Insights from an obsessed wiper fisherman
Fishing Guide Extraordinaire
Carp – Wiper – Bass – Pike – Trout Walk / Wade 17’ Flats Boat Deluxe Sage Creek Package
505.350.0428 tkconnor@kw.com I’m also your local Real Estate Expert!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1zfPj17NPo&
Striped Bass x White Bass
Hybrid Species = Sterile Please Catch & Release
Present in most of Colorado’s Lakes!
Aurora Reservoir ~ Barr Lake ~ Bonny Lake ~ Cherry Creek Reservoir ~ Douglas Reservoir ~ Horsetooth ~ John Martin Reservoir ~ Lonetree Reservoir ~ Martin Lake ~ North Sterling Prewitt Reservoir ~ Pueblo Reservoir ~ Trinidad Lake ~ Union Reservoir ~ Wellington
Predatory & Aggressive 12” …. 22lbs! Long, Wide & Deep bodies Broken black horizontal stripes Two rows of teeth near rear of tongue
White bass has a single tooth patch on the tongue
Beginner’s Luck -
Blind casting with great success 2005 , 2006 great years – big numbers Fishing from shore Many consecutive days on the water
Discovery / Research -
It is worth spending the time researching and investigation the conditions prior to the trip
Obsession -
50+ days a year 10 hrs per fish
Learned the value of being at the right place at the right time
…this means getting on the water as much as possible …high [risk] high reward and the value of patience
Inverse Relationships
I.
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2009 & 2010 tough years … low numbers Tried many creative & new techniques Fished many different lakes
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↑ time/money/effort = ↓ fishing success
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…however ↑TME ≠ ↓FS …. ↑TME = ↑XP (experience) = ∞V (value)
Current Conclusions
I.
Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance Consistency pays off Decline in success due to:
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Fishing pressure has increased DOW management
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Philosophy and regulation
High water Stocking Availability
Water Temperature Water Clarity Wind Inlet conditions / water currents Structure Baitfish - Shad
Location & spawning
Weather Pressure / Human factors Lake Levels Keep a thorough journal
April 1 through Mid May Target
Shallow Shelves with adjacent deep water Inlets 15’ ledges
3”-4” large baitfish patterns Concentrate efforts early and later in the day I like a consistent 5-10mph breeze pushing towards structure and currents Water temp: 48 – 55 degrees
Mid May through July 1 As temps rise fish move to 10’+ water Sporadic Action w/good days Bigger attractor based patterns
Concentrate on structure
6”, black, red, yellow, olive & brown Shad are taking cover in flooded areas Use bass fishing techniques
Look for schools of carp, concentrated flocks of birds & ‘current spots’
July through September Water levels drop considerably Look to deeper water along dams and outlets Shad will ball up for protection
Fish to the sides and underneath the bait balls Smaller flies – juvenile shad imitaions
Early morning & Late Evening & at night Typically find smaller wiper Efforts tend to switch to carp fishing
September through end of October May find Blitzing Wiper
Surface feeding scenarios
Resurgence of wiper activity
Similar to spring fishing Look towards wind blown shores, structure and balled up bait
6wt – 9wt rods Quality saltwater capable reels
Spring / Fall
Smooth, sealed disc drag system Clear waters 9’ – 12’ Flouro leader to 1X, 2X, 3X
Summer / Deep Scenarios
7’ – 9’ Flouro 0X, 1X, 2X Warmer waters, off color
Thermometer Binoculars Belly Boat Power Boat Waders (that DO NOT leak!) Fly Lines
Clear Intermediate Sink Tip lines 3-5ips
Full Sink 300gr 6-10 ips
Fish/Depth Finder Hook Sharpener
Strip-Strip-Strip-Pause
Striiiiiiiiiip
Two to four inch strips Long, four foot, slow consistent strips
Jigging Trolling Fan-casting – searching for fish Steelhead style cast & move three feet Reverse Double Hauling for wind
Distance Casting in the wind
Competent at 50’-80’
Prepare for cold weather Have a variety of flies Keep a journal Belly Boat in the truck Above all: undying patience & persistence
Clear Waters / Inlets / Outlets / Spring Fishing
Cloudy Water / Summer
3” – 7” attractor baits Crayfish, shad, other forage fish, trout Bright colors, heavier flies Flies that move water and make noise
Busting fish
3”-5” shad imitations Silvers, Whites, Black, Purple Contrasting Colors
Shad Surface flies – poppers Fiber flies Jigging flies
I like flies with CONTRAST and Movement Durability and Fishability is key