farm. The number of caddis, the size of the stoneflies, and the overall diversity of bug life drastically increased. In the weeks before the river went brown and flows were above 200 CFS, we were sight fishing with a #14 golden stone pattern called a Little Yellow Sloan. This realistic little stonefly had fish moving three feet to eat on 4x. Fishing the standard South Platte offering of a mercury this, or mercury that in #22 on 6x meant hitting a fish in the face to get an eat. This held true in Cheesman as well. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Once the water went dirty, I started digging into my Colorado River boxes and found myself tying on some rather large gaudy bugs. Pat’s Rubberleg Stoneflies in # 2-6, three inch long Trusty Rusty Sanjuans, #2-6 Black Buggers, #2 Olive Boo-Faces, #14 crystal Pheasant Tails, #12 Fly Formerly Known as Prince, and a crane fly I created for the dirty South Platte called the Banana Split became the go-to selection. Essentially flies our guides and I never thought we would find ourselves tying onto 2x when fishing the South Platte. A three fly rig of any of the above mentioned flies under an indicator had fish swinging for the fences and rods bent on a regular basis. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Now that the water has once again cleared, flows have dropped to normal winter levels, and we can see fish again, it’s quite apparent that there was no fish kill of any significance. It’s also obvious that the high flows and dirty water did wonders for the fish that call the Deckers/Cheesman area home. Big flows meant more large food sources being washed away and available to trout. Furthermore, since the water was dirty, fish had to key in on these bigger offerings that they could actually see. Finally, the serious reduction in fishing pressure also gave fish a break through the summer. Through the fall and thus far in the winter, we have seen an encouraging amount of pre-Haymen type fish in the 18-20+ inch range from Deckers to to the Confluence with the North Fork</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">For the remainder of the Winter, your standard south Platte offerings of #22 pheasant tails, RS2’s,and thread midges will serve you well from Decker’s Bridge up. However, don’t be afraid to go big on days when snow melt puts a tint in the water. Below the bridge, water will remain off color as a result of the “swamp” on Horse Creek. Serving up a Bannana Split, pink worms, and larger than normal winter offerings will produce fish in the off color water through the winter. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">As a result of Hayman, the South Platte and it’s surrounding loose sediment banks are still very vulnerable to heavy rain. Spend some times at the vice this winter preparing some dirty water flies that will keep you fishing after heavy rain next summer. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> </div>Colorado Skies Outfittershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07132495705386455136noreply@blogger.com1