A Guide’s Choice Guide
June 28, 2018
Last week we talked about the guides’ secrets on battling mosquitos, and many people seemed to enjoy the info, so this week we are back with more. Summertime fishing, especially in North Park, can be a little bit intimidating and confusing, but North Park Anglers is here to help. This week we are going to let you in on more of our tools of the trade to help you have a more fun, comfortable, successful and enjoyable time in North Park, and that can help you all around the state and country as well.
Beating the Heat
Water
Not the kind that fish live in, but the kind that humans drink. Far too often we have to cut our guide trips short or see people leaving the river early because they are dehydrated. The town of Walden sits at an elevation of 8,099’ and can be even higher as you move around the park and especially into the high country. If you’re coming from out of state, or even from a lower part of Colorado, you should be prepared to drink a significant amount of water, both a few days before you come up and while you’re here. Pounding beers on the river is fun, but it’s even more fun when you’ve already pounded a few waters and are not sicker than a dog.
Wet-Wading
Here at NPA, we typically put our waders away June 1st and wet-wade all the way through the summer. Wet-wading is exactly what it sounds like…wading in the water and getting wet while doing it. Up here, we wear long, lightweight, water repelling pants, neoprene guard socks with our wading boots and a lightweight shirt (typically the bug stopper ones). We also carry a few different wet-wading specific shoes here in the shop. Wet-wading is an awesome option in the summertime, because it helps keep you cool and comfortable. We have everything you’ll need in the shop, so if you need gear or want to know more about it, don’t be afraid to stop in and ask! Also, see last week’s blog for tips on how to beat the bugs if you typically use your waders as a defense mechanism against them (http://northparkanglers.com/world-class/).
NPA guide Taylor Martin gripping a nice brown during a recent wet-wading trip.
Sun Protection
During the summer months, the sun and heat can be brutal, and at the higher elevations you are more prone to sunburns and skin damage (yes, even if you’re from Denver). Wearing sun protective clothing, long pants, long sleeve shirts, buffs, hats, sun gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen is vital. Chapstick with sunscreen in it will be one of your best friends up here.
Now that we’ve covered from the tops of our heads to the bottoms of our feet and are ready to go out on the water, let’s talk about fishing gear. Besides the obvious rod, reel and flies, the guides have compiled a list of not-so-obvious gadgets that we think are important and useful to have out on the water. We keep these tools in our packs or boat bags and use them almost every day.
Stream Thermometer
A stream thermometer is easily one of the most important, yet overlooked pieces of gear to have. Not only will it help keep your sanity on the river, but it will let you know when the temps are too high and when fishing will be harmful to the fish. Optimal feeding temperatures for trout are between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that are too low or too high can make fishing tough for the angler and dangerous for the fish. You can read more about the importance of stream temperatures here: http://northparkanglers.com/water-temps-big-deal/ .
Polarized Glasses
Having a good pair of polarized glasses is essential for spending all day out on the water. Polarized sunglasses help to cut glare and allow you to see into the water. Being able to see into the water is essential when you’re trying to spot fish, calculate depth, and even figuring out a safe place to cross, not to mention protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays that are even more intense on the water.
Net with a Rubber Basket
Using a net with a rubber basket assists in protecting a fish’s slime coat, aka, their immune system. It also is much easier to remove hooks from and is more durable than a net with a string basket.
Hook File
Using a hook file to sharpen your hooks is a great tool to keep in your pack and once you have one, you’ll use it a lot more often than you would have imagined. A hook file is great if you keep your flies in your cork, or often snag trees, willows, branches, rocks, etc. (don’t worry, we all do). We most often use our hook files on streamers because they are constantly snagging things in the water.
Sink Tip Leaders
A five foot sink tip leader is a great piece of gear to have in your pack if you need some extra help getting your flies down in higher waters. Fishing streamers on a sink tip leader in higher waters can be extremely effective and having the five foot removable one is a great option to have instead of a complete different spool and line.
Tape Measure
For when you need to measure the fish of a lifetime.
Extra Nippers and Forceps
It always seems like you lose your nippers/forceps when you need them the most, so keeping an extra pair in your pack can be a life saver. Keep a heavy duty pair of forceps in your pack to use for pinching barbs and keep your main pair on a lanyard with your main pair of nippers for quick and easy access.
Nail Knot Tool
A nail knot tool can help you tie all sorts of tricky knots right on the river so you can spend more time fishing and less time fiddling around with your reading glasses trying to see what the heck you’re doing.
Seine
Using a seine net over your main net is a great tool to use to figure out exactly what the fish are eating and to “match the hatch.” It’s also a great entertainment tool for yourself or when you’re trying to entertain little kids or those who are beginners.
There you have it, North Park Anglers guides’ choice gear. We sell everything mentioned in this post in our shop, so don’t be afraid to come in and ask us more about the gear and tools we use. Come in, gear up and fish on!
Written by: Taylor Martin
