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February 21, 2026
THE PIKES PEAK FLYFISHERS
http://www.pikespeakflyfishers.com
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President's Hatch A Changing Season: Watching the Waters
As we transition into spring, there is a distinct shift in the air that calls us back to our favorite stretches of river. However, this year feels a bit different. With a lighter snowpack and an unseasonably warm start to the year, we find ourselves looking at the season ahead with both excitement and a touch of caution. The recent snows will help but how much is unknown. While we are eager to get back on the water, the reality of lower flows and rising water temperatures may change the way we fish this summer. We must remain mindful of the potential for "Hoot Owl" restrictions, temporary closures or asking for voluntary measures of not fishing aimed at protecting our trout during periods of heat stress. Now, more than ever, being a Flyfisher means being a steward of the river—staying informed, monitoring temperatures, and prioritizing the health of the fishery we all cherish
Dust Off the Waders: Monthly Trips Return
The wait is nearly over! We are thrilled to announce that our Monthly Fishing Trips will officially kick off this April. Whether you’re looking to perfect your dry and nymph fly presentation or just want to spend a day on the water with people who won’t judge your backcast, these outings are the heart of our club. You can find the full breakdown of dates, locations, and fly recommendations in the Monthly Trip Section below.
Volunteers Needed: Adapted Athletics Field Day
We have a special opportunity to give back to our community on Thursday, May 7th. We are looking for volunteers to assist with the Adapted Athletics Field Day for kids with special needs. We’ll be helping out from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM. There’s nothing quite like the smile on a kid’s face when they connect with the outdoors, and we need your hands and hearts to make it happen. If you can spare a morning to help these incredible athletes, please sign up at the next meeting or reply to this email.
The Big Catch: Fundraising Auction & Yard Sale
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 11th for our annual Fundraising Auction! This is our biggest event of the year, and the stakes are high—we have finalized an incredible lineup of trips spanning six states and Argentina. To make this event a success, we need your help with donations for our Silent Auction and Yard Sale table. If you have gear, art, or outdoor items to contribute, please contact Kevin Thomason to arrange a pickup. Let’s clear out those gear closets for a great cause!
Don’t Get Caught Out: License Renewal
Consider this your "Fair Warning" splash: Colorado fishing licenses expire on March 31st. Don’t be the person standing on the bank on April 1st with a trophy trout on the line and an expired card in your wallet. Grab your 2026-2027 license now so you’re ready for the first cast of the season.
Membership Dues and Waivers
It is very important to get your dues paid and most important to sign the waiver before attending the meetings or monthly club trips. Please send the dues to the club address or bring them to the meeting on Monday March 2nd. The dues help us meet out budgets for the community service projects, monthly meetings food, banquet, picnic and operating expenses such as computer program subscriptions, insurance, etc.
Peak Fly Shop Open Fly Tying Nights
Put on your calendars for March 11th and 25th for the open fly tying nights at the Peak Fly Shop. All levels are welcome. Come learn or share a new technique when tying flies.
A Final Thought
"The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. To share that hope with a friend is to double the joy; to share it with a stranger is to grow a community." — Inspired by John Buchan
As we head into this vibrant season, let’s make a point to invite someone new to the water. Whether it's a neighbor, a coworker, or a friend who has never held a rod, let’s grow the sport we love by sharing the peace that only a river can provide.March 11, 11 AM Lunch at Mollica'sLastly, don't forget our Lunch at Mollica's on March 11. This will be our last luncheon for 2026. Great food and a chance to have discussions about the sport that we all love. See you there.
Tight lines, Kevin Thomason
President |
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Programs
March 2 – Auction Trip Reports
Pointer Outfitters - Patagonia - Kevin Thomason and Ed Buck
Arkanglers Salida- float trip on Arkansas - Kevin Thomason and Greg Walters
Upriver Outfitters Buena Vista high alpine lake - Kevin Thomason, Dave Hoover, Jim Davis
Arcom Outfitters - San Juan River, NM walk wade - Kevin Thomason and Tom Burdette
Naknek River Camps, Alaska – Jerry Radspinner
Gunnison River Fly Shop and Ed’s Fly Shop - Gunnison River – Greg Walters and Jim White
April – No meeting (Annual Auction)
May 4 – Ken Iwamasa – Ken is an accomplished college professor, author, guide, instructor, artist, fly designer, and of course, fly fisherman. He will talk about some favorite flies and waters.
June – No meeting (Picnic)
July 6 – Michele White – Michele will talk about her new book, The Bucket List, about fly fishing top private waters in the area.
August 3 – Erin Hale, Cord 3 Outfitters – Idaho and Wyoming fly fishing.
September – No meeting due to Labor Day holiday.
October 5 – (tentative) Cat Toy, Blue Quill Angler – Cat is one of Colorado’s most sought-after guides and innovative fly tiers. She will talk about her favorite patterns and waters.
November 2 – Annual Banquet – Open
December 7 – Open Charlie Huff
Program Director |
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Rod Building
February 9th was our first rod building class for the year. We welcomed five club members to the rod building community. The first class was a fast paced overview of rod building. The assigned homework was to start doing research on the materials that they will need to build their rods. The next classes will focus on tasks need to assemble their rods.
Charlie Huff
Dave Hoover |
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Trips
Pikes Peak Flyfishers Spring 2026 Monthly trip Schedule- March 11 (11:00 AM): Winter Luncheon at Mollica’s Italian Market. Final winter social and season planning; no formal fishing trip scheduled due to long range weather forecasts showing low temperatures and moisture throughout March.
- April 15: Lets join together on Tax Day by having a fishing day on the Dream Stream. We will meet at the main parking lot at 9:00 AM. We will be flexible depending on weather and flow conditions.
- Late April/Early May (TBD): Potential Lake Deweese/Grape Creek/Arkansas river Overnight trip targeting trout, pike and muskie via shore, boat, float tube, or wading. Dates being considered are April 24–25 or May 1–2. The final date will be announced in the April newsletter.
Upcoming Monthly Destinations:
Future outings will include Skagway Reservoir/Beaver Creek, Jefferson Lake, Badger Basin/Tomahawk area, Dream Stream, Elevenmile Canyon, Tarryall Reservoir/Creek, the Arkansas River, Collard and Cline Ranches, High Alpine lakes and possibly others.
Please send suggestions of other options to kuduhunterkudu@gmail.com.
I look forward to seeing everyone on the river or reservoir this spring. Kevin Thomason
President |
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Fly Tying
Greg is under the weather this month, so I will fill in for him. I am bringing back an article from about 2008 that John Gordon wrote on Ed Elkins' Green Wooly. This was the go to fly for club trips on lakes. Any fly that Ed likes has got to be good. This is the way that Ed originally tied the Green Wooly. Recently I have seen him tie it on a jig hook now that the popularity of jig hooks has sky rocketed.
Dave Hoover |
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Ed Elkins' Green Wooly Hook Tiemco 2302 (size #12)
Bead: Red Glass Bead
Thread: Olive 3/0 or 6/0
Tailing: Copper Krystal Flash and natural color (about medium dun) Turkey Marabou
Hackle: Olive Grizzly saddle hackle
Body: Olive Antron or Darlon #6 Olive
1. Place red glass bead on the hook. Start thread and wrap back to just above the hook barb.
2. Fold copper Krystal flash strand over and over until you have enough for 8 strands. Tie in Krystal flash on top at the bend.
3. Tie in the first clump of natural color turkey marabou on the side for the tail. Keep this short in length and heavy about 5/16 inch past the hook bend. Tie in a second clump of natural color turkey marabou on the other side. Make sure the Krystal Flash is in the center between the two tail clumps of marabou.
4. Select an olive grizzly hackle and tie it in tip first. Be sure to hold the tailing materials when tying in the hackle at the bend.
5. Tie in and wrap forward the olive Antron body and tie off.
6. Take 2 or 3 close wraps of the hackle then palmer wrap the hackle forward to the red grass bead head. Tie off and whip finish behind the bead head.
7. Clip the copper Krystal Flash tail at a couple of different lengths.
TIP from Jim Foster: If the glass bead is lost (can break at times) the fly is up to 50% less effective. I use red thread. This leaves a small but important red attractor at the front. This fly has worked outstandingly fishing it streamer style. Trolling this fly behind a boat with a type 6 full sink line works very well also but you must impart acton in the fly. For boat trolling method, use leader tapered to 3X fluorocarbon tippet (15 to 20 ft. total), and full fly line or more length out of the fly rod.
Tip from Dave Hoover: Several years ago the club had a trip to Sylvan Lake. I was consistently getting hits on the fly, but no hook ups. Just before the trip I tied several of these flies with a stinger hook. I used a small red egg hook with the bend of the hook even with the end of the marabou tail. I used a light fire wire line to attach the stinger and cut off the main hook at the bend. No more missed strikes and 63 brookies later the trip was over.
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 | 2025 President's Award winner Jim White |
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 | 2025 Roy E. Gray award winner Dennis Erenberger |
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Club Member Pictures on Trips to Argentina With Pointer Outfitters |
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 | Kevin Thomason with a beautiful Brook Trout |
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 | Kevin Thomason with a colorful Brown Trout |
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 | Ed Buck with a nice Golden Dorado |
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 | Kevin Thomason with a big Golden Dorado |
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 | Ed Buck with a big Golden Dorado |
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 | Kevin Thomason with a big Rainbow Trout |
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 | Juan, Kevin and Ed's guide, with a fat Brown Trout |
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 | Kevin Thomason with another big Rainbow Trout |
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 | Tom Wood and his son Richard with a big Brown Trout |
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 | Tom Wood with a beautiful Brook Trout |
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 | Tom Wood with his son Richard with a nice Rainbow Trout |
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Support our Sponsers!!Special Shout Out to our most excellent sponsor The Peak Fly Shop 5632 Academy Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80918 (719) 260-1415 |
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