At The Rivers Edge

I was asked this past fall to write a devotional for our quarterly newsletter at Ravencrest Chalet.  This is what I came up with.  We are all very grateful to be involved in God's Creation.

At The Rivers Edge

“He told us about Christ’s disciples being fisherman, and we were left to assume, as my brother and I did, that all first-class fisherman on the Sea of Galilee were fly fisherman and that John, the favorite was a dry-fly fisherman (A River Runs Through It, Norman Maclean).”

Maclean’s 1976 novel about family, religion, and fly-fishing has captured many hearts over the last thirty years.  Its solid representation of day-to-day relationships, and beautiful correlations between fly-fishing and the Divine, continues to draw me back to the river for much needed rest with my Creator.

The history behind my current passion for fly-fishing began with subtle realizations that when I was wading knee deep in the trout stream, my soul was being awakened and refreshed.

Noticing that Christ needed times of separation from his disciples and others, it encouraged me to pursue a greater purpose for my newfound hobby.  As I began to develop my skills as an angler, it become more and more obvious that it wasn’t about catching a wild trout (although that’s the true reason why all of us fly guys brave the elements to get a bend in our rods), but more about the intentional avenue of connecting with my God.

Christ challenges us in Matthew 11:29 to “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.”

At some level the act of tying on barely visible flies, and waiving a 9’ stick in the air gives me a better perspective on “finding rest.” My soul finds rest in the fact that God can pursue our hearts in whatever venue He chooses.  If we are to be more Christ-like we should do our best to emulate his tendencies.

May you find your escape, outlet, or intentional times of separation from the normal agendas and scheduling. The times we live in are designed to distract us from soulful rest, so we must fight for the health of our hearts and souls.

As for now I will continue to “find rest” in realizing who Christ is, and how He can speak to me on those memorable days chasing spooky trout, anticipating my return to the rivers edge.

May you find rest,

A.J.

Update on R.M.N.P.

It's almost July and the water is still rolling.  The west slope is under water, Yellowstone shops are closed, and some shops in the Midwest are still at a stand still with trips.  We are blessed to have fishable water to put clients on.  Over the past two weeks I've been out quite a bit, and we've had some great days on the water.  One of my favorite trips was a father/son combo.  Scott and Josh spent four hours with me in the park, and even with high water, we caught some nice fish.  Scott landed the nicest fish I've scene on Glacier Creek in quite some time.

I left him alone on a nice bend and when I came back to check on him, his rod was bent over near some willows.  I assumed that he was stuck under the bushes, but then I started seeing his rod tip bounce, and it seemed he was focused and a little nervous.  As I got closer I witnessed a nice brown flash and head down river.  Due to the faster than usual water, it took a bit to land the fish, but to my surprise it was a beautiful wild brown.  The rest of the day we picked up some brookies, rainbows, and smaller brown trout.  Most fish looked at adult stones and the trusty "Barnie."  It looks like we will be guiding in high water for another two weeks.  It's going to be gangbusters once the water starts to drop and hold for the rest of the summer.  These fish are going to be on!

Cheers,

A.J.

Two Guys, Some nice Fish

Both Christian and Doug endured some classic spring weather in Colorado.  Rain, High Wind, and the beginning of our run-off season made for some challenging fishing conditions.  

As a guide you work as hard as you can to ensure your clients have a fun, safe, and successful day on the water. These guys were great listeners and students.  We worked hard for the fish we landed and it was well worth it.  The park yielded some beautiful brown trout, and I was pleased with another great day on the water.  The season has begun!   

Thanks Christian and Doug for a great day!

Cheers,




A.J.

First fish on the UBT for the year!

The Colorado Rockies have scene quite the snowfall and precipitation this year.  The West Slope has over 125% snowpack and the Front Range just had four days of solid rain.  The rivers are high and off color.  The run-off season has started here in Colorado.  This past week I was able to sneek up to the park and fish the Big T.



The flows were under 65 cfs and all the fish that I landed were browns ranging from 12-16.  These fish were beautiful and it felt good to bend the Winston on my home park water.  Water temps didn't allow for any great hatches, but midges and baetis patterns took most of the fish.  The spring brings great signs of wildlife and I'm blessed to guide in a such a beautiful landscape.  Let's get this run-off over with!

Tight Lines,

A.J.

Some great trips ahead, new flies...

Egg Sucking Leach

Over the next month I will get the chance to fish some awesome water.  From working to spending time with the family, its hard to find time to sit down and hammer out some flies.  Next week we head to the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork, and then towards the middle of May its Delaney Buttes!  Both places offer quite a variety of hatches and water types.  The Pan will feature some great BWO hatches, and North Delaney should see awesome streamer fishing with some great Chironomid action.  Today I was able to pump out some new streamer patterns, one of them being a great fly that Kelly Galloup designed for the Madison River in Montana.  I'm excited to see if it will yield some results.  I hope you guys are doing well.

Tight Lines,


A.J.

Wild Game Dinner Events

Over the past five years I've been able to establish great relationships with churches that offer "Wild Game Dinner" outreach events.  These events are tailored towards men who enjoy hunting and fishing.  Great food, good prizes, and a positive message is presented at these events.

This next weekend will be my second trip to Green Bay,WI for Spring Lake Church's Wild Game Dinner. This annual event is one of the best in the country.  The men at Spring Lake have done a great job in planning these events.  It's grown to the point where they will be offering Friday and Saturday night dinners.  It's going to be a great event, and I look forward to seeing some old friends!  I will be doing seminars on Fly Fishing Rocky Mountain National Park, and River Smallmouth.  Seminars start on both Friday and Saturday afternoons.  If you happen to be in the Green Bay area, stop by and say hello! For info check them out on facebook under "Wild Game Dinner by Spring Lake Church", or email me.

On another note,  I'm truly getting the itch for the guide season.  We received a dusting of snow this morning in Denver, but the fish are getting ready to spawn and we should start to see some of the best dry fly fishing of the year.  I hope to fish the Big T or the Blue within the next two weeks.


Tight Lines,

A.J.

New Tying Desk, New Fly

My mother-in-law found this great roll-top desk at a rummage sale in Wisconsin.  They did some work to it, and Justin was able to bring it out to Colorado when he moved out a few weeks back.  I finally got a space to tie on my new desk this week, and I'm pumped to have some space for tying.  Most fly tiers have a space to call their own, so I'm thankful to have one for myself.  I look forward to tying many flies on this great desk.

Some of us will be headed to fish the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork in May, and it's been a goal to tie and design a few B.W.O. flies for the trip.  Both of these rivers see a great Blue Winged Olive hatch and I'm sure we will see some late season midge's as well.  The CDC fly will trap air bubbles and give a great silhouette when in the film. The Lagartun French Flatbraid is a great material for wings.  I've tied them with glass beads as well.  I'm excited to do some field testing with them on the Blue in the near future.  Get out fishing and enjoy the Colorado weather we have been given.

Tight Lines,

A.J. Dudek

New Spring Midge Patterns

Over the past three months we've been fishing tough tailwater rivers in Colorado.  From the Blue to Cheesman, we all know how difficult it can be to get fish to eat our bugs.  Here are some flies that I've tied that can be very effective on those tough winter trout.

 This midge pattern in a sz. 26 has been one of the most productive film midges I've used this winter.  Other anglers have caught many fish on this little guy.  The "Ice Midge" is a great choice for tough sipping trout.  You can fish below a heavier nymph or just under a small dry fly.

In the spirit of Colorado, this RS-2 type fly offers good film fishing as well.  I've fished this guy as a dry as well as effective emerger.  I suggest using them is sizes 22 and 24.  

 The "Midge Magic" offers great profiles in the water.  Using fine blue wire and small hackles, you can fish this guy to very selective trout.  Some of my biggest winter fish have come from this fly.

 Pat Dorsey's "Top Secret" midge has been a great tailwater fly for years.  I've made some adjustments to how the wing looks, as well as offering some gold or silver body wraps instead of the traditional 6 or 8/0 thread.  Once again fish this fly as the last in a two or three fly rig.  When fish are sipping on the surface I fish this behind a size 24 Parachute Adams.

 Like the "Midge Magic" I've made this fly even simpler.  No hackle, but the addition of black crystal dubbing and a flashback wing-case gives this fly a simple look.

The Haskel/Dudek  Midge is a perfect dry fly during the winter months.  Z-Lon is a great material for wings because it captures light well.  Fish truly key in on this fly.  Make sure to use proper proportions when tying in the wings.

Effective winter midge fishing can be grueling, but the results are amazing.  Be patient, and confident in the flies that you are fishing.  As John Hazel says, "Learn to fish good water well."

Cheers,

A.J.

Angler's Covey 2011 Spring Fly Fishing Show

Next week I will be with Scott Hartkins of R.L. Winston Rods, where we will be putting on some casting and product clinics at the Angler's Covey in Colorado Springs.  This is a great spring event and the shop does a fabulous job of bringing in some great products, reps, and excitement for the upcoming season.  Come out and cast some new rods, drink some coffee, and have some fun talking about fly-fishing.

Cheers,

AJ

First Weekend in the Books!

Bass Pro Shop's "Spring Fishing Classic" is underway.  First Adventure was able to do some seminars and enjoy the collection of fine fly tyers, as well as industry reps.  It always nice to see some old friends, and hopefully I was able to connect with people about what we do.  Next weekend is our smallmouth weekend for First Adventure as well as my trip with Scott Hartkins (Winston, St. Croix, and Lamson rep.) to Anglers Covey for their Spring Kick Off.  The guide season is knocking on the door with hopes of a busy spring and summer.

I hope you guys have been able to get out and fish.  I will try to post some new reports soon.

Cheers,



AJ

Time on the Vise

Had some time on the vise this week. Some exciting fishing is just around the corner!

One is a variation of an intruder that fishes well for Steelhead and browns.  Carp season is coming up, so I had to tie some of Tim Landwehr's "Muppets."  The other is a lake streamer for when ice-out occurs.  The darker tones and silver body gives the fly a good profile.

Joining Blue Sky Furled Leaders Team

When guiding in the park I'm always looking for new ideas, products, or techniques to make my clients day more enjoyable and successful.  Over the years I've been accustom to using traditional 7.5 Ft. leaders in the park.  These leaders have treated me well, and there have been a good number of successful days on the water using them.  Within the past three years I've been using the Blue Sky Furled Leader as my go-to leader for guiding.  Unlike traditional mono leaders, the Blue Sky leader truly holds up well, casts great, and is easy for my clients to fish.  My leader never gets longer than seven feet, and my clients are getting more natural drifts using the Blue Sky leader.  I'm excited to join the Blue Sky family, and I hope that you get an opportunity to check out some of their products.  Currently you can find Blue Sky through Cabela's, as well as some traditional fly shop locations.  Check them out online at www.blueskyfly.com. If you have any questions about the product, use, or general information, please feel free to give me a call.

On another note, I was able to fish the Big T last week. Open water is popping up, and fish were quite responsive to midge patterns as well as my special egg pattern.  The rainbows should be getting ready to stage for the spawn within the next month or so.  I'm hoping to get out and fish the Eagle River for some big spring rainbows.  Snow is falling in the front range today, and Ainsley and I get the chance to hang out inside today!

Tight Lines,

A.J.

Spring 2011 Shows and Seminars

This spring brings some great opportunities to see some informative presentations and seminars in the Front Range area.  I personally will be at  Bass Pro's "Spring Fishing Classic."  This event starts on Feb. 26 and runs through the first weekend in March.  There will be numerous presenters, fly tiers, and Colorado natives.  From Mike White to Landon Mayer, it should be a great event.

I will be doing two seminars.  One on Rocky Mountain National Park, and another on River Smallmouth Bass.  Both run about 45 minutes, and should be a great time to learn something new about fly fishing.

The First Adventure team will be traveling to Green Bay, WI for Spring Lake Church's "Wild Game Dinner" events.  They are conducting back-to-back dinners, with great prizes and quality seminars.  The dinners will be held on April 1 and 2nd.  The guide season is just around the corner and we are getting very excited for the summer ahead.  Tight Lines and get out fishing!

Cheers, AJ

Wisconsin Friends and 11 Mile Canyon

This post comes at a great time for most anglers.  Winter is starting to subside here in Colorado and my hopes for the spring couldn't be higher.  One of the higher points of this winter was my visit with my boys Matt, Caleb, and Brandon.  For the past three years we've participated in what we have called "Colorado Beer Night."  The whole premise revolves around reuniting, good conversation, and fine selected beverages (Colorado made of course).  Relationships are important to me, and although, as a group we only get to hang out once a year; the bonds of friendship are strong. Good work on the Gubna Matt!

Early January brought my first trip of the year.  11 Mile Canyon (South Platte River) was the destination, and I have to say it was tough going.  The canyon typically fishes well, but when water temps are under 40 degrees, it's hard to get fish to rise.  Before the actually trip, I had the opportunity to fish below the dam and caught some cuts.  The canyon typically experiences great BWO and Midge hatches.  I caught two fish on a sz. 26 Parachute Adams, and another couple on an egg pattern that I tie up.  The water temps forced fish down and most feeders were very spooky and non-interested.  I learned a lot and had a blast with Chris and his friends.  

I look forward to seeing my guys again, in fact most of them will be wetting a line with me this summer in Colorado!  Get out and fish, and try to engage with a friend this week.  Tight Lines, AJ

Exciting times ahead...

For most of us this past year had many ups and downs.  The Dudek family resided in four states, brought a new baby into the world, and settled back into Colorado.  There are chunks of 2010 that are still a blur in my mind, but I feel that its been a great year.  Although Jen and I had some of the most trying times, we have learned to look past the present and have faith for the future.
First Adventure is excited for its future in Colorado, and we anticipate a great 2011 guide season.  The spring couldn't come fast enough, but for now we prepare, fish a little, tie some flies, and dream about those epic hatches on the UBT.  May this new year bring joy to you and your family.

Cheers,

A.J.