Pure Greenback Cutthroat Trout Confirmed In Remote Colorado Stream

Colorado Greenbacks in Trouble
By Bruce Finley/The Denver Post

A study unraveling the genetics of Colorado's state fish, the greenback cutthroat trout, has found that pure greenbacks exist only on a 4-mile stretch of a creek southwest of Colorado Springs.

This overhaul of what is defined as a greenback cutthroat may come as a blow to anglers who fished such high-country sweet spots as Rocky Mountain National Park and thought they caught the real thing.

"The only greenback cutthroat trout population that we have now is the one in Bear Creek," said Jessica Metcalf, a University of Colorado post-doctoral researcher who conducted the study.

Federal, state and Trout Unlimited officials digesting the findings Monday said cutthroat trout previously tagged as greenback likely will be renamed. This is a photo of the Greenback Cutthroat Trout from Bear Creek in the Pike National Forest.

The University of Colorado study using DNA analysis and historical specimens also is triggering a federal re-evaluation of the biological status of greenback cutthroats, which are listed as "threatened" rather than "endangered."

And the findings are expected to bolster nascent efforts by conservationists to protect Bear Creek cutthroats in the face of threats from hikers, motorcyclists, homeless campers and partyers who use trails and fragile slopes along the creek — a tributary of the Arkansas River.

"We've known for some time that the trout in Bear Creek were unique," said Doug Krieger, senior aquatic biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. "But we didn't realize they were the only surviving greenback population."

Link to more Greenback Fishing with Fly Fish Addiction



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He's Back Again....Hank Patterson Fly Fishing Humor!

Hank is back at it again talking about how to handle the daily grind of being a guide as well as how to properly fend off a charging Bear! My Favorite is his take on fishing wish Caddis flies while catching BrownBow's!

Enjoy






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Fall Fly Fishing in The Rockies, Colorado Flies That You Need!

Flies for Fall Fishing in Colorado – Get out while you can!!
by Bluequillangler in Fishing Colorado

Tags: colorado fishing flies, colorado fly fishing, fall fly patterns, flies for fall, what fly to use in colorado 2The most frequently asked questions in a fly shop is “What flies should I have?”. This time of year it takes longer to answer this common question. Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year to go fly fishing. But it can also be one of the most challenging. Water flows are low and clear and the fish can be spooky. But there is more going on in the fall than at any other time of the year.

The river can be a “buffet” with many different offerings on the table. Mid summer hatches of Pale Morning Duns, Red Quills, Green Drakes, and Caddis flies can still be prevalent. Morning hatches of Trico Mayflies become a regular occurence with the Spinner Fall coming later in the day as the days get shorter. The reappearance of the Blue Wing Olives, especially on overcast days is a not so welcome sign that winter is just around the corner. Midge hatches that were lost in higher water will once again become a prominent food source continuing throughout the coming winter.

A few terrestrials such as hoppers, ants, and beetles may still he around but most rivers here in Colorado excluding the lower elevation streams have had their first frost so terrestrial fishing is tapering off right now. Brown trout, Brook Trout and Whitefishwill all begin spawning soon so they are on the feed right now looking for anything to satisfy their constant hunger. Fall is the dry fly anglers paradise as the amount and variety of aquatic insects on the surface combined with low, clear water creat ea perfect environment for trout to ”risk it all ” to pluck a struggling morsel from the water’s surface.

Fall Patterns

Patterns for fall fishing cover the broadest range of Aquatic Insects and Terrestrials. Aquatic patterns available to the trout can be a combination of Midges, Mayflies, Caddis Flies, Terrestrial, Stoneflies, Minnows, Eggs and Aquatic earthworms. The best fishing is usually on those first overcast, nasty, days of the fall when a variety of Mayflies including Blue Wing Olives, Tiny Psuedocoleons BWO’s and Trico’s are abundant. Here is a list of recommended flies for a fantastic fall:




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Midcurrent's Top Photography

Top Photographers in Fly Fishing

If you've been fishing a short period of time or a many years, one thing is certain...you probably have pulled out a camera once or twice for a money shot. A majority of us, including myself have tried to articulate that perfect shot and more times than not it never comes out the way you wanted it.

Despite the lack of experience or even lack of decent camera gear, there is always a friend tagging along who can grab a better shot for you and help you remember that great day out on the River.

Some of us should just keep to just fishing instead of being behind the lense. Many guys out there have made it big in the Photography world and many of those were chosen to be listed in Midcurrent's Photography section. If you haven't checked out this array of photographers you have been missing out.

Whether you have a specific style of photography you like, a B&W specialist, someone who travels the globe to give you a variety of waters or if it's that Macro specialist we all love. When you're on Midcurrent to get the latest in Flyfishing make sure to checkout their photography section for a little more excitement.






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Meet Hank Patterson! Your Fly Fishing Guide

Meet Hank Patterson! Your Fly Fishing Guide. Winner “BEST HUMOR” – 7th Annual Drake Magazine Fly Fishing Video Awards!

The life and times of Hank Patterson, a self proclaimed Fly Fishing genius. His 2.5 years of experience and twenty seven viewings of A River Runs Through It on BluRay have given him little knowledge and great confidence. If you’re looking for a fly fishing guide who will occupy your personal space and fill your head with misinformation, Hank Patterson is your man!








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